Rev. Kenneth L. McCoy

If you come by the house to visit Ken, you will see his new Minister's License displayed near his bed and he will tell you all about how proud he is to have this license. Ken has had an Exorter's License for many years. An Exorter's License allows him to be able to preach, minister in the hospitals, prisons, etc. Obtaining the Minister's License allows him to be able to do all of theses things and also perform weddings and funeral services. Our pastors, Rev. Bill & Mary Fitzer, came by the house Wednesday, August 15th, and officially presented Ken with this license.

We thank God for these wonderful pastors who care so very much about Ken and I. We are so blessed to have Bill and Mary as pastors as well as friends. We also thank God for our beautiful, loving, caring, and giving church family that has gone to extra mile for Ken and I through the last few months. Besides praying and loving us, they have been coming by the house with well wishes, groceries, and prepared meals that have been such a tremendous blessing. Most days I have not had the time or the strength to fix a good meal and this extra effort on their part has been a tremendous help to us. God is so good to us.

Yesterday Ken had a very good day which we know was the result of answered prayer as the day before he was in so much pain that I didn't know if he could stand anymore. The hospice people have been so wonderful. They come out every weekday and bath him and take care of anything he needs. His doctor has changed his meds and this also has caused him to rest much better. Please continue to lift Ken up in your prayers. He and I definitely could not make it through this without all of you who pray and encourage us daily.

Ken is Having a Better Day Today

Today has started out being a good day for Ken. I am so very thankful because until yesterday things were a bit rough. We really didn't have much hope for him and were praying that God would relieve him of the pain that he was in. On Friday Ken asked that we give him more prednisone because he felt that the problem he was having was with that Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Karen called the home health about talking to the doctor about this and the doctor put him on 4 prednisone a day for a week and will taper down to one again in four weeks. This has helped Ken quite a bit. For one thing, it seems to be taking down the swelling somewhat in his left leg and has given him a appetite again. It is wonderful to see him eating again, as before he really didn't care to eat anything much except for a health shake (Herbalife) or some yogurt. He really like the health shakes and they are so good for him as we put fruit and yogurt in them and they are full of vitamins. This morning he had a scrambled egg, a small glass of OJ, and a health shake. Also he asked me last night to start giving him his Poly-MVA doses again. He has to take them orally and we cannot get him to the clinic for the IV doses.

Karen had to go back to California yesterday. She had planned to stay another week, but she found out that the apartment she is staying in is not being paid for by the traveling nurse company she works for when she is not working at the hospital, so last week cost her $400 in rent (Laguna Beach). She has to complete four more weeks on her contract and then she will be back home. Our son, Craig, arrived Saturday and will be staying with us all through this week. He is such a wonderful help to his Dad and I and we appreciate him so very much for taking a week of his vacation to be here. Also, Jeffrey has gone back home as his school starts tomorrow. He has been with us all summer and has been a tremendous help. Tresha and family has been here almost every day helping do what is needed. I praise God for our kids and grandkids!!

On Saturday, Ken wanted the kids to give me an early birthday party as Karen and Jeff were leaving. My birthday is not until the 28th. I will be 66 years young!!!

We had a great party with cake and ice cream. Yum!! Ken ate a piece of cake and two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream. We were so surprised as he had not been eating anything solid. He sure enjoyed it.

Birthday Party Attendees

Left Side of Ken: Jacob, Emily, Karen, & Tresha

Right: Jeff, Craig, & Mary

This picture shows Ken with a smile! We had the camera set on the timer and Karen had to jump in to get in the picture and Craig got cut out of this one.

Yesterday (Sunday), our friends and adopted kids, Diana and Rick, came by to see Ken and told us that they were bring dinner for us yesterday evening. Diana made our favorite beef enchilada casserole and chocolate sheet cake. Can you believe Ken ate some of the casserole and wanted chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream and ate the whole thing! We were so amazed. (I have been giving him anything he wants to eat if he will eat it. Of course, I had to give him extra insulin that evening but his sugar level was good this morning. Diana and Rick really cheered Ken up. Diana and Ken carried on with their bantering back & forth and had us all laughing. It was really good for Ken. Thanks Diana & Rick for a wonderful dinner and an enjoyable day!! We love you!!!

This is the first time in two days I have been able to post anything. Every day brings new challenges. I am so thankful for Tresha, Karen, & Jeff being here with me as I don't think I could have made it through yesterday. Ken has really been facing a battle within himself and the medications he is on creates a lot of emotions in him. Yesterday he decided would be his last day on earth and he was just going to give up and die. He refused to eat or take any of his medications. He called his two boys on the phone to say goodbye. He told Tresha, Karen, Jeff, Mark, Emily and Jacob goodbye. Then Justin, Derek and Andrea called to talk to him and he told them goodbye. He had them call his young friend, Steve from the church, to come by and talk to him.

Of course, earlier in the day I finally had an opportunity to go get my hair cut and get a pedicure (I had not been to the salon in months and I looked a bit like a shaggy pup!) and all of this was happening while I was gone. When I came home I walked into all of this gloom and doom. Ken said his goodbye to me and we were all blubbering a lot. Finally, God send two wonderful faith-walking saints of God into our home named Lil & Sue. They had come to encourage Ken and pray for him as they had done the week before. We told them he had given up. These precious ladies went straight to the church and began praying and interceding for Ken, along with many others who knew the situation--Sis. Clark at the Prayer House and all of her intercessors, our wonderful pastors, and many that God had called to pray. Immediately things began to change. Ken came out of his depression and decided to give it one more day! We were in the kitchen eating hamburgers and he asked to eat. He drank a Herbalife shake and then, to our amazement, asked for a hamburger. He had not eaten solid food in days. The hospice nurse came by to see him thinking he was dying (as we all did) and saw him eating the hamburger and said to him, "Well it look as if you changed your mind!"

After church, our pastors, Bill & Mary, came by to see him and really got him cheered up. They then officially presented him with his new minister's license. You may now call him Rev. Kenneth McCoy. He was so very proud to get this license. We took pictures which I will post as soon as I can get them downloaded from Karen's camera.

Ken told us last night that tomorrow we would have a blowout! Now, we were not sure what that meant to him, but today (Thursday) has been a party for him. Friends and family began coming by to see him at 8:00 this morning and we had a steady stream of visitors until later this afternoon bringing cheerfulness, prayers and food. He talked and talked and talked. Visitors today were Sue, Teri & Tom, Wayne & Wilma, Priscilla and H.R., and Donna W. Of course, Mark, Tresha, Emily, Jacob, Karen, & Jeff were here today too along with two nurses and the physical therapist!!! Whew, what a blowout day Ken had. He was so very happy to see everyone. This was so good for him. Thank you all for coming by.

It is now 1:00 am and he is resting and has been for a few hours. He hasn't slept this long for several days. I think Ken has really enjoyed all of the attention and has definitely appreciated everyone who has come by and called to cheer him up. God has blessed us with a wonderful family and lots of great friends. We love you all!!!

Rhonda Is Home From The Hospital

Rhonda went home to her house last night; she was homesick; she wanted to be in her own bed and be around her own stuff. I am so glad she felt that way; it means she is really feeling better. She is doing so much better than I anticipated; God is good.
Retha

Thanks so much for your prayers for Rhonda. Please continue praying for her complete recovery and total healing. God is an awesome God!

Thank God for Wonderful Children

God is so good to have given Ken and I wonderful children who care about us. Karen & Tresha have been such a blessing...especially this week. Karen is a RN and has been such a great help in taking care of Ken. Tresha has been there for anything we need. She lives about 3 miles away so she is here often.

Ken has had a rough week. At first I didn't know if he would live through the week. He had a good day yesterday and I know it was because of all the prayers that have gone up for him. God is truly an awesome God!!

The hospice people have been a blessing also. They have provided Ken with an oxygen concentrator so he can have oxygen 24/7 if he wants it. His pulse oxygen count was 94 before the oxygen, which is good, but the oxygen has given him that extra boost that he needed.

Please keep praying for Ken as he desperately needs his healing to be complete. Thanks so much for your prayers.

Love,
Mary

Here are some pictures of Ken and I with Ken's three children, Bryan, Craig, and Tresha and their families. The last photo is of everyone that was here for a McCoy Family Reunion. Ken's three children, their spouses and all of their children. (Ken's children are just like my very own even though they are my Stepchildren. They are wonderful children.) Ken's Sister. Rena; her daughter, Melissa; and Melissa's three children were here. These photos were taken on June 19, 2007, while Ken was undergoing chemo and radiation:

Bottom Row: Craig, Ken & Bryan
Top Row: Mark, Tresha, Bobbie, Sheri & Mary

Bottom Row: Emily, Cameron & Braxton 2nd Row: Craig, Ken, & Bryan 3rd Row: Jacob, Mark, Tresha, Bobbie, Sheri, & Mary Top Row: Alex, Kylie & Alyssa

Bottom Row: Alyssa, Danielle (Great Niece), Braxton 2nd Row: Craig, Ken & Bryan
3rd Row: Jacob, Rena (Ken's Sister), Tresha, Bobbie, Sheri, Mary & Emily
Top Row: Alex, Shelby (Great Niece), Michael (Great Nephew), Michael's Girlfriend, Kylie, Melissa (Niece), & Cameron

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Here is a note from Retha about Rhonda. I thank God for her healing!!:

Rhonda Is Really Bored at the Hospital

Rhonda may come home tomorrow, Tuesday, if her fluid levels are still good like they were today. She'll stay at my house a few days before going home. She's doing so good, I doubt she will stay with me long. They moved her to another room because her room was too hot. Her new room number is 3003; her new phone number is 272-4279. She is really bored up there.
I really appreciate all your prayers and asking your churches to also pray for her. It gives me a lot of moral support knowing I have a loving family and friends to turn to in times of crisis. It's really a miracle that I'm not a basket case right now. We are all still praying for my sister Mary's husband, Ken, who also has cancer; we're praying for a miracle.
Thanks, I love you,
Retha

The last few days have been really rough! Ken went on another helicopter ride last Thursday night with Air Evac. His left foot and leg became very swollen and I thought he was getting another blood clot. We went to the ER in Muskogee again (3rd or 4th time this year--I've lost count). I called everyone to pray that he would not have another blood clot and, praise God, he did not!! His blood flow in that leg was good and xrays did not show a clot.

I praise God for our wonderful friend, Barbara, who lives just a few blocks from the hospital. She was able to get over to the hospital to be with Ken by the time he arrived in the helicopter. It took me 45 minutes to get there and the helicopter arrived in 9 minutes. Thank you so much, Barb, for being there for us!! They did not keep Ken much to our surprise. The doctor in the ER spoke to him very frankly and told him that he just needed to realize that there is nothing they can do to help him. She was kind, but it was so hard on him to hear their report.

The next day we began to make plans to go to OKC and stay in Karen's house for a month so Ken could complete his Poly-MVA treatments, but he has not been able to travel. His leg is still swollen and the doctor's say it is from the cancer in his pelvic area. Ken has been very sick and is on a lot of pain medication.

We finally had to get him signed up on hospice so that we can get the help we need. They are going to send someone out 5 days a week to help me do the things that has been very difficult to do for him--bathing, changing his bed with him in it, etc. He is a big man and I cannot do everything he is in need of right now.

I praise God, also, for the wonderful friends that have been coming by to pray for him. Two beautiful angels, Barb and Reba, came by this afternoon and prayed for him and sang to him. He was so lifted up and encouraged and has felt so much better since they were here.

Karen, our daughter, will be here tomorrow afternoon and is going to spend some time with us. She is a wonderful daughter and also a registered nurse. Tresha, our youngest daughter, has also been a tremendous help. She keeps my dishes washed up, cooks, and helps take care of her Dad. What would we do without such great kids and friends.

We're not giving up or giving in! We are still standing in faith believing God for an absolute miracle!! God is still on the throne and the devil will not win!! We have the victory and are overcomers through Jesus Christ!

Love,
Ken & Mary

Below is a recent post from Retha about Rhonda. (Friday, August 10th):

Wednesday night they had to keep Rhonda's arms and legs restrained because she was trying to pull the stomach drain tube out of her nose. With all the pain medication, she didn't know what she was doing; she was going to kill all of us. Thursday about 1 pm the doctor pulled the drain tube out of her nose and I untied her. They moved her to a regular room. She had a nurse stay in the room with her until 11 pm last night. Her daughter Sarah spent the night. She is doing so much better; 150% turn around. She had little bites of ice than little bites of pop-cycle and took a few sips of water. She is having to learn to swallow again.

Jeff just came in to report: Friday, 4 pm
Swallow test: she ate a little cracker with some barium? paste that tasted good. She swallowed it while being ex-rayed and she passed the swallow test. So, today she received real food; beef broth, jello, ice cream, tea and cranberry juice. She is getting back to normal. They also took out the catheter so she can walk around.

P.S. Now I'm down with a sinus infection. Down, not out. My doctor called me in a Z pak.
Retha

Praise God for His Healing Power

Good morning! Just to give you an update on Ken & Rhonda. Ken has really been having a tough time. He listened to a Victory Christian Center healing CD all night last night. He is trying so very hard to understand all of what is happening to him and to stand in faith believing that God is healing Him. Of course, it is impossible to understand, but we do know that God is an Awesome God and we know that He heals the sick in body.

Ken has been in a lot of pain with his back. The Physical Therapist (Jason) finally came yesterday and worked on him quite a bit. It seemed to help some. Jason is going to try to come back today or tomorrow. The nurse came yesterday, also, and reinserted the catheter. This has been a big help for both of us.

Jeffrey has been a wonderful help this week. He will be going back to school soon and we will sure miss him. Tresha & the grandkids came over today and helped so I could go to the church this afternoon to get some of my work done. It was a nice break.

Thanks so much for your prayers for Ken & Rhonda. Here is an copy of a post from Retha about my niece, Rhonda:

August 7, 2007

Jeff talked to the doctor this morning; he said the biopsy they did, show 3 out of 9 lymph nodes they tested, were cancer free. That’s a pretty good chance they got it all. Rhonda will still have to take Radiation and Chemo after she recovers from surgery. She will be in the hospital about a week after she gets out of the Critical Care Unit; and recover about 6 more weeks before she can start the Radiation and Chemo.

She had a test yesterday and her stomach doesn’t seem to be leaking anywhere from the surgery. They will probably do a test today to see how good she can swallow. They may take the stomach drain out tomorrow; they’re not in a hurry to do that. Her biggest complaint is the large stomach drain tube in her nose. She has absolutely no patience for recovering; she wants the drain tube out of her nose and she wants out of the hospital, like yesterday.

Please pray also for her anxiety; she constantly pulls at the tubes and tape on her chest and nose. She has a port on the right side of her neck for the I V’s to enter the blood; and another drain tube on her chest to drain off the old blood from the surgery; about a 3 inch wound on the left side just below her neck where they entered; and several stickers that monitor her heart beat, etc. She has a long wound from her breast bone to the lower part of her stomach that has staples. She just can’t keep her hands off all this.

Thank you so much for your prayers; I believe she will make it through this.
A special thank you for Betty's daughter, Cheryl, and Neil's wife, Kathy, for staying hours with Rhonda to give Rhonda's daughter, Sarah, and me a much needed break this weekend.
I Love You,
Retha

WE PRAISE YOU, LORD, FOR YOUR MIGHTY, POWERFUL HEALING POWER. WE ASK YOU NOW TO TOUCH AND COMPLETELY HEAL AND RESTORE KEN AND RHONDA! THANK YOU ALMIGHTY AND WONDERFUL GOD!!

WE'RE HOME, AGAIN!!

Sorry I haven't written in a couple of days. I have had my hands full getting Ken settled in his new bed, etc., etc. etc. Yesterday was definitely a challenge. It all started Thursday when I went back to the hospital. His other doctor (internal medicine) came about 6:30 p.m. and said, "You're going home!" Wow!! We were so surprised because the heart doctor said that he had to wait another day. Well, everything went into high gear at that moment. I went over to Barb's house to get my belongings and came back to get Ken's things all packed up. Needless to say, it takes forever to get discharged from the hospital and we didn't leave there until about 11:00 p.m. . .that put us home about midnight!! Our son-in-law, Mark, came over and helped me get Ken in the house and into the bed. I thank God for a wonderful son-in-law who is always willing and ready to help us do anything we need. I wouldn't trade him for anything!!

Yesterday was a really rough day for both of us with the new routine of sleeping in the hospital bed and the fact that his legs were completely immobile by this time. He was in bed for 8 days in the hospital, and only got up in a chair twice on Thursday--the day he went home. Ken has been in a lot of pain with that sacroilliac muscle but finally today he got himself adjusted in the bed where it relieved the pain somewhat. He has to wait until Monday or Tuesday for the Physical Therapist to come out. The Home Health nurse got him resumed with treatment yesterday and drew blood to check his count. To our surprise it was 4.0, but they said that it was normal for the blood to get too thin as they are still trying to get it adjusted. . .2.0 is the target.

I have great news about my niece, Rhonda. She came through the surgery very well, but it was a very long surgery and she has a long way to go, but I know God has been with her and the doctors, and will "never leave her or forsake her". . . .that is our promise from the Word of God. Here are the latest updates from her Mom:

August 2nd:
They took the tubes out of her mouth; she still has one in her nose and one in her chest; she looks a lot better. She could talk a little, but most of the time she is out. Sometimes she talks and doesn't make any sense when she is half awake. She's still in a lot of pain. Jeff stayed this morning; I stayed this evening and Sarah is staying the night. I'll probably relieve her around 3 or 4 am.

August 3rd:
Rhonda got up and sat in a chair a while this morning; the nurse was amazed because she didn't have to help her at all. She also got on a pain pump this morning. All her hair is falling out all over the pillow; I guess she will be bald in a few days. We have a pretty good routine; Jeff stays days with Rhonda and picks up Jeffrey in the evening from day care and keeps him until morning; Sarah stays from about 8 pm till 3 am; I stay a while between their times; like...3 am till 9:30 am and 4 pm till 8 pm.

Thanks for your prayers, phone calls, and encouragement for Ken & Rhonda.

We love you all!!
Ken & Mary

More on Ken & Rhonda

Ken called a few minutes ago to tell me that he will not be going home today because now they have his blood too thin. It was 2.3 which is a little over the limit. They said they would keep him another night to take care of the overlap on his blood. They are trying to get him stabilized at 2.0. The bed was just delivered and set up in his favorite spot in the living room (in front of the TV). I got him satellite for Christmas last year and he is really enjoying the selection of channels and the nice clear picture. We had an antenna before and most of the channels were snowy, etc. Ken sounded in good spirits, but he is sure wanting to come home. I have his bed all made up and ready for him. Maybe tomorrow..... I will be staying in Muskogee tonight with my dear friend, Barbara, who lives just a few blocks from the hospital. She has been such a wonderful friend through all of this and has been to see Ken often. I praise God for Barb and for all of my tremendous friends and family. We would have never made it without you!!! Ken and I cherish all of you.
Love,
Mary

My precious niece, Rhonda, came through her surgery. Here is a note from my sister, Retha, Rhonda's mother: (Photos of Rhonda and her baby, Jeffrey, and her daughter, Sarah & Jeffrey; both taken about 2 years ago.)

I just got back home from the hospital; I went there right after midnight last night. Rhonda did pretty good for the shape she's in. She has tubes in her mouth and nose and her face is really swollen. Every time she starts to wake up, she starts breathing too fast; they said it was from the pain. She can breath on her own but they are leaving the breathing tube in her lungs until they get her pain under control. I got back home at 8 am and Jeff is going up there after he drops off Jeffrey, Rhonda's 3 year old, at the day care. Jeff brought Sarah to my house about midnight to rest because she was up the night before the surgery helping her mom pack, and she stayed at the hospital all day yesterday. They brought their stuff to my house before they left for the hospital. They will stay with me until Rhonda recoups. Rhonda will be in St. Anthony hospital for about a week. I don't know when or what room they will put her in after CCU. (critical care unit) I thought it was ICU. (intensive care unit) Guess I'm behind times. Go figure.
Thanks again for all your prayers; I love you,
Retha

Ken Is Still In the Hospital

Ken did not get to come home yesterday as they are still trying to get his blood thin enough. There are standards they have to go by and his count was 1.6 yesterday and it has to be 2.0. I am home right now waiting for a hospital bed to be delivered. He has been having back pain from that sacroilliac muscle that was pulled and the bed will help him a lot. It will have a trapeze bar so he can pull himself up in bed. That will help tremendously. He is also getting a bed tray delivered. He will get physical therapy again when he gets home so he can get back up in his wheel chair and on the walker. His legs are so weak from being totally bedfast for the last 7 days.

My niece, Rhonda, had her surgery yesterday and it lasted a long time. I am waiting to hear how she did during the surgery and how she is today. If I hear from someone before I go back up to the hospital to be with Ken, I will write it on a post.

Keep praying for Ken and Rhonda. Thanks so much.

Love,
Mary

Ken May Come Home Today

This has been a long six days and I came home last night to get things ready for Ken's return home. They have had him on blood thinners to dissolve the clot in his left lung and the doctor told me last night that he may send him home today. Ken had been having a lot of pain in his back from a pulled muscle (sacroilliac). Also, he is experiencing pain in his right lung due to the cancerous nodules. He needs a lot of prayer.

Because of his back and other conditions I am trying to get a hospital bed delivered so it will be here when he gets home. He has to sit or lie in a reclining position to relieve the pain in his back. Tresha, Mark and I are going to do some furniture rearranging in the back part of our living room today. I will have to store some of our furniture. Ken did not want to be stuck in the bedroom and I don't blame him.

Also, the doctors removed the catheter on the weekend that he has been using for about 3 months now. This also presents a definite need for a hospital bed. I don't think they are going to reinsert it because Ken continues getting urinary tract infections.

As far as the Poly MVA goes, I will have to give it to him orally in bigger doses because I cannot transport him back and forth to Edmond now. It is 300 miles round trip three days a week. It would be very dangerous to transport because of the blood thinners that he is on. Also, right now he is not well enough.

God is still in the miracle business and Ken and I have not given up hope for his complete healing and restoration. We both need strength--spiritually and physically. We appreciate all of you for your prayers, concern, and encouragement. God bless you.

Added note about my niece, Rhonda.
I just found out that Rhonda is having surgery today for esophagus cancer. They are going to completely remove her esophagus and pull her stomach up to make a new one. She will have to learn how to eat all over again. Please pray that God will guide the hands of the doctors and that Rhonda will have a complete recovery soon. Her teenage girl, Sarah, and her little three-year old boy, Jeffrey, really need their Mom. Rhonda is a sweet young woman and deserves to be able to be here on this earth for her children.