Pete’s Story

Site created on October 13, 2019

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


A little back story.... 
Pete went on one of the trips of a lifetime with a dear friend in August (only 2 months ago!). They went on a 10-day backpacking trip in Glacier National Park. He really had an amazing time and felt great! (I'm sure this trip was second only to the 10-day backpacking he did with all of his sons during summer of 2018!) When he got home, his legs and feet were a bit swollen. He attributed this to traveling and to the change in his diet, having eaten more processed food than he is used to. He tried to alleviate the swelling in his feet with diet to no avail. 
Toward the end of September, he realized that he was not able to eat very much at a time, getting full very quickly, and he noticed that he was losing weight. This prompted him to visit his primary care doctor on October 1. At that appointment, the doctor felt a "mass" in his abdomen. He ordered lab work and a CT scan.  The lab work came back pretty messed up and the doctor sent Pete to the ER for further evaluation first thing the next morning. 
On October 2, Pete was diagnosed with cancer, multiple tumors in his liver, multiple tumors in his lungs. Liver biopsy showed a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) carcinoma. As you will read in the journal entries, the type of NET that Pete has is very aggressive. 
Please keep Pete and all of us in your prayers. We need them. It is through your prayers that we can withstand this storm.  


May the Lord pour out abundant blessings upon each of you! 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Mary Beth Garvin

The entire Garvin family is overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and generosity of the many hundreds of people who came to give their condolences and offer respect to Pete. It all was really over the top! For those who came to calling hours, thank you for enduring the long line. We understand that through most of the evening there was a 2-hour wait. Wow. Thank you for waiting. We are so humbled. ... and the Mass....Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. A packed church, 20+ concelebrating priests, and a beautiful choir to usher Pete home. My heart is full.    
We can't thank you all enough... Fr. Jim Singler; Jeff Mills and choir; Eric Anthony and team; Fr. Jacob Bearer, the entire seminary faculty, staff, and seminarians; all the priests and religious; family; friends; co-workers; ....everyone.... Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. Words could never express our love and gratitude. What a beautiful showing and example of the Body of Christ! We love you all!!
Please continue to keep us in prayer, as we will you. We will be adjusting to a new normal without Pete...spouse, father, son, brother, friend, and grandpa. With your love, support, and prayers, we will be able to endure. God's got us in the palm of His hands. 
Love you bunches, 
The Garvin Family
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