Caring Bridge

I haven't done a good job at keeping the blog updated since January. We have spent a lot of time in Irving with our family. Gramps was admitted to the hospital on January 17 and went home to be with Jesus on March 21. I have sat down multiple times the past 2 1/2 months to blog about Gramps and I can't bring myself to do it. Most days it still seems surreal that he isn't on earth anymore. When I get sad, I just remind myself that he isn't suffering and he is doing what he worked his whole life to do- worship and live with our Savior. What a comforting feeling knowing he is happy and we will see him one day.

I am mainly writing this blog so that in years to come, we can go back and remember his 9 week journey with histiocytic sarcoma (form of lymphoma). Even on days that Gramps didn't think he would make it much longer, his faith was still strong as ever. With each move in the hospital and rehab facility, he was still witnessing to everyone.

I will forever remember how Gramps handled our family meeting when the doctor told him there was nothing else they could do for his cancer. In January the whole Story family (minus Caleb) and his doctor had a meeting in Gramps' room. Dr. Thudy told us there wasn't anything else they could do. Although we all knew this was coming, it's still so very hard to hear. After the doctor left, Gramps looked at us and in the strongest voice he had, he said the most beautiful prayer for all of us. What I would give right now to hear that prayer again. Such a strong man, even in a vulnerable and weak moment.

Here are posts some of the family posted throughout his journey on his website we set up on caring bridge (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/darrelstory/):

Towards the end of 2011, Gramps had blood in his urine- the doctor said it was a UTI. He also had a horrible cough- the doctor treated him for bronchitis. He never bounced back from either. He took naps and became very weak. Around 10:30 on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 he went to the hospital. Granny had begged him all day to go to the doctor and he refused. She said he was unable to get out of his chair. He wasn't eating. He looked really weak. Ken & Teddie convinced him to go to the ER. They admitted him for pneumonia. The following day (Wednesday, January 18) they did a bone marrow test to see if he had cancer. On Thursday, January 19, the results came back that they detected cancer in his bone marrow. They needed to figure out where the cancer originated from. On Monday, January 23, the doctor told him he had a very rare, aggressive form of cancer- histiocytic sarcoma. His doctor has never seen a case like this before. He is going to go to MD Anderson to talk to them and hopefully get his treatment options. We are all hoping that his treatments can be administered in Irving through his current doctor. He has been having to have blood platelets the past two weeks. As long as his blood work comes back normal in the morning, he will be able to go home tomorrow afternoon. MD Anderson won't set up an appointment with him until he is out of the hospital. He will be checking in with his doctor daily to make sure his blood is okay.

2-3-11: Gramps did not get to go home as expected on January 31 because his white blood cell count was just too high and rapidly increasing. His doctors decided to keep him in the hospital continuing with blood tests, and give him blood and steroids while Dr Thudy began talking directly to M.D. Anderson to try to arrange an appointment before February 13. The afternon of Feb 2, Dr Thudy reported that the malignant cells had spread from the bone marrow into his blood. This happened so suddenly and rapidly that he consulted again with Mayo Clinic, UT Soutwestern, and a nationally repsected specialist about courses of action since MD Anderson did not have any beds available until 2-13-12. The group's opinion was that Gramps needed immediate treatment or he may not survive until Feb 13. The prognosis was anywhere from 4-6 weeks to a year from diagnosis; but he was already 2 months into it, and the prognosis is not good even with treatment. The 3 treatment options: 1) Give a large blast of chemo at one time - but he would not survive that given his age and deterioration of his major organs, 2) Go home without treatment and just relax - but his health would deteriorate rapidly, or 3) Give Decitabine "low dose chemo" treatments for 10 days with hope that he could then keep his appointment at MD Anderson on the 13th. Gramps based his decision on quality of life and chose option 3 to buy some quality time. Please pray for a miracle cure and for peace and comfort for Gramps, Granny and our entire family.

February 10, 2012

Dear friends,

Thank you for helping us through this journey that is Gramps' recovery and healing from this very rare cancer, and now the recovery from the treatments he's received.

The main concern remains his low kidney function which is causing edema and discomfort. His body isn't a good candidate for dialysis, and his blood pressure flucuates from low to normal rates. He's too weak right now to travel to MD Anderson, so we're hoping the one chemo dose he did take will help fight the cancer. His white blood cell counts are now in the normal range, down to 8,000 from an alarming 20,000 when first diagnosed.

All this shows your prayers are working. Gramps is a fighter, and he's got an amazing faith in God's plan. We appreciate your good thoughts!

Go Team Gramps ... keep up the good work.

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012 11:12 PM, CST

Great news today

We got the greatest news today. The threshold for a healthy platelet count is 100,000. When Gramps left the hospital a week ago to go to the rehab hospital, he was at 40,000 -- today, he's at 150,000. It appears that his bone marrow is making its own blood now. Hemoglobin needs to be at 9 or higher, and he's at 8.4; a little low but not low enough to need a transfusion. It looks like the one dose of chemo knocked the cancer down somewhat. The blood/cancer doctor is shocked at his progress. It's truly a miracle.

He has been working hard at physical, speech, and occupational therapy. He's now able to transfer from bed to wheelchair and wheelchair to bed by himself. Today, he got to go for a walk outside with a walker. His goal is to get strong enough that he can go home, and with a little outside help be able to continue his strengthening work and get back to his wily old ways.

Thank you for your prayers, and if you can continue to pray, what he needs now is to be able to continue producing blood. He's a fighter, and he's so proud that all kinds of people are praying for him. Faith is such an important part of his world. Thank you for helping!

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2012

Furlough

Gramps got to go home for a 4-hour visit. He was able to get into the van by himself, a very good sign. Please keep your prayers up for good red blood cell generation and continued improvement in his strength, then maybe he can relocate on a longer-term basis back home!

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012 12:40 PM, CDT

New Track

Gramps was admitted to the hospital Sunday evening for pneumonia and dehydration. Monday morning he was also given 2 units of blood. He is on track to do a more intense rehab at the hospital with plans to go home soon.
Please pray specifically for Gramps to kick this pneumonia's socks off and that his body will reproduce red blood cells.

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2012

God Has A Plan

This afternoon we had another meeting with Dr Thudy. Gramps' cancer is super active. His platelets are being eaten up by the cancer. He is extremely weak and tired.
Gramps opted to go home under hospice's care.
Please pray for Gramps, Granny and the rest of the Story family. Gramps has assured us countless times that God has a plan. We all know this, but selfishly we want him healed here and back to his fun-loving self.

March 21, 2012

God Does Have A Plan

Gramps received his miracle this morning as he went on to be with Jesus. No more sickness for him. As sad as we are, we are even more happy for Gramps. This is what he has lived his life to do- be with Jesus.
Visitation will be Thursday evening, March 22, 6-8 pm at Donnelley's Funeral Home. The service will be Friday, March 23, 11 am at Oak View Baptist Church. In leu of flowers, please donate to Oak View's building fund.