Prayers for Gary ~ 2015
If there are two things Cancer is teaching me, they are to remain flexible and to ask for help when needed, both things I have always struggled with but am making progress towards getting better at doing.
When I last wrote I committed to writing weekly and that was my intention because, I know how much your prayers mean in our journey. Coming to terms with the task of dealing with the day to day needs someone with cancer, I have realized that it might be my wish but it may not be possible. But in my desire to communicate regularly I am going to ask our children to help us posting weekly so we can communicate our prayer needs and also stay in closer touch with each of you. Gary still enjoys reading the old posts and always loves reading any new ones!!
Christmas was a time of being with our children and granddaughter while holding close to the true meaning of Christmas and the hope that comes with knowing our Lord and his hand on our future.
Dealing with cancer and probably any terminal illness is such a strange day to day way to live. Mixed in with the emotions that come when you watch someone you love suffer, comes the day to day blessings that cause your heart to leap with praise and thanksgiving. How is it that someone can be so sad and praise God at the same time? I am learning that these two things go hand in hand and that I am grateful for.
Gary has had a couple of really good weeks, we have been taking daily walks, attending the Cancer support groups, church, and even taking long rides up the coast. He has tolerated three sessions of the 48 hour chemo infusion with few side effects.
Today: he is blocked again and his experiencing more side effects from his Chemo infusion that they took him off of yesterday. So far we have been able to keep him out of the hospital, taking care of him at home. Our commitment is to not miss today's joys over fears about tomorrow.
This is harder then it may seem, it is for me. But we are working on getting Gary into the treatment centers, Cancer Center of America or the Block Cancer Center, we also have made progress getting him in to UCSF. So today is a little scary, in fact yesterday was terrifying because when he gets this sick I am reminded that we are in a battle and boy am I grateful we are not alone in it.
I just took Gary's temperature and he has a fever. So I am going to leave you now with the commitment that one of our family members will keep you posted on how he is doing...and what our prayer needs are.
Thank you sooo much...keep cheering for Coach Barton....keep in in your thoughts and prayers...we are so grateful for each of you,
Team Barton
Comments (16)
Continued prayers and I do appreciate getting updates but know that life happens and that isn't always possible. Be assured of our love and our prayers. Blessings on you and your family as you journey through this together!
Thank You for the update as hard as it might be. I dont know you, but I am a mom of one of Gary's previous volleyball players. He was my daughter Baylie's coach on LQ JV last year. He is such a beautiful example of a coach and a leader. As I read your updates I cant help but think of how strong you and your family are and how amazingly strong Gary is. Please pass on to him a hug from Baylie and I. I pray for his strength and comfort and peace. We miss seeing Coach....
So thankful when we do hear updates, constantly praying for His strength for you and your family. Was thinking of coach Gary today, thinking of how much endurance he has to go through his suffering to just continue to glorify God. Wow, an inspiration of a faithful servant in deed.
Dawn and Gary, you know we are cheering for you all the way as we continue to pray that each day will bring you the strength and wisdom you need to fight this most difficult battle. We pray for the guidance each doctor needs that you both may find daily peace and comfort.
We are praying!
Dawn thank you for the updates, I know they must be hard to keep up with. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers each and every day. Gary, we sure miss you! It didn't seem like Christmas without a visit from you and Dawn! :) Anyway, hugs and love to you both. We serve an awesome God and He has us ALL in His loving hands.
I have discovered a wonderful online streaming radio program.....hymnsandfavorites.com It plays 1960-'70s Christian music (what we grew up with) and I keep it on all day. It does WONDERS for your soul. Praying, as always, for you all. xoxox
Glad you had a good Christmas and will continue to pray for Gary.
Praying for wisdom and direction. You both are loved by us and loved even more by Christ.
Thinking of you and sending prayers for healing and for strength as you traverse this difficult path. God is by your sides, every single step of the way.
So glad to hear your update, Dawn. I've been wondering. I'm happy to hear you've been able to get outside! Also wondering how the sale of your house is going. I've been praying for that. God is doing wonderful things in your lives that touch all of us I'm sure.
Gary, We think and pray for you and your family often. Hang in there and enjoy each day to the fullest! Wishing you all the best. The Photias Pham
Gary and Family: I sing at SWCC with Gary playing bass guitar. When I first heard of Gary's cancer, I talked with him about it , and he said at the time that he was totally at peace with it because he knew he was in God's hands and knew where he was going when God called him home. I told him at the time that his was such a great testimony, that if I ever faced such trials, that I prayed I could face them with the same courage and strength that he did. One must be careful of what one wishes for, as I have just been diagnosed with Protate cancer, and because of Gary, I too am also totally at peace with it. Mine is nowhere near as serious as Gary's, but his faith is an incredible ministry to me and my family as I face surgery. I continue to pray for Gary and his family and I want Gary to know just how much his attitude and faith strengthen me. God never gives us more than we can handle, and He has given me Gary and his faith to see me through this trial. I am so thankful to God for putting Gary in my life. Stan Gile
I feel like I am walking this journey side by side with you. How is it that so much sadness can be along side so much joy in all that our Lord is blessing us with each day? I pray for you and your family and hope that Gary's fever will not lead to something far more serious. Thank you for your updates.
Hey Coach and family: Our prayers continue for peach and blessings your way. Love, The Magnus Family
Hi Gary, I think about you every day with your team Barton wrist band on me and continue to praise God that He is giving you the time to enjoy family, like and Santa Cruz. I hope to plan a trip to come see you...all of us are coming in May, but I am going to try to see what I can do about coming sooner. Love you, Greg (for Jennifer too)