Kindred Ranch
Augusta, Montana
What's Happening
Here's a summary of what's been going on with Shari & Brad:
- Christmas was spent in Missoula with Keli, Adam, Kane & Ella. The positive results of Brad's tests allowed us to find pleasure in
the true meaning of Christmas this year. It was a joy to watch Kane & Ella open and play with their new Christmas gifts and Keli (with some direction from Mom) spoiled us with a terrific Christmas dinner! (See the 2011 Photo Gallery for several more pictures from Christmas!) - Even though Brad missed many of the home football games in October & November, the Griz had a successful season and surpassed most of our expectations. The Griz were Co-Champion of the Big Sky Conference, soundly defeated the Bobcats in Bozeman, and finished 11-3 after losing to Sam Houston State in the semi-finals of the Football Championship Subdivision. Looking forward to the 2012 season!
- Brad was diagnosed with a lung cancer at the top of his right lung. Most of October & November were spent in Missoula getting chemo and radiation treatments. On the day before Thanksgiving, and the very last week of Brad's treatments, he ended up in the hospital for 9 days due to blood clots in his lungs and virtually no white or red blood cell count. Brad had a couple of weeks to heal up at the ranch and then Christmas week he was back in Missoula
for some additional tests. The chemo & radiation treatments were successful in reducing the size of the tumor and with no cancer elsewhere in the body, Brad was approved to have surgery in January to remove the remainder of the tumor and the top lob of the right lung. Most of January will be spent in Denver where the surgery will take place. Brad thanks everyone for their concern and support during the past couple of months. The best thing is he was able to lose 30 lbs.!
What's ahead for Brad & Shari:
- Heading to Denver on January 5 that will give us a few days to enjoy our grandchildren and catch the opening weekend of the Denver Stock Show. We meet with the doctor on January 9 and surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11. Did not schedule a return flight from Denver as we are not sure how long we will be gone. Hopefully we will be back at the ranch the last week of January.
- We have a trip scheduled to St. George, Utah in March to join our great friends Larry & Sandy for several days at their vacation rental. Brad thinks that some warmer weather might be the best thing for his shoulder after the surgery.
- If possible, we would like to schedule a few days in the Phoenix area in April, but may have to just plan a trip to Las Vegas for several days..we see what happens!