I am amazed at the progress a few days can mean. I'm eating more, gaining weight and feeling like my old self again. Gained 13 pounds so far. I have preached the last 3 Sunday mornings without pain or exhaustion and resumed a rather busy pastoral schedule. The only time I can tell there is a limitation is when I reach too far or try to lift too much and I always back off. It will be a while before I can cut the grass again or work like I would like to in the yard, but that doesn't mean I can't think about it.
Several projects that Glynnda and I had planned for this year have been placed on hold, however, the broken water pipe in the family room downstairs could not wait. Thankfully, the leak only effected one place in the wall and not the whole room. With a little help from Dustyn Tallman and my son Scott, the worst is over. I got to do the tape, texture and paint to cover the hole this week. It made me feel useful again.
My thanksgiving overflows when I think of the many friends and family members who have prayed for me, sent an avalanche of cards and notes of encouragement and money to help with my medical expenses. God is so good to me. I just want all of you to know how deeply you have touched me and my family with your generous outpouring of love and concern. I have made arrangements for payment with all but 2 of the 6 bills. They all will be paid off in 4 months except the hospital, the Lord willing.
Stay tuned for more good news as we journey on...
Vernon McGarvey
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
THIS GREAT WEEK
Well, this is the first posting for me on the blog and I guess it's about time. This is the seventh week since the emergency colon surgery. As Glynnda noted last week, on Tuesday (May 19) the stent was removed. By Wednesday night I was feeling more like my old self. What a blessing to be relieved of that painful hardware between my kidney and my bladder!
This week I had an appointment with Doctor Schlossman at Missouri Cancer Associates on Tuesday (May 26). I was very interested in what his opinion was of the last CT scan done on May 3rd. He told me he asked the tech to scan the liver as well as the gallbladder. The doctor was very concerned about the liver because the PET scan from much earlier had shown a spot on the dome of the liver. The scan showed no spots on the liver and the gall bladder which had been infected and enlarged was reduced in size and much better.
He did not say I was cancer free. He reminded me that 3 of the 24 lymph nodes taken from my right side were cancerous and it was his professional duty to recommend 6 months chemotherapy. We have had this discussion before and agreed to disagree about what I would do. He understands that I am not going to go the chemo route. At the end of our visit he said, "If God forbid, something should change and you need help call me and I'll do whatever I can to help you." I thanked him for being up front with me and for his professional courtesy. I'll see him again in 6 months.
On Thursday I had an appointment with Doctor Pitt, my surgeon (Columbia Surgical Associates). He is easy to talk to and answers questions with straight-forward answers. Doctor Pitt was pleased with my progress. We discussed the colon and the process of getting it to operate correctly again. It takes time but it will function normally, he said. I see him again in 3 months.
I am eating regular food. Really anything I want. This week I have had ranch style beans with jalapeno peppers, barbque beef brisket and potato salad with no ill effects. I tell anyone who will stand still long enough that God is not finished with me and the many prayers of people everywhere for me are working. I am claiming cancer free even if the doctors haven't said it. God is good all the time.
This Sunday morning, the Lord being my helper, will be my first sermon in almost eight weeks. I am excited to be given the opportunity to start a brand new chapter in my ministry. I am expecting great things from the Lord in this new adventure. For sure, HE is in control and I'm just going along for the ride. Why don't you come along?
Vernon McGarvey
This week I had an appointment with Doctor Schlossman at Missouri Cancer Associates on Tuesday (May 26). I was very interested in what his opinion was of the last CT scan done on May 3rd. He told me he asked the tech to scan the liver as well as the gallbladder. The doctor was very concerned about the liver because the PET scan from much earlier had shown a spot on the dome of the liver. The scan showed no spots on the liver and the gall bladder which had been infected and enlarged was reduced in size and much better.
He did not say I was cancer free. He reminded me that 3 of the 24 lymph nodes taken from my right side were cancerous and it was his professional duty to recommend 6 months chemotherapy. We have had this discussion before and agreed to disagree about what I would do. He understands that I am not going to go the chemo route. At the end of our visit he said, "If God forbid, something should change and you need help call me and I'll do whatever I can to help you." I thanked him for being up front with me and for his professional courtesy. I'll see him again in 6 months.
On Thursday I had an appointment with Doctor Pitt, my surgeon (Columbia Surgical Associates). He is easy to talk to and answers questions with straight-forward answers. Doctor Pitt was pleased with my progress. We discussed the colon and the process of getting it to operate correctly again. It takes time but it will function normally, he said. I see him again in 3 months.
I am eating regular food. Really anything I want. This week I have had ranch style beans with jalapeno peppers, barbque beef brisket and potato salad with no ill effects. I tell anyone who will stand still long enough that God is not finished with me and the many prayers of people everywhere for me are working. I am claiming cancer free even if the doctors haven't said it. God is good all the time.
This Sunday morning, the Lord being my helper, will be my first sermon in almost eight weeks. I am excited to be given the opportunity to start a brand new chapter in my ministry. I am expecting great things from the Lord in this new adventure. For sure, HE is in control and I'm just going along for the ride. Why don't you come along?
Vernon McGarvey
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Mother's Day Weekend BBQ at Jaime and Johnathan's
Just a few photos of the family having a grand old time on Saturday of Mother's Day weekend. Johnathan's mom and stepdad, Bill and Rita, Gabe, Shannon, Mama, Daddy, Jaime and Johnathan all gathered on the patio for sumptuous summer fair. Daddy in full snow gear stayed warm!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tuesday's Procedure - Complete!
Dad's stint was successfully removed today. Jaime took him to Columbia and back home again this afternoon. While he is in a bit of pain right now & will require a few days of rest, he's happy to have it behind him and is ready to move on with a complete recovery!
Thanks to everyone who called, wrote or texted... I talked to him this morning and he was so happy to hear from so many wishing him a successful procedure. Your thoughts & prayers are always appreciated.
Scott
Thanks to everyone who called, wrote or texted... I talked to him this morning and he was so happy to hear from so many wishing him a successful procedure. Your thoughts & prayers are always appreciated.
Scott
For Better or For Worse
Vernon has had a very good week concluding with attending both services on Sunday. On Sunday morning, he just couldn't resist amplifying on Dustyn's remarks, and Jaime asked him to wrap up her sermon which he was delighted to do. Once a preacher, always a preacher! And you can tell he is anxious to be back in the pulpit!
Though Vernon loves Mexican food, he chose not to go to El Vaquero's with us for a lunch meeting just yet! He did join us at Taco Bell after Sunday evening's service to visit with the Scott Breedlove family who came to minister on Sunday evening.
Today, he was back doing the errands in town which pleases me no end!
Tuesday morning, Jaime will be taking him to have the stint removed, and we would appreciate your prayers that all goes well with that procedure. We will keep you posted on the results...
Again, thanks for all the prayers and thoughts, calls and cards and encouraging words that you have given us...Bless you for your support for our family! His grace continues to be sufficient whether we are crying or laughing or somewhere in between and for that we are grateful!
Glynnda
Though Vernon loves Mexican food, he chose not to go to El Vaquero's with us for a lunch meeting just yet! He did join us at Taco Bell after Sunday evening's service to visit with the Scott Breedlove family who came to minister on Sunday evening.
Today, he was back doing the errands in town which pleases me no end!
Tuesday morning, Jaime will be taking him to have the stint removed, and we would appreciate your prayers that all goes well with that procedure. We will keep you posted on the results...
Again, thanks for all the prayers and thoughts, calls and cards and encouraging words that you have given us...Bless you for your support for our family! His grace continues to be sufficient whether we are crying or laughing or somewhere in between and for that we are grateful!
Glynnda
Monday, May 18, 2009
Upcoming Procedure
I just got off the phone with Dad (Thank you, Vonage!) and he sounded like his normal self (including the description of the humming birds in backyard). As Mom noted last week, he's moving slowly into more solid foods, but making great progress.
Please pray for the procedure tomorrow morning to remove the stint from his bladder. While this is an out-patient process, we want everything to go according to His plan...! We'll post the results here tomorrow afternoon.
Scott
Please pray for the procedure tomorrow morning to remove the stint from his bladder. While this is an out-patient process, we want everything to go according to His plan...! We'll post the results here tomorrow afternoon.
Scott
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
For Better or For Worse
Vernon and I just celebrated my 35th Mother's Day week-end (now you know how old Scott is!) and what a lovely week-end it was! Especially since the Daddy was home to celebrate with the Mama!
Vernon was too weak to attend the Fellowship Meeting in Mexico, MO on Friday evening, but Jaime, Johnathan, and his mom, Rita, and her husband, Bill (up from Arkansas for the week-end), Gabe (Johnathan's brother who now lives with J & J), and Shannon Arthur and I went. Jaime, Johnathan, and Shannon sang and Brother Daniel Blash preached and ministered in his usual excellent manner.
Saturday, APC held its annual Daughters' Luncheon at noon, and evening found Bill, Rita, Gabe, Shannon, Vernon and me having a cook-out on Johnathan and Jaime's patio which Shannon and Jaime had festively decorated! Vernon was still having applesauce on crackers, but he did have a tiny bit of watermelon!
Sunday, Dustyn Tallman preached the annual Mother's Day sermon, but Pastor was there to open the service and help honor the Mothers who were in attendance! Jaime and Johnthan again invited us to their home for dinner, but this time it was steak and all the trimmings in the dining room with the china and crystal. Rita and I were properly treated as the Mothers of the Week-end with coursages, food and gifts!!! We are so blessed to be so loved by so many! Vernon enjoyed potatoes, two bites of steak, a little chicken and applesauce on rolls and everything agreed with him!
After a nap, Vernon was back in church on Sunday evening, again opening the service and enjoying the presence of the Lord as Jim Richards preached from Job, "Arise from the Ashes". How appropriate!
Today, Vernon made an appointment to have the stint removed from his bladder on Tuesday, May 19th, and he is so excited about having that procedure done. His menu is expanding with a craving for shaved ham and cheese on little rolls and potato salad in which I indulged him. He even had a little of my homemade pecan pie! His appetite is returning with gusto, but he is being very careful how he satisfies it!
Thanks, again, for every prayer that has and is being prayed for Vernon. We are most grateful for God's blessings upon us during this time and we know His grace is sufficient!
Glynnda
Vernon was too weak to attend the Fellowship Meeting in Mexico, MO on Friday evening, but Jaime, Johnathan, and his mom, Rita, and her husband, Bill (up from Arkansas for the week-end), Gabe (Johnathan's brother who now lives with J & J), and Shannon Arthur and I went. Jaime, Johnathan, and Shannon sang and Brother Daniel Blash preached and ministered in his usual excellent manner.
Saturday, APC held its annual Daughters' Luncheon at noon, and evening found Bill, Rita, Gabe, Shannon, Vernon and me having a cook-out on Johnathan and Jaime's patio which Shannon and Jaime had festively decorated! Vernon was still having applesauce on crackers, but he did have a tiny bit of watermelon!
Sunday, Dustyn Tallman preached the annual Mother's Day sermon, but Pastor was there to open the service and help honor the Mothers who were in attendance! Jaime and Johnthan again invited us to their home for dinner, but this time it was steak and all the trimmings in the dining room with the china and crystal. Rita and I were properly treated as the Mothers of the Week-end with coursages, food and gifts!!! We are so blessed to be so loved by so many! Vernon enjoyed potatoes, two bites of steak, a little chicken and applesauce on rolls and everything agreed with him!
After a nap, Vernon was back in church on Sunday evening, again opening the service and enjoying the presence of the Lord as Jim Richards preached from Job, "Arise from the Ashes". How appropriate!
Today, Vernon made an appointment to have the stint removed from his bladder on Tuesday, May 19th, and he is so excited about having that procedure done. His menu is expanding with a craving for shaved ham and cheese on little rolls and potato salad in which I indulged him. He even had a little of my homemade pecan pie! His appetite is returning with gusto, but he is being very careful how he satisfies it!
Thanks, again, for every prayer that has and is being prayed for Vernon. We are most grateful for God's blessings upon us during this time and we know His grace is sufficient!
Glynnda
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