Category: BLOG

Thank you all for your prayers for my wife Denise. She is still in Bethesda MD being treated at the N.I.H. (National Institutes of Health) as an outpatient. She is part of a clinical trial for bone marrow failure. The bone marrow is where our blood cells are constantly being made. The first of the three key treatment drugs (ATG) went very well with no serious side effects (like serum sickness). She is finally taking all three treatment drugs and doing well though she has had her ups and downs. It can take several months before her bone marrow produces blood cells again. In the meantime she needs regular blood transfusions.

We continue to be awed at God’s provision for her to be cared for by some of the best doctors in the world. And above all that man can do, we are putting our faith in God and His promises through Christ for healing. Many of you are trusting in God with us for her total healing. 

I had to return to Texas for a couple of weeks to deal with finances and be with my oldest daughter Renee who also miscarried a few weeks ago at 2 months along. You can imagine her pain as she was so anticipating the birth of their third child. Your prayers for her and her husband Azarja would be so appreciated and also for my daughter Anna who recently delivered her baby prematurely (5-6 weeks early). Our little Jordan still needs oxygen due to the high elevation in CO. It has been especially difficult for us all to be separated from each other through these difficult times. I would appreciate your continued prayers for our whole family.

Thanks so much. I’ll keep you posted.

Gerry

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This is to inform you of a serious medical condition that we are facing. On my return from my latest mission trip in March 2013, I found my wife Denise was extremely weak and fatigued. She was seeing a blurry patch in her vision that prompted a visit to the eye doctor. He ordered a blood lab which revealed critically low levels of platelets and red blood cells. Denise had to go immediately to the hospital. This resulted in two blood transfusions over the course a 9-day hospital stay. They ran a number of tests including two bone marrow biopsies.  At first they thought it was Leukemia but the bone marrow ruled it out. This seemed like good news until they found she has Aplastic Anemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome, two other potentially fatal blood disorders.

I (Gerry) have been focused exclusively on caring for Denise since her hospitalization and researching the internet to find out all I can about these rare diseases and how to best treat them. In the course of that research we found a medical practice in NJ of physicians who use nutritional therapy in their practice and who accept patients for counseling by phone. This is in addition to (not instead of) our local doctor’s prescriptions. Denise has now radically changed her diet, eating mainly fresh vegetables (raw and cooked), fruits, berries, beans, mushrooms, legumes, seeds and nuts to enhance her healing.  This nutritional therapy may require several months to have a significant effect.

I had to take Denise back to the hospital again this past week for another blood transfusion. This is a very serious situation and we covet your prayers for healing and God’s direction in the decisions we are facing relative to her treatment and care.

Your prayers are very much needed and appreciated at this time.  

Thanks so much for your support and prayers,

Gerry and Denise

PS: Thank you for your patience with my replies to emails and comments. I hope to reply to you as soon as I can. Thank you so much for your loving concern!