Hiccups and Healing at Huntsman

Thursday Kevin had prostate cancer surgery. It's a relief for all of us to have it over with, but especially for him. It appears that everything went well and we are now on the other side of the challenge- recovering. He is doing well. It has been a very emotional week. We felt a peace about the whole situation but you still have to go through it!

3 of our 4 girls were up at Young Women Camp together while all this was going on and this situation helped them to grow closer together as they worried about their dad. I think their testimonies of prayer were strengthened too. I am so proud of our girls. Casey stepped up and accepted the responsibility of being assistant camp director since I was only able to come up the first day. She did a super job!

So Kevin was able to make a name for himself by getting the hiccups frequently and loudly. Even though we closed the door when he had them, everyone on the whole floor could hear him. Apparently, it is not uncommon for someone to get hiccups after surgery when they pump carbon dioxide in you to keep you from bleeding during the surgery.
Incidentally, if you ever have the misfortune to get cancer, we cannot recommend the Huntsman Cancer Hospital highly enough! Not only have they assembled a group of highly skilled physicians and surgeons, but they also go out of their way to help you keep your dignity. They spent quite a bit of time with us answering our questions and helping us understand our options. We couldn't be happier with our experience at Huntsman.

This is Dr. Stephenson, Kevin, and one of Dr. Stephenson's residents, Dr. Mobley, just before the surgery. The other resident, Dr. Hadley, is not in the picture. Dr. Stephenson is THE doctor to go to for prostate cancer. He is one of the best in the west and highly sought after. He is the surgeon that did Jon Huntsman's prostate cancer surgery. We feel so fortunate to have been able to find a surgeon we felt so good about. Dr. Mobley is only 26 or 27 but she really knows her stuff. (You know you're getting old when your doctors look like "whipper snappers").

Here is Kevin venturing out of his bed after surgery and into a chair. He looks good, doesn't he?


This was the view from Kevin's room. There were also spectacular views of the city from the hospital, but not from his room.

This is an excerpt from the dedicatory prayer by Elder Neal A. Maxwell. I know this place truly is a beacon of hope to so many.





This is a sign that the girls made the day Kevin came home.