Dad update...

So, things have taken me away from keeping up on this blog once again. However, I have come to terms with this fact, I will never be one that updates and post regularly.

Here is a quick update on what has been happening in my life and the lives of the Burton family.

As for me, I am still working hard in all of my classes...only five more weeks left of this semester!!! I have healed from my surgery wonderfully and at my two week appointment all of my restrictions were lifted. I finally heard back from "Metaphor" (Weber State's literary journal), none of the pieces I submitted will be included in this edition. It hurt to hear that, but then again I don't consider myself that great of a writer so all is well. I will include on this post the three pieces I submitted (yes, they are included in earlier post, but I have made modifications to them).

As for the rest of the Burtons, life is still an up and down roller coaster. Dad finally figured out why his face has been swelling, he is allergic to the antibiotic the doctor proscribed. Now that he is no longer on that the only concern is figuring out why his white blood count and platelets are so low. When he was admitted to the hospital back in February his white blood count was at 2.1 (normally between 5 &10) and his platelets were 10 (normally 150-400). Therefore his body would not be able to fight the infection that he had. While he was in the hospital they gave him some platelet transfusions which brought his WBC to 4.5 and his platelets to 97. Still low, but manageable.

Upon being released from the hospital he has gone through several tests. His counts have started to decrease once again. They did a bone marrow biopsy (he had one a few years ago too)but this showed exactly the same thing it did last time---nothing. He has seen an ear, nose, and throat specialist but was told they don't think that is causing any of the problems. Dr. Hansen (the oncologist at McKay Dee) has referred my dad to Huntsman's Cancer Institute since he does not know what is going on. My dad has an appointment next week with them and hopefully we can get a name, condition, and treatment for whatever is going on. My dad is staying hopeful and positive throughout all of this. He has been going to work trying to keep his mind occupied. This week he is finally starting to sound and look better (we believe the sinus infection is finally leaving his system after 2 months). I will post once we know more! Thank you to all our friends and family who have been keeping us in your thoughts and prayers we truly feel them!





As stated above, these are the pieces I submitted to "Metaphor"....

my poems....

Gift of Freedom

Red, White, and Blue
Oh, how can I repay you?
You stand at attention
And yet often go unmentioned.

Your loved ones stand by
So that our flag can fly;
You fight for our voice
and to give us a choice.

Red, White, and Blue
Oh, how can I repay you?
You put yourself in danger,
all for some strangers.

You die so we can live
It’s such a precious gift you give.
As I stand by your grave
I’m grateful you were brave.

Masquerade
Every day is like Halloween,
I wake up and put on a different mask.
Some days I am Bo-Bo the Clown,
laughing away my tears.
Other days I am a biker chick—
my tough exterior hiding the fear I have within.
I once was an heiress to some grand fortune
just to be accepted into a group.
At times I feel like Perfect Penny,
too afraid to show people that I am human.
But, being all of these people is getting exhausting
I am ready to remove my mask and
for the first time be myself!