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