For Better or For Worse

What a journey these past four and a half weeks have been for all of us!  And who would believe that I would not have had time to blog daily or even weekly, but I haven't, so here is a brief synopsis of what our lives have been like since Vernon was diagnosed with colon cancer, stage three...

 When Vernon came home from the hospital on April 14, we were so happy with his progress and the strength he was gaining.  In fact, on the 17th, Vernon and I had a Bible study and prayer time with a couple new to our church at our home.  Vernon was able to attend service on Sunday evening the 19th; be blessed by Rev. Scott Breedlove's ministry; and to help baptize the man from the Bible study on the previous Friday night! And Vernon was resuming his studies with individual parishoners in our home rather than at the church.

Jaime took Vernon to his doctors' appointments on the 21st so that I could teach piano, and I took him for his Pet Scan and oncology appointments on the 22nd.  After discussion and prayer, on the 23rd, Vernon made the decision to have neither chemo nor radiation...that whatever time he was given to live, he wanted quality over quantity, and we just wanted God to receive the praise and glory for whatever happened.

In the meantime, the oncologist was insisting on chemo and radiation and though the original CT scan had shown nothing wrong with the liver and the surgeon had assured us it was clean and looked good, the oncologist thought the PET scan might be showing something.  So, he wanted a radioactive contrast CT scan.  We didn't plan on doing it....

On Sunday the 26th, Vernon attended both services and wore his Easter outfit (navy suit, french blue shirt and yellow tie) since on Easter Sunday he was wearing the stylish split back hospital gown!  Jaime preached on Sunday morning, and Vernon told me he couldn't have done any better himself!  What a joy to see your children serving Jesus!  And what a joy to see your sons in the gospel like Dustyn Tallman ministering so beautifully  Sunday after Sunday!

Vernon was able to run errands on Monday, the 27th, to the delight of all who hadn't seen him in town for three weeks, and we were pumped!  This trial wasn't going to be that bad after all! 

On the 28th, Vernon began having severe cramps and began throwing up, unable to keep anything down and getting weaker and weaker.   By Saturday morning, May 2nd, we were on our way back to Boone Hospital where they did another CT scan.  A very inflamed gall bladder was the problem so antibiotics were started to reduce the inflammation.  28 pictures of the gall bladder on Sunday, May 3rd, showed no disease or gall stones, and Vernon was allowed a clear liquid diet. 

On Monday, May 4th, Vernon started solid foods, and he called me to say he was being released from the Hospital.   When I got to the Hospital, I found a very dejected Vernon...he had begun throwing up again and was not going to be released.  After a horrible night, Vernon was put back on IV's and on May 5th, the radioative contrast CT scan that we were not going to come back for was ordered. 

On Wednesday, May 5th, I received a text from Vernon, "CT scan all clear."  I immediately called him and with tears flowing down both of our faces with great relief and joy, he told me that the liver was clear, the gall bladder inflammation was dissipating, his anemia had disappeared, and he was being released with no perscriptions.  That is a miracle!

It was a very thankful and happy wife who bounced into Room 4007 to pick up a very weak, but thankful husband and bring him home! 

Because Vernon's system has been so messed up with this last episode, we didn't celebrate with any Whoppers this time around!  Instead, it's been Relive shakes, bananas, rice, applesauce and toast or crackers, and tonight, May 9th,  he had watermelon at Jaime and Johnathan's, the first of the season!

We cannot thank our friends and family enough for all the prayers, cards, calls, flowers, balloons, books, gifts, food and emails that you have sent during this time!  You have made this time bearable because you have been so supportive of us in our time of trauma! 

God has been and will continue to be faithful in every situation we encounter as we continue our journey, and for that we give Him all the praise and thanksgiving!!!  We still believe Romans 8:28!

Vernon still has the stint from his bladder to one kidney that must be removed and that should be happening later this month...We will keep you posted.

Again, thanks for your continued prayers for all of us, and please join us in giving much thanks for what God is doing for Vernon!

Glynnda