APRIL 27, 2012

This month marks the 3 year anniversary of Gary's stem cell transplant.  At this time, 3 years ago, we could see the 'light at the end of the tunnel' as far as his treatment went, but there was still uncertainty of Gary beating the cancer. We have 2 more years before the doctors will officially declare him "Cancer free." 

So many things have happened in 3 years!.  We were able to return to the Philippines to continue the work that God had called us to do, but the recovery process has been slow.

The cancer did so much damage to the nerves in Gary's left arm and eye.  He struggles to do common, every day things and deals with severe pain that will be with him the rest of his life.

BUT...

He has been able to keep up with a full schedule of preaching and training ...

Celebrate another birthday ...

With brother Perry

Comfort his daughter during the loss of her husband ...

See HERE

Golf with his son, who recently returned from Afghanistan ....

 

And be around to spend time TOGETHER with our children and grandchildren ...

 For which, we are very thankful!

SEPTEMBER 11, 2011

Three years ago today, as Gary was resting in the hotel room after having a biopsy performed on the nerve in his brachial plexus, we received the phone call that Gary had a rare cancer of the nerves called Neurolymphomatosis.

Upon arriving at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Gary was in severe pain, had lost the use of his left arm and hand, could not open his left eyelid, was seeing double due to his left eye wandering to the left, and was beginning to have pain in his right leg as well.

At that time, we had no idea what the future would hold for Gary. It is hard to believe that three years has past since that phone call. Now, 2 years post stem cell transplant, he is free of active cancer.

JULY 14, 2011

Yesterday, we visited the eye specialist we were referred to. He basically confirmed the diagnosis of Neurotrophic Keratitis. Gary's cornea is rough, but the outer layer is still intact. He is producing a small amount of tears so we have a few options on how to approach the treatment. We opted to go a middle-of-the-road so to speak treatment for two weeks and see how he responds. If at any time, his eyes give him severe pain, as they did two weeks ago, we are to go into to the doctor right away.

Gary will continue with the hourly eye drops, but was switched to a preservative free kind. He will use a steroid drop 3 times a day for 7 days. The doctor also recommended Gary taking Omega-3 capsules 3 times a day, as they have seen it work for inflammation.

Because the trigeminal nerve was damaged, we are limited on some options to stop the progression of this, but the doctor assured there were many other things that they can do, if his eye gets worse. The danger right now, is Gary is at high risk for infection of the cornea. We will have to watch out for signs of that.

The blessing is that it is only his right eye and his left eye is 20/20, but he feels frustrated to still be battling health issues caused by the cancer. We appreciate your prayers for him.

We also ask you to pray especially for our son-in-law, Andy Wileman. The last-ditch treatment option is not working. At this time, they are not sure what or if there is anything more they can do. They will contact their doctor at MD Anderson this week and go from there. You can read more about it on Andy's blog. Appreciate your prayers for our daughter, Becky and the kids as well.