About 7 weeks ago Ben's Dad recieved very grave news after a few weeks of tests and being very tired, a bone marrow biopsy confirmed abnormalities in his blood and Ron was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Acute myeloid leukemia is one of the most common types of leukemia among adults. This is a type of cancer and is rare under age 40. Persons with this type of cancer have abnormal cells inside their bone marrow. The cells grow very quickly, and replace healthy blood cells. The bone marrow, which helps the body fight infections, eventually stops working correctly. Persons with AML are more likely to have infections and have an increased risk for bleeding as the numbers of healthy blood cells decrease. - wikipedia.
He immediately was admitted to United Hospital where he would undergo extremely aggressive chemotherapy for two weeks, 24 hours a day- in the hospital. After the two weeks ended, the blood tests showed only a 20% decrease in cancer cells.
Ron decided that he would go home and enjoy the time he had left in the company of family and friends. That time was filled with visits from many family and friends, with lots of laughter, tears, togetherness and prayer. Ron was also able to be at his son, Michael's wedding on August 4th - which also happened to mark 50 years exactly to the day of Karen and Ron's first date. :) (Ben's Mom and Dad)
The chemotherapy really did a number on his body and as the weeks passed he started to get more and more tired, weak, and unable to do the normal things for himself. Karen (Ben's Mom) is such a strong lady and an example to us all. I admire her for what she had to go through these last few weeks - and what the whole family has gone through.
After only a few weeks after diagnosis and a tough, quick fight, Ron Christensen, a husband, father, grandpa, brother, and friend passed away on August 26th at about 1:10 p.m. in the afternoon in the company of his family all around him. It was such a blessing to have been there. We cried and thanked God for taking him home.
It's only been a week since his passing, it doesn't quite seem real yet. The family is taking it day by day-and are so thankful that's his pain is over and he didn't suffer. We will always remember what a great grandpa he was to our children and we will truly miss him, especially his big strong bear hugs.
