Rasmussen's Adventures

Reunion

2010-06-12T00:15:00.004-06:00

Dad was able to go to the Rasmussen Reunion in Redmond on Memorial Day. They seemed to have a good turnout and dad was glad he got to go. He even made it out to the farm and got on a horse - of course someone had the lead rope, but he did go for a little ride. Also he attempted to go swimming the other day - he said it just wasnt like it used to be - a little harder he said. He had a MRI yesterday to determine what had been accomplished with the radiation and chemo over the last few months - we'll get more details on that when he meets with the doctors next Thursday.

Spring Break in Vegas

2010-04-25T11:10:00.002-06:00

We went to Las Vegas for spring break. The kids got plenty of swimming in. I think thats about all they did. The weather was nice though and it was nice to get some sunshine, and of course on the way home we hit a snow storm.

update on Dad

2010-04-25T10:41:00.002-06:00

Dad will be done with his radiation treatments by the end of the month. He has done great - He hasn't been sick - he just gets tired. He has lost some hair - although he didn't have much to lose anyway. They will do another MRI in about a month to look at results. He will just continue chemo once finished with the radiation. He's been home with mom. Renee came out with her kids for 2 weeks and spent time here - it was nice to see them. Hopefully he will be able to do more things come May! I know he is looking forward to his family reunion on Memorial Day in Redmond.

Dad at my house

2010-03-29T00:27:00.002-06:00

Dad and I at our house on March 10th - He looks great!

Chemo & Radiation

2010-03-29T00:15:00.002-06:00

Dad started chemo and radiation last Monday. He has done good so far - he really only got sick one day. One week down - 5 more weeks of radiation to go. He is at home. His left arm and left leg still give him troubles once in a while. He does great in the mornings but by late afternoon and evening he gets pretty tired. He did give a talk last Sunday - part of his high council duties. I was amazed he did that. He stayed sitting down as I held his talk and he held the microphone with his right hand. He did great - it was a wonderful talk about testimony and he definetely had one to share. He just needed help getting back out to the car. He uses a cane but he still needs someone walking beside him so he doesn't fall. He went to his high council meeting last Sunday as well as this morning. He looks forward to that. He always give thanks for what he has instead of complaining & he makes sure he shares his testimony with everyone he comes in contact with. Dad - we love you - keep pressing forward!

Dad is home now!

2010-03-10T15:01:00.002-07:00

Dad went home today from rehab center! We are excited to have him home after a month! He is doing great and is scheduled to meet with radiation/chemo doctors tomorrow to start that process. It's also our biggest jazz fan's birthday today - he turned 7! Dad is planning on coming out to the house for cake and & ice cream with us tonight.

Rehab Center

2010-03-07T21:55:00.002-07:00

Dad has been back in rehab center now since Thursday night. He has been doing 3 hours of rehab everday - he still doesn't have a lot of movement in his arm, his leg sometimes drags, and short term memory isn't the best. Ever since the seizure on Sunday he cant seem to remember some things in between now and then. Long term memory is all good. He should go home Tuesday or Wednesday. Renee had her baby on the 3rd - his name is Ian Von Priddis. They are home and doing well.

Dad - back to hospital

2010-03-03T09:00:00.002-07:00

Dad had a little bit of a set back. On Thursday he got a blot clot in his right leg. They put him on medication to help it. Saturday he was doing great - he even went home for a few hours. Although he had to return to the rehab center that night cuz they hadn't released him yet. Then Sunday after lunch he had a seizure - he fell down and hit his head on the ground. They took him by ambulance to the hospital again to get checked. Thats when they found that the blood clot had made its way to his lungs. It was a little scary Sunday night - because he started getting chest pains and his head was hurting - we didn't know if the blood clot had traveled up there - that wouldn't be good. Thankfully, he was ok they were able to put in a filter in him Monday morning to prevent the clot from going to his heart. He was not all there on Sunday & Monday - his mind didn't seem to be there. Last night though - he seemed normal again and he was sitting up in a chair. He needs to start the chemo and radiation soon but they have to be able to balance it out with the medication he is getting for the clots. Hopefully he will go back to the rehab center on Thursday or Friday and we will find out whats next.....Meanwhile my sister Renee is having a baby today out east - we wish them well!

more rehab...

2010-02-25T23:36:00.003-07:00

Dad is still in rehab. Hoping to get out this weekend. He gets bored easily. He tries to keep busy but you can only do so many things in a rehab center. We were talking & saying is this bad dream over now? Can we wake up tomorrow & have everything return to normal. Nicole is supposed to leave on a cruise on Sunday although she called this afternoon to tell us her daughter came down with pnemonia today. She is spending the afternoon and night at Primary's. I had more suburban repairs today - enough! Renee is due with her baby next Thursday.

Dad after surgery

2010-02-22T22:25:00.004-07:00

Visiting Grandpa

2010-02-22T00:09:00.002-07:00

We took the kids to go visit grandpa at rehab center today. Most of them hadn't seen him yet since the surgery. He was either in surgery, ICU, and/or isolation. He is doing great. He is a fighter, has patience and he is remaining positive. He has been doing 2-3 hours of rehab daily with the physical therapist and the occupational therapist. We stayed and went to the 1/2 hour church session with him at the center. Mom is doing as good as expected and is being strong for him. He is very appreciative of all the thoughts, prayers, & visits from family & friends. Tomorrow he is scheduled to get the staples removed from his head and hopefully go home Tuesday or Wednesday. He then will start radiation and chemo shortly.

My dad....

2010-02-17T23:44:00.003-07:00

Feb 8th in the afternoon after C-scan and MRI - Dad was suddenly diagnosed with an aggressive medium sized glioblastoma brain tumor on the right side of brain. It was in the area that controls the left side of his body. As I was in the doctors room with mom and dad - this was by far the worst feeling I had ever had in my life. What a shock to all of us! How could this have happened? It didn't seem right or fair. Initially they thought he was having a stoke because his left arm went numb and he had a very sharp pain in his head. He was told of 3 options from the specialist - the first 2 were not an option - life expectancy was too short. So we chose the 3rd - surgery asap = longest duration of life - although he was told he would lose all motion in his left arm. This was the option that gave us hope for the longest duration of life even if he lost control of his arm. We waited for official results in 2 days.

Feb 1oth - results came in - for sure aggressive brain tumor.

Feb 11th - We spent all day at hospital doing more c-scans to verify there was no more tumors throughout rest of his body. Only tumor found was in the right side of head. What a relief. Also, Tom (Renee's husband) is a PA in Indiana. He got the copies also and after talking to specialists there - they agreed also that surgery was the only way to go.

Feb 12th - Surgery - 7 hours. We feel it was a success. He came out okay and his left arm was still moving - what a miracle - he was so happy to make it thru surgery and still have his arm moving. He was just having problems with his fingers on his left hand- gripping and holding things. He then went to ICU...Thank you Cousin Chad, Aunt Margie and a family friend Lewis for visiting while we as a family were waiting for dad to get out of surgery. Surgery came upon us so fast that some people didn't know about dad's condition yet. Sorry - it just happened so fast - and we didn't want to delay to take action.

Feb 13th - The MRI showed they got over 90% of tumor out. This is good. That was what we were hoping for. By the way, I also got pulled over by a police officer on the way home doing DUI checks in Riverton. (No I do not drink) He said I was swerving a little bit to the left and right for about 2 blocks. I was probably day dreaming or thinking about dad. He let me go without incident after hearing about the rough week.

Feb 14th - Happy Valentines - Ya thanks....Although Dad was transferred to normal room. This was good.

Feb 15th - Happy Birthday Dad (61)! Ya thanks ....

Feb 16th Dad was moved to Rehab center to work on left hand and finger coordination.

Feb 17th He worked with physcial therapist for 1st time with his hand for 2 hours. I could see a huge difference in his ability to use his hand from late afternoon versus how it was in the morning. By the way, they have fed him well ever since this happened. Also would you believe - as I was going to visit dad - I was rear ended by a small car. It did nothing to my truck - did wonders to her car. That's what happens when you drive a little car and hit my solid steel reciever hitch. Oh - I guess I should also say I had to replace the transmission on our suburban 2 weeks ago - what a 2 weeks it has been.

We are very grateful for ALL the prayers and blessings for dad and for the positive things that have happened so far. We have seen miracles happen already and we are praying for more. We hope to have dad for many many years to come!

Taking the cows up the mountain for the summer

2009-06-22T23:00:00.008-06:00

The oldest daughter is riding her favorite horse Hidalgo. She loves to ride!!! She would let me take her riding every day if I could. Mom is having fun too and the youngest is having his 1st adventure on the cattle drive. He did great!!! He enjoyed every minute of it! 4 wheelin was fun too.....

Utah Jazz players

2009-01-29T10:30:00.004-07:00

Coach Ty Corbin on the left and Ronnie Brewer on the right. The kids getting more autographs.......

2009-01-29T10:23:00.005-07:00

Matt Harpring at Jazz Autograph night Jan 28, 2009

The kids got alot of autographs - In the picture is the ball that buddy got last year. He started getting autographs on it last year - he now has 9 signatures from Jazz players between last year and this year. He doesn't play with this ball either. He keeps it in a special place in his room. His sister had her junior jazz jersey signed...

At Grandma Glad's house

2009-01-14T11:22:00.000-07:00