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

Exciting News Today!

Mama just called me crying (tears of relief!) They did a radioactive contrast CT scan yesterday and dad just called her with the results. Everything is clear! His liver is perfectly clear! His gallbladder is clear (no disease or stones) and shrinking. His anemia is gone and he's going to be sent home with no prescriptions. If all goes well, and he can keep his lunch down, they will release him this evening.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers.  God is truly amazing!!

Much love!
Jaime and Glynnda

Tuesday and Not Home Yet...

I talked to Dad on Monday afternoon and he sounded tired, but the staff had started his check out procedure and he was preparing to go home. Just before Mom arrived, he started throwing up again. The decision was made for him to stay Monday night.

I just talked to Mom and she reported Dad had a pretty bad night. Dr. Pitt believed there may be a connection between the oral antibiotic he was given to go home with and the sickness, so they put Dad back on an IV and kept him for observation.

Today, he will have another CAT Scan to see if the gall bladder is twisted and will probably spend another night at Boone.

Scott

Monday Update

Daddy is doing much better today. They plan to let him actually eat something this evening. The Lord and the antibiotics seem to be doing their work and his gallbladder is looking much better. No stones or disease in it. Thanks for that God! If all goes well, he should be coming back home tonight. He will meet with a nutritionist today to work on a diet that will hopefully keep this from happening again. Mom and Johnathan and Gabe and I entertained him yesterday with a quick song and dance routine. Wish we'd videoed it for you. We were all rolling...even Daddy, despite his pain! Mark and Margie also came to visit him along with Bill Crabtree, and Tyson and Adrianna Hellensmith.

Our dear friend Randall McCoy visited this weekend and ministered on Sunday a.m. and p.m. It was a great time at church and just being together.  I know Daddy was happy to see him and so disappointed to be in the hospital knowing we're all at home having a high-ho time. Randall did visit Daddy over the weekend so they got to have their own catch-up time.

Prayer focus: that they will remove the stint which will relieve a lot of pain and that Daddy will be able to keep some food down. He's lost about 25 pounds and needs a ton of calories to get his weight back up. If you know Vernon McGarvey, he didn't have 10 oz to spare before this.

Much Love,
Jaime

Sunday Update

Wow... talk about an improvment!  I just got off the phone with Dad and he sounds 100% better. Thank the Lord!

He was admitted to Boone Hospital on Saturday morning in a very dehydrated condition.  After a CT Scan and Ultrasound showed his gall bladder to be inflamed, he was put on antibiotics and an IV to pump some fluids into him.  As he said today, "I was a pretty sick cookie."  If all goes well, he'll be released Monday morning.  After some observation over the next few weeks, it will be determined if the gall bladder should be removed.

Thank you for your prayers...!

Scott

ER Update

Dad had another CT Scan after Dr. Pitt became concerned about a blockage causing his current round of sickness. The scan revealed that his gall bladder is inflamed. Dad will go on 48 hours of intensive antibiotics and then return for a checkup next week. There is a possibility that the gall bladder will need to be removed as a result of the inflammation.

Help us pray specifically:
The inflammation will dissipate & no further surgery will be required
Dad's system will settle and he will be able to eat & drink without sickness
Strength for both Mom & Dad

Scott

Back to the ER

Mom & Dad are on the way to the ER at Boone Hospital.

He has been violently ill for the past 3 days. He was sick 3 times in 4 hours last night. Dad is unable to keep any food or water in his system and is exhausted. There are several issues causing this reaction. His sinus drainage causes an upset stomach. The medication to deal with his colon's lack of water processing is locking up his bowel, thus everything that goes into his stomach has nowhere to go... but back out.

When I spoke to him on the phone a few moments ago, he said he "was sick of being sick." His speech was very weak and slow. Please pray for the correct meds to be administered and for strength for Mom during this time. She has not slept for several days trying to take care of Dad.

We'll post more as soon as we know more.

Scott