Now Podcasting!
Update on Carol
With the help of a walker, Carol was able to walk 200 feet. This is significant.
Pain management is going well. She still has a nasal gastric tube. It is important to get to the place where she does not need it.
We still have no word yet on a chemo plan. We expect to have pathology reports regarding removed cancer early next week. Those reports will indicate future treatment.
Your prayers matter. They are making a difference.
Friday, June 29, 2007, 12 pm
There was a major accomplishment today…Carol (using a walker) walked about 30 feet.
That’s one small step for womankind, one giant leap for Carol!
Thursday Night, June 28, Midnight
Carol is resting very well. She is getting exceptional care. This was another good day. The family truly believes that they are seeing prayers answered. Please continue your prayer vigil.
The surgeon shared some more information today. During surgery, he removed over 100 nodules and tumors. This was the first time we were aware of the extensive nature of the spread of the cancer. A nodule is anything less than 2 centimeters (approx. 1 inch) in diameter. A tumor is anything over 2 centimeters. The largest one he removed was nearly the size of an orange.
In addition, he stated that if the cancer would have been discovered one or two months later, surgery would not have been possible as an initial treatment. Chemotherapy would have been used first.
Although she remarkably did not need a blood transfusion during surgery, they felt that she needed to receive a unit today.
Tomorrow (Friday) they will not only have her stand (which she did today), they want her to take some steps. Pray that she is able to reach this new benchmark in healing.
The Garlow family is extremely grateful for your kind actions, your prayers and your love.
Thursday, June 28, 2007, 12 pm
The nurses had Carol actually stand for the first time a few moments ago. No walking. No steps. But standing is a figurative "step" forward.
They partially rolled her over on her side, too - another significant step. Could not have done that yesterday.
She slept well last night.
She will soon be a "cancer survivor." In fact, she will be a "cancer overcomer / thriver." (overcoming the disease / thriving when in the "storm")
Your prayers - still appreciated, wanted, needed.
Thursday, June 28, 2007, 1 am
Greetings Church Family,
Here is the update on Carol. We are now at “Day 10” since Carol first went into the hospital (for what we thought was a routine surgery) and Day 8 since the word “cancer” was spoken to Carol.
Carol was just moved from ICU to her room at the Cancer Center of the hospital at approximately midnight last night (Wed. night). Although she experienced higher than acceptable levels of pain last night, she has had a good day today and is having a very good night.
Her recovery is going as good as her surgery. (See yesterday’s notes on this site for descriptions of the surgery.) One of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit nurses is Holly Herman, a Skyliner. Holly was shocked at how good Carol was doing—so soon after such an extensive surgery. She echoed a comment that we are hearing more and more, “it must have been all the prayer.”
Remember the surgeon (the lengthy surgery was Tuesday) remarked to us that he felt the impact of all the prayer.
In fact, the doctor who came to see Carol in ICU at approx. 10 pm Wednesday night stated, “you are the healthiest one we have in the SICU.” (Implication: you need to be in a regular room.) She was supposed to be in ICU two days. She was there a little over one day.
I just found out a few moments ago that some intercessors walked the halls all night last night praying for Carol! Those prayers—and all of yours—are really making a difference. I don’t say that to sound “religious.” I say that because we are experiencing it in Carol’s healing.
In all of this, Carol has maintained her sense of humor. Shortly after coming out of surgery yesterday (while still very groggy), she had a quick comeback when our daughter Janie said that she wished that she could kiss her, something which could not be done due to so many tubes being attached to her, including the one coming out of her nose. Carol groggily, but promptly responded without even opening her eyes “well, you can kiss me on my nasal tube!”
Our family is making some necessary adjustments. I admit that there are still moments of chaos. And there are even occasional times when life seems a bit overwhelming. But those are definitely becoming fewer, less potent and not as “lethal” to the heart.
We are moving forward. Not fully sure how yet. But we are all moving forward.
Have I told you lately that I sure thank you for praying for Carol—for all of us? Thank you!
Your brother in this adventure called life,
Jim
Tuesday, June 26, 2007, 11:30 pm
Dear Church Family,
It is 11:30 pm on Tuesday night. Twenty four hours ago, I sat here attempting to articulate the challenge facing Carol and our family.
As many of you know, one day later, the surgery is over. We have successfully passed through the first major physical, emotional and spiritual "knothole" of this extended journey. Dr. Bahador is exactly what anyone would want in a physician: competent and compassionate. He is kind, gentle, knowledgable and humble.
Carol passed through this first major experience successfully. How? Because of so many wonderful praying people, a superb hospital / medical team of physicians and nurses, and one great God. Some of you walked the hospital hallways in the night hours - anointing with oil. Others gathered in clusters to pray.
Tuesday started early – and went long.
To summarize: 1 am - trip to the hospital (as Carol was experiencing discomfort), 5 am - surgery prep shifted to "high gear;" 7 am - Carol taken into Pre-Op; 7:40 am - my final goodbye; 8:45 am - surgery begins; 4 pm - sugery ends and doctor talks with us. 6 pm - see Carol in ICU; Then a trip home around 7 pm.
It is at this point that there is one of those occasional (and valued) moments of humor. As I was walking in to our house, Carol's ICU nurse called me saying Carol wanted to try to say something to me. Still profoundedly affected by the anesthesia, she asked,"aren't you going to come see me?" I started to explain that I had just been there, when I realized that she did not remember my visit at all. (I later asked her "what is it about my personality that fails to impress you?") So back to the hospital I went at 9:30 pm. This time she seemed to be much more alert, remembering (I hope) the visit.
So many of you have been through the "cancer corrider." If not cancer, then some other major illness. Or if not an illness, then some other severely taxing life experience. You know what it does in you, through you, and to you.
But one thing it does for sure:
1. such experiences make you love and appreciate the special people that surround you - and
OH HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU
2. and it makes you realize that God is God
So I say: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for loving and caring for Carol and our family. Thank you for praying and praying and praying . . . and then praying some more.
And thank you God for who you are.
The surgery, as you know, was long (7 hours, 15 minutes). But it was very successful.
Now we move to the next phase that God has for us. Candidly, this is only the first phase (barring a miracle) of the healing journey. There are more tests ahead. Keep praying. Continue to do in the future what you did today: routed the enemy!
Blessed to know you and call you friends,
Jim Garlow (and Carol too)
Tuesday, June 26, 2007, 4:30 pm
It is with praise to the Lord that we can report that Carol came through her seven-hour surgery and is doing well in ICU.
She is breathing on her own, without the help of a respirator and did not need a blood transfusion. The surgeon said that because she is young and healthy, she was stable throughout the procedure.
The type of cancer is Primary Peritoneal Cancer, Stage 3 C; the grade will be determined by pathology.
The good news is that they removed all the cancer that was in multiple areas in the abdomen. They did not need to remove her spleen as originally thought. The surgeon said they appreciated all the prayers and could feel them while operating.
The family said that because of the extended length of the surgery, the procedure was very thorough. The family is very relieved and thank you for your prayers and are praising God for this first good report.
Please continue to keep Carol and Pastor Jim and their entire family in prayer through the next steps in this process.
June 25, 2007, Monday, 11:30 pm
A Message From Pastor Jim Garlow
Greetings Church Family,
Many of you are aware that much has changed last Wednesday morning at 7:09 am. Briefly stated, Carol has just been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. As many of you who have gone through this know, our world has been turned upside down. Nothing is the same.
Barring a miracle (for which we are still praying), the five-hour surgery is scheduled for 7:30 am Tuesday, June 26, followed by a projected eight months of chemotherapy.
We will sincerely appreciate (and really need!) your prayers for Carol.
Also pray for Josie (15), Jake (16), and our two married children—Janie (husband Jeremy) & Joshua (wife Lacy). (We praise God that Janie & Jeremy moved from Victorville, CA back to San Diego the day before we got this devastating news!)
We are all making the needed adjustments, including canceling many things over the next year. Carol has served me graciously for 37 years. My next year will be focused on all the ways I can serve her. It is an honor to do that.
I am so thankful both that Carol has an exceptionally strong faith—and for a loving family. And I am so very grateful for such a loving church family and friend network. We have never needed people like we do now. I am so very thankful for you!
Over the years, I have ministered to hundreds with cancer. Yet, it is an extra jolt when it is one’s own spouse, when it is one’s own family. We are not in denial, but there is still an element of shock each time I explain Carol’s condition.
We have cried much—in fact, lots—sometimes just hugging—without words. Some nights (after I leave her at the hospital) seem very long.
We have been faith-filled at times—sensing God’s close presence. We have prayed confident prayers of healing many times. Yet in the full range of the emotional realities of life, there are other moments we have battled fear—fear of the unknown.
We have laughed some. But we have hugged much. We have become a bit "clingy." Carol and I have had the greatest talks. We have valued every moment alone.
In fact, it is 11:30 pm Monday night as I am writing this. I am tired—because Carol has been in the hospital for eight days now. (She had minor surgery on Monday, June 18.) I was with her at the hospital today—but am going back to the hospital for the night, to be with her before she is taken from the room at 6:30 am. What a privilege that is for me. As many of you know, the word “cancer” has a way of causing one to view life in a very different way—very quickly. Many of you have fought this battle. You know exactly what I am speaking of.
As you recall, Carol and I co-authored a booked titled God Still Heals . In the back are the Scripture-based prayers that Carol wrote. I prayed those prayers in the back of the book over Carol—the very prayers she wrote for others! Who could have known that we would be using her own writing—for her?
This website will keep you updated (www.SkylineChurch.org). If you need more specific communication, my wonderful administrative assistant is Tracy Burger, (619) 550-6000.
Carol and I love you all—so very much. Thank you for loving us.
Two final thoughts: God is good. Jesus is Lord.
Your pastor—but more importantly, your brother,
Monday, June 25, 2007
Carol Garlow’s Road to Health & Healing
Carol’s cancer is either ovarian cancer or very similar to ovarian cancer. As of Monday, June 25, it is not known for certain.
(The following is written with apologies to those who are medically trained. Some concepts or spelling might be incorrect. It is an attempt to inform—in layman’s terms—what is occurring. Information tends to change hourly / daily.)
Carol’s cancer is stage 3, and probably grade 2 or 3.
Stage (1 to 4) is level of spreading. Grade (1 to 3) is how aggressive the cancer is. Ovarian cancer is quite aggressive.
It is in three zones:
- Upper abdomen
- Lower abdomen
- Pelvic area
The plan:
Surgery first, chemotherapy second.
In Europe, they tend to do chemo first, then surgery, followed by more chemo. In the US, it is normally surgery first. Cure rates tend to be the same regardless of which is done first.
The procedure will first involve laparoscopic surgery to see the volume and location of cancer.
The surgeon will do surgery first if the cancer is not too intertwined in organs. If it is too in-grown in such things as the intestines, they will do chemo immediately, followed by surgery later.
The following will be removed in the approximately five-hour surgery:
- Omentum – “fatty” drape that hangs from colon (this is the largest mass to be removed) as is almost always cancer ridden
- Spleen – 20% chance it will be removed
- Sigmoid (S shaped) portion of colon
- Ureteral tubes disconnected for portion of surgery (delicate part of the surgery)
- Appendix removed
- Possibly a small portion of small intestine removed
- Lymph nodes in pelvic area and lower abdomen
She will be in ICU for two days – followed by seven days in the hospital. She will recuperate for approximately two weeks at home before beginning chemotherapy, which will be given every three weeks. The procedure will last—based on what is known at this time—for eight months.
After that, Jim and Carol will do a dance—and go to the beach condo, followed by a trip to France!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Profile of a Life Change
A Day-by-Day Account of Carol’s Prognosis
Occasionally in life, one word changes everything. When a doctor says “cancer,” life can change—sometimes dramatically. Here is a quick overview:
- Monday, June 18—Carol had minor surgery
- Tuesday, June 19—she came home from hospital
- Tuesday, June 19—at midnight, she went back to Emergency Room due to complications & discomfort
- Wednesday, June 20—7 am, CAT Scan reveals what might be ovarian cancer, however uncertain; appeared to possibly be colon cancer or other cancer; (Note: the cancer was likely not related to the discomfort that caused her to go to the Emergency Room) 3 pm, gynecologist insists Carol get to hospital immediately; admitted to hospital
- Thursday, June 21—3 pm, MRI done; report of multiple masses reported to us at 5:30 pm
- Friday, June 22—1 pm, Sigmoidoscopy done; confirmed that it is not colon cancer; 4 pm, a gynecologic oncologist become involved before a CT Guided Biopsy was to be done and says, in effect, “no more tests, it is time for debulking.” Debulking means surgery.
- Saturday June 23—surgeon explains procedure
- Sunday June 24—surgeon explains more of the procedure – each time meeting with us for approx. one hour
- Monday June 25—prep for surgery begins
- Tuesday, June 26—surgery scheduled for 7:30 am
1 | 2