September 7, 2014.
September 7, 2014. it has been a little over a week and again so much has happened it is really difficult to to write an update as the information we want to share with you changes daily.
So today, Gary has been in Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, for the last three days. When he was released from UCSF he was set up with TPN Nutrition, had an appointment with the UCSF Oncology Department for Monday September 8, 2014, and we thought we had his pain managed. However, the night after we were sent home Gary's pain took us to the local emergency room, where they quickly reported that he was obstructed and he was admitted into the hospital. Since he was admitted we were introduced to a local Oncologist who sat us down and talked to us about Gary's condition and what needed to be done. The long story shot, Gary cannot eat, so they will be starting Chemotherapy tomorrow, he is very weak and the Chemo will be administered in the hospital so they can watch him. The plan and so the PRAYER REQUEST IS THAT Gary would respond to the Chemo, the tumors would shrink and some of the cancer would be killed off allowing Gary to eat again. Once that happens Gary will eat and build up his body so that he can have surgery, once he has had surgery our plan will be to take him to Austria or Germany where they have the best Cancer clinics in the world.
We are in Santa Cruz and the welcome home has been everything we have dreamed of and more. So many of you are being used by God to minister to us and our family. We want you to know that we are so blessed by each and everyone of your prayers, offers of help and encouragement. And to our Desert Family there are may of you we miss and think about often. Currently, we are asking that there are no visitors as the doctors have asked that Gary be allowed to rest in a quiet room, and that is what he is doing. However, he still looks daily at his post hope web site and is always encouraged when he reads one of your posts.
We also wanted you to know that Gary is stronger then one would think because of the alternative therapies and we will continue to incorporate the immune building therapies with a local doctor who specializes in these therapies.
I must give God all the glory for meeting our every need every day. He alone is able, loving and deserving of our praise. Amen
Blessings, Dawn
Comments (26)
Gary, I pray for you all the time and am in awe of the love and support you have from your family and friends. you "paid a lot forward" over the years and believe that is coming back to you now. Your friend, B Morgan
the weekend team at church prayed for you together yesterday, as we do each week! we miss you greatly my friend! hang in there and know you're covered in prayer!!
Praying you through Gary. We think of you often and are lifting you up to our Heavenly Father. Psallm 73:26 "My health fails; my spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; he is mine forever!"
I think of you every day. We had a tournament yesterday and I thought of you all throughout the day. Your voice is in my head as to how to help these girls and I'm praying for you every morning. Love to you and your family from us.Your JV girls from last year are doing amazing. We placed 3rd or 4th out of 30 teams!!! Gary, I miss you so much and think of you all the time as I'm playing volleyball and how much you were always there for me and how much you encouraged me on and off the court. You're such a humble servant for God which I admire tremendously. You continue to inspire me.even when we're not together. I love you -Camryne
Tender thoughts and deep prayers come your way as you rest and heal...stay strong, brother. All my best to Dawn and the kids. Love, Connie McNair
Gary and Dawn - I am asking that Father multiply the rest you both are getting and that He will hold you close during the pain and scary times. What an amazing Father we have who is ever present in times of trouble!
Praying for you and daily strength for Gary during such a difficult time.
Coach, My family and I continue to send prayers of strength and comfort to you. Miss you.
All I know to say right now is that we love you guys so much. When I write this I'm reminded that God loves you even more. We are praying so much Uncle Gary.
Gary, our prayers are with you! Here is a Mayo Clinic treatment that may be of help? http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/marijuana/dosing/HRB-20059701 Jeff Magnus
You are never far from our thoughts and prayers
Dawn and Gary, Doug and I think of you and pray for you daily. We miss seeing you but we are glad you've found a home in Santa Cruz. We stand as one with the heart of the Father and His love for you. We join our hearts with others to create a wall of love around you and where His presence is with you always. He is your strength, He is your salvation, He gives you peace. Much love to you both and your family, Doug and Laurie Barker
Hi Gary and Dawn! It's hard to know that you're in town and not be able to come over to say a quick "hello"...but you have our constant prayers...in fact I prayed just last night that we would hear SOMETHING from you today!...we love you both
Hi Gary & Dawn!! I am glad you are in Santa Cruz.I have a lot of fond memories from there with my family and friends. I love it there. I have been thinking of you and your family! It doesn't seem that long ago........that we met. FCA and then coaching volleyball with me first at LQHS!! You are amazing people with hearts of gold! You inspire many and touch others with the love of GOD on a daily basis. Love you all and will keep you in my heart and in my prayers!!! XOXOX
Barton Family....I never met any of you, however, my daughter Baylie was on LQHS JV VB team last year. Gary was the Best Coach we could have asked for. Your strength and beliefs are so inspiring.and I pray for Gary to have comfort and peace. I can't imagine going through what you are all going through, but your faith has opened my eyes to life in a way that they were starting to close. I will continue to pray for Gary and so does Baylie. We were especially thinking of Gary this past weekend at our tournament. The girls did amazing. Baylie along with 3 others that he coached on JV last year, made Varsity this year. We miss you and believe in the Power of Prayer. XOXO! ~Heidi Dashner (& Baylie)
Thank you for updating us and letting us know how to direct our prayers. We pray for you often and are continually blessed by the outpouring of scripture and encouragements from you and the many others who post, Gary & Cindi
Praising God you are in Santa Cruz praying the Chemo goes directly to the tumors and shrinks them quickly not harming good cells in the process. Dear Jesus, do a supernatural work in Gary's body, strengthen him, Dawn and the whole family. Be Glorified in this situation and in Gary body. Thank you their Santa Cruz home and all your care and love for them. You are an Amazing God and NOTHING is to hard for You!
Dawn and Gary, I so appreciate the update. You are continually in our prayers and receiving the update helps to know how to focus our prayers. It is amazing the strength that God gives us, how he goes before us in every way and provides the right people at the right time. We love you both and if there is anything I can do, let me know.
You have a lot of people praying for you and sending good thoughts your way -- many you don't even know. We are one of those who you don't really know but have kept you in our thoughts and prayers and have wanted to know how you are doing. We send love and prayers to your whole family. Thought about one scripture this morning that may buoy you up during these times as all of this can be new, scary and overwhelming, "Be not afraid, only believe." Mark 5:36. This has helped us through many times and hope it brings peace to you. Much love, strength and health. Whitlock Family
Sending love and prayers for you and Gary and your entire family. When my son was being treated for bone cancer we had the pastors at TLC anoint him with oil and pray over him. If you haven't done that already, maybe you can arrange for that to happen. There was something very powerful about that experience...I feel like it was a turning point in my son's healing. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I don't know how well you remember me but we spent some very close time many years ago in a bible study and we had a good connection. If you ever want to talk,I am a Christian and a therapist and would be happy to meet with you informally to offer you support.
Gary, we think of you everyday and pray for your strength. Your family is also in our prayers. May God comfort you and give you peace. We miss you! Lori, Dave and Hannah
Gary, and your family are in our prayers, daily.
Praying that God will work everything out just as you have planed and Gary will gain the strength he needs from the Lord. Much love to you and your family.
Just want to say hello and welcome home! Please know how special you are to all of us and how we pray you will overcome this illness by the will of God. Much Love to you all. Dawn, please call if I can do anything for you . . . .
Continued prayers and our love!
Dear dear Gary &Dawn some of what you are going through I have experienced being at usf and Dominican. Reading your posts and how God works through those around you brings back those memories. What helped me most especially through the pain is to be in that intimate quiet place where I spoke back Gods word in conversation to my loving Lord. I hope and pray for comfort and healing for you as you are held in Gods loving care nothing can separate us from that!