Wednesday, October 29, 2008

An Update on Luc from The Deseret News


Mom Marley Orton hugs 13-year-old Luc, who has a cancerous tumor that threatens to wrap around his lungs, airway and spine. He must undergo aggressive chemotherapy once a month, a four-day ordeal. The family has struggled financially. Marley Orton's husband recently returned to work after being without a job for six months, while Marley Orton, a real estate agent, has been dealing with a slow real estate market.

EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Residents are gathering together on Saturday, Nov. 15, for a huge yard and bake sale to benefit 13-year-old cancer patient Luc Orton.

Stricken with a rare, cancerous tumor that threatens to wrap around his lungs, airway and spine, Luc must undergo aggressive chemotherapy once a month, a four-day ordeal, with the goal of arresting the tumor's growth, said Marley Orton, his mother.

Diagnosed three years ago, Luc had chemo treatments for a year, and the tumor seemed to have stopped growing.

"He was a normal kid," Orton said. "The year he was stable was so great."

But then further tests revealed that the tumor had grown 50 percent. It had intertwined with nerves and blood vessels and was threatening his breathing. A year ago, surgeons cut into his chest cavity and removed some of it. This past spring, surgeons went into his back to remove more. In all they got 90 percent of the growth, she said.

Within three months it had all grown back.

"It feeds on hormones, and at his age he has lots of hormones," Orton said.
To complicate matters, the body supplies a healing hormone after surgery. But the chemotherapy is offering some success, she said.

"Hopefully it will work. We're buying time," Orton said. "He is a very strong boy. Most of the time he has a positive attitude."

While the chemo may help, it also causes uncomfortable side effects. Sores develop in his mouth and go down his throat.

Fortunately the family signed up for Utah's Children's Health Insurance Program for Luc and his siblings, Cecelia, 11, and Zac, 7, before doctors discovered the cancer was active again.

The family has struggled financially. Orton's husband recently returned to work after being without a job for six months, while Marley Orton, a real estate agent, has been dealing with a slow real estate market. She also works part time at the Ranches Academy, where the yard and bake sale will be held, and she is also a hairstylist.

So the community has pitched in.

A friend, Janet Burningham, organized the yard and bake sale. So far at least 40 people have offered to donate items to the yard and bake sale, Orton said.

"I've wanted to help them for some time, especially when their financial situation got worse," said Janet Burningham, who has been a family friend since the Ortons moved into the neighborhood five years ago.

"However, I haven't had the resources myself to make much of an impact, so I thought if everyone got together and helped out a little it would add up to a lot," she said.

"I decided to do a yard sale because that way everyone can help out no matter their financial circumstances. They can help with their time, their donations, or through purchasing items. It's a fun way for everyone to give. And since it's a week before Thanksgiving, it's a great reminder of giving of ourselves to help others in need," she said.

Event organizers also include Susan Scherer, director at the Ranches Academy, Sali Burningham, Jennifer Tillotson, Angie Ferre, who works for the mayor, and Jennifer Morrison, who organized a similar event last April.

"It's been emotional and very overwhelming with the support," Orton said. "I'm so grateful to live in this community."

Bags of groceries have anonymously shown up on the family doorstep as an example of the kindness of neighbors. She keeps a blog at lucorton.com where she records his progress and activities.

The sale is from 8 a.m. to noon at The Ranches Academy, 7789 Tawny Owl Circle. Additionally, an account in Luc's name has been set up at Zions Bank for folks who want to make cash donations. All of the proceeds and donations are going to pay for the family's medical and travel expenses, according to a flyer circulating in Eagle Mountain.

Monday, October 13, 2008

My Sweetheart


Okay, I really don't like to brag, but I'm going to anyway. Just so you all know...

I HAVE THE BEST HUSBAND EVER!!!

I call Redge "Sweetheart" because several years ago Seth said to me, "You say, 'Sweetheart' at my daddy." I asked him, "You want me to call Daddy 'Sweetheart?'" "Yes," he answered, "You need to say 'Sweetheart' at him." So, ever since then Redge is "Sweetheart."

At any rate, yesterday Quincy blessed Enoch in Las Vegas. My kids were so excited to go! We hadn't been home since May. The kids brought me their suitcases like last Tuesday. The plan was to leave last Friday, and return today. Thursday Night I got very sick. Very, very sick.

Friday morning Redge went to the store bought me medicine and food, set me up at home, unpacked my stuff, repacked his stuff, loaded the car, and took off for Vegas with the four kids. I stayed here to get better, and Redge happily went along without me.

My family is so grateful for Redge. Why wouldn't they be? Just last week I was talking to my mom, and she said, "Dad and I were sitting on the couch the other day, and Dad said, 'I love Redge. I love Redge like I love my own boys. Redge is my son.'" He has earned that love by being the man he is. He is a brother to my brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. He is a son to my parents. He is an uncle to all the children of my siblings.

I love watching Quincy, Jeff, and Eric laugh with and at Redge. I love that my aunts and uncles love and treat Redge like he's family. One weekend in Rexburg Redge spent a day working in Uncle Karl's corn, and another day golfing with Uncle Karl. In Vegas, before Uncle Keith was sent to the Philippines, the Edwards boys met regularly for early morning basketball. My left handed, 5'8" husband often played, but rarely made lay-ups. At a family Christmas party, when Redge had the opportunity to step in for the real Santa, Uncle Keith was asked what he hoped to receive for Christmas. His quick reply was, "A Santa who can make lay-ups!" This is by far Redge's favorite memory of Uncle Keith. Redge loves a family that laughs, loves, cries, forgives, lives, plans, and enjoys!

Redge and the kids are now on their way home. He told me about watching Dexter playing football, watching the BYU game with Jeff, having Karlee hang out with him and Reece, Quincy immediately changing into the "Pitfall" shirt we gave him for his birthday, Taite's perpetual question of "Is it time for me to go to Christy's," Reece helping at Dexter's cousin's (Chauntelle Popp's son) Eagle Project, watching cousin Marylynn (Uncle Keith's 2nd daughter) coach Locke's football team, and the amazing group of men surrounding Enoch as he was given a name and a blessing.

Last night I read Richard G. Scott's talk from the General Priesthood Session of our recent Conference. His talk to the Priesthood is titled, "Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well." Can I just tell you that Redge totally does this?!

Elder Scott teaches, "The perfect role model for use of the holy priesthood is our Savior, Jesus Christ. He ministered with love, compassion, and charity. His life was a matchless example of humility and power. The greatest blessings from the use of the priesthood flow from humble service to others without thought of self."

Redge is a powerful example of love, compassion, and charity. I love him for what he teaches me, and the influence he is on our four children.

Elder Scott asks the Priesthood to consider these questions, "If you are married, are you faithful to your wife mentally as well as physically? Are you loyal to your marriage covenants by never engaging in conversation with another woman that you wouldn’t want your wife to overhear? Are you kind and supportive of your own wife and children? Do you assist your wife by doing some of the household chores? Do you lead out in family activities such as scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening, or does your wife fill in the gap your lack of attention leaves in the home? Do you tell her you love her?"

When I think about Redge regarding these questions I thank my Father in Heaven for giving me such a great man. I also thank and pay homage to my mother-in-law for taking seriously her calling as a mother. It is Marney's influence that created the Redge I married.

Man, I am one lucky girl!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Arthur's Story About Lyndee

I have written a few stories about Arthur. Just simple little things about his family, friends, hobbies, etc. I write them hoping to interest him in reading. It works pretty well. Today Arthur wrote a story about me. I love it! This is the story he wrote for me. I have corrected his spelling.


"I Like Many Things"

I like computers.
I like books.
I like songs.
I like gardens.
I like to work in the garden.
I like to go to Las Vegas.
I like to snuggle with my babies.
I like to read my scriptures.
I like when the house is clean.
I love my babies.
I like to write in my journal.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo