Friday June 20

Hi everyone.
I am sorry I have not updated since Father's Day. It has been a rough week for Gary and a hectic week with end of school things, parties and summer starting. I have managed to get in a few hours Thursday and Friday at the beach. The boys could live there. I love that they love it sooooooo much. There is no other place I would rather be than at the beach. It is my safe haven. My natural valium! I feel closest to God when I am there and I always feel refreshed and rested when I am there. I have needed that this week.

Let me start by saying that Gary is home. He is hanging tough. I will give you a run down of what's been going on the past week.

Before the Gary update I wanted to ask for some prayer for a family who has suffered a tragic loss. Dan was 36 years old husband and father to 3 small children. He suffered a softball injury a month back and had to have several screws placed in his broken leg. Evidentally, he suffered an embolism stemming from this injury and he died yesterday morning. His wife, Barbara, is now left alone with their 3 young children. Please pray for them. They need ALL of our prayers right now. It is the one way we can all support this family through this horrifically difficult time. Thank you in advance for your prayers.
Gary is in pain. He is struggling right now. He is no longer driving because we had to up his pain medication. We have no idea why he is in so much pain. The doc is speculating and really does not know for sure. It could very well be radiation recall but as we get further away from his last dose of radiation (March 6th) I grow suspicious because it seems like he should be getting better - not worse.

Now that the cancer has spread to his liver we are hoping and praying it has not spread anywhere else. Yesterday we visitied the urologist and he mentioned that he saw "shadows on both of Gary's kidneys". Shadows? What the hell are those? He just had an MRI 3 weeks ago and there was nothing on his kidneys. His levels were great as well. So, now we have this information and I am having a hard time trying to figure out what to do with it. I HATE uncertainty.

Dr. B's office is not convinced that it is going to turn out to be anything but they have not seen the film yet. This time I am stressing. I have felt physically ill over the past few days. The beach relaxed me for a few hours today and going out tonight was an added bonus.

The boys and I went out to dinner with S&S and the kids had a great time. Gary did not want dinner but I brought some chocolate to him.

I have been very worried about him. The amazing thing is that he looks so amazingly good! I can see the pain on his face but his appearance is the same as it has always been.

I do not even know what to ask all of you to pray for. Our family desires your prayers and we need them to keep our strength up. We always want your prayers for
COMPLETE HEALING & RESTORATION for Gary
Strength and Insight
Pain relief - being able to lower pain meds so that Gary can drive
Peace & Patience
Calm

I need to get to bed. It has been a long day and I want to finish watching Casino. I forgot how violent this movie was.

Thanks for letting me bend your ear!

Love,
L

BTW - If you are someone who has left me a message on my cell and I have not returned your call know that A. you are not the only one and B. I am not trying to be rude. I am trying to keep up with everything right now and I am falling a bit short. I am not ignoring you!! :)