the latest news on Gary...

March 20, 2009

Dear Friends,
We are sorry there has been a delay in our updates but as many would say "life happens". As you all know, we met Wednesday with the doctors at Duke that are involved in a clinical program that specializes in adult bone marrow transplants. We were told that the MDS (myelodysplatic syndrome)has quickly gone into acute leukemia and is rapidly progressing. Our choices are limited.

We have decided that we will participate in the clinical program at the Duke Medical Center. This will begin with aggressive chemotherapy and then proceed to a stem cell bone marrow transplant sometime in the future.. There are serious risks involved. We will leave for Durham tomorrow and settle Shirley into an apartment. Gary will report into the hospital at ll:00 AM on Sunday. Thus will begin a very lengthy procedure. Thank you for praying for us and our family as we face these challenges together.

Many of you know that we have been involved with Financial Peace University. We and thankful that these classes will continue under the capable direction of George and Pat Slatt and Brian and Pam Walrod.

This morning in our devotion time we read thoughts from Beside Still Waters by C.H. Spurgeon. The thought was The Lord Delivers and based on Psalm 34:19. He wrote " Are you in great trouble? If you have a trial that you cannot share or a trouble that, if you did share no one could help, then go and spread it before the Lord. Remember His words, 'Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.'
Go and tell Him that He has spoken and that He has pledged Himself to deliver you out of all your afflictions. Be sure of this, God will be as good as His Word. My brothers and sisters, may God help us to look to Him."

Doesn't it seem that the Lord provides for each of us just exactly what we need for each day?

Know you are loved and appreciated... Remember this... while you pray.... "we will PUSH through" (Pray Until Something Happens).

Standing on His Promises,
Gary and Shirley

We'll keep you posted as to progress and the Lord's blessings,

In His grip,

Gary & Shirley



This is the latest letter from mom and Gary...We came home on Thursday evening, and they left again today for Duke to stay for atleast 30 days(after the chemo...depending on how it goes, he MIGHT can come home for 14 days, before they start the stem cell transplant....which is a 3 month process in Durham). It was a whirlwind 36 hours getting them out the door today! All of his girls (Alison, Becca and Melanie and their kids) were able to come and see Gary b/f they left...I know how glad he was to see them...but I'll admit it...it was crazy, crazy busy!

As I said before I have CHOSEN to believe that God will preform a miracle as we all know He is capable of doing. He is the only one I want in control of this situation and I am glad it's not my responsibility :) Please continue to pray for us, the situation wasn't exactly what we were expecting, as the prognosis was worse then we thought it would be. They face some very long weeks ahead w/ only hope to hold on to as far as "how it will go" We are all scared of the harsh reality that looms out there...it is something that is so close to both sides of this blended family, and none of us are ready to embrace it in any way!

Please keep praying