August Update

 

Prayer Requests Healing for Daryl:  Improved speech, Continued weight gain Increased energy Baby Journey for Jamie & Eric:  Protected hearts Healthy pregnancy Patience Trust Ministry Rob's Book: Everburn Coming out October 1  Andy & Kim Being so far away   Me: Health, strength and wisdom  Joy and peace All of Us: Positive and encouraging contact from our friends Emails are great! daryl.fsm@gmail.com bunchrobin@hotmail.com jamiestaveness@gmail.com robertbunch@hotmail.com buncha6631@hotail.com Dr. Oz on Glutathione

Daryl's doing good - He's still up to over 150 pounds.  Most of you know that he had a SUPPLEMENTAL feeding tube put in March and it has definitely done the job it was supposed to do.  He needed more calories and nutrition than he could eat, so the tube is helping with that.  The tube he initially got was not the tube we had in mind.  But we have learned that he had to establish the tube site before he could get the one we did want.  And that happened two weels agp - he now has a low profile button tube.  It's more "user friendly" and convenient for him to use!  He played in a best shot tournament Saturday and it was very "golf friendly".  So friendly in fact, his team won 2nd in the championship flight!  Our hope is that he will be able to have the tube removed permanently - soon.  We are optimistic with the IV therapy Daryl is doing.  Actually, he has three different IV's:  one is a "cocktail" of magnesium, manganese, B12 and hydrogen peroxide.  These attack candida, yeast, bacteria and are good for muscle repair. Another IV is glutathione, a very important anti-oxidant that is known to be low in people with chronic health opportunities.  The third IV is phosphatidylcholine, (lecithin) and is critical for lung function and gastrointestinal health.  These are all good things which build and repair and will not harm Daryl's system.  It's a very slow process , but the doctor keeps reminding us that improvements, no matter how small, are really huge in the whole scheme of things.    It's been a wonderful summer - I can't believe it's coming to an end.  Jamie and Eric have been here for most of the summer and just returned to Pennsylvania Friday.  The house definitely seems quiet now that the two humans, two dogs, two cats and two birds are gone.  :)  Andy and Rob are visiting this week - yay!  And I love going to West Des Moines to visit Rob.  He's got an awesome house.  I guess that's all for now - Thanks for your friendship, encouragement and prayers.

June Update

Daryl. . .    We have good news and challenges to report - I guess that means  we're balanced.  The good news:  betweeen an internal med md in Missouri, two osteopaths - one in Omaha and one in Wichita  - we've found some awesome doctors.  That's a far cry from what we've said the past three years.  Yes, we've found three innovative  health care professionals - praise God!  Actually four - we're working with another doctor in Tucson by phone as well.  And what's encouraging is  that the therapies Daryl has been on are having a positive effect.  He's put on about 20 pounds since his all time low about two months ago - halleluiah.!   We still have a long way to go, but good things are happening - we're thankful and praising God! The challenge:  please pray for encouragement for Daryl (and me too).  We've been battling his illness for three years now and it can become overwhelmingly discouraging.  Prayers, smiles, and connections is what we need and would cherish from our friends.  I even put a few suggestions at the bottom.

Jamie and Eric. . .    Praying for baby (ies)! BIG news - and a prayer opportunity:  they just went through in vitro May 29th and we'll find out June 8th if they're pregnant.  Please pray for  the little luvins (embryos) to implant and Jamie and Eric will have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby (ies)!  Funny note:  Jamie's also put on 20 pounds: he he! - doctor's orders for increasing fertility chances. Also, their annual GOLF fundraiser is coming up soon.  Hole sponsorships are available and are a great way to help their ministry.  And they need golfers!  If you can join in the fun - it's a great time for a great cause.  Important:  you do NOT have to be a good golfer!  It's a best shot with prizes, silent auction and food.  This is their main fundraiser and all proceeds go toward their campus ministry.  Click here to register for the golf tournament or read about their ministry!

Rob's book. . . "Everburn. . ." is ever closer to printing!  Take a look:  The man overwhelmed him with powerful, gracious eyes.  "Are you intent on taking this road, Ponce?" His presence was much different than before.  Something like an invisible cloak had come off since their earlier meeting.  He looked the same, but everything else about him reeked of power.  Ponce felt like his soul was totally bare in this man's presence, but still somehow very safe.  Lying was impossible.  "Yes." "Please give me your right hand." Ponce extended his hand.  With a drowning stare, the man clasped his hands around Ponce's hand.  His eyes began to light up until they were a heavy gold.  A searing feeling started to envelop Ponce's fingers.  The burning slowly moved up to his knuckles, across his hand and into his forearm.  Flames flickered all around the set of hands.  He let out a quiet yell which grew into a full bodied roar of pain.  His arm felt like it was on fire from the inside, but in spite of the overwhelming pain, Ponce didn't try to let go.  The man's eyes held him totally placid until they dimmed to royal blue, and he released Ponce. The man's face was regal and calm.  "Do you know what a crucible is, Ponce?" Ponce had dropped to his knees and twitched his fingers while he stared at his palm.  "It's a container that can take incredible fire.  I think they're used in alchemy and metallurgy to melt things down."  He stood up and roared in anger.  "But I'm not a crucible!  What did you just do to me?" The man smiled.  "My name is Sotare, and I just made you into a crucible, my Crucible.  The world is in trouble and only my fire can heal it." "Fire kills and destroys.  It can't heal." Sotare's smile remained in the same place.  "Mine can.  And you will carry it, Crucible."    Andy. . . Is loving Atlanta, spending time with Kim, cheering on the Braves, Hawks & Falcons, going to Buckhead church and working at World Financial Group.  We keep trying to convince him Iowa's the place to be, but we haven't succeeded yet.  Okoboji calls him though!  He and Kim are coming back for the fourth of July. Yay!  How to be an encourager. . .  Being seriously ill is one of the most devasting and discouraging things that can happen to someone.  Believe me, we know.  Health problems hinder us, cause us stress and often generate intense emotions such as discouragement, fear, lonliness, anger or depression.  Being encouraging and sometimes just being there for someone who is sick is extremely valuable in their healing process.   I cannot say it enought:  this is when we need family and friends the most.  Three things you can do to be an encourager:  1.  Periodically send a note or email of encouragement or interest - right now.   Remember , words are powerful.  'The tongue of the wise promotes health" (Proverbs 12:18) and "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" (Proverbs 15:4).   Be positive -  thank them for their friendship, help or for their part in your life.  Talk about common interests.  It will only cost you a few minutes and you'll be a blessing and be blessed in return!  2.  Help your friend/family member maintain their life as normal as possible.  This helps keep a sense of confidence, positive outlook and order to an otherwise chaotic situation. 3.  Stop by for a visit - Daryl had the biggest smile on his face when our friend Jan Tjeerdsma stopped by last week and surprised him with a gift.  Encouragment and positive environments are healing - thanks for your part in our healing journey - we love you!

May Update

So, what's been going on?  Since my last blog in January, it seems we've been all over the world.  We went to Mexico in January, I went to Nashville for a Women of Faith leader's conference in February, in March we had a birthday bash for me at Andy's in Atlanta with Jamie and Eric and just a couple weeks ago our family went on a cruise (see the pictures, right).  What fun times.  Easter just finished and last week was full of April birthdays:  Jamie and Andy on the 27th and Daryl on the 29th.  Jamie and Eric will be heading back home the beginning of May for the summer - yay!  They'll be around for their annual golf tournament ministry fundraiser.  (Golfers:  it's a great time - and a great cause.  Let me know if you want to participate.  Lots of prizes and fun.)  Des Moines Women of Faith conference is also in May - I'm a group leader, so that'll be awesome. (If you want to go, I have tickets)

I cannot believe it's May!   Memorial Day's next, June is the Staveness Ministry Golf Fundraiser, the Fourth of July and then August - holy cow, life is busy.  And sometime this summer, Rob's book will be published - I plan on hitting all the book signing parties!  "Everburn":  It's a cross between the Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings.  Can't wait!

What a hectic, crazy life.  I guess that's what keeps me sane (?)  I wanted to let you all know that Daryl's doing well.  Actually, there's not much to report.  We've found a couple of doctors we really like - they're positive and encouraging.  Just what we needed.  More healing than anything is to surround ourselves with positive and encouraging people - lots of smiles and laughing.  Positive words.  Good attitudes.  I thank my kids and wonderful core group of friends for these- it's what keeps a spring in my step.

D's weight and energy level are stable.  He's in the office every day we're in Cherokee  He can't wait to get out on the golf course.  We drove out to the country club yesterday, and we have a new golf cart waiting to be picked up.  Today, we drove up to the lake - it's ready for summer!  Daryl is the toughest person I know - he's optimistic and  he never gives up.  He is amazing.  I cannot wait until the day comes when he can tell his story - one with a happy ending!  It's been remarkable.  I thank God for the strength to do things I never dreamt I'd be doing.  I've become a nurse really quick.  That's a miracle in itself.  We will definitely never be the same. 

That's all for now.  Take care until next time. . . 

ONE MORE THING:

  

I have a request:  please keep in touch!  Emails and texts are awesome ways to communicate with Daryl. He spent most of his life in close contact with many of you, and  he misses that.  Connections are healing and healthy.   It doesn't have to be long and involved - just say hi.  Or talk sports, the market or heaven forbid:  politics.