Please read below...

Bloggers:
As most of you know my uncle has been a cancer survivor of 6 years and I'm sad to say that it looks like it will be coming to an end.
I'm sharing the email my aunt had sent everyone last night so that you may keep us all in your prayers throughout this time...


Dear Friends and family: I'm so sorry and heavy hearted to say that this week of events with Dave have turned to the worse. His bone marrow has completely failed. Tonight he got his 14th bag of blood since Tuesday and all of his blood counts continue to fall. They cannot pump enough blood into him. The cancer has wiped out his bone marrow and it cannot make anymore blood cells.

The doctor at City of Hope (Dr. Khaled) consulted with our oncologist here, (Dr. Verdi) yesterday and they came to the conclusion that nothing more can be done. Dr. Khaled first called me and told me and said how sorry he was that he could not help Dave but he's too far advanced. Dr. Verdi then came in to do a bone marrow biopsy on Dave that Dave had asked for and also told us about his consult with Dr. Khaled and he said to Dave, "Dave, I can do the biopsy but it won't change anything...your bone marrow is failing due to the cancer and the biopsy isn't going to change anything but If you want it, I will do it...." And For some reason, which is fine with me, Dave wanted it. So he did it. We will get the results Monday or so. However...after the biopsy, Dr, Verdi spoke to me out in the hallway and said that it was his advice that it was time to stop everything, chemo, blood transfusions, everything....and I asked him if we did, how long Dave would have and he said "one to three weeks" probably. He also said that at this point, he could not even tell me if something wouldn't happen in a few days. He advised Hospice.

Dave got two more bags of blood tonight but had another reaction to the blood and he told me about an hour ago, that he doesn't want anymore transfusions and he's ready to go "home". He says he's completely at peace and that he is "tired". We cried and held each other but I told him it was "okay" for him to go "home". Tomorrow or Monday we will make all the decisions and then God's will be done. As you know Dave also had a mild stroke this week and he still does not have complete use of his right hand. The stroke was most likely caused by lack of blood in his body and clots to surrounding the heart area. With this type of cancer, this is what is expected to happen, so they are not shocked...We were pretty much thrown for a loop honestly.

So, here we are at the threshold of earth and heaven for Dave...and he IS ready to go....he choked up a few times about leaving me and the kids but tonight I told him to "go" when he needs to and not to worry....my heart is ripped in two but I can no longer be selfish and ask God to keep him here if this is not God's will..

So...please be in prayer for our family...for me, Brad, Amy, Annie (their spouses, Kristy, Sam and Ollie), our precious grandchildren, Sarah, David, Elle, Leo, Sophia and little 3 month old Eden and our extended family too....I'm a little numb right now.....but I guess that's normal.

We praise God for all of you who have traveled with us throughout this six year ordeal and who will continue until the final day. We love you very much. We take nothing for granted that you have done...the cards, visits, donations, etc...your prayers especially. I will keep you updated as I can. I just could not write until tonight. It was too much for me to take in yesterday.

Please pray he doesn't suffer too much longer. That's all I ask.

Love in Christ....barbie