Friends and Family,
Today we had appointments with Heidi’s Doctors at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. They confirmed several things that Heidi has been dealing with for the past few weeks. First, the oral chemo that Heidi has been taking for the past two months does not appear to be having any effect on the tumor. We knew it was a long shot to begin with,as it is usually used for primary brain tumors and Heidi's is secondary.
Second, the tumor is continuing to grow. We found out it has grown about 5% more this past month. Based on Heidi’s current symptoms the tumor is reaching a more critical point wherein it has become more embedded in the brain, thus effecting more of her neurological capabilities. Combined with the swelling it is causing, the tumor is taking up too much room in the skull. This is putting too much pressure on the brain and it could soon begin to have significant consequences.
Third, and most important, they confirmed that it is time to switch our focus on dealing with this. It is time to change our mindset from trying to fight the cancer and prolong life to focusing on making Heidi’s quality of life as great as possible for as long as she has left to live.
We have tried all the proven approaches to treat the cancer, and they have not worked with normal effectiveness. We have tried the second line of defense tactics and they have not worked. We have tried several long shots and they have not shown effectiveness. Anything further tried would run the risk of causing more side effects and damage to Heidi than possible benefit.
We knew this end result was inevitable at some point and we are grateful that we have had so much time to prepare ourselves and our children. Surprisingly our family has felt a great deal of peace and comfort as we've dealt with this really hard reality.
In Heidi’s own words, “Please do not feel sorry for me and don't be too sad! I know this is God’s will and I am grateful I have had as much time to prepare as I have had. Please celebrate with me the wonderful 34 years of life I have been able to truly LIVE. That is a blessing that not everyone has and I feel really grateful.”
We are so appreciative to our family, friends, and doctors that have done so much for us over the past few years and Heidi looks forward to sharing fun times with as many as possible over the coming months.
Scott Wright & Heidi too (written by Scott)
26 comments:
Heidi--I have truly watched in awe and wonder as you have courageously fought this awful monster known as cancer. You have been such an inspiration to me. Despite such physical trials you have had to endure you have had such a positive attitude and shown so much courage. I have nothing but respect and love for you. I am grateful for the 25+ years I have known you. At times like these I am ever more grateful for the promises of the Gospel. My thoughts, prayers, and love are with you and your family. Aly
Heidi- My family has learned so much from you. We have watched you fight SO hard. We have watched you push through pain and awful side effects of your treatment to continue to mother your beautiful children. We have watched you accept with grace and amazing understanding the Lord's plan for you. Most importantly, we have watched your testimony and you are a ROCK!!! Our family loves you and we are so grateful for all you have taught us. As you struggle through this difficult time, please know that many will be praying for your family to feel peace. Thank you for the beautiful example you have been to our family. We love you!
Love,
Brent, Andrea, Kaylee, Chelsea, Garrett, Tyler, Dax, and Lexi Carter
Heidi, since the first time I met you I have been in awe as to how creative, and amazing and balanced you are in life. Ive watched you do everything with an incredible ease. I envied all that you could do, creativeness, stamping, scrap booking, testimony, church callings, etc. I've watched and learned so much from you. It has been a journey that I am so glad you've allowed me to be apart of. I will always cherish that moment we had in your kitchen when you were so surprised that I was so willing to wash your hair. I thank you for that moment in you letting me serve you in such a special way. I will continue to pray for your family to have peace during this difficult time. You will always be an example to me of enduring to the end. I love you and I am so grateful you and I are friends. You will truly be missed. Love, Ashlee
Heidi - I know I do not know you that well, but you have made a big impact in my life, you are such a strong and courageous woman. My daughter Lizzie still prayers everyday for " Dallyns Mommy". You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Sarah Stevens
Heidi- you are in inspiration. You've touched my life in such a deep and profound way. Your faith, fight and example has taught me to face our trials head on and also to understand to accept the Lords will for us. You will always be someone I tell people about because of everything you put yourself through to fight to be with your eternal family just a little longer on this earth. How wonderful that we have the Saviors Atonement and Resurrection to give us the assurance that you will be with your family eternally. I love you and will continue to pray for you and your sweet family.
Love,
Stacy Rogers
Oh Heidi - This is the blog post I've been dreading and hoping never to have to see. I am so, so sorry. There are some people that seem to really know how to LIVE and THRIVE despite horrible things happening in their lives, and you are definitely one of them. I think of you often and your sweet family, especially when I'm having a bad day-I think of you and your optimism and all that you manage to accomplish and it makes me work harder and keep things in perspective and appreciate the time that I have with my loved ones. You're such an inspiration, Heidi. You and your family will be in my prayers often.
Love,
Kristina
Heidi we appreciate so much your testimony and your strength. Our family has prayed for yours every night in our family prayers for as long as we have known you. We feel grateful that unlike so many we live close. We hope that you will use our family as support. Scott we feel so grateful that our teens know you on a personal level through sunday school. We have very willing drivers and helpers here. We hope to be utilized. We love your family.
Thank you so much for your powerful testimony Sunday. It truly touched my heart and helped me in ways you may never know, yet I am truly grateful for you and your example to me. May you continue to feel of God's love for you and your family! With deep appreciation, respect, love and prayers. Thank you!
Heidi, I just want you to know how much I've always looked up to you and respected you. You have always been a shining light to me, you were a big sister when I didn't have one close by, you were an example to me of fun and good times. You were always so encouraging of me and treated me like an equal, even though I was probably such a tag-along for you and your friends. I just wanted to thank you for always including me and Amy in your plans in High School. You are an example to me of how to carry our trials with a positive and uplifting demeanor. I love you and am praying for you and for your family!!
Heidi,
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself. I am grateful that technology has allowed all of us to stay in touch with you. I love you and will miss you, my friend.
Larin
Heidi, you are an amazing person. You are a fighter and a great example to us all. We have been praying for you and your family and will continue to pray for you.
I remember the first day I ever met you was at the playground in our neighborhood in Elk Grove. I had just moved in and you said something to one of the kids, something about being a good example and being nice to one another. When I heard you telling your child on how to be, I just knew by the way you said it that you were a member of the church. It was full of patience and love. Sure enough we met, talked, and became friends and neighbors. We both had our fourth children 1 or 2 days apart. Good memories! What I would like to say is you are such a great example of your faith, testimony, and family. Thank you for your courage and positive attitude and the example you have shown us all. You are always in my thoughts and prayers, I am so grateful to be your friend. Cindy, JT, Alyssa, Brianna, Kamryn, and Tori Tiumalu
I remember the first day I ever met you was at the playground in our neighborhood in Elk Grove. I had just moved in and you said something to one of the kids, something about being a good example and being nice to one another. When I heard you telling your child on how to be, I just knew by the way you said it that you were a member of the church. It was full of patience and love. Sure enough we met, talked, and became friends and neighbors. We both had our fourth children 1 or 2 days apart. Good memories! What I would like to say is you are such a great example of your faith, testimony, and family. Thank you for your courage and positive attitude and the example you have shown us all. You are always in my thoughts and prayers, I am so grateful to be your friend. Cindy, JT, Alyssa, Brianna, Kamryn, and Tori Tiumalu
Heidi, I want to tell you how much you have meant to me. I have always looked up to you. You are such a strong woman. I love your great example of patience and endurance. You are a wonderful wife and mother. I love you and want to thank you for being such a great friend to me. You and your family are in our prayers.
Heidi and Scott you are both amazing people. The strength, love and faith you have gone about everything is an inspiration to everyone around you. Scott, though I have never met you I can see and tell what kind of a husband you are and I know Heidi knows what a lucky woman she is to have you. Heidi you are such an inspiration and role model to me. Your strength, your fight, your faith, and your attitude will always be at the forefront of my mind. My heart and prayers are with you. If there is anything I can do for you from afar please don't hesitate to ask. XOXOXO
Hi Heidi - I have not commented before on your blog, but have been reading it as it is linked to Lindsey's. I am a high school friend of Lindsey and Amy (actually I got married on the same day as Amy, an hour after!) and I remember going to your wedding reception and meeting Scott, your new husband and tan, athletic swimmer in the line. Your love for each other was so evident that day.
I was so saddened to read this latest post and just wanted to send you a heartfelt virtual ::hug:: (even though you probably don't remember who I am) through the computer and my heart just goes out to you and your family during this time. May the spirit of the Lord continue to surround your family.
Love, Natalie (Miller) Haines
We want to send all of our love to the wright family. You are all amazing and Heidi you are so strong and so blessed. We pray for you always, Marisa, Adam and Gavin
Heidi- First just let me say you are amazing! I am grateful we met in high school. You have always been a good example to me of friendship, kindness, forgiveness, and loving life. You, as well as my other friends, helped me become the person I am today (stilled flawed but headed in the right direction). I am eternally grateful for your support as I joined the church and continued to build my testimony.
As we have grown older I have continued to learn from your example of faith, strength, and enduring life's trials well. I love your positive attitude and always counting your blessings. You might not realize it but you have inspired and helped me when I went through my own challenges. I think of you often and I am grateful you have shared your experiences through your blog. Thank you for being the amazingly awesome wonderful lady that you are!
On a side note- While at the temple today I thought about you and your family a lot. As I sat and waited to do initiatories I read in the Book of Mormon. I read Mosiah chapters 23 & 24. These are two of my favorite chapters and I always find comfort from the words in Mosiah 24:13-15.
Dear Heidi & Scott,
Uncle Lamar and I were very moved by Heidi's (Scott's) recent blog entry. You, Heidi, are a remarkable young woman with great faith and an unequaled desire to pack 50 years of quality living with your family, relatives, and friends into just a few years. Your open-ness with your physical struggles has given us the blessed opportunity to suffer and mourn with you and yet to rejoice in your triumphs, your strengths, your integrity, and your resiliency. You have a strong sustaining faith in our Savior and no doubt He has been with you on many occasions to lift and comfort as only He can do.
Heidi, you continue to inspire all those who know you! Your bubbly positive personality, spiritual strength, blogs, stamping, journals, creative talents, photos, family excursions/activities, and the many other things you do are an incredible record of your turn on earth. You will be fine, your family will be fine and hopefully all the rest of us will be too, if we heed your example in following our Savior and putting our complete faith, hope, and trust in Him. That will be our task. THANK YOU a THOUSAND times a THOUSAND. Love, Aunt Elaine and Uncle Lamar
Thank you for sharing with us your story, your testimony, your love. You have strengthened all of us and I find myself thinking "what would Heidi do" when I've had hard times. Your example and story will continue. We are all so proud of the battle you have fought and the faith that has endured. As Pres Eyring said in conference today about his mother...."why did my mother need to be so polished?" I don't know why your trials have been so great, just that Heavenly Father has great plans for you. Love you my friend.
Heidi-I am so sad after reading your blog. I know you told us not to be sad, but I am. I want you to know that I am so proud of you. You are a true hero!!! Our family has prayed for you throughout your many trials and will continue to do that. We send you and your wonderful family our love and know that Heavenly Father will continue to comfort and bless you all.
Love,
Mike and Vickie Morris
Scott & Heidi,
We love your family and are praying for you guys! Love, Kris and Cody Edwards
Hi there my sweet friend. I think of you often and pray for your comfort. You have been such an inspiring friend to me and my family. We love you sooo much...all of you. :) The next time we head up that way we will be coming to your door if you are feeling up to it. May the angels attend you and your family. Hugs to all of you!
Heidi, You have done well! What a wonderous example you are to all who know and love you! You have and never will leave our thoughts and prayers. Sisters in Zion forever!
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