Things around here have been pretty much the same with Brent. He has still been getting blood every two to three weeks. We lost count, but think we are in the range of about 30 units since January. Brent is receiving two more units today, along with an iron infusion. He will spend the entire day at IV Therapy getting iron and blood. Not a fun way to spend the day. Then, on Thursday, he will get another iron infusion.

There are still no answers as to what is causing the blood loss/anemia. He will have another EGD and colonoscopy next week to see if there is anything going on. The new medication, Stelara, is still in the trial stages. Not sure if it is doing anything or not. At $13,000 an injection, it dang well better do something! Yes, $13,000, not $1,300, or even $130. Crazy, and highly unethical in my opinion to be able to charge that much for one injection.

This past week, we have experienced a tragedy in our neighborhood. Our good friend, neighbor, and wonderful man passed away unexpectedly after a car accident. It has been hard to grasp that he is gone. The feelings in our hearts are tender as we think about his beautiful family that has played such an important part in our lives, and in our children's lives. So many fun, tender, awesome memories of Leland have played over and over in our minds. Our daughter, Michelle said it well in her blog:

"So many thoughts today. I'm not sure where to start. You know that neighbor that has always been there? As long as you can remember they have been at birthday parties and ward activities and walking around the neighborhood. They don't hesitate to drop everything to help when needed. They are a constant fixture, a part of home. Well that all changed today. Last week Leland and his daughter Robyn were in a car accident. They were T-boned going through an intersection. They said Leland was fine. But he wasn't. Sunday he was admitted to the hospital. He got worse from there. This morning he passed away.

I don't know what to say about this man that has always stepped in to help. He always made sure we had somewhere to go. Dinner delivered. Blessings given. Plenty of tomatoes or other produce from the garden. I can't imagine going home and not seeing him walking the neighborhood or working on his beautiful yard. I can't imagine seeing Hilda without Leland."

 

 

Leland passed away due to some of the same things Brent has experienced. He was septic after surgery. We have come very close to losing Brent several times due to septic shock. I have no answers as to why Brent has survived, and Leland was taken from us. It is a very uncertain world we live in. Very fragile. As we pray for healing for the Gamette family,and for the Piggott family, who also lost a loved one unexpectedly, we also pray that all of us will not take for granted the blessings we have. Love your family, make amends, focus on what's important. We are thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that gives us hope and comfort.