Gary Kantola Update

Hello all. We are well in PA. We have been blessed to have Cheri come for this week to our home. She has cooked (8) soups in all, made apple pie, ice cream, driven to Fox Chase and got her Dad an Ipod. This gadget is quite handy enduring the treatment process. He can do his email and enjoy sermons and music with one handy hand held gadget.

Gary has now completed 14 treatments. He is scheduled for chemo again on Tuesday. During examination Thursday the doctor said the front of his tongue is (beautifully normaly) pink. The tumor is receding on the side of his tongue like a glacier.

Thank you for your prayers and concern. We have heard from the physicians the couple of weeks ahead may be challenging due to the effects of treatment. We will persevere with the Lord as our strength. We covet you prayers as his tongue is painful as he works to include table food..strained as it is. He has gained 5 pounds this week.

Darline is due to come to visit in a week and a half. We are looking forward to her visit.

Be blessed and have a great week.
Tricia and Gary Kantola

Dedication to Alvin Kantola in the CBC yearbook

Update Gary Kantola

No pictures with this one.. chuckle. We are not as good lookin in PA.

Today apx. 7 a.m. e.s.t. Gary went to Fox Chase with a local pastor, Tim Helms as a driver. I understand that today Gary will have a chemo treatment(first of three) and radiation (first of 35). This will treat the tumor on his tongue.

We thank you for all of your inquiries. If you want to let Gary know you are thinking of him it is probably better to TEXT.. 610-360-9583. He does listen to his voicemails.

We love you. Sorry we were not able to come to the reunion.

We keep the mountains beyond McCall forever in our minds .. it is a daily reminder and uplifter of our spirits. We are leaning on the Creator of our bodies to bring us through this Hike.

Be Blessed..Gary and Tricia Kantola

Kantola Family Reunion 09

McKenzie River Camp - Kantola Reunion 2009. Thanks Mike and Terryl Kaiser for organizing a great time!

Update on Wilda Kantola

Cheri,

I have never tried checking out a blog before but I think this is a wonderful way for me to keep up with what the family is doing and maybe add a word or two about our happenings.

I don't believe we have met. My name is Karla Kantola Westeren and I live in Gig Harbor, Washington with my husband Ron and my mother, Wilda (Walt) Kantola. I haven't be to a family reunion with my Kantola relatives for so many years that I am not well known or, for that matter, do I know so many of the younger members of the family.

I really would have loved to be with you all this year but my mother, who has Alzheimer's, has had a relapse of her colon cancer and is now starting to lose weight. At 89, she has done very well considering her health conditions but is not good at traveling or being in a strange area because it alters her mental stability. I have included a picture of my mother on her 80th birthday. This was taken before the ravages of Alzheimer's and age started to alter her appearance.

Family members my age are now the older generation of the Kantola family and sadly some have already passed. That really saddens me and makes me realize that I have to reconnect while I still can see everyone. Jack has been reminding me of that for awhile now. I look forward to maybe being able to be with you all next year.

Thank you again for creating this family blog. I will watch for it and hopefully be able to see some pictures of the family reunion entered.

Sincerely,
Karla

Mel Kaiser's Memorial Service

Uncle Mel's service was such a wonderful send-off. Mike and Dennis did such a great job remembering their father and honoring him. It was a memorable gathering of good friends and family.