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Gary’s Story

Site created on March 9, 2018

Where do I begin? The end of January, Gary shared that he'd been having some short dizzy spells. The next day he told me one was coming & he always knew because of a sweet sensation...then it was quickly over. Feb. 2 our doctor called us right in for an exam. A CTscan & MRI later that same day, brought us the shocking news that those dizzy seconds were mini seizures due to a tumor the size of a walnut in the left frontal lobe of his brain. Feb. 13 a team of 8-10 safely removed 85-90% of the Glioblastoma tumor as they had expected. Pathology revealed this as an aggressive stage IV cancer.! We've learned chemo nor radiation can workout our miracle desired. Mayo's pathological report explained the mutative cells as ones that will immediately reproduce themselves making chemo futile. Tiredness & weakness began to overwhelm him and would worsen quickly with radiation. He has been under hospice care this past week, is now bed fast, & on medication to prevent worsening seizures. The left frontal lobe is the center for speech & personality. He has had no suffering until 2 days ago headaches began. I told him if he could communicate that to me somehow, I HAVE DRUGS. His eyebrows went up & he continues to delight us with his sense of humor. He hears music and dances with me through tiny movements, he kisses freely & lovingly, can't move himself much, but, reaches for hugs & gives us expressions that crack us up!

Newest Update

Journal entry by Ruth VanMatre — Mar 14, 2018

Dear Family & Friends, Your prayers have been answered for Gary's perfect healing & our family's peace that passes all understanding...our hero and my lover passed away at 4:30 this morning at our home. Graeme & Bailey were here & Graeme & I were with him.
Our whole immediate family had gathered here Sunday & I'll share a couple pictures from then, if I can figure this out!
He was as handsome as ever, gentle & funny, too.
Come see us and celebrate his life: Visitation at Hippensteel Funeral Home in Delphi, this Sunday from 1-5. Gary's funeral Mass is at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Delphi at 10 AM. Dinner to immediately follow.
"So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22

Read More of the journal titled "This is a hard one..."

Madi & Macy each read Heaven is for Real to Grandpa Gary per his motioned request.  He wanted them to know where he was going:)

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