ER Visits, Hospital Stays

Dear Friends and Family,                     August 11, 2012
Last weekend, we had to take John to the ER three times for pain management...on Monday morning they admitted him to Transylvania Hospital in Brevard, to get his pain under control and to monitor his bilirubin.   After scans the radiologist confirmed that the tumors in the abdomen had grown 10% since July 20. We had hoped that they would begin to shrink with the chemo treatment he received on July 24-25 and that his bilirubin would go down but that is not the case.  Yesterday John and I made a tough decision to move his care to Hospice, Johns stipulation was...(quote)"with the understanding that Hospice can be revoked if the LORD should chose to raise me up from this cancer"!!! And Hospice response was..."so be it!!"  He will stay in the hospital under Hospice until Tuesday Aug.14, when we will return home under their care.  We as a family are saddened, our hearts are hurting, we are tired, but we are experiencing GODS peace, comfort, protection, providing and unbelievable love from the BODY as we  go one day at a time on this "adventure" as John calls it. The kids and grands are all here...Peggy and Gene are here and lots of visits from nephews, nieces, cousins etc. The room is full of guitars, violins, some tears, lots of laughter and most important love.  We are grateful.
In His Arms,
Mary (for us all)

Thus says God the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out.  Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it.  Who gives breath to the people on it. And spirit to those who walk on it. I the LORD, have called you in righteousness and will hold your hand...Isaiah 42:5-6a

Tough Week

Dear Friends and Family,
Last week was a very tough week, Johns hardest to this point. He had Chemo last Monday and Tuesday. The Dr. also did the bone marrow biopsy and the bone marrow is good for a transplant if the tumors will respond to the chemo. His white blood count went down to 1.4 and his bilirubin to 10.1. We could not get him to eat or drink much.  His breathing was jeopardized because of the tumors in the neck and throat area, also the tumor in his chest is wrapped around the Vena-cava vessel going from the heart to the brain and constricting blood flow. Dr. Chand suggested Radiation for comfort measures and John began those treatments Friday of last week. Today he completed his 5th treatment. It seems to be helping. He is on oxygen 24/7. Extremely tired. But he is eating!!

 He has 5 more radiation treatments, ending on Wednesday of next week.(August 8th) On Monday the 13th the oncologist will determine if he is able to take another round of chemo, which would be given the 13 and 14th. The week of 27th he would have scans done to see if the tumors (in the abdomen and around the liver and kidneys) are responding if they are he is eligible for a bone marrow transplant at Wake Forest Hospital. If the tumors are not shrinking they will call the cancer non-responsive and our earthly options will be done.
 
We have started home health care and palliative care. A great blessing!!! Our kids have really stepped up to the plate and are coming often to see their dad and help with care. Also Johns sister, Peggy and brother Gene are here a lot to help with Dr. visits and cheer us up!!
 
We are overwhelmed with the love and support you all are extending. It is so helpful not to worry about meals after long days at different Dr.s offices. Our daughters, Heather and Beth are keeping up with meals for us.(828-371-8240) Your calls and messages are encouraging and uplifting. I am attempting to keep up with phone calls but many days I am just to tired. Our daughters, Jennifer and Jonlyn are returning some calls for us.
Know that you are loving us well and we are grateful...

In His Arms,
  Mary Linville (for us all)

A Note From Mary

I arrived home Friday evening...had a wonderful time with our daughter, Beth and son in love Todd and five grands. We traveled over 5000 miles. What cherished memories and quality time with this family. They love the Lord and to see these sights through their eyes was pure joy for me. And the prayers of the children for their Pawpaw and other things were simple and refreshing. To be able to share with them in daily life gave me many opportunities to speak to them about the faithfulness of GOD and how HE has our best in mind at all times. Our oldest grandson, Jacob is 13, Andrew 12, Garrett 9, Ellie Rose, 5 and Micah is 3.
John had scans done on Friday morning and we meet with the oncologist on Monday at 10:15 am. He is still questioning what he should do as far as treatment. He has become weaker...not getting out of bed much today and the tumors we can see have grown. His white blood count is good but his platelets are very low. He is extremely nauseated and not keeping much down.

Pray for wisdom, surrender, peace, rest, good and meaningful conversation, ability to be open and honest with those around us and that above all else that the GOSPEL will be seen in our lives and that GOD will be glorified in our hearts and lives.

We love you and are so grateful for the body of Christ which is loving us well.

IN HIS ARMS,
Mary for us all

The Rest of the Story

The Rest of the Story

The second round of chemo has been very difficult for John. From Thursday, June 28th, when I first arrived in Brevard, NC, until July 5th, when I went to visit my grands in Atlanta, Ga, John's condition was less than favorable.

Our brother, Gene, came on Friday evening and stayed with us until John had the first day of chemo at the Brevard Infusion Center on Monday. On Tuesday morning John and I went to St. Joes's Hospital in Asheville, NC. July the 4th was an exciting day with visits from dear friends from Spartanburg, SC, and until early Thrusday AM, John's treatment had gone well. However, as the day progressed and by the time John and Mary's beautiful daughters and sister-in-love (Miki) arrived, he had developed a psychosis from one of the chemo drugs. Heather, Jennifer, Jonlyn, and Lynn (Mary's sister) were incredible in their efforts to support and encourage John during this time. Mary was never more than a call away, and made decisions continuously. The girls were either with their father or arranged dear friends to assist until he was dismissed from the hospital on Saturday and beyond.

Due to much confusion, John contacted his pastor who recommended that John visit his Christian surgeon before meeting with the oncologist on Wednesday, July 11th. Dr. Bridges was most helpful in calming and preparing John for his upcoming meeting with the oncologist. I met Jonlyn and John at the Infusion Center with the understanding that we would meet with John's oncologist. Despite Jonlyn's best efforts and a 30 minute wait, we were all disappointed not to see Dr. Chan.

As you know, John as been here with me in Greenville, SC since Wednesday, and will return home tonight.

Mary will be home on July 21st. John has an appointment with the oncologist on July 18th, but will not make any decisions on future treatments until he and Mary can have prayerful time together after her return.

Prayerfully,
Peggy

P.S. Words from John

I feel your prayers constantly and know you are holding me up to the Father. I see your prayers being answered continuously. I am very grateful because this continues to be a fiery trial, but I do not find it strange.

When I am weak, He is strong, and enables me to glory in my infirmities. It is a grand adventure.

Love and prayers,
John

A note from Peggy

Just a brief note to let you know John is doing well in Greenville, S.C. He is out by the Reedy River, just a few steps from my office. He has had a nice long nap on one of our mother's throws while I work. He has spoken with our dear Mary several times today, and says she is a "happy little camper." It is wonderful to hear her laugh again and see pics of her smiling face with her grands, or Beth and Todd at the Tetons.

The guys here at the plant want to give John his own office, and have told him his name will be up tomorrow (Mr. John) - with a star by his name! :)

Jonlyn and I were with him yesterday at the doctor and his white blood count was very low. He is on an antibiotic, but has a fairly good appetite considering. He is weak, but resting in God's grace.

Thank you for your prayers for John, Mary, the children and all the Linville family. He often becomes tearful when speaking of his "prayer warriors" and how good God is (all the time.) Tomorrow, hopefully, you'll have words from him.

Prayerfully,
Peggy Haden (John's sister)

HOME

Dear Friends,

I was shocked to have called today and hear that Dad is coming home. This was a drastic change from yesterdays report. Several of his levels (white blood count, potassium, oxygen, hemoglobin)  were low, and his body was worn out and needed help moving. BUT thanks to the Lord and with your prayers he slept all night last night and woke up feeling 100% better than before. Thank you for your continued prayers and for all those who came to help us while we were in the hospital, those who were Jesus' arms to embrace us girls when we were hard pressed, to those who simply came to hug Dad and show him your love and support. The toxicity in his brain was causing him to not act himself, and he doesn't remember too much but I know he was and is very grateful for each one of you!

As always we will be posting any news that comes our way <3

Heather for us all

Still in the Hospital

I am updating to let you know we are still in the hospital with Dad, He is done with the chemo treatment but his oxygen levels have been low and he has some toxicity in the brain from the chemo and are treating him for that at this time. We are needing prayers for rest and peace of mind. Dad is very restless due to the toxicity. Please pray that the Lord will give wisdom on what the next step is.... I will write more info in the morning! It has been a long week and we are clinging to the Father for grace. Dad wants you to pray that he seeks first the kingdom of God! He says Thank you and He is doing okay!

Thank you, Heather