Why We Relay

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is more than just an event to Kyle and I. It is our personal opportunity to help save lives from cancer by supporting the American Cancer Society. Kyle's and my goal is to raise $100 and time is running out as the Relay is July 8th.

My family originally started participating after the Petersen's lost Vone and then Claude to cancer. Since that time my sister Janalee and best friend Britney have both become survivors of thyroid cancer and my Grandpa Farrell suffered from prostate cancer which contributed to his death. Kyle's aunt Peggy and Grandma Willis were also victims of this horrible disease and his Aunt Jane is a survivor. Craig's brother Bruce is currently fighting against cancer.

It's amazing to think that millions of people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Somebody close to us may be one of them.

But, by taking part in Relay, we are helping the American Cancer Society save lives by:

• Helping people stay well by helping them take steps to prevent cancer or detect it early, when it's most treatable
• Helping people get well by being in their corner around the clock to guide them through every step of their cancer experience
• Finding cures by funding groundbreaking research that helps us understand cancer's causes, determine how best to prevent it and discover new ways to cure it
• Fighting back by working with lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and rally communities worldwide to join the fight

Please support my efforts by making a donation or by joining my Relay For Life team. Together, we have the power to help create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyones life. If you would like to donate $10 or more you can do it on our web page. If you can send less than that please feel free to mail it to us at: PO Box 354, Wellsville, UT 84339

We are also looking for donations of merchandise or services for the auction we hold during the relay. Last year we were able to raise quite a bit of money with it. Your business name will be displayed on a sign hung next to the track.

Thank You,

Kami and Kyle Willis

Click here to view my personal donation page: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=11794761&pg=personal&fr_id=30492&fl=en_US&et=Dvr7kyg4VhQtrREMK2sMjw..&s_tafId=813545

Click here to view Kyle's donation Page: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11GW?px=19703039&pg=personal&fr_id=30492

Click here to view the TEAM page for ABCP



You Get 5 Minutes to Drown Your Sorrows (If you're lucky)

Sunday was Father's Day but we spent the day in Salt Lake and I didn't get to see my Dad.  But I would like to take a few minutes if you will indulge me and let me tell you about two amazing guys in my life.  One is my Dad and one will someday make a great Dad and I pray everyday that he gets that chance.  Even though so far things aren't looking too promising in that department for us (we are trying that faith thing again). 

Anyway things have been a little rough for me lately.  My last day of work was almost a month ago.  When I worked for the District Dad and I would car pool to work.  I remember the day I found out they weren't renewing my contract and sitting in the Yeatte's convenience store parking lot and talking with Dad about it.  I can't tell you one word he said other than he made me feel like I had given everything I had to give the last year or two and that everything was going to work out okay in the end, that this was obviously the way things were supposed to go for now, and that there is obviously a great opportunity out there for me.  You have to understand that my Dad isn't know for saying the best thing at the right time.  For example when he found out I was getting married he asked me if there was any particular reason I had picked the time he was in the worst financial situation of his life to do so.  Needless to say wedding plans went real well after that.   But that day he knew just what to say and has given me some amazing advice and counsel countless time since.  He has been the biggest comfort to me the last couple of months.  He has just really helped me through these latest challenges and made me feel like I am doing okay.  I am sitting here sobbing as I type this and am not even sure why other than I love him so much.

Anyway my last day of work I picked him up and he said we had to go by Smith's to get prescriptions.  When he came out I pulled out of my parking place and went and picked him up.  He made me repark when he got in the car and pulled out a 1/2 gallon of chocolate milk and some Boston Pie concoction and informed me we were going to drown my sorrows.  My Dad and I share a love of chocolate milk.  As we ate we decided which days during the next week I could fit in mourning the lose of my job before I had to pick it up and move on.  Turns out Kyle was hospitalized the next day and I never did get those days.  I think I was jipped, I only got 5 minutes to drown my sorrows. 

Then that night Dad took us to Chuck-A-Rama to celebrate my last day of working for the School District.  I remember when the waitress asked us if we were celebrating something we all just looked at each other and said no.  How do you explain celebrating losing a job?  So thank you for being such a strong support for me Dad.  Words can't express how much you mean to me and I hope you were able to have a good Father's Day even though I wasn't there to share it with you.  I will never forget the way you have taken Kyle into our family and made him feel loved and welcome.  I know he loves you too and tries so hard to meet your approval.  And you do so much for his self-esteem.

The other man in my life, Kyle has also been amazing and I hope he knows how much I appreciate him.  After finding out they weren't renewing my contract, going to work each day until the end was awful.  When things have been bad I climb on his lap or he climbs on the bed and he holds me while I cry and just loves me and tell me things are going to get better.  He doesn't know when but someday they will and until then we will just have faith they are going to.  Kyle has the sweetest spirit and has such a huge capacity for love.  It amazes me how much he loves me and I know I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I'll take it.  Things are getting better.  His foot continues to improve both wound and infection wise.  We were able to pay the bills this month and we are having faith that things will come together somehow for this coming month as well.  In the mean time Kyle is in Salt Lake for a few days as I'm sick and there isn't much he can do for himself.  Besides that we have had just a touch too much togetherness the past month.  Our theory is that when you start snapping at each other it's time for a day or two apart.  But we'll meet up again in a few days and continue our journey to happiness.  Because as Elder Uchtdorf says it is our heritage you know. 

Kyle's Foot Doctor Appt

We were 20 minutes late for Kyle's doctor appointment today.  Anyone who knows me knows that puts me over the edge.  It was in Tremonton and the mapquest directions didn't work because all the interstate ramps were closed so I went off of the address they gave and they had the west and north reversed on it.  Lovely!!!  None of this should have been a problem because we have GPS, but of course the Bear River Hospital isn't in our system. 

Luckily the doctor had just been called into surgery right before when our appointment should have been and it all worked out and we didn't have to wait too long.  If any of you are in need a foot specialist we highly recommend Dr. Heninger.  I think he is younger than me.  He looks about 18, add that to the fact that Dr. Francis looks like his is 12 and our nurses at the hospital were always teasing us about our kid doctors.  He is awesome and I can tell he genuinely wants to get Kyle's foot healed up and better.  Dr. Francis is amazing as well.  He has called a few time personally to check on things and let us know of changes we are going to make. 

The bottom line from today is that the wounds are looking good (in my opinion they are absolutely disgusting).  But those in the know say they are healing up and looking good.  Our problem is that the infection is not getting better and it is the infection we have to get to heal in order to save the bones in Kyle's foot.  Dr. Heninger was giving them 8 weeks and we are now down to 6 1/2.  I know you have all been praying and I am asking you to continue to do so.  Dr. Heninger said he so wishes he can perform a miracle for us.  I told him he is going to he just doesn't know it yet.  Don't you think it is about time for Kyle to get a miracle?

I'm warning you that the following pictures of Kyle's foot are a little graphic. 

We have made progress because all though this is a large incision

it is healing and  isn't nearly as deep as it use to be.  This is

the spot where they lanced his foot in the hospital

room the night before his surgery and all kinds of disgusting puss and

gunk came shooting out of it. It is basically what made the final

decision to take him into surgery as soon as possible.

The white stuff you can see in this incision is tendon
and they cut it out today because it is dying.
There is a 2nd tendon that will still do what this one does.

They completely cut off the black looking skin so this looks
completely different now.  I'll have to take a picture
when I get to change the dressing tomorrow.  The favorite
part of my day along with hooking up IV antibiotics and
giving insulin shots.  O the fun we have around here.



Janalee's Wedding

Saturday was Janalee and Matt's wedding and the weather couldn't have been more perfect.  She had everything planned down to the minute and it all went off without a hitch.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of one of her typed up schedules.  Everyone had different ones with their specific instructions and time frame on them.  I didn't get one so I just basically did whatever and whenever I wanted.  The ceremony was beautiful and I don't think the reception could have been lovelier.  Stay tuned for a future post about my wardrobe malfunction.  I have tons of pictures of the day, but I'll try to weed them out as you probably don't have days to look at them.  I'll probably post a slide show in a day or to either here or on my facebook.

We got an e-mail from them today that they had arrived at the resort in the Dominican Republic.  It is very humid and they were just getting ready to go to their room.  They will be home in a couple weeks.  I'm very jealous.  The furthest we will be venturing forth the next few months is to various doctor appointments.  With wound changes on Fridays and Mondays we can't even sneak in a long weekend at the cabin.  I hope they have a great time and enjoy every minute of it.  I can't believe one little sister is married and the youngest of us is graduated. 

The dinner Friday night.  It was really nice.

They did it!!!

The flower girls

Kyle made it through everything.  He's a tough guy.

Did you know my Dad is a dork?

A rare picture of Tyler.  In a pink tie no less

I made this for Jan & Matt's wedding present

Matt's friend made the cake for free and it was gorgeous

The escape

The dip that didn't quite work out

No injuries were sustained in the fall

Off into the sunset or dark so to speak

Marijka Made It! She Graduated!!

She did it folks.  Marijka graduated from Mountain Crest High School on Wednesday night.  We are so proud of her.  We celebrated before hand with dinner at The Bluebird.  The best part of the whole thing was that the speakers kept their talks nice and short and we were out of there in 2 hours.  I can't believe my baby sister is 18 and graduated from high school.  Where did the time go?  She has informed me that since I am currently unemployed we are going to do some projects.  I'm interested to see what she comes up with.  We love you Marijka and we couldn't be happier for you.  Congratulations