Dec 20
Dear Family and Friends,
I'm home for a moment and wanted to explain our latest developments so you will be aware of what's going on in case you are not able to reach us.
Gary has developed what's called Guillain Barre (French Polio) which can be explained on the internet. It came upon him on Monday and by Tuesday he was totally incapacitated. None of his muscles or nerves function. He is completely depend ant on other people to address all of his bodily needs. He can talk, but that's about all. There is a concern of it going into his respiratory system whereby he would stop breathing. So far, that is being kept under control, but it could go there immediately. He is monitored around the clock. The cause is unknown by the Neurologist experts. It is an autoimmune disease which is somewhat rare. The propensity for it can already be in the body and then be activated by the body because of disease or chemo used to treat cancer or other physiological stress.
Gary is in the new Intermountain Hospital on 53rd South in Murray in the "Tower" Rm. 704. He is being given intravenous IGIV treatment every day for five days. If that doesn't restore capacity, they will try another treatment for ten days. He may, or may not, regain the use of his body being at a disadvantage with his pancreatic cancer condition. He undoubtedly will not be able to have any more chemo to prolong his life. If he responds to either treatment, he will require physical therapy. We will be in the hospital for 5 days to 3 weeks, most likely the latter. I am staying there with him, coming home a night for some rest now and then while our son from Oregon stays with him. We have all of our children in town now and they are all ministering to him every moment.
Whatever the reason for this latest condition must be a part of our Father's merciful plan. Perhaps in time we will know.
We love you. Merry Christmas!
Glenda and Gary
Dec 14
Our Dear Loved Ones,
This is a hard email to write - but it is the best way to communicate with each of you right now. Our hearts are heavy..............
We found out today in Gary's endoscopy ultrasound that his cancer is inoperable. The tumor has spread to all three major arteries in the pancreas therefore making it impossible to do any surgery to remove the cancer. We don't know our time period. We will be meeting with our cancer doctor next Tuesday. We expect to be advised on palliative treatment to make Gary as comfortable as possible during the ensuing weeks and months. We do not wish to prolong any suffering for the inevitable. He has not experienced pain to this point, but it will come sooner than later and it will be very severe.
We are grateful for the three months that we have enjoyed with our family and friends. The fasting and prayers have brought Gary to this point with a sweetness of life. He has been blessed as each of our family has as well. We love each of you and we will move forward with the love and peace of our Heavenly Father and our Savior. We are grateful for this Christmas season that has brought a needed balance in our heart aches. As I was driving Gary home from the hospital in Salt Lake today, a special song came on our CD player that identified my tender feelings: "Believe"
Children sleeping, snow is softly falling; Dreams are calling like bells in the distance
We were dreamers not so long ago; But one by one we all had to grow up
When it seems the magic's slipped away; We find it all again on Christmas day
Believe in what your heart is saying; Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste; There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside; And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need; If you just believe
Trains move quickly to their journey's end; Destinations are where we begin again
Ships go sailing far across the sea; Trusting starlight to get where they need to be
When it seems that we have lost our way; We find ourselves again on Christmas day
Believe in what your heart is saying; Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste; There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside; And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need; If you just believe
Just believe
..............So this is Christmas - and what have we done? Another year older, a new one's just begun. And so this is Christmas - I hope we have fun - the near and the dear ones - the old and the young. A very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - Let's hope it's a good one, without any fear. We will celebrate the "reason for the season."
We love you - always and forever. Glenda and Gary
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Farewell before mission to Brazil
Grandpa and Grandson
Farewell before mission to Brazil
What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances, the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all and the patient is almost totally paralyzed. In these cases, the disorder is life-threatening and is considered a medical emergency. The patient is often put on a respirator to assist with breathing. Most patients, however, recover from even the most severe cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, although some continue to have some degree of weakness. Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare. Usually Guillain-Barré occurs a few days or weeks after the patient has had symptoms of a respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infection. Occasionally, surgery or vaccinations will trigger the syndrome. The disorder can develop over the course of hours or days, or it may take up to 3 to 4 weeks. No one yet knows why Guillain-Barré strikes some people and not others or what sets the disease in motion. What scientists do know is that the body's immune system begins to attack the body itself, causing what is known as an autoimmune disease. Guillain-Barré is called a syndrome rather than a disease because it is not clear that a specific disease-causing agent is involved. Reflexes such as knee jerks are usually lost. Because the signals traveling along the nerve are slower, a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test can give a doctor clues to aid the diagnosis. The cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the spinal cord and brain contains more protein than usual, so a physician may decide to perform a spinal tap.
Is there any treatment?
There is no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but therapies can lessen the severity of the illness and accelerate the recovery in most patients. There are also a number of ways to treat the complications of the disease. Currently, plasmapheresis and high-dose immunoglobulin therapy are used. Plasmapheresis seems to reduce the severity and duration of the Guillain-Barré episode. In high-dose immunoglobulin therapy, doctors give intravenous injections of the proteins that in small quantities, the immune system uses naturally to attack invading organism. Investigators have found that giving high doses of these immunoglobulins, derived from a pool of thousands of normal donors, to Guillain-Barré patients can lessen the immune attack on the nervous system. The most critical part of the treatment for this syndrome consists of keeping the patient's body functioning during recovery of the nervous system. This can sometimes require placing the patient on a respirator, a heart monitor, or other machines that assist body function.
What is the prognosis?
Guillain-Barré syndrome can be a devastating disorder because of its sudden and unexpected onset. Most people reach the stage of greatest weakness within the first 2 weeks after symptoms appear, and by the third week of the illness 90 percent of all patients are at their weakest. The recovery period may be as little as a few weeks or as long as a few years. About 30 percent of those with Guillain-Barré still have a residual weakness after 3 years. About 3 percent may suffer a relapse of muscle weakness and tingling sensations many years after the initial attack.
Is there any treatment?
There is no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but therapies can lessen the severity of the illness and accelerate the recovery in most patients. There are also a number of ways to treat the complications of the disease. Currently, plasmapheresis and high-dose immunoglobulin therapy are used. Plasmapheresis seems to reduce the severity and duration of the Guillain-Barré episode. In high-dose immunoglobulin therapy, doctors give intravenous injections of the proteins that in small quantities, the immune system uses naturally to attack invading organism. Investigators have found that giving high doses of these immunoglobulins, derived from a pool of thousands of normal donors, to Guillain-Barré patients can lessen the immune attack on the nervous system. The most critical part of the treatment for this syndrome consists of keeping the patient's body functioning during recovery of the nervous system. This can sometimes require placing the patient on a respirator, a heart monitor, or other machines that assist body function.
What is the prognosis?
Guillain-Barré syndrome can be a devastating disorder because of its sudden and unexpected onset. Most people reach the stage of greatest weakness within the first 2 weeks after symptoms appear, and by the third week of the illness 90 percent of all patients are at their weakest. The recovery period may be as little as a few weeks or as long as a few years. About 30 percent of those with Guillain-Barré still have a residual weakness after 3 years. About 3 percent may suffer a relapse of muscle weakness and tingling sensations many years after the initial attack.
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