Monday ~
Its 7:00 pm on Monday and I writing to you from a hotel room a few miles from the doctors office in Carlsbad. Once again we were going to stay with our son, his wife and our precious granddaughter, and once again we needed to stay closer to treatment and the hospital here. When we walked into the doctors office this morning I was exhausted beyond description. The staff immediately saw my fatigue and Gary's look of pain and discomfort. The office manager came to me sat with me and we prayed for Gary,and for the doctor to have wisdom and for Gary's continued healing. As I posted last week nine pounds of fluid was removed from Gary's stomach and as you can imagine that has left room for him to eat again. Gary enjoyed a couple of meals but as of last night things don't seem to be passing through, his pain increased and concerns about blockage plagued our minds. The doctor tried somethings today and we are to call if we end up at the hospital tonight...but Praise the Lord, he gave us his cell phone number and told us to have the hospital staff call him if we had to go.
Let me say that I am not complaining, you see I have been praying and thinking a lot about those Christians, our brothers and sisters who are suffering all around the world, watching the people they love suffering and having no resources or help. It makes me so grateful, it brings me to tears because as hard as it is to watch Gary suffer we have so much to be grateful for and I am overcome with gratitude and grief at the same time.
A few weeks ago Caleb asked me if I felt like asking God why Gary has cancer and I found myself saying, why not? So the same is true, we are undeserving, as undeserving as those suffering around the world and so I find that I am grateful for Gods favor today.
Today Dr. Winkler informed us that Gary's tumor markers have gone down, they have gone down a lot, he smiled and said, Praise the Lord, lets pray for wisdom that we can keep doing what is working. He also asked that all of you praying for us would lift his office and staff unto the Lord as many come to know the Lord while being treated in his clinic.
So we sit in a comfortable room, with a hospital close by and a doctor who is totally invested in Gary's health, with all of you out there cheering us on, pouring out your hearts, finances, and your prayers, there are times that just seem unbearable and then we reflect on all of these things and there is gratitude ~ peace.
Please continue to pray for the aforementioned requests and praise him with us!!!
Blessings,
Dawn
Comments (17)
Your strength is so amazing! I continue to pray for all of your family. I remember when we first met and have to say without you two I would not be where I am today!
Praising God the tumor markers have gone down and praying, praying, praying...... for relief from pain for Gary and a good nights sleep for you both.
God bless you dear ones as you walk through this. We love and pray for you. Your gratitude is wonderful!
Gary and Dawn-- Psa. 86:10--For YOU are great and perform great miracles.. v.12-- With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. LB. This is the beginning of God's miracles!!! Dad
Just about two months ago, Gary was diagnosed with Cancer at a very advanced stage. Now I don't know much about cancer, but I do know this -- after having ignored the diagnosis and advice of all doctors trained in a manner you believed in your entire life, you have found an incredible doctor who is perfectly suited to walk beside you on this journey and Gary's cancer markers are going down in two month -- that is nothing short of a miracle. Yeah it hurts...no one ever said it was gonna be easy, but you know what? Despite all odds, Gary's doing it! I remember when, after one of most chaotic and heartbreaking periods in my life, I learned I was pregnant. I subsequently decided to have a home birth. The midwife gave me a gift that I will pass along to you -- she said "The pain will never be unbearable." Gary...we are quickly moving towards beginning to build Phase I in PH -- looking forward to having you out there for Phase II!
Oh Dawn, I hear your hopefulness in your writing. So many of us are sharing that with you and Gary. Like the others, I thank God that you have found a wonderful doctor who knows what he is doing, one that YOU have faith in. Gary, as your parents know, me being able to sit here and write to you....what a huge miracle! People normally don't live after what occurred to me...unless God has a reason. Remember our SS song, "If he can do it for me He can do it for you." YES!! But I've got to warn you...being a Miracle carries a huge responsibility. Paul told me to share it every chance I got, to pass it on. OK, you've been warned. Christine...who is currently having all the exterior wood resealed and stained. Why did you guys have to make it soooo lovely here? I should have negotiated lifetime upkeep! :)
I'm sure having a Dr and his staff who pray with you and for wisdom is also a spirit booster! That's awesome
wow! this story is just gripping and amazing. God's up to something. Dawn thanks for articulating these difficult days because it is truly amazing to read. Gary, I love you bro. Praying for you constantly. Keep your head up bro.
Wow to know that those who are helping knock out the cancer be believers is so wonderful. Praise God the makers are going down...expecting more to come! Love you both
Praising God today! Happy Birthday Gary! You will always remember this one. Love you. Chris
This is so incredible that you have a doctor and office staff that love the Lord. They also love you guys. Dawn, I will be praying that you have some rest to continue caring for Gary and emotional strength to fight this. Gary, I pray that you keep your fighting spirit through this pain. We love you guys and know that God is guiding this office to give Gary the best care possible. xxx
Dawn, I am honored to be one of the recipients of your posts. You bring tears to my eyes as I read how you perceive God's ways. Your statement,"I am overcome with gratitude and grief at the same time" is so real and profound and can not be explained until you experience it. I am also privileged to be the "representative" for TLC to communicate what your prayer needs are. We, as a church are lifting your family up in prayer and we love you all very very much.
Wow! Good news and hope it continues. Praying for Gary, you and family. Lifting up the doctors and staff for their faithfulness and wisdom...so comforting.
Thanks for the update Dawn. Continue to pray everyday for the two of you. This gives me more specifics to pray for. Happy Birthday Gary. You are loved by us all.
Dawn, your words are so poignant and beautiful as you express your heart of gratitude in the midst of grief and suffering. Thank you for your clear and moving posts; it helps us to be very specific in our prayers for Gary. We rejoice in the good news and continue to pray for more in the coming days, Cindi L.
Dearest Barton Family, I am moved by your transparency which shows the heart of God. Our Lord brings comfort as we cry out for answers to our questions. I am keeping you in my prayers. With love, Sue
Tears come and tears go. Our God is an awesome God. Thank God for Dr. Winkler and his staff who are working to save my friends lives and who love our God. What testimonies of God's amazing grace. Happy Birthday Gary! I don't get on here often (we don't have internet yet at home on the prairie) are praying for you so keep the updates coming.