GRATITUDE

I am trying to have more gratitude in my life these days.  I remember Elder Bednar's talk in the fall conference when he talked about prayer and how it becomes more meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude.  It's been 2 weeks since Kirk was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Cancer happens to others, not to my family...ha ha ha.  It's been surreal at times, but I AM grateful.  It's only through our trials that we get out of our comfort zone and get stretched by the Lord.  I am grateful for a "young" husband who is in good physical shape.  The prognosis looks good with these two factors on our side.  I am grateful for modern technology and good people who have found their callings helping others (doctors, nurses, etc...)  I am thankful for the information age that we live in and how helpful the internet has become through our discovery of this particular cancer.  And I am grateful for good friends and family.  We  have felt your love and prayers in behalf of our family.  Most of all I am thankful for the gospel which gives me the resources to deal with adversity...prayer, fasting and the blessings of peace that can come through temple worship.  We got good news last Friday.  Loma Linda University Medical Center called and said that Kirk was admitted to the program using proton therapy.  We were thrilled, but not as thrilled as the next thing the gal said on the phone and that was that my insurance is covering the procedure 100%!  What a blessing!   Loma Linda called this morning and said that they would call probably in about 4-6 weeks to schedule the appointment to meet with Kirk.  Kirk is trying to get them to do it sooner, but we have to wait till there is an opening in the program.  Kirk will have to stay in Loma Linda the duration of the treatment since it is like 5 days a week at the same time slot.  Right now, since we don't know the dates, we are in limbo for the summer as to where we might be.  On another note, Kirk decided since he was dealing with cancer, he might as well get himself "fixed up", so he had surgery on his shoulder on Thursday afternoon.  He was having pain for about 3 years and was just tired of dealing with it, so he got an MRI and found a doc to fix him up.  So, here's a picture of my guy the day after surgery.  I think we'll be saving all the gear and spray painting it silver so he can be the terminator for Halloween next year!