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Monday- 7.18.'05 1 p.m..
I rec'd a report from a mutual friend, Earl Gervais, that John had a setback
while we were on a 9 day vacation up in Mammoth, which we just got back from on
Saturday night. He caught pneumonia and was on the edge of dying, going in
and out of consciousness this past weekend. The Leukemia in his
blood, the cancer cells, had been killed as far as they can tell, and his bone
marrow transplant was administered (for the third and final time) about 10 days
ago.
Tuesday- 7.19.'05 1 p.m.
I called Judy last night and she told us that he got a bit of a good report just
that day; it seems the new cells may have started to work! Praise the Lord.
So please pray these cells 'kick in', as he has no protection whatsoever
as he had no anti-bodies that could kill off infections. He still needs
lots of prayer for that to be reversed. Our men's ministry M.O.B. (men of
the bible), in total about 100 men, lifted John up after the kick-off message
was over.
Tuesday- 7.19.'05 2:30 p.m..
Just talked to Judy to get a better report of just where John
stands at this moment. He has three prayer needs.
1. He has had liquid build up in his lungs, from getting
'aspirated pneumonia', and needs prayer the lungs quit filling up.
2. He has a black spot in the bottom of one lung, and we are
praying it is a fungal infection, which will need to be healed but there is
medication to do so. But the main prayer is that it is not cancerous. As
Judy said, we are praying that no matter what it is, that the Lord heal it.
3. Pray that the white blood cells keep reproducing
without any Leukemia cells coming back and that his immune system kicks in full
bore.
On another good note, John is more cognizant lately she said,
and is in good spirits when he 'comes to'. This guy is such a warrior.
Their daughter Debra is down from San Francisco and was bedside when I called,
and their two sons, John and Josh, visit regularly/daily.
And yet another happy note, Judy told me
Josh got married ( June 24th), in a
small ceremony as he was concerned John might not survive to see it, so the date was
moved up. Congrats Josh.
Josh is a miracle in his own right, having
survived a four story fall to cement from his dorm room up at U.C.L.A. a few
years ago, and was to die, or if he lived, be a vegetable for the rest of his
life!!! NOT, T.U.L. (thank u Lord).
Wednesday, July 20th 9:40 pm.
Called Judy an hour ago and was so blessed to hear John has made
a bigger turn for the better. They have moved him back to a 'medium' type
room from the ICU today, T.U.L.! He is more cognizant and even watched a
little TV. His white cell count went up a little, to a 2.6. (He was down
to .4, basically 0, at the end of the radiation). Anyway, if you would like to
visit he is in room 354 - Thornton Hospital in the U.T.C. area. He can
have visitors until 8 a.m..
She says they have heard nothing about the lung problem yet.
Please keep that in your prayers. Thank U Lord for the improvement today.
Thursday, July 21st, 2:30 p.m.
Judy just reported that John's white cell count went up to 3.1,
up from 2.6 yesterday, and that he is to start physical therapy, upper and
lower, soon. No word on the black area in his lung yet, please pray for his
continued healing. He is getting a bit more attentive, but has mostly slept
today again.
He also has been reliant on artificial magnesium, potassium and
electrolytes and is to be weaned off then as his own body will produce it's own
agian now. Judy says it's critical they do it just right, so pray for that
too.
Friday, July 22nd, 12:10 p.m. Judy reported John has been in
good spirits today, and that his white cell blood count is up to 6.5.
Since I'm no expert on these things, and I had no way of knowing if this was
good or bad to be quite honest, I asked what is normal. She said it's
between 4 and 8, so that's that. Pretty good I said, but she said that
is also because he is getting the high counts due to 'them' making it that
high, and that they are going to take him off the 'artificial production'
and see what his own body can produce. She says they expect a drop,
but pray it's not too far.
His lung is still an issue, as well as diarrhea, so pray that these
things are healed. Saturday, July 23rd, 8:40 p.m. Praise the
Lord. Answered prayer in that John's mass in his lung was reported to
'just be some liquid buildup'. It was a black mass yesterday, so you
know the Lord did a number on that, just as we asked. Judy said John
was even more alert today, and that he still needs prayer for a bit of
pneumonia in his left lung. It was a day of rests with no tests. For other
needs see Friday's report. Sunday, July 24th, 9 p.m. Talked to
Judy this morning but did not have access to upload the update. She
said that the pneumonia was fighting for it's survival now that he was taken
off the artificial blood enhancements and on his own production of white
cells. It was in a dormant mode but is acting up and maybe getting
worse now that his white blood cells are attacking it. We prayed for a
turnaround and we ask you do the same. We called an hour ago and Judy
reported John was in good spirits and more alert than ever.
Monday, July 25th, 1 p.m. I
just called but Judy said she was busy helping with John's 'immediate
needs', and I heard bells going off in the background and it sounded hectic.
She asked me to call back in a while. She did say it has been a
frustrating day. So please pray for their needs, of course the Lord
knows what they are anyway. Monday, 2 p.m. Judy said some progress, his lungs are a bit less full
with liquid, but there is enough to give him major problems breathing.
Please pray for continued healing. He could not talk to me, because he
has a respirator on his nose and mouth, but Judy put the phone on his ear
and he heard me say hi and that I thought he was a warrior. I could
only hear grunts back, but he knows I'm calling and that a lot of us care
about him. Judy said his while cell count is up to 10, above the
4-8 persons average, probably due to having to fight the pneumonia.
The she had to go again before we could talk much more as some doctor came
into the room. Man...
Tuesday, July 26th, 10 a.m. Judy reported John
is resting well. He has that liquid in the lung problem and they are
going to double his diuretics (liquid remover, making him pee more, etc.) to
try and relieve it. At this point, it is like he's drowning. They also
plan on a procedure, quite detailed, but something to help his air cells
open again- 'positive air'. When we yawn, we draw in more air, John can't do
that. She said the doctor said his air cells are like a wet plastic
bag that closed, sticking to itself, and this will help open them.
Please pray these things work, as well as the Lord just heals him anyway.
Please feel free to make a short visit and pray with John and Judy until 8
p.m.. Not necessary, but if you'd like to help more, Judy could use a
good Von's deli sandwich (I like those Italian or German subs ....), an In
and Out burger or the like if you are going. There is a cafeteria
there she said, but sounded much more excited about something brought to
her. You could call before going by to check if she needs something.
She, and the Lord, stands by his side day and night. (Don't worry
about tonight, we are bring her something when we go and visit).
11:45 a.m..
Judy just called me and reported John's
breathing has been so labored they decided to take him back to ICU.
This is the time to double our prayers to the Lord. Please pray the
Lord hears and answers our prayers so fast that NO ONE could doubt it was
just plain miraculous. Thanks. 10.50 p.m. Visited
John and Judy with the lovely bride tonight. John was awake, but
because of his breathing problems and the respirator he could not talk to
us. He seemed a bit drowsy and watched TV to some extent. He's
taking tons of medication, as you could imagine, and Judy was telling the
nurse what he took and when, as she has been helping with the meds daily.
Judy was a gracious host and we enjoyed our visit, asking tons of questions
of how Valerie and I were and caught up on lots of things. And though
we were told only two to a room at a time, they let us three in the room the
entire time. John was doing ok for the most part, and Judy was in
great spirits. I will be fishing tomorrow so I won't be able to post,
most likely, until the evening.
Wednesday, July 27th, 9:30 p.m John is still in
ICU. Judy said the day was un-eventful, and John is trying to
recuperate. The doctors believe his heart may have a problem and they
want to do a procedure to go in and look at it (with a camera?). The
same with his lungs. The problem is, Judy says, he has not way to stop
the bleeding once it starts yet so these procedures are dangerous. She
talked them into waiting one day as it is, thank you Lord.
Thursday, July 28th, 8 p.m Judy said John's mens
bible study came in and annointed him with oil and prayed over him.
The doctors have nixed the heart procedure, realizing his breathing problem
is probably something else to do with his lungs. He still needs the
oxygen and is in labored breathing. They say they should perform a
procedure where they fill his lungs with a liquid and suck it back out,
taking 5 minutes. The good thing would be they might find out what is
going on there. The downside is that 1 in 4 don't do well in this test
and need to go on a respirator, with 80% of those succumbing. Please pray
John gets better overnight and then does not need this intrusive lung test,
or if he does that the Lord protects him from the ramifications of it.
He has no immune system is the problem, so that's why they have to find out
what, if anything, is wrong with his lungs before that in itself goes to far
to be treated.
Friday, July 29th, 2:20 p.m.. John's lung test
was performed without incident this morning, but his breathing was more
difficult. Judy said that the doctors, and John, decided a respirator
was needed. This was not the optimal result, as only half of the folks
put on one (down from the 25% quote of yesterday) ever get off it; death
results eventually for those that don't. The results of his lung test
won't be known until Monday. He is being sedated so he will sleep for a
few days, helping him recuperate. Judy slept well there last night she
said, thanks to ear plugs. She says that since he will not be awake to
know if she is there tonight, she will be able to go home and sleep.
He is also getting food pumped into his stomach now, and as he was not
eating much, this will be good for him, as food intravenously is not as
healthy she thought. Again, she loves company there, and if you could
visit her she would love it. Call first before going by, to make sure
she will be in. She sometimes has to run an errand, but most of the
time she is by John's side. Judy said she was on the phone with the
Fisher's in Wash. D.C., celebrating their 40th anniversary.
So Happy 40th to the Fisher's!!
Please pray John is strengthened during the weekend, and that his body makes
a turn-around for the better, with the removal of the ventilator made sooner
than later. To God be the glory.
Monday, August 1st, 5:30 p.m..
Judy reported that John is in a stable condition in ICU still. They have
been bringing him out of his sedated state so he could start breathing on
his own again. She said this is important so he will not go down hill in
that department. Please pray she can talk the folks that do that to do
it more often, she feels he needs it.
This is his 27th day of bone marrow transplant and the report is that it
looks good for this time period, thank you Lord. His white cell count
is a bit lower, but it is expected she said. Pray for quick healing in
all departments.
Tuesday, August 2nd, 9 p.m..
Judy reported that John is still in a stable condition in ICU and that not
much has happened since yesterday. He was almost taken off the
respirator but was just a bit to weak still to breath on his own- DARN.
She said he looks so sad when he comes to for the breathing, pleading with
his eyes to take all the tubes out, but we have to keep them there for his
own good.
Yesterday, I forgot to report, they had to hold his arms down so he would
not take the tubes out of his face. We agreed, although he's
cognizant, somewhat, he probably won't remember how hurtful all this was to
him. Also, my men's bible group prayed for John at our last nights
meeting, and some of the men reported that those hooked up to a respirator
had a much lower chance than the reported 50% chance to ever get off it,
more like less that 75% two of them said. But then again, with the
Lord those things don't mater, as a million to one could be answered, and
will be, as we all agreed.
Keep him in your prayers hourly please, and may the Lord richly bless
you all for being such prayer warriors. God bless.
Wednesday, August 3rd, 9 p.m..
Great news from Judy today. The Lord has answered our prayers and John
is off the respirator. All else remains the same. Judy said
something about him not supposed to eat this or that but I was only in a
praise the Lord mindset and did not hear it all.
Thanks you Lord. Keep John in your prayers, he is not out of the woods
yet.
Thursday, August 4th, 4 p.m..
Praise the Lord... Judy just reported that John
has been moved from ICU back to the 'regular' bone marrow ward- 3 west.
Yahoooooooo! I actually got to talk to John, which just a few days ago the
oxygen mask prevented. It was so good to hear his voice. I told
him how close to death he was just two days ago and how the Lord blessed
him. He agreed. He has to keep eating, and start to exercise.
Judy said he's looking so much better. How sweet it is.
Saturday, August 6th, 8 p.m..
Spoke with pastor Orville at church tonight and he said he had talked and
prayed with Judy today. John has a fungus in his lungs which is, I
believe, being treated. His breathing is labored and he may have to go
back to ICU for more oxygen, which is more readily available there he said.
Please pray his breathing gets more relaxed and that the fungus goes away
and that the move to ICU will not be needed. Thanks, MS
Monday, August 8th, 12 noon I
talked to Judy yesterday morning but did not have a way to post an update
until now. John was still vacillating between being the two wards- the
ICU and the MCU, medium care unit. They wanted to put him back in ICU,
but no room in the inn kinda, plus he was not really needing it completely,
but as a precaution. He was still having a hard time breathing.
The lungs remain a problem.
Monday, August 8th, 1:30
p.m. I just talked Judy a couple of minutes ago.
John is really struggling. He has not been sent back to ICU yet, but
the doctors are telling her he needs to go. He is breathing so hard it
could make his heart fail- they want to put him back on the respirator to
help him breath, and then the odds would be stacked against him again in
that department. John is staying the course, and does not want to go
back to ICU either. The results of the latest bone marrow test are not
back yet, and Judy asked that they wait two hours until they get them back
to help them decide on the course to take. Hopefully there is no
cancer cells appearing. His lung infection has been
hit with everything they have, anti-fungal wise, and they don't know what to
do about that. The problem could be damage to his lungs from the
intense radiation, but they are not sure. If so, that could heal
itself over time. He is in another crisis, stuck between a rock and a
hard place, but the Lord has prevailed many time before, and will continue
to do so, thank you Lord. Judy is a bit discouraged as
could be expected with his yo-yo success, and we prayed for the Lord to
intervene ASAP and to give this great set of doctors attending John extra
wisdom on treatment decisions. Please pray for her, and call to pray
with her if you could. She would really love it.
Monday, August 8th,
6:30 p.m. Good
news. The bone marrow report shows John is still cancer free. 96% of
the transplant is in his bones, which is really good Judy said. She
decided to let them put him in ICU and hook up the respirator, instead of
'pulling the plug' on the respirator idea they had found more cancer.
He will be sedated again - pray this gives his lungs/heart time for healing.
Blessings, MS
Tuesday, August 9th, 10
p.m. Judy said John is resting comfortable today
as in is in incubation. She will get her first sleep at home in a
while because of it too. They put John on a new anti-biotic today and
think his lung problem might (this time) be pneumonia. (The first
diagnosis of pneumonia was probably in error they said). John did find
out about the good news that he is still cancer free before they put him
out. A bronchoscopy
(link to procedure) was performed today but the results of the lung test
won't be in for a while. Blessings, MS
Wednesday,
August 10th, 3 p.m.
Judy just had a tooth removed and was numb still, but they could not get it
all and now she needs some oral surgery tomorrow. John is the same,
with results pending still on the bronchoscopy test. Please lift them
BOTH up in prayer. Thanks,MS
Friday,
August 12th, 12:30 p.m.
Judy had a good oral surgery and did not take the suggested pain killer so
she could drive over and join John in ICU. She is such a trooper. John
is copasetic, with no major changer for the better or worse. As Judy
stated, it's patience we need now. Pray his digestive system works
better, the treatment must do something to them. Also, pray for his
lungs to improve and that he can get weaned off the respirator.
Although he is sedated, he is cognizant enough to keep trying to remove the
tubes from his arms. Judy said Josh tried to do the same thing, and
then, like John now, they had to put mittens on them to stop them from
trying. She said Josh, even though in a coma, would put the mittens
under his arms to try and pull them off. Judy put the
phone up to John's ear and I talked to him, and although he can't talk back
Judy said he opened his eyes for a split second in recognition. He if fairly
sedated but not completely. The bone marrow doctors suggested
to stop administering some kinds of medicines so as to not start the
Leukemia from returning. Don't know how all that works, but pray for
constant wisdom for these doctors and their proper decisions on behalf of
John and his health.
Sunday,
August 14th, 9:30 p.m.
I talked to Judy last night as she said they have decided to keep John more
sedated than before. He needs prayer that his digestive track works
for bowel movements. All else the same. Went ocean fishing all
day and did not get a chance to see how John was doing today, although I
lifted him up the to the Lord when ever I had a chance. Will hopefully
have a Monday morning update.
Monday,
August 15th, 6:00 p.m.
Mostly all the same per Judy a few minutes ago. John is retaining
fluid and needs his system to start processing nutrients better and faster.
His lung problems are still a mystery, with the doctors vacillating daily as
to prognosis. Pray for their wisdom on treatments, or non treatments,
which ever is best.
Tuesday,
August 16th
NOON.
7th Anniversary of Josh's fall from four
stories onto a concrete patio and surviving. In fact, Josh regularly
drives down and prays over his father, as John did for him when he was daily on
deaths door.
Judy said John is at deaths door now, with
the doctors just telling her more of his systems have started to fail, and
that 24 to 48 hours is all they are giving him.
The Lord could give him days, weeks and years
still, and now is the time to see Him work, as the doctors have given up ALL
HOPE. But the Lord is a God of Hope, and we will continue to thank him
in advance for the miracle he will perform in the next hours with John.
Keep Judy in your prayers. She wants to
call the family together and they will try and bring John out of sedation
when they gather.
Time to petition the Lord like crazy.
Keep knocking, he will answer the door and give us the needed food for our
traveling friends that now stay at our house, as per Jesus’ story about how
prayer works. He said to keep petitioning and he will answer, even in
the middle of the night.
2:50 p.m.
Just visited and prayed with John. Judy's sons
John Jr. and Josh were there. We had lunch and relaxed out in the
patio downstairs. Judy is doing well, for the circumstances, and
trusting in the Lord for a miracle, as we all are.
Josh mentioned he and his new bride will depart for
Brazil, where she is from, on Jan 7th. She has one more year of law
school to attend and he will teach english.
I could not go back to John's room as during our
conversation I mentioned Valerie and I just rec'd our Hep A and Hep B shots
(and tetanus/ diphtheria- ouch I'm sore) yesterday for our So. Africa trip.
Judy said with John's immune system still at risk it would not be wise, and
of course that makes sense.
On asking what new systems were not working properly
now, Judy mentioned his liver. He has not relieved himself lately and
they took another blood test to help determine what's up. Please pray
for his systems to return to normal and that the family keeps the faith.
5:50 p.m.
Just called and there are a group of six of John's
friends on their way over to pray over him. My wife and Dr. Joanne
Olichney are on their way too (Joanne's husband John was already there, as
he is a neurosurgeon doctor at U.C.S.D. and he makes rounds there as part of his job on
Tuesdays anyway). Stephanie (John and Judy's daughter-in-law, married
to John Jr) answered Judy's phone and assured me anyone that wants to visit
will get in to see John in the ICU.
10 p.m.
It was nice to get home and see so many returned
responses to the emergency e-mail prayer request that came in for John.
Friends from Kenya, Washington, Australia, Los Angeles, Temecula etc. are
praying and will continue to pray for this great man of God.
Wednesday,
August 17th 9:30
a.m.
Stephanie answered the phone and gave me an update as
Judy was getting an update from the doctors. John's bladder did work
during the night but his lunges got a little worse and they needed to
increase his oxygen level. They backed off the sedation which means
they might be able to bring him to a more awake state later on, but it also
means his heart works a lot harder too, which is tough on his body. He
is in a very precarious state of being, a bit worse off than yesterday she
said.
I will try for an update in an hour or so.
11:15
a.m.
No answer on cell phone. Not unusual, Judy is
talking with visitors or doctors, or helping with nursing chores taking care
of John.
12:30
p.m.
Still waiting
12:45 p.m.
John's daughter Deborah is flying down from San
Francisco to join the family and is to be picked up in 20 minutes from the
airport. They are planning for a 2 pm 'family meeting' with John.
Pray the sedatives can be withdrawn with no major problems with John's heart
for this revival meeting. They had to increase it, Stephanie thinks,
temporarily as his heart beat is better!! Or maybe the Lord is, again,
at work?
2:30 p.m.
Stephanie said no changes with John, he is one strong
willed
dude.............................................................................
sorry, the lapse was me breaking down as I typed this.
I can't see this as I type, I like so many are crying out to the Lord in
real tears. So many are flowing lately there too. God bless
their meeting...
Dearest Jesus,
We cry out for John. We'd love to see a complete turnaround but we
know you love him soooooooooo much you would like him there with you now
too. We must make it really hard for your decision making, but Lord,
you will have him for eternity, and we need this General here to fight the
good fight with us a bit longer, please hear our cries Lord. But your
will be done.
We love you,
John's family and friends.
8:30
p.m.
Well, I visited the family around 4 today.
Judy's godly parents were there, in good spirits as always. Her dad
George is such a crack up. Deborah was there as well as John Jr and his wife
Stephanie and Josh and his new wife Christina (I believe it's Christina).
Pastor Mark Foreman had come by and I just missed seeing Jack Shuben, he's
from our church too.
Mark informed me the doctors had wanted to pull the
plug today; it was said John would have only lasted an hour in his present
condition without the respirator. But Judy said she wanted her
son-in-law Frank (Deborah's husband) there first, and he was going to come
down, starting tomorrow, from San Francisco- driving all the way with their
kids! They agreed to wait.
Well, we all moved down to the waiting room from the
ICU (they had a lunch brought in by volunteers); everyone was famished and
thirsty having not eaten since breakfast and it was now 4:30 p.m..
They repeated it would be about 10 a.m. on Friday morning before Frank got
here. I thought that was cool as it would give more time for John to have a
turnaround, right? I did not know how everyone else felt about having
to wait to disconnect the respirator, but I blurted out 'Good, in fact I
hope he takes a slow boat to get down here!" Judy immediately said
"AMEN" and everyone laughed, then I knew everyone's wishes was to give John
the needed time and that it was only the doctors saying they should give up
hope.
The fat lady has not sung yet, and with the Lord's
help she won't either. Keep up the prayer folks, after all, his
kidneys got better last night and they had given up on that!
Thursday, August 18th 12:15 a.m.
Tomorrow (today- but I've not gone to bed yet) is my
day off and I'm away from the computer until about 9:30 at night. I
will post an update on John around then. Again, God bless you all for
your prayers. So many encouraging messages are coming in. MS
PS If you don't know about John's son Josh's miracle
I've posted a letter I wrote to memorialize it for him. He is getting
to be such a strong young Christian man now. Link is at the top left
of this page.
10:20 p.m.
Just returned from the hospital. John is the
same. Heard Frank just got into town with the kids. Quite a few
visitors were there. Judy's sister and her kids and husband dropped
in, thus John's nieces. Judy told some stories and mentioned this is
harder than the time Josh was hospitalized as John was able to stand
with her. She does not have John to help her, but he Lord has done
wonders lifting her up and it was mentioned to her by long time friend Tom
Abrell who was there too.
The plan is still to remove the tubes at 10 a.m.
tomorrow, Friday morning, and if it's the Lords will to heal him that will
be the time. Judy is keeping the faith, as we are, we know God is
able.
Jesus, healer of healers, master physician,
creator of the universe, please touch our friend John one more time.
Amen.
Friday, August 19th, 2005
12:30 p.m.
I'm sorry to report our dear friend John passed
away 20 minutes after being taken off the respirator, at 11:15 a.m. this
morning.
Judy and the family gathered around him for his final
moments here on earth, telling them of their love and fond memories of him
before he went on to be with the Lord.
Afterward, after he passed away and the doctors did a
few things, the family went back in and invited the many friends that showed
up to enter and say a final goodbye to him. Although it was tough for
everyone, there was an air of finalness that had the fragrance of sweet
success, knowing John is with our loving savior Jesus Christ, His Father and
the Holy Spirit, whom we believers can't wait to meet face to face.
Thanks for your prayers, please continue to lift Judy
and her kids and grandkids up during their time of grieving.
Memorial service information will be forthcoming,
and the family requested I continue to help by posting the info here.
It is being planned for next Thursday at this point.
Saturday, August 20th, 2005
10 p.m.
The memorial service for John is planned for
Thursday, August 25th at 11:30 a.m.
at North Coast Calvary Chapel.
North Coast Calvary Chapel
7188 Avenida Encinas
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Ph. (760) 929-0029
Deborah said that a catered lunch will be provided
afterwards out in front of the church, at about 1 p.m..
John and Judy Davis at the Seewald's wedding, August 1st, 1992
Permanent PS This is such a strain on
Judy and the rest of the family,
please pray for stamina for them, and that they would be a good witnesses in these
tough times; that is their wish. She and John thank everyone for their prayers.
John is not dead,
he is now in HEAVEN!!!
And while we celebrate this fact, a
heaviness/grief that he is 'gone' still pervades for some reason!!? I
know personally that while thinking of this good time or that one with him
I'll just break down once and a while now; guess it's all part of the Lord's
wondrous plan that we will not understand this side of where John now
resides, which is a better place anyhow, right? MS |
