My dad visits

It's probably a good time for an update on my dad and his health. He was able to spend 10 days with us over the Christmas holiday. He was in transit moving from Oklahoma where he has spent the last 11 months living with my sister and her family. He was on his way to St. George where he has decided to spend the next chapter of his life. Who lives there? None of his children, but this is where he wants to be and where he wants to pursue his dreams. Why not??

Part of why he is making the move is because he is feeling quite good and responding well to treatment. Just a couple of days ago he shared that his prostate has shrunken to just slightly enlarged which is actually normal for a man his age, so obviously the tumor has shrunken significantly. He has had a catheter for the last 5 months or so to help with the unpleasant side effects of the tumor, but he is hoping that will be able to come out because of the tumor shrinking. Other than the catheter, he told me he feels pretty normal these days. He also says he is pretty pokey in the morning, which is true. It's a while before he's dressed and ready to get out for the day.

He continues to exercise as best he can which has been a regular part of his routine for a long time. He's also making a much more concerted effort to eat fruits and vegetables--which was never too much of a priority for him. He has soup with all kinds of veggies added for lunch every day. He eats oatmeal every morning with all kinds of berries and other fruits on the top, and he drinks a smoothie every afternoon. Things seem to be working for him.

In moving to St. George he is hoping to be able to get involved in acting and theater again. He has an audition set up for Tuacahn in hopes of getting a part in their Mary Poppins production this summer. Acting has always been his dream, but he's never been able to do it really, so now he figures is his time.If he gets a part, I am sure we will travel to see him in it.

He enjoyed spending time with my family and kids. He still loves to read to them, and my kids did well with him around and warmed up pretty quickly. I think he enjoyed being able to have more of a traditional Christmas celebration which he hasn't had the last few years with many of us traveling other places. We had our Christmas Eve feast with rice pudding, a reading of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, a Christmas program from our Weight friends with Christmas carols and scripture reading, so many things that have great meaning and tradition for him.

Good news that he is doing well!