Love and Support for Craig & Judy Olson: Thank You!!!! From our Heart!!!!!!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Thank You!!!! From our Heart!!!!!!

Thank you so much for the wonderful notes what memories we have of all of you. We wish we could write to each one of you and tell you how you have touched our lives and what we have learned from you. How blessed we are to have shared these moments together with you. We have had fun going down memory lane with your notes!!!!! What joy you have given us!!!!. We can never thank you enough. We realize we are not the only one with trials and heartaches and our prayers go out to all of you too. We also remain strong in our testimonies and faith in the plan of happiness. This life is to short so eternity sounds wonderful. We are honored that you would contact us, we love you for it!!!! We had our 42nd anniversary yesterday and it started out busy through the night with another clogged feeding tube from about 10pm to 2:30am. Although it was a late night I was able to go to the temple with our daughter Ariane to represent Craig and I on our anniversary. We wished we could have gone together about that is not possible right now. We had a candle light dinner with me having a lobster tail (Craig wanted me to have one for the two of us) he was on the feeding tube and also had some baby food!!! We made a fun memory together! Cancer can do a lot of things but it can't cripple love, it cannot shatter hope or faith. It cannot ruin memories and it has been said it cannot steal Eternal Life and it cannot conquer the Spirit!!!! Take care dear friends and if you were all here we would give you all big hugs. With Much Aloha Craig and Judy Olson

6 comments:

KimSeptember 13, 2013 at 3:30 PM
You two are the ultimate example of sweethearts. Thank you for always lifting us up thru your words Judy. You, my friend, are a rock star. Love you both so much.
Kim Rogers
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Cindy ArdisSeptember 13, 2013 at 5:07 PM
Judi, so sorry Craig is so ill!! I love your family so much!! Your husband was a wonderful home teacher to our family when we lived in Mesa. And you were such a wonderful friend, you guys are awesome!!!

We miss you so much, Faren and Cindy Aris
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sista # 2September 17, 2013 at 7:35 PM
We love you both so much! What fun memories we have, living by you, spending holidays with your family, Liz's and ours, when Chloe was a baby!! Your beautiful family is a treasure! Thank you for your strong example of kindness, love and smiles! Big Hugs from James & Janae Jarnagin
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Stephanie AbneySeptember 18, 2013 at 7:05 AM
Love reading about your courage and your eternal love for each other. Probably your most unique anniversary celebration. So happy you were able to have this anniversary. Craig and the entire family remains in our prayers. We have such love and admiration for you all. Thanks for being able to share with us in this manner.

Love and Blessings,
from the Abneys
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G. Bradly HowellSeptember 30, 2013 at 6:57 PM
Great wedding pictures of a Great Couple. We love you guys so much! You continue to be in our prayers. Hugs from Brad and Lori Howell
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NeciaOctober 1, 2013 at 7:25 AM
Craig and Judy, We love you and your family so much, you have always been in our prayers!! From the day we moved to Arizona 9 years ago you have adopted us into your family and shown us love and kindness that we will never be able to repay! Your amazing love was shown when Jeff was activated and you opened up your home for us to come stay for a week, just so we could have our own little space. I will also never forgot when you took time out of your busy schedule to show us support and love and came to visit Jeff in the hospital, when at the time I didn't know he was fighting for his life. We love you and your family so much! You have taught your children to emulate that same love and we have also been recipients of it through being close friends with Zach and Rachael. Thanks for all the love and support!
Necia Starr
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The Battle

Six years ago Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. Through surgery and chemotherapy, the cancer went into remission and Dad & Mom were able to fulfill their dream of serving a mission. They served in Laie, Hawaii, at BYU Hawaii.

Near the end of their mission, the cancer returned: stage 4. He has tried different types of chemotherapy, but unfortunately the cancer progressed to his abdomen where it "weeps" causing him to build up fluid. This fluid build up is very painful and makes it nearly impossible for him to eat. In July, the situation was misdiagnosed as a bowel obstruction and his health quickly deteriorated as he could not eat and the cancer spread. Finally, an ER visit led to the discovery of the fluid and several liters were drained from his abdomen.

Wanting to leave no stone unturned, we as a family encouraged Dad to get a second-opinion at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah. They used a feeding tube to get him nutrition, but the cancer is taking all his calories and more. He has lost a significant amount of weight. The doctors were willing to try chemotherapy for 4 weeks to knock the cancer in the abdomen back sufficiently to allow him to rally for an experimental chemo treatment they have seen encouraging results from. He had a heart attack before treatment could begin and the doctors warned that the chemo option, while having a small chance of being effective, had a very high probability of causing a massive heart attack.

He is very tired and ill so he discontinued treatment and returned home. Basically he is starving and hospice care has been arranged. But of course we remain hopeful for more time, yet accepting of the Lord's will.

We are grateful for a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and Happiness. We know that he is a great man and that the Lord must have need of him on the other side. We have no doubt where he is going. The Spirit has brought us great comfort and peace, as have the kind services and words offered by those around us.

We know many people love our dad and mom, but please check with family before visiting at this time - he is very tired. He wants to spend time with family. But we would love for you to post your thoughts, memories, and feelings here on this blog for us to share with him.

Thank you for your love, support, and prayers!