Home is Always Better

I talked to Dad for a bit last night.  He'll have to fill you in on all the details, but his blood level stabilized overnight and the Boone Hospital team released him Sunday morning.
Dad sounded good, but he'll need quite a bit of recovery time.  He was headed for a hot shower and his own bed for the first time in 5 days and was pretty happy about it.
There are facts that are indisputable about Dad's condition, nevertheless, we know in whom we have believed.  Our God is not weak, He is omnipotent. Our view of the future may be clouded, but His will is perfect.  He hasn't changed... nor will our faith in His providence.

Scott

Saturday's Update

Today is Heidi's baby shower (and Jaime's by proxy).  Since Dad is still in the hospital, he hosted alternative event: A men's meeting in his room for Grandpa Don, Mark, Len & Dustyn!

For those of you shaking your heads and asking, "Why is he STILL there?"  The answer is a leaky vein somewhere in his abdomen that's causing Dad to continue to lose blood.  When I spoke to him tonight, he sounded perfectly normal, as if he was downstairs at the Lodge.  What isn't normal is that he's had 4 units of blood since the surgery.  While the doctors do not seem terribly concerned about the matter, they are definitely not letting him leave until his numbers get stabilized.

We'll keep you updated if something significant occurs.  Help us pray that the bleeding stops and Dad is released to more friendly environs.

Scott

Wednesday's Report

Daddy is still in the step-down unit, because they have not totally stabilized him. He has received two units of blood and will hopefully be able to move to a regular room today if his blood pressure increases enough. Dr. Peters visited today and gave Daddy the official report from the surgery. There was another tumor higher in his colon that he was able to remove along with the original one. This caused Dr. Peters to have to remove more of his colon than he had anticipated. 

Upon further inspection, Dr. Peters discovered a number of tumors of varying sizes in Daddy's abdomen. He removed some of them but they were too prolific for him to remove them all. He explained that even if he had removed all of the tumors, others will soon grow in their place. He will wait until Daddy recovers from surgery to discuss options but is "not going to twist Vernon's arm to do chemo." He was very specific that doing chemo and radiation after the first surgery likely would not have prevented this latest reoccurrence. So we have no regrets about the wonderfully healthy year Daddy just had with no further treatment. 

We ask that you pray for strength for Daddy's complete recovery and for our family. We hope to be home by Friday or Saturday.

Much love!

Jaime

       

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms...

Dad is out of surgery and Dr. Peters has given Mom & Jaime a preliminary report.

While the surgery accomplished it's goal of removing the tumor, during the procedure Dr. Peters discovered more cancer nodules in the abdomen than he expected.  Unfortunately, the PET & CAT scans last week did not give us an accurate picture.

Dad will be released to go home on Friday or Saturday to start his recovery.

As more details are available, we'll keep you posted via the blog.

Thank you for continued prayers for our family.

Scott

Tuesday's Procedure

I just got the call from Boone Hospital. I will check in at 8:00 AM tomorrow for surgery. I am believing that this is the end of this test. I give all the glory to God for His faithfulness. Thank you for standing with us in prayer.

Vernon McGarvey

The Adventures of Princess Heidi

We know you want to follow Miss Heidi's adventures as closely as the rest of us, so here's a Facebook Album absolutely full of great shots of Heidi meeting grandparents, aunts & uncles,  taking a bath and going shopping and, and, it's just all too much so we'll take a nap.  Right after we're fed and changed.

(And yes, it does kind of weird us out the way that she LOOKS at you.  She's supposed to be asleep or gazing blankly at the sky... not gazing intently into your SOUL like that!)

Scott

THE PROCEEDURE

My surgeon, Dr. Walter Peters, tells me that we are going to have a "Hand assist laparoscopic ileocolic resection" on Tuesday (don't know what time yet) at Boone Hospital, Columbia. We do know that this cancer is not attached to any other area, only inside the colon.

We are believing that this will be the last of this test and great glory will come to the name of Jesus.

Thank you for your thoughts prayers. I love you.

Vernon

Odd Imports

I'm posting this on the Family blog because it really falls under Mom's side of the universe.

You never know what you'll find in stores around the city here in Amman.  Most of the stuff is Chinese knock-offs and locals know if you see something you want, buy it on the spot or you'll probably never see it again.

A few weeks ago, I was in Bashiti Hardware (Jordan's version of Home Depot minus the lumber) and stumbled across this in the Lawn & Garden section.  I have to admit I got a little misty-eyed and, with hand on heart, broke out in a soft rendition of "The Yellow Rose of Texas" in honor of my Southern ancestry.

Now, I can't find good BBQ in this town.  I've been around a bit and no one has Uncle Carrell's brisket under a heat lamp with a side of potato salad and sweet tea.  But, someone, in their wisdom thought it fitting to import some Tejas to the Middle East... even if it was missing the special sauce.

Scott

Home with Heidi!

Heidi Suzanne arrived at Thursday, March 4th, at 12:27 p.m. after 23 1/2 hours of extremely intense labor. She did NOT want to come out. But God is so good and helped us...Her head was turned upwards and wouldn't budge and the cord was wrapped around her neck twice. Her head turned miraculously and they got the cord loose. I didn't even get to see her for the first hour while they worked on her, but she is doing fine now and is just beautiful.  Johnathan and I are both head over heels in love with her.

Check out our Facebook album for the whole 4 day adventure in chronological order. We are resting at home and recovering nicely. Heidi is amazing and Johnathan and I can't wait to share her with all of you. Much love... now I'm off to take a much-needed nap!

Jaime

Heidi Suzanne Morgans

Heidi Suzanne Morgans was born around 12.30pm today; 8 lbs 10oz and 22 inches.

More Pictures arriving soon!

Jaime's Delivery

There's not much to report on Jaime's delivery. She checked in at 9PM on Tuesday to begin labor inducement. As of Wednesday evening, she'd received an epidural and had a pretty rough night. Thursday morning, Johnathan reported the baby looks good but the momma is pretty tired. As more details are available, we'll post them!

PART B OF THE TESTIMONY

PART B OF THE TESTIMONY
I was allowed to go home Sunday night to wait for word from the lab report. The lab said yesterday that the tumor (flat, 1" in diameter at the joint of the colon resection done last year) is cancerous. This is apparently a new problem as a result of the surgery not the same cancer as before. I will have a PET scan on Friday morning to make sure that it is all contained in the one area. Results to follow on Tuesday at which time we will set the time to have it removed.

I have no doubt and no fear that HE will bring me out of this. It is only part B of my testimony. HE said to me on October 6, 2009, "I have healed your body. I have made your body whole but you must keep speaking it and claiming it." So I am claiming it and speaking it everywhere I go. To God be the glory great things He has done. 

Thanks to everyone for every prayer you have prayed for me and for our family.  It is working!

The great news is that I will be on hand as "little who" comes on stage today.  

Vernon