Unfortunately, he was not able to keep the food in. After he ate, the pressure, pain and nausea started building until the NG tube was turned back on. He wasn't feeling well enough by evening to try eating supper.
Dr. Avello, the GI doc, stopped by in the early evening. He is willing to put a PEG in, even though they're usually used for putting food into the stomach rather than taking stuff out. They will just need to figure out the best way to set that up so we can manage it from home. It should be significantly better than the NG tube for comfort and mobility. There's a possibility, however, that there won't be a place in the stomach clear enough from cancer to put a PEG in - if you're a praying sort, please pray that there is! Dr. Avello rearranged his schedule and should be able to do the procedure at 2:00 PM tomorrow. We're hoping to be talking with Hospice and the doctors soon about getting him home over the next few days; each day is a new story, though, so we don't know how things will develop from here.
Beth and I took a break in the afternoon and visited the rose gardens and the little gelatto shop that Dad and Amy had visited earlier on their "escape" day before the surgery.
'Nother side note to you lovely patient people who have tried to leave comments. You don't need to create a user name and password to leave comments, I'm just sorry it's so confusing to avoid doing so! After you've typed in your comment, under "Choose an identity" choose "Other". Then you can just enter your name if you like and hit the "Publish" button.
9 comments:
Hi Dale,
I want you to know that we are praying for you all during these difficult days.
We miss your gentle spirit at WLBC Board meetings. Thank you for your, enthusiasm, and vision for Wood Lake Bible Camp. I have so appreciated your wisdom and kindness as we have talked about issues relating to camp.
Your vision for a retreat center will push us along. I look forward to the day we will see it on the hill overlooking the lake. I will think of you whenever I am there.
I pray that God will give you and Amy and Angie an extra measure of His Spirit during these difficult days. Is'nt it wonderful to know that we have a glorious future.
We continue to pray that God will bless & keep you all. Your brother in the Lord.
David Ahlquist,
Grace Church - Grantsburg
Dear Dale,
We just wanted to let you know that we are praying for you. You and Amy are both missed dearly at Friendship. We wish that we could hear your voice sing again.
Praying for His peace,
Nick and Susan
Hi Dale,
I'm not sure how to tell you thanks for what you have done in my life. You have touched me time and time again with your support and gentle leadership on the WLBC Board. Dale, when I think of the word integrity, I think of you. Through all of the hard times (have there been any of those on that board?! haha) you have always used a tone of love and compassion, even when some of us were ready to blow.
I echo Dave A.'s comments about the retreat center. You were given a vision from God and we so appreciate you sharing it with us!
Our whole family is praying for you and yours. Amy, I think of you often. I pray that God gives you a peace that transcends all understanding...for times like these are hard to understand.
With much love and sorrow,
Leslie Carlson
Balsam Lake
Dale,
The hearts and prayers of Bethany Baptist Church and the GLBC are with you. I cried as I read through all of the updates on this site. I have been praying for miraculous healing. I am selfish and want you here in full health.
Sometimes all I can do is sing something another Christian has written. I've been preaching through Hebrews, and when I get to the part of chapter 10 about persevering, I will be sharing this song:
Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms
I was sure by now, God, You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say, “Amen”, and it's still raining.
As the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you."
And as Your mercy falls, I raise my hands
and praise the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands,
for You are who You are no matter where I am.
And every tear I've cried, You hold in your hand.
You never left my side, and though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
I remember when I stumbled in the wind;
You heard my cry to You and raised me up again.
My strength is almost gone.
How can I carry on if I can't find You?
As the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you."
And as Your mercy falls, I raise my hands
and praise the God who gives and takes away.
And I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands,
for You are who You are no matter where I am.
And every tear I've cried, You hold in your hand.
You never left my side, and though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
I lift my eyes unto the hills; where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
I lift my eyes unto the hills; where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
And I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands,
for You are who You are no matter where I am.
And every tear I've cried, You hold in your hand.
You never left my side, and though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
In His merciful and eternal love,
John Dudley
Bethany Baptist Church - Mason
Hey Dale,
Its been a long time. I just want you to know that I'm really pullin for you and I plan to come up and see you soon. I know that you're gonna beat this thing. Until then, take it easy.
Isaac
Well that song did me in. I get rather emotional at times:-) What all those peopte said about your gentle spirit...Dale, you've been our brother for over 30 years, and thats been true of you as long as i can remember. the way you've always been willing to come along side of those in need,and yet not ashamed to seek help when you needed.....the things we've been through, huh?... the holy Spirit shines in you. We pray for your healing and know we'll see you again.(i confess i want it to be here) God is sovergn. He does all things perfectly. We pray for you, love you brother. Annie ( the words are mine, the sentiment mine and Randy's)
To my fellow sheep dog,
I am proud to know you. Even as things decline for you, your concerns are for the flock and not yourself. That is the epitamy of what a sheep dog is and should be.
Your words are wonderful, and I love to hear you speak/preach, but your actions are exemplary and should be replicated by all fellow sheep dogs.
I wish I could have gotten to know you better, and learn the proper way to conduct the business of being a sheep dog. I find solace in the fact that I will still get that opportunity someday.
I am a big man, and a little rough around the edges. I always thought of myself as tough. I am not, you are. I don't think I could handle what you are going through, and I know that I could not handle it in the dignified and loving manner you do.
I see you laying there licking your wounded and devastated body, but still ready to stand up with your last bit of strength and fight off anything that attempts to harm the flock, even if it costs you your life, because that is what a good sheep dog does.
You are an amazing man, an exemplary christian, and the alpha male in our pack, and I love you.
Dear Pastor Dale & Amy
Our thoughts and prayers are with you..
It was so nice to see you in July and sing with you during your service at the lake.
A special thanks to Angie for this website.
Love, Beth&Ed,Romi,Renee,& Abe
Dearest beloved of Jesus:
I'm elated that I have the means to contact you, for you have been an object of my prayers since I have heard of you condition. I cannot help but smile when I go through my memory book with you as we got together in times past while I was with the GLBC. From what Kris has told me, you have endured tremendous difficulty yet with grace from our faithful God.
I recently got out of the hospital (my third tour) and three verses have been dear to me. I want to share them with you so that in your darkest times, you know your sufferings are never ignored or wasted; your sufferings are a sign that you ARE beloved of Christ.
II Corinthians 12:8-9: Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of myt weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Romans 8: 16-17: It is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Colossians 1:24: Now I rejoice in my suffereings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is the Church...
Dale, my brother, our sufferings fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. Meaning: your suffering are joined with the sufferings of Jesus which alone are only worthy of our gratitude. He includes us as cross bearers to bring untold benefits to His Church, we most resemble Jesus when we suffer with Him!
I cannot help but rejoice that you have endured in faith in Jesus up to and through your ordeal. You are an inspiration Dale!
God bless you with peace and joy.
Your brother,
Sam Wood
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