September 10, 2015 – At home in Brigham City

Thursday September 10^, 2015

Well, we left Nauvoo on August 18th - just two days short of five months from the time we arrived there - and got home on the 21^st.  I have been waiting to mail and post when I had more information about Ray’s surgery date.  We saw Dr. Robert Andtbacka again yesterday (Dianne was with us), and surgery is now scheduled for September 29^th.  We have a pre-op appointment on the 17^th, both of course at the Huntsman Cancer Institute Hospital.  They have confirmed that his tumor is a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), and though it is malignant, it is slow growing so the additional two weeks of waiting is not critical.  Ray also has a 4.3 cm Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm that the doctors have been watching for about 10 years – 5 cm is the point at which they want to do something about it.  Dr. Andtbacka is concerned that the GIST surgery might compromise the aneurysm and has asked a Vascular Surgeon to review the data and determine if it should be fixed before the surgery on the 29^th.  If so, there is enough time for that to be done. 

On the bright side, Ray is feeling well and is being as active as always.  We have decided to sell our rig and truck.  The rig is in for repairs – not surprising after sitting in storage for two years.  We have asked them for an appraisal of the rig, as we have a buyer for the truck, and they will take the rig also if the price is right and right now we aren’t sure what that might be.  Anyway, a couple more weeks will give us more time to take care of that business.  It is sad in a way to get rid of the rig, as we have had many fun times traveling around.  Now however, we can go on some cruises or fly out to visit family and friends.

It was hard leaving our mission, but I know this is what we are supposed to be doing – taking care of Ray’s health.  We are in the Lord’s hands and he will bless us with strength and stamina for the surgery and healing that still lies ahead.

                                                            Sister Barbara with Sisters Nancy Swenson, Lee Ann Clark, Kathleen Windsor, and Sandra Walton at Lands and Records...........

                                                            Sister Barbara with Sisters Jacquolyn Wilks, Cynthia Clark, and Beverley Ramsay on another day at the Lands and Records........

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Elder Ray at the Riser Boot Shop.............

                                                                                                                                                                                      Elder Ray making a shoe.....

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Elder Ray at the Tinsmith............

                                                           ...and "Jack of all trades"  Elder Ray making a tin pan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          


Elder Ray and Sister Barbara's farewell photo............yes I cried!!

     On our way home we stopped at Liberty Jail in Missouri.  The Visitors Center is above, and the depiction of Joseph Smith and his companions confined to a dark and cold dungeon below the main floor is at the right.................

Then we went to Adam-ondi-Ahman in northern Missouri......



...and then to the Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters in Nebraska.  The missionaries with us in the photo below were in the MTC with us - Elder Delbert and Sister Jo Ann Robinson.  It was great to see them again and they took us on a very interesting and informative tour.