latest Pappaw report

In spite of continuing health problems and resulting weaknesses, Donard began a new job on August 31 after being off work since February 6th. It didn’t seem possible that he even had the strength to make the long drive every day, but he did so and worked for 8 to 10 hours, then drove back home. He was both determined and successful, coming home early only one day the first week. The second week brought increased challenges in several areas of his health, but we saw God bring about miraculous answers to the prayers of those of you who have been so faithful to lift Him to our heavenly Father. On Friday evening (Sept. 11) Donard made the decision to go to the emergency room to get help, since his shortness of breath had reached a critical level. God spared us from hours of waiting, we saw a doctor within the first hour, he received the needed oxygen, and a diagnosis was made within a short time: shortness of breath was due to fluid in the lungs caused by failure of the heart to function efficiently. Donard was admitted at Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands for treatment, and we are hoping he will be released on Sunday or at the latest Monday, September 14. We do not know what lies ahead, but nothing surprises God, and He is our refuge and strength.
　
For those who may be interested in other family members, here is a brief update:
My mother (Ruth Baker) had a fall about ten days ago that left her limping and very limited in movement. Surgery would be extremely difficult at her stage. Please pray for healing so she can continue to walk as she loves to do.
Misti and Wesley have a beautiful new baby daughter, Allison Rose Danson, born August 14, weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz. Misti had to return to the hospital a week later with high blood pressure problems, but we are grateful for each day’s progress toward recovery. Allison is a ray of sunshine for our whole family, and we are looking forward to showing her off.  Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
　
We are so grateful for your love and continued prayers.
Rose Ann for the family

He Will Carry Me by Mark Schultz

I call, You hear me
I’ve lost it all
And it’s more than I can bear
I feel so empty

You’re strong
I’m weary
I’m holdin’ on
But I feel like givin’ in
But still You’re with me

I know I’m broken
But You alone
Can mend this heart of mine
You’re always with me

And even though I’m walkin’ through
The valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Whose love will comfort me
And when all hope is gone
And I’ve been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will
Ever need
And He will carry me

And even though I feel so lonely
Like I’ve never been before
You never said it would be easy
But You said you’d see me through
The storm

And even though I’m walkin’ through
The valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Whose love will comfort me
And when all hope is gone
And I’ve been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will
Ever need
And He will carry me

Conversations with Joel

The funny thing about Joel these days is 75% of his conversation consists of the following two phrases: "Huh?" and "How you know?". This can be very frustrating but also highly amusing.

Joel spots me with a box of cheezits and holds out his hand for one
me (handing him one): "They're spicy."
Joel: "How you know?"
me: "Because I ate one."
Joel: "Huh?"

Today however my favorite conversation went something like this:

Joel: "Going to the beach?"
me: "Yes."
Joel: "Can I go too?"
me: "Yup."
Joel: "What's a beach?"
me: "It's um...sand and water."
Joel misinterprets this as being sand IN water and babbles something about getting the water dirty.
Joel: "Can you swim it?"
me: "Yes, you can swim in it."
Joel: "Will you swim too?"
me: "Yes."
Joel (thinking of the pool in our backyard): "Is there a ladder at the beach?"
me: "No there's no ladder you can just walk into it."
Joel: "Huh??"

Overheard at CI....

"Scare the womens every day!"


"If you make the princess in the story named Miss Megan she will like it and loosen up so you can finish it."


"I have all that stuff you guys do at home because I went to Big Sandy!"

July 17 update

On July 3rd we saw the oncologist for the report on Donard’s latest tests. All previous areas of cancer had grown since the former tests in November, and there is additional new growth in the lungs. Most discouraging was that cancer has reappeared where it had been removed in February (along with 2 vertebrae and part of a rib) during surgery to protect the spinal cord from disease in that area.

We were told that the recent cough is likely caused by increased disease, as well as the discomfort and pain in his back that we had blamed on slow recovery from surgery. The slight improvement in stamina was short-lived. After being up a couple hours, his back has reached its limit, and he goes back to bed to rest and sleep. The past year has been a long, discouraging exercise in futility to control pain and slow and/or conquer growth and spread of cancer. Donard has decided against further chemotherapy and plans to once again try non-traditional, natural therapies to continue his battle. Eleven years ago the surgeon gave a grim report after his first cancer surgery, but God had another plan. The future has always been and remains in the hands of the Master, and we know He will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf.

Rose Ann for the family.

Conversations with Emma

(on our way home from VBS)
Emma: "Did you know that in Australia they call suckers 'lollies'?"
Me: "Like short for lollipop."
Emma: "Yeah."
Me: (singing) "Lollipop, lollipop, lifesaver, lollipop"
Emma: (obviously impressed) "You know a song for EVERYTHING!"

June 10, 2009, 4 months post surgery

In spite of concerns that testing was beyond his limitations, Donard was able to complete follow-up tests on May 28th, and the surgeon reported that everything looked good from the surgery perspective. This gave him a green light with the insurance company to go back to work – if there is any available. He has not been strong enough to work before now but will give it a try beginning June 15. On June 3rd we learned that long-term disability was denied due to a glitch in timing of the surgery. It was a big disappointment but obviously not God’s plan. He has already been warned that he will likely be laid of after working two weeks.

In the medical arena, the doctors are now ready for him to resume chemo, but Donard is currently processing information and deciding if he is going to break away from mainstream treatments at MD Anderson and opt for an alternative. The last two chemo regimens left him very weak and with ongoing side effects that raise questions as to whether benefits of continuing such treatments outweigh the consequences. Surgery removed the immediate threat to his spinal cord, but there is still cancer in what remains of the rib that was partially removed, and there are also tumors in both lungs. Unless God chooses to heal miraculously, the battle is not over.

Getting the needed exercise to rebuild strength and stamina has been complicated by foot problems, back discomfort, and general, severe weakness. While Donard was specially blessed to be cough and sneeze-free for 3 months after surgery, that reprieve ended about a month ago with a relentless cough like Mendi and Misti and many others have had. After several nights with little or no sleep and a visit to the doctor, we discovered a combination of meds that helped him finally get some rest. A more recent complication is periodic extreme coughing spells laced with hard sneezes that give him no time to catch his breath and leave him exhausted. At four months post surgery, he has come a long way but is anxious to have more than one or two “good” days each week. Thankfully, today was one of those rare good days.

We are grateful for every expression of love and concern and for your continued prayers for wisdom, clear direction, and for the ability to see everything from God’s perspective. Needless to say, a miraculous healing would also be gladly welcomed.

"This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23