Priesthood in the Home

I was reading some General Conference talks and thinking about the priesthood in our home. I'm not sure how to feel about the priesthood being in our home after Layne dies. I know both of our boys have received the priesthood. There are things they are not able to do yet with their priesthood that Layne is able to do with his. I will miss having someone readily available to do those things. We will still have the priesthood in our home. I think I will feel that way even after the boys move out and it's just me (or for awhile - me and the girls). I know that the priesthood will still be in our home because of covenants that have been made. That could not have been done without the priesthood and will not hold true without the priesthood. I'm glad it's a part of our lives - no matter how long those lives last during our experience here on earth.

40 Miler

Layne is on a 40 mile bike ride right now. I'm a little nervous. I'm hoping he comes back conqueror. I'm just hoping he's safe, not getting sun burnt, and is able to walk at the end. He was concerned about the amount of traffic there will be on the route they will be riding. It won't be heavy with traffic, but it will still be different than riding on a trail that's a straight shot with no vehicles. This one is through 'town' part of the way and has a variety of ups and downs. I'm hoping he'll be home in another hour - maybe two.

For those who read this when it was first written, I put stated 50 miles instead of 40, as I was talking with Layne last night, I realized I was wrong. So, the changes were made - just wanted to explain.

Not Normal

Layne and I were just talking about tomorrow. You know, the whole schedule thing. Saturdays can fill up quickly. I started to laugh part way through the conversation. 

Layne was talking about going on a bike ride in the morning. It's a 20-30 mile one. He's not sure how many miles they're doing. (He's riding with his trainer from Huntsman who has become a friend - and, a few other people that are also training.) He was then telling me how a friend that lives around the corner asked him to help with a load of rocks tomorrow. So, that will probably happen after the bike ride. Then, we might take the kids to a movie because one that they've been wanting to see just started at the Dollar Theatre. (Did you notice I even capitalized that? That's how our family rolls. We're too cheap to work it any other way.)

So, Layne's going to leave early in the morning for a long bike ride, help with a load of rocks for someone else's yard, and then have the energy to take the kids to a movie (and stay awake during the whole thing). Oh - and then maybe he and I could go on a date because we won't be going out tonight. Hmm...might as well push the boundaries, right?

I started laughing part way through the conversation because the thought hit me that it just didn't sound like a cancer patient talking. His day makes me feel tired just hearing about it and I won't even be there for the most exhausting parts. He's just not normal.:}

Next Up...Biking

Layne has decided to do a bike race in June. The miles vary depending on what you can do. It's also through Huntsman. I'm not sure about the fundraising part. The mileage marks are 25, 50, 75, and they might have a one hundred forty miler too. At first, Layne wasn't sure about what he could do. So, he's going to make the final decision after he's trained more.
He did a 33 mile ride on Saturday and ended up coming home in a lot of pain. He then tried a 26 miler today and seemed fine. I think the original goal for the race was 50 miles. So, we'll see how it goes.

Results

Layne really did get results on Friday. I should have already posted..haven't been feeling too great. But, that's another post.
There's been more growth. The oncologist is going to get him into another trial as soon as it's available. I knew at some point we'd be back to more growth - I just didn't really want it to come. When I found out - my heart sank. I cried. My first reaction was the thought that it just means the time for him to go is closer than it was before. I already knew that - I guess technically everyday is one day closer. It just feels so much more real. And that's the hard part. It's easier to pretend when things are going more smoothly.

Another Scan

Layne had another scan today. We won't know results until Friday. But, we did find out that Layne has some blood clots again. So, it's back to the needle in the side each morning. Neither one of us is looking forward to that. We'll see who ends up wielding the needle. I started to when he had them last time. But, then I was gone for a couple of days and he just started doing them himself. So much for the 'care giver' title. I'm not sure I do much.
The visit to the doctor on Friday will tell us if there have been any changes in Layne and if there will be any adaptations to his current treatment. It's always a 'wait and see'.

Always a Runner

I was thinking this morning about Layne running his 5K tomorrow. I was reminded of him running a full marathon in 2011. He was all set to run a Ragnar in 2012. But, ended up having surgery the day before instead of being with his team. (He was hoping he could have the surgery and then still run after recovering. It was about a month from the time we found out he needed a surgery until the time he actually was scheduled for it. I guess he thought two or three weeks was enough time to recover from a surgery and still compete in a Ragnar. When it took some time to get the surgery scheduled, he started thinking that maybe - just maybe - the surgery would be after the race. No such luck.)
Our stake has a 5K they've sponsored for the community the last several years. In 2013, our family ran/walked it together. Layne wasn't doing any running at the time. I remember it was very hard to watch someone I love - that considers themselves a runner - not be able to run a 5K. It was hard realizing he really struggled with the fact that he just wasn't able to do it. A harsh reality for someone who used to consider a 5K enough to count for an 'easy' day of exercise, but certainly not a challenge. The challenge would be in trying for a faster time or some other personal best...not the distance.
This year, 2014, he'll be running the 5K that goes along with the Salt Lake marathon. Jacob will be running with him. It's interesting to me that there's something to remember from each year. I wonder what 2015 will bring. (Maybe I'll try (walking) one with him.) I'm reminded that 'once a runner, always a runner'.