We've hit ZERO- NEUTROPENIC STAGE BEGINS!

So quick post to let you all know that Ronald's Labs are all down now so visitors are limited to just about 5 needed individuals that are  involved in his care. We  are now into the waiting kinda phase where we wait on any infections he may get (Dr. says that with the type of Chemo he was given, internally born infections are most likely inevitable :( ) and he will be treated as needed with antibiotics, platelets and blood transfusions as needed! They don't expect his labs to climb back up for about 28 days... so we are so thankful for your love, support, fasting, prayers and faith in his behalf!!! Meanwhile, if you need any help with yard work, babysitting, etc feel free to call on our kids.... we love them to stay busier than even normal these days as they are not able to visit much either anymore! Free of charge , they serve everywhere as a team ...and it keeps their minds busy, and spirits serving.... usually a good formula for success for us!!! 
                                                Happy Sabbath to you all!

PS: let us know if you want to Skype Ronald... I am sure he would enjoy that from time to time as he feels well enough with such limited outside contact in his future ;-)

OUR PATRIOTIC CHEMO!!!

            HAPPY RED, WHITE, and BLUE Day!!

We have to say that we kinda got a kick today out of Ronald's very unique way of incorporating the iconic RED, WHITE, and BLUE into our Independence Day!!!! When we looked at his chemo pole today (with that cool blue chemo this time) He had a pretty Patriotic Pole!!... pretty ironic huh???

Todays Update: So far not much to report....thankfully! Tolerating this stage fairly well and looking great in his Patriotic Blue Shirt today and feeling just about the same as the last few days... just puffing a little bit from the steroids used during the chemo of a few more days, and his levels are definitely dropping as expected so looks like monday he should be about zero and not quite as energetic and hungry but for today he is still looking and feeling really pretty good! Thank you for the great response from our invitation to join us in our unified fast tomorrow (mentioned in our last post).... We are unbelievably blessed to have such extraordinary love and support!! We sure  love you!!

Taken this morning... LOOKIN GOOD!

Thought for the day: We were so sorry to hear about the passing of President Boyd K. Packer yesterday afternoon!! There are such powerful spirits that are joining our sweet Elder Rylan in a  stunning army that is most certainly hastening the Lords work throughout the spirit world. There is no doubt some great spirits are being called to serve in this capacity this season of mortality!!
We love you President Packer and all you have absolutely contributed to our mortal experience!!

WE ARE NOT ALONE... Not any of us!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

JUST SO THANKFUL THAT WE KNOW THIS TO BE THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH... 

WE ARE CERTAIN OF IT!!

BEFORE OUR UPDATE: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! Sure love you!!!

UPDATE ON RONALD: Today brought another good day... Ronald needed 2 units of blood today but that is totally to be expected as the Chemo is definitely at work. Ronald is still feeling just fine.... kidneys back stable, great appetite still, energy real good and his spirits are great! Spending time doing some online medical work, studying Old Testament with me for my CES training, skyping with family and memorizing THE LIVING CHRIST!! Another Great Day!!

INVITATION: As this coming week is going to be a much more tender week for Ronald's health, due to the chemothrapy zeroing out all his levels and will be into the neutropenic stage (no immune system)for about 10-15 days... Ronald will be quite weak and not feeling well,  but more of a concern is that during this time he will have a greatly heightened risk of infection and without an immune system to fight it off can cause serious complications AND also as the chemo appears to be killing the cells ,as it is supposed to, we really DO NOT want any cancer cells to develop as the new cells begin to come back slowly during this time. If they will stop producing long enough, Ronald will be able to move on to the next stage of necessary treatment!!

WITH ALL THAT SAID... we wanted to invite anyone that would like to , to join our family in a special fast this Sunday, for Ronald, as well as all others throughout this extraordinary hospital... that if able, that the most minimal amount of concern and complication occur during this time and that Ronald and other patients will have capacity within their organs, strength and overall spirits beyond their own and receive as much comfort possible during this time and during the months of treatment ahead!

We certainly are aware that we are definitely not the only family experiencing challenges, illness or in need of increased direction and strength, and so we only wish to invite you, as you may feel inspired to do so!! We also truly welcome you to let us know of any and all of your love ones that are also in need of anything from our family and would love to include them in our thoughts, prayers and fasting as well!! ... Our hope is that all

may know of the knowledge, as Elder Bednar reminded us, That

we are never alone in our pains, trials and challenges! Meanwhile.... WE LOVE YOU and are So very thankful we do not sojourn this mortal journey without you all by our sides!! 

Have a marvelous weekend full of unlimited joy!!!!

MEANWHILE...
 just wanted to include a sweet picture that our "twins"
sent to us today..... from "Rylan's Mountain Retreat" (willard cemetary)
where they decorated Rylan's special spot for the holiday weekend with their Aunt Bonnie and Uncle David! 

What a beautiful, peaceful and loving spot on this planet that once again reminded us that we are SOOO eternally grateful for our absolute knowledge of eternal families and the extraordinary tender mercy of feeling so united with and strengthened by our sweet missionaries , sweet Elder Rylan and darling Sister Selleka although physically apart... we feel so close! We are truly, truly blessed by their faithful service!!

HE HAS BYU BLUE RUNNING THROUGH HIS VEINS!

                                                                         Quick Update:
SO FAR SO GOOD.... Ronald is on his second full day of high dose chemotherapy....
...and tolerating it real well! Energy up, labs stable, eating well still and in great spirits!
The picture on the right is of one of his three chemo drugs they are administering... it is BLUE... our Hematologist was joking with Ronald that he thinks this is gonna make the difference this time because he know what a die hard BYU fan he is!! He may seriously be able to say he has blue running through his veins :-)

Thanks to everyone for you concern and interest in his well being. We will continue to try to update at least every day or two as things progress!

The Unexpected Adventure Continues....

DEAR ADVENTURERS.....

So now after Ronalds official first post , I (stephanie) will give you all a few generalities of what we are told to expect starting today.....after 3 days of "kidney conditioning" and prep... Ronald will start CLAG-M Chemotherapy today... it will run for 8 days with the hope that the cancer cells will respond by getting lost!!! During this time and for the weeks to follow we are told that Ronald will feel very sick and weak.... He will also start hitting that neutropenic stage where he will have no immune system yet hopefully regain his numbers in about 3 weeks or so. If all goes well to that point they will administer an "obliterating" chemotherapy (meaning so powerful that is can hopefully ZAP every left cancer cell possible) and then a day later begin his transplant! WHEW!.... and then.... we are told he will get even a bit sicker and we wait for about 2 weeks to see if the transplant took enough to start grafting!... and then... since we plan on that happening (since he has a sibling match donor, his sister) he will then have to be watched very closely to monitor for any set backs, infections or complications for a very long time...but when his numbers all come back up for at least 3-5 days they will release him to stay within 20 min of the hospital for 100 days ( those days starting with the day of his transplant)! This is because at any time he could get a fever, infection etc, that would need to be treated immediately!!...WHEW!!! As we plan on all going well even to that point.... then he will be given the ok to settle back home but still very isolated for about 3 more months as he is still monitored very carefully! What an incredible adventure ahead huh??? NOT comfortable, NOT good timing, NOT planned, maybe may appear as NOT fair right!????.... we say to that... IT DOESN'T MATTER! It is what the Lord has allowed and He is in every detail and THAT IS WHAT MATTERS!

I gave a RS Lesson 2 weeks ago  and during the preparation for that lesson I felt like I wanted to play a song for them that I wasn't planning on playing since it wasn't a hymn or in the planned curriculum , it is actually comes from the movie "Joseph, King of Dreams"....but, I think now I know better why my spirit was drawn to that particular song, as the lyrics really express what we are feeling at this time.... The link with lyrics is below, if you want to just take about three and a half minutes sometime to put this a bit more into the perspective our family has chosen to place this adventure... Our challenge for ourselves and for you is to do what one of the lines of that songs encourage... to allow the Lord REACH us all personally, so He can TEACH us all personally!- We sure love you all and truly desire all the fasting and prayers that you are inspired to participate in .  We plan on keeping up this blog the very best we can to keep you all informed as I know how many hearts are investing in Ronald's well being!! For now, we are well enough off as this latest unexpected adventure begins!! LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER.... AGAIN!!
All our love,
Stephanie and Family
                                     
: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4c7DaAAGrQ&list=RDk4c7DaAAGrQ

"I Know That He Loveth His Children, Nevertheless, I Do Not Know the Meaning of All Things!" 1 Nephi 11:17

Friends and Family!

I felt that I wanted to write this to tell all of you how grateful I am for your prayers and support since I found out that I have leukemia. This last year was quite eventful. I need to let you know that regardless of what happens in the future that I know that our Heavenly Father knows and loves each one of us.  I have been apart of and seen many miracles in the last year. I tell you this because I my cancer has returned. It is more aggressive this time, but we are going to pursue treatment. That means that I have been admitted to Huntsman for high dose chemotherapy, then in about 4 weeks they will prepare me for a bone marrow transplant. I am fortunate because one of my siblings is able to be the donor which improves my chances of survival.  I ask that you will continue to keep my family and I in your prayers and thoughts. I don't know the how and why We are chosen  for such a trial, but I do know that God loves us and each of you and knows us each individually. Stephanie and I know that it will be hard, but we know that if we are to have miracles again it will be up to HIM.  I will never be able to repay all of the love and support that I have and will yet receive, please know that I am eternally grateful and know that with out your support this would be a much more difficult journey.  I will not be able to have visitors as I did last time. The rules and treatment will be much more strict. I love you all and I testify that God and our Savior Jesus Christ love each one of us. Keep a smile and serve one another. 

Love Ronald Brent Simmons

Back to Recording the Tender Mercies.

We have felt that there is no better time to get back to informing you all on the tender mercies daily then on this memorial day of an angel. Today is Rylan's birthday and my mom wanted me to post a link to my blog that we feel represents how so many of us feel.


It's in the Small Things