Thursday, September 24, 2015

Mile Marker #11

Hello Friends -

We wanted to get the word out that we have reached Mile Marker #11, which has been a really tough marker to reach and try to move past.  The scripture we have chosen for this marker is Psalm 32:8.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.  I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

Since our last post there has been quite a flurry of activity that may take you by surprise.  John was admitted back into the Shelby hospital on the evening of Sunday, Sept 20 due to his nausea not being manageable.  

During that time a Dr., who is also a family friend, took the time to review all of John's past scans from the time of diagnosis to now, including the most recent one taken during John's ER stay earlier this month.  After reviewing the scans, he shared that the cancer has grown and spread, including into the pancreas.  So, imagine our surprise after hearing encouraging news just a month prior.  However, it did explain more as to why the unbearable pain was not going away after thinking it was an infection.  The Dr. discussed very lovingly the next steps, which included shifting over to hospice care and making decisions about quality vs. quantity of life at this point.  It was a very sad day to hear this news for the entire family!  However in looking back to the scripture that we chose for this mile marker, God made it very clear which route to head next for this specific stage we have now entered.  And for that he has given John and the family great peace, as it was stressful to try to figure out where to go next and what to do given his progression.  

From the Shelby hospital John went straight to the Hospice facility in Ashland, as he still had not be able to get his nausea under control.  After a rough night of being there and getting checked in they finally were able to get him comfortable.  At this time he is still in Ashland at the hospice facility with plans to come back home after he has remained stable comfort level wise for awhile.  He will then use the Hospice care back home once he is released from the Ashland site.  The plan is to come back home this Friday, September 25.

Kindly we ask for understanding that if you would like to visit John, to reach out to Jill prior to via text preferably.  Jill also plans to post a sign up on the front door on the days/hours that are tougher ones for John, where it would be too difficult to have visitors or if he has already had too many in one day.  Please keep visitors down to 2 people or less at a time and also keep the amount of conversation to a minimum.  Please know it's nothing personal, just something they have learned that on the bad days, it's best to be in a quiet space alone.  We are so THANKFUL that he has some relief in order to rest in between the bad rounds.  

We certainly appreciate and have continued to feel your prayers!  THANK YOU!!!!

If you could please continue to pray for:
1. Continued relief for John from severe pain and nausea.
2. As we shift gears in this new stage, God's wisdom on medical/personal daily choices to make.
3. For rest and endurance for John, Jill and the entire family as they continue on in this journey into this next difficult stage.
4. For comfort, peace and patience for John and the family as they wait on the Lord to reveal his plan for John's healing either here on earth or in heaven.  It's so hard to see him suffer in this way especially on the bad days.

In His Love,

The Gooney Gurneys





Sunday, September 13, 2015

Mile Marker #10

Hello Friends -

We wanted to get the word out that we have reached Mile Marker #10.  The scripture we have chosen for this marker is Matthew 11:28.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."


On the evening of Friday, September 11th, John was discharged from The James Cancer Center and sent home.  While it was a very rough 1.5 hour ride back, battling pain and nausea the majority of the way, he made it back home safely.  Shortly after arrival home, the home health help arrived and administered his daily round of antibiotics.  They are focused on teaching Jill how to administer this antibiotic over the remaining 30 days via his port to ensure that whatever the infection is may be taken care of.

As of now, John still has rounds of both pain and nausea, however the frequency is decreasing.  He actually felt good enough to take a short walk on Saturday.  PRAISE JESUS for some relief!  However, he had another bad day on Sunday. 

Knowing the pain and nausea is still coming and going, we ask for understanding that if you would like to visit John, to reach out to Jill prior to via text preferably.  Jill also plans to post a sign up on the front door on the days that are tougher ones for John, where it would be too difficult to have visitors.  Please know it's nothing personal, just something they have learned that on the bad days, it's best to be in a quiet space alone.  We are so THANKFUL that he has some relief in order to rest in between the bad rounds.  

We certainly appreciate and have felt your prayers this past week!  THANK YOU!!!!

If you could please continue to pray for:
1. God to give the Dr.'s guidance on how to move forward
2. For relief from severe pain and nausea
3. For healing of John's body

With Much Love,

The Gooney Gurneys


Thursday, September 10, 2015

Mile Marker #9

Hello Friends!  Mile Marker #9 has taken us all for a bit of a surprise after hearing such good news in August.  John is now at the bottom of a steep hill looking up and is in pain, nauseous and exhausted.  Isaiah 41:10 seems quite fitting for this stop.


"So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."


On Labor Day, John had a fever and severe pain in his abdomen which was so unmanageable that he went to ER in Shelby.  He was then transported to The James Cancer Center in Columbus and admitted into the ICU.  On a positive note, he made it in time to be settled and still watch the OSU game (smile).  By Tuesday evening he was moved out of the ICU, yet still remained in the hospital.  

From what we know so far, there is an infection in his body they are treating and it is possibly stemming from in the abscesses in the liver.  He also now has Colitis.  He has not had food orally for days now and they are trying to help him control his pain in way that doesn't make him sick.  They haven't gotten that nailed down yet for him.

They are switching him over to oral pill pain meds in prep to allow him to eventually return home, since he had been on pain meds via an IV since hospitalized.  However, without having food in his stomach for days, this could be another vicious cycle of pain meds to control the pain, but nausea as a result of the pain meds :(  Upon release their plan is to also have him continue taking the antibiotic via his port, which Jill will need to administer for 30 days.

There is no definite release date from the hospital yet, however we will keep you posted when that status changes.

Below are new prayer requests that John and Jill are asking for prayer on:
1. That the pain meds take care of John's pain and not make him nauseous.
2. For the transition back to liquids and foods orally to go smoothly.
3. For the antibiotic to rid John's body of the infection.

Thanks so much for your continued love and support of our family!

In His Love,
The Gooney Gurneys