Personal Journal
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June 23, 2005 Mathew J. Stucki Page 1
A couple weeks ago, Robyn called to speak with me. I noticed from the tone of her voice that a serious discussion would ensue.
She acknowledged that I was aware of Dad’s back injury and began to explain further that Mom and Dad had sought the opinion of a doctor in town (Moab). During the visit, a sample of Dad’s blood was drawn for analysis. What they found concerned them, and the doctor ordered another more conclusive test. The protein level in the blood was higher than normal suggesting the possibility of multiple myeloma, or cancer of the blood. The results from the second test would take a week or so but further confirmation of the diagnosis was needed.
Mom and Dad anxiously awaited the test results, and indeed, the second test seemed to confirm the conclusion of the first. The doctor suggested that they seek the expertise of a specialist to either confirm or deny the prognosis. Robyn said that Kimberly had arranged an appointment with a top doctor in this field at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Mom and Dad would be coming up for these tests in the week to come. Tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks as I considered the implications of what I had just heard. Questions filled my mind: “How could this have happened to Dad? He has been so careful to eat right and keep the Word of Wisdom his entire life. He follows in the footsteps of the Savior in everything he does. How could this be?”
Then I remembered the Lord exacts allegiance from His faithful. From Abraham who preached against pagan rituals and human sacrifice, God required the son he had sought for his entire life and whom was granted in Abraham’s old age. Yet Abraham was faithful and consented. The Lord required all things from Job: his health, his friends, his family, and all his wealth, but he too was faithful and followed the Lord praising Him. And so I didn’t expect anything less from Dad. When I called him, he related a story to me about the occasion when he found out about this prognosis. Dad went down into the trees down below on the farm. He knelt and offered his thanks to God for His many blessings. He said “You have spared me Father in times past, and I won’t ask you to do it again. I ask only that Your will be done. I faithfully accept any outcome.” Dad’s attitude and faith reminds me of a favorite hymn that is the epitomy of Dad:
"Come, follow me", the Savior said.
Then let us in his footsteps tread,
For thus alone can we be one
With God's own loved begotten Son.
"Come, follow me, a simple phrase,
Yet truth's sublime, effulgent rays
Are in these simple words combined
To urge, inspire the human mind.
Is it enough alone to know
That we must follow him [here] below
While trav'ling through this vale of tears?
No, this extends to holier spheres.
Not only shall we emulate
His course while in this earthly state,
But when we're freed from present cares,
If with our Lord we would be heirs.
We must the onward path pursue
As wider fields expand to view,
And follow him unceasingly,
Whate'er our lot or sphere may be.
For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow'rs,
And glory great and bliss are ours,
If we, throughout eternity,
Obey his words, "Come follow me."
Of course, blessings were given. His name was put in the temple. And prayers were incessantly offered in his behalf. He was promised that his time was not yet, but that the Lord still had a work for him to do. We read together the verses in Matthew 7:20-22 and were comforted knowing the Lord is in control and our confidence waxed strong in Him (D&C 121: 45).
The tests were administered and the following Thursday, the prognosis was to be made available. Not a lot of fan fare or big announcements. We simply received the following email from Dad:
Dearest Family,
Today at 4 pm Margie, Jeff and I sat down with Dr. Glenn to hear the results of the tests and x-rays I was given to see if I have multiple myeloma.
The results were, in my judgment, very good news. The evidence was there, but so small that it did not meet the criteria used to diagnose myeloma. However, I seem to have thinning and weaker bones from what is a minimal problem with myeloma at this time.
No harsh treatment is recommended for now. Instead, a monthly intravenous solution of a recently developed drug will stop the harmful effects of myeloma, that is bone destruction, and encourage bone growth, making my bones slowly stronger. And no side effects from the drug. The doctor will do frequent checks in case the myeloma begins to accelerate. The plan is to not do more damage to my health by treatment than the disease left alone would do.
Monday another doctor will determine what steps to take to fix my damaged vertebrae “for good,” as we anticipated.
We’re making fast progress toward our moving, and we’ll keep in touch about that from time to time.
I’m operating under the plan I have used all of my life that “the next two years are going to be the best two years of my life.”
Thank you, everyone, for your love, help and prayers through this experience.
May God be with all of you in your needs is my sincere prayer.
My love,
Dad/Grandpa
So I read Dad’s word with thanks and appreciation to God for hearing our pleas and blessing my father with an uncanny positive attitude of faith and appreciation and love. The respite from serious and devastating treatment for now has been granted. I know the disease may accelerate in due time, but He truly has answered our prayers and for now, we shall continue to love, support, and learn from Dad. I thank the Lord for a father who I know will stand true and faithful through whatever hardships and pains he is called to bear. ”Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13: 15). One of Dad’s favorite hymns speaks volumes at times like these:
How Great Thou Art
Oh Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;
Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze;
Refrain
And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:
Refrain
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!
Refrain
I will be eternally grateful for a father and mother who have withstood many hardships with faith and gratitude and a resolute commitment to God and His teachings. I know now that they will overcome this challenge and will continue to wear out their lives in the service of God and their family and fellowmen. I now have the blessed opportunity to succor them in their old age as they have supported and sustained me throughout my life.
That I might be true to their legacy and equal to the task is my prayer.
I love you Mom and Dad.
of
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June 23, 2005 Mathew J. Stucki Page 1
A couple weeks ago, Robyn called to speak with me. I noticed from the tone of her voice that a serious discussion would ensue.
She acknowledged that I was aware of Dad’s back injury and began to explain further that Mom and Dad had sought the opinion of a doctor in town (Moab). During the visit, a sample of Dad’s blood was drawn for analysis. What they found concerned them, and the doctor ordered another more conclusive test. The protein level in the blood was higher than normal suggesting the possibility of multiple myeloma, or cancer of the blood. The results from the second test would take a week or so but further confirmation of the diagnosis was needed.
Mom and Dad anxiously awaited the test results, and indeed, the second test seemed to confirm the conclusion of the first. The doctor suggested that they seek the expertise of a specialist to either confirm or deny the prognosis. Robyn said that Kimberly had arranged an appointment with a top doctor in this field at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Mom and Dad would be coming up for these tests in the week to come. Tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks as I considered the implications of what I had just heard. Questions filled my mind: “How could this have happened to Dad? He has been so careful to eat right and keep the Word of Wisdom his entire life. He follows in the footsteps of the Savior in everything he does. How could this be?”
Then I remembered the Lord exacts allegiance from His faithful. From Abraham who preached against pagan rituals and human sacrifice, God required the son he had sought for his entire life and whom was granted in Abraham’s old age. Yet Abraham was faithful and consented. The Lord required all things from Job: his health, his friends, his family, and all his wealth, but he too was faithful and followed the Lord praising Him. And so I didn’t expect anything less from Dad. When I called him, he related a story to me about the occasion when he found out about this prognosis. Dad went down into the trees down below on the farm. He knelt and offered his thanks to God for His many blessings. He said “You have spared me Father in times past, and I won’t ask you to do it again. I ask only that Your will be done. I faithfully accept any outcome.” Dad’s attitude and faith reminds me of a favorite hymn that is the epitomy of Dad:
"Come, follow me", the Savior said.
Then let us in his footsteps tread,
For thus alone can we be one
With God's own loved begotten Son.
"Come, follow me, a simple phrase,
Yet truth's sublime, effulgent rays
Are in these simple words combined
To urge, inspire the human mind.
Is it enough alone to know
That we must follow him [here] below
While trav'ling through this vale of tears?
No, this extends to holier spheres.
Not only shall we emulate
His course while in this earthly state,
But when we're freed from present cares,
If with our Lord we would be heirs.
We must the onward path pursue
As wider fields expand to view,
And follow him unceasingly,
Whate'er our lot or sphere may be.
For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow'rs,
And glory great and bliss are ours,
If we, throughout eternity,
Obey his words, "Come follow me."
Of course, blessings were given. His name was put in the temple. And prayers were incessantly offered in his behalf. He was promised that his time was not yet, but that the Lord still had a work for him to do. We read together the verses in Matthew 7:20-22 and were comforted knowing the Lord is in control and our confidence waxed strong in Him (D&C 121: 45).
The tests were administered and the following Thursday, the prognosis was to be made available. Not a lot of fan fare or big announcements. We simply received the following email from Dad:
Dearest Family,
Today at 4 pm Margie, Jeff and I sat down with Dr. Glenn to hear the results of the tests and x-rays I was given to see if I have multiple myeloma.
The results were, in my judgment, very good news. The evidence was there, but so small that it did not meet the criteria used to diagnose myeloma. However, I seem to have thinning and weaker bones from what is a minimal problem with myeloma at this time.
No harsh treatment is recommended for now. Instead, a monthly intravenous solution of a recently developed drug will stop the harmful effects of myeloma, that is bone destruction, and encourage bone growth, making my bones slowly stronger. And no side effects from the drug. The doctor will do frequent checks in case the myeloma begins to accelerate. The plan is to not do more damage to my health by treatment than the disease left alone would do.
Monday another doctor will determine what steps to take to fix my damaged vertebrae “for good,” as we anticipated.
We’re making fast progress toward our moving, and we’ll keep in touch about that from time to time.
I’m operating under the plan I have used all of my life that “the next two years are going to be the best two years of my life.”
Thank you, everyone, for your love, help and prayers through this experience.
May God be with all of you in your needs is my sincere prayer.
My love,
Dad/Grandpa
So I read Dad’s word with thanks and appreciation to God for hearing our pleas and blessing my father with an uncanny positive attitude of faith and appreciation and love. The respite from serious and devastating treatment for now has been granted. I know the disease may accelerate in due time, but He truly has answered our prayers and for now, we shall continue to love, support, and learn from Dad. I thank the Lord for a father who I know will stand true and faithful through whatever hardships and pains he is called to bear. ”Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13: 15). One of Dad’s favorite hymns speaks volumes at times like these:
How Great Thou Art
Oh Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;
Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze;
Refrain
And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:
Refrain
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!
Refrain
I will be eternally grateful for a father and mother who have withstood many hardships with faith and gratitude and a resolute commitment to God and His teachings. I know now that they will overcome this challenge and will continue to wear out their lives in the service of God and their family and fellowmen. I now have the blessed opportunity to succor them in their old age as they have supported and sustained me throughout my life.
That I might be true to their legacy and equal to the task is my prayer.
I love you Mom and Dad.
