Home in Heaven

It is with a sad yet joyful heart that I tell you that Gary has gone home to heaven where he belongs. The last few weeks we knew that the cancer had spread past a point that we were able to fight. We were able to make him comfortable and be by his side as he breathed his last this side of heaven.


Please join us for our celebration of Gary's life at his memorial service, held Tuesday, April 20th at 4:00 pm at Hope Community Church in Andover, Kansas. A barbecue, "Gary Style", will be held at our home in Elbing immediately following the service.

Each and every one of you has been an important person in Gary's life. As he told us this week, there is nothing more important than our relationship with God and our relationships with each other. We want thank you all for your prayers and support - you have all been wonderful to our family during this time.

If you would like to send comments for the family, feel free to post them here or send to garywgiles@me.com.

Love,

The Giles Family

Hope Community Church
1831 E. 21st St.
Andover, KS 67002

Giles Home
413 N. Johnson
Elbing, KS 67041

Memories

These are pictures taken this last weekend when Gary was feeling a bit better. We have had so many good memories- we would love to hear yours. Please feel free to write them out or send pictures and we will share them with Gary.

You can post comments here to share or email to me at timandleah@gmail.com

Thanks,

Leah

Update

This is Leah doing an update for my dad.

The CAT Scan and further test show that the cancer has spread to Gary's stomach. Due to the rapid spread, continuing chemo is not a good option. We are keeping him home with hospice and we are trying to make him as comfortable as possible in these last few weeks. Please pray that Gary would be in as little pain as possible and that our family would have the strength for the care we need to give him.

We appreciate your prayers,

Leah

March - UGGG!

I suppose this will be depressing. Just like March has been. Yes, we closed on our house in Wellington and moved to Elbing. But the remodel is not done and we have had various stages of camping out. We still don't have a counter or sink and Sandy is doing dishes in the bathtub. There is a little good news - the major construction is done and the floor is in.

I haven't felt well and am still under the weather this weekend. And now all Kansas teams are out of the NCAA tournement. Bummer. I'm not one to watch much baseball.

We are still trying to find everything that got moved. The garage is well used for storage and staging. We have mowed twice and are enjoying the new deck with all the family. Next week we should have better weather and I am really looking forward to that.

Monday I go in for a CAT scan so after another week I should know how the cancer is behaving. In the meantime I have got to get the lower half under control because that can really get a guy in trouble - and fast.

So we still need your prayers for health and housing - Gary

Dr. update Monday March 1

Its been 8 months now and the Dr. agreed I am "beat up". So he slid the chemo out one week (great - I have had about all I can take right now). Also he agreed to lower the dose when we restart. Out of concern for all the joint pain we will do a bone scan this week.

He says I continue to have residual effects from the oxal (the bad stuff) we stopped in Dec. And as some of those effects wear off we are seeing new side effects manifested with just the 5FU chemo. Apparently the oxal was so potent it masked some of the 5FU side effects. We hope that by delaying a week we will see just the side effects from the 5FU next time - meaning the residual effects should pass.

Regardless, I welcome a week off especially with all the construction that is going on in Elbing.

All for now,

Gary

What happened to feisty?

Wow. I just found out you can't beat the chemo. I went in feeling good - and 2 weeks later as I get ready for another round I still am struggling. I was determined to beat the side effects this last time. Guess what? The chemo won.

Of course I worked harder this last 2 weeks. The remodeling and addition are worse than building a new house. We are making good progress but there are always the little things that slow you down.

I went in to Newton to check out my new digs for getting the chemo. Its a change and I'll have to get used to it. But they don't have internet so I'll not be able to blog while I am there. I'll have to complain about that - there must be patient rights or something to guarantee wireless in this new century.

Speaking of wireless do you realize there are still areas of this country that not only do not have internet service, cable TV and cell phone coverage? The local internet service provider in Elbing just got bought out by a bigger company and in a month or so our service should be approximately twice as fast. Hooray!

I see the Dr. Monday and have chemo Monday afternoon. Its a new schedule at Newton - Monday chemo and Wed pump off. But I am going to see if the Dr. can lighten the dose or something - I am growing weary of the side effects.

See you next time,

Gary

7 1/2 months and I feel FIESTY!

I can't believe it. I am sitting in the Wellkington hospital waiting for my chemo musing about my health. I almost bounced in this morning - after working hard yesterday. We were in Elbing and had numerous trips up and down the stairs, loaded the pickup a couple of times, even helped my son load a grill in the back of the truck. On top of that I met with 2 contractors and made a couple of trips to Newton (isn't it great to have both breakfast and lunch out!).

I have been watching my energy this last week and it is best yet this last week. The stamina is getting better (what is the difference between stamina and endurance?). I am using muscles that have been dormant - pulling nails out of trim yesterday was a measure of physical work I haven't seen for quite a while. Now if I could just get rid of the numbness in my hands and feet....

I am determined to power my way through the chemo this week. We'll see who wins -the poison or me....

We had lots of visits from friends last week - what a treasure to reconnect! And naturally the conversation turns to food - great places to eat out and enjoy fellowship.

We'll - all for now. This is my last treatment in Wellington. Next time I'll be up in Newton. We should be moving in the next month. Thankfully we are making good progress on the remodel and addition at the Elbing place. By the way - the fescue is greening up and we will be mowing before long!