Jim is no longer able to update this blog, so we as his siblings will be doing that for him for awhile. Much has happened in the few short days since his last post. As you know, he was a bit discouraged on the day of his last post. Two days later he was taken by ambulance to the emergency room at University Hospital, then transferred to the Huntsman Cancer Institute the following morning. CT scans were performed and the results showed that the chemo has done nothing but feed the cancer. His body is also filled with infection, which isn't responding to powerful antibiotics. After spending 2 1/2 days there he was released to come home with hospice care. He is surrounded by a loving wife and mother who are by his side almost constantly, as well as each and every one of his siblings, who rotate bedside care. His humor is still carrying him through this most difficult time, as the following will illustrate:
Sandra: We need to give your back a rest and turn you to one side. Which side do you want to be on?
Jim: The Lord's side.
Jim and Sandra express their love and appreciation for the outpouring of love and concern that you all show to them. As per the advice of their doctors and hospice nurses they are requesting no visitors at this time. We will try to update this blog regularly, and comments, as always, are welcome and appreciated and will be read to Jim daily.
With love from his siblings,
Louise
Karen
Peggy
Linda
Brent
Thanks for the Update. I am sorry to hear of these latest developments. You are in our family's thoughts and prayers Jim. You have been on the Lords side as long as I have known you and you have blessed the lives of everyone you come in contact with.
ReplyDeleteLyle
Thanks for the update. Jim, you are in our thoughts and prayers always. Remember what Elder Hales said about his experiences and the peace that awaits you when the Lord calls for you. Thank you so much for your tremendous service with me in the HP's. You carried such a great load. You have been a great strength and example to us. We continue to pray for you and hope you can feel the prayers of those around you.
ReplyDeleteJohn.
We love you Jim. We are amazed at your courage and dignity. Sandra is such an example of strength and your children a testimony of faith and love. Words cannot express the depth of emotion and love we have for you. We continue to pray for you and know you are truly on the Lord's side.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jason, Jenn, Carson, Davis
Dear Brent, Sandra, and all of Jim's family -
ReplyDeleteLike everybody else I am trying to wrap my head around how fast this has happened. I met Jim a few months ago when he attended a class that I was teaching. He was so funny that day, and very gentle and caring about the fact that I had recently dealt with cancer. That was before Thanksgiving, so none of us knew that this was going on with him.
I am diligently keeping up with this blog as are Jim's Real Estate colleagues up North (Ogden). Thank you for posting here so we can continue to pray for Jim and for you all.
Much in our thoughts, Jennifer Bunker
Jim,
ReplyDeleteYou've become a continual part of our thoughts and prayers as a family. The last time you bore your testimony at church, you inspired Kendi and I to try to attend the temple more often. We scheduled a babysitter Saturday and made arrangements to attend the temple with the ward. We're happy to "donate" that visit to cover you on your commitment. :)
It was a wonderful session and we felt very close to the Lord. I'm sconfident much of that was due to the fact that you and your family were the focus of our thoughts and prayers. I'm sure you've already been able to feel God's love as you've waded through this trial. But I just wanted to share with you that the overwhelming feeling I came away with from the temple Saturday night - that God does in fact personally know and love each and every one of his children. I think I've always believed that, but it really hit home Saturday night. The Lord is with you Jim and loves you more than words can describe. Thank you for inspiring us. We want you to know that we love you and feel blessed to have come to know you and your beautiful family.
Glen and Kendi Moore
Well done thou good and faithful servant...We love you Jim
ReplyDeleteThe Leonhardts
Dear Jim and family,
ReplyDeleteYou are always in our prayers. We love you all very much.
In Jordan's letter today he talked about you. He said "Jim has slways done whatever he could for us, whether it was shoveling, or finding any way to help us, he's done it. He truly is a great example of helping your neighbors in any way possible. Please give Daniel a hug for me and tell him I am praying for him and their whole family.
Thanks for your many examples. We will be there to watch out for your family as we know you would for us.
Love, The Hiltons
Jim and Family,
ReplyDeleteWe just want you to know that we have been truly blessed having you as neighbors. We love your family. Jim, you have been such a fabulous example of what a neighbor should be like. Always thoughtful, kind, and ready to help.
Thank you for your example!
Love, The Gygi's
Jim I can't wait to meet you in person when we are all on the Lord's side, which in my opinion is sooner than we realize. Thanks for being a much needed light in this world. My prayers will continue for you & your family. Valerie Fisher
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteKnow that my family and I are all praying for you! I have so many fun memories of you guys growing up! Especially when my parents went out of town and we stayed with you for a few days! Do you remember how many pistachios I ate!? :) We love you and know the Lord is watching out for you and your family!
Jim,
ReplyDeleteJust to give you a laugh, I don't think this (cancer) is fair. Weren't you suppose to get another back rub from me. Didn't you still have plans?
We pray for you and Sandra and your kids, every day, ok twice a day. I think about you all the time, how much I learned from you, by you including me and helping me. I promise that I will take your example of reaching out, that you have shown me and use it in my life.
We will just have to continue the neighborhood get togethers for you, cause we know you'll be there anyway. I'll give you a call and remind you about them. Ok?
Just one more thought...
Some people come into our lives and quickly go... Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our heart and we are never ever the same.
Love you
Dennis and Suzanne
As we looked at the post today our hearts are heavy and the tears are streaming down our faces as we realize the time on this earth may be drawing to a close. Brian and I read the blog and are so very touched. We realize we need to tell you how thankful we are that you and Sandra are in our lives again. It had been a few years since we had talked or connected. And it was too long. You were some of our dearest friends. We went through your infertility and adoption with Jeremy. He is the light of your lives and such a wonderful young man. We knew then that God sends his children different ways but to those who are worthy to be their parents. Jeremy was always your child! Then you were able to concieve and we witnessed that blessing. You treated our children like your own and they loved and love you still. We still laugh at the missing pistaschios! Thank you for being wonderful neighbors and friends. Thank you for your unconditional love. Thank you for being Christ centered friends whom we love with all our hearts. We love you Jim and Sandra! May you be filled with love and peace at this difficult time. And may you always know that we will have memories to last a lifetime of treasured times with the Manwills. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers as well as your extended families. Thanks to Jims family for keeping the blog going. It helps those of us so far away to connect. We love you Jim and Sandra with all our hearts! Gods speed..... until we meet again
ReplyDeletelove always,
Brian and Melody
Jim,
ReplyDeleteBrandt wrote this today in his email from Dallas. I wasn't sure if I should share it all, but it's from his heart so here goes:
"I'm so sad about Jim. It's so sad for him and his family. I pray for them often but it kind of struck me the other day that he's going to pass away". Give their family my regards and sympathys. Yes, it's great that we know of the plan of salvation but it's still extremely diffictult ot go over something like that. I'm so grateful for the health of you all and do not know how I could comprehend or handle the loss of a family member. ~ E. Bettilyon"
Jim, we all love you and think you're the best! So grateful to know and enjoy you and your family. I was just reminiscing about the great timing of your family's move to our ward and circle. I'm sure that you know that there are literally hundreds of people that will be there for you and your family during this continued journey. Some here and some there :) We love you and wish we could give you a big squeeze. But since we can't, consider yourself digitally squoze :) Not sure that's a word but it works for me.
Love, Cris, Mike, Brandt, Kelli, Brock & Dallin Bettilyon
Jim and Sandra, I just want to let you know how much I love both of you and your children. Thanks for being our friends and neighbors for so many year. Please know that we are grateful for your family. Please forgive me for any pain I caused. Seeing your testimony in action these past few months has been a real help to me in my life. Love, Sheryl White
ReplyDeleteDad, you are the best example of someone i would want to be like! The way you are so willing to be out there serving others is so admirable to me, and it makes me proud to have you as a guide in my life! It hurts a lot that you've gone but im trying to be like you as best as i can but you've left some pretty big shoes to fill! I love you dad and i hope you knew that! Please dont forget to check on ur family cuz i dont think i'm the only one whose had hard times about your departure! Look down on Daniel especially cuz eventhough i want him to come home so bad i know he's doing what you wanted him to do and that ur very proud of him! We all miss you and we think about you all the time! Keep up the good work Oso! Hopefully we'll see you soon!
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