I got an email from Gary tonight, so will just copy it here for all his LYME FRIENDS!
thank you for letting lisa my address betty..i couldn't even look at the guestbook.
so i reslly cannot thank anyone.. so i just say thank you everyone. but , i really cannot just thank one person ..
i go for a procedure tomorrow afternoon, 9-4-07 in st luke's bethlehem. they put me out for this..they look down my throat snd windpipe to make sure they can perform thesurgery in a few week's ..
i am into my second day of not smoking ...again. get's easier with practice..lol...
be well my friend..your such a sweetheart , gary
*******************
so everyone, please say your prayers that the docs will find Gary has enough to work with for an upcoming surgery in a couple week!
put him in your prayers chains .... big thanks from Gary and me. Bettyg
[ 22. December 2007, 01:27 AM: Message edited by: bettyg ]
Posted by Beverly (Member # 1271) on :
Dear Lord watch over Gary this day, surround him with his comforting angels and give him peace. We ask in your name Lord that Gary's Doctors will be able to do the surgery that needs to be done. Amen.
Let us know how it goes for you Gary... hang in there and know we are thinking of you.
Hugsss... Beverly
Thank you for the heads up Betty.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
to all reading,
please keep this UP TO TOP TODAY while Gary is going thru this, and our extra thoughts can be headed his way during the time when he really needs it! thx gang! Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I'll be praying for you, Gary! Congrats on not smoking!!! Posted by meg (Member # 22) on :
Gary, there are lots of us praying for your safe surgery. God Bless!
Posted by Itsy_bitsyone (Member # 12635) on :
In my prayers.
Posted by sonwithlyme (Member # 10942) on :
Please keep the prayers going for Gary. He needs ALL of our support during these difficult times. Please visit his caringbridge site too.
I'm hoping the procedure went well. I'm praying for you!
Posted by Boomerang (Member # 7979) on :
Gary, I am sending prayers your way. God Bless!
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
Thanks Betty.
Gary, I'm hoping and praying that the surgery works out and is just the thing for you.
Don't EVER worry about answering any guestbook entries...just read them when you feel up to it and enjoy.
Warm hugs,
Michelle
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
gary, we've sure been praying you got good news today on what they can do for you in surgery in a couple weeks.
email robin/diane with updtes so they'll post for the rest of us my friend. xoxox bettyg Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :
Praying for you, Gary. May you receive the strength and comfort you need at this difficult time.
Posted by digirl02 (Member # 7177) on :
All,
Gary has asked me to get on lymenet and say THANKS to EVERYONE who has been thinking of him, praying for him. Keep sending your special notes and well wishes his way.
Gary's http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/garynorbut site has recent information about his surgery which will probably be scheduled by very early next week for his Esphogeal Cancer. His recent Pet scan showed no other cancerous cells in or around the lymph nodes of the Esphogeau. GREAT NEWS !
I spoke with Gary last night and he could not log into lymenet and ask that I send a note to everyone here who has been so great with sending him well wishes.
Gary says "THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR KIND WORDS".
Let's keep him in our prayers for this next step toward surgery and recovery.
Diane
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
That's wonderful news!!!
Gary Posted by sonwithlyme (Member # 10942) on :
Please give your support to Gary by visiting his caringbridge page.
Keep the prayers coming.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
up for prayers for gary; read the comments diane has posted about gary. big thanks to you all from gary!! Posted by perplexed (Member # 1913) on :
Gary will be in my prayers and thoughts.
Hugs, Perplexed Posted by SunRa (Member # 3559) on :
hi Gary, I sent you an email. I have total faith that you will beat this! best wishes with the surgery - many prayers and healing thoughts heading your way!!!
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
I'm lovin the good news, Geden!! Cancer-free -- those are sweet words! Wish I lived closer so I could go over and agitate the hospital staff on your behalf!!
We will ALL be pulling for you for your surgery and hangin' off our chairs waiting to hear how it went.
With prayers and best wishes,
Michelle
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
Gary
You're in my thoughts and prayers. You keep fighting the fight and know we're all supporting you. Posted by MagicAcorn (Member # 8786) on :
Gary my positive thoughts will be with you all day tomorrow.
Your website looks very nice and I hope you got that last wall painted.
Acorn
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
Gary, if you didn't get that wall painted, strategically place a mirror so it'll look like it was done at least.
Stay positive and just think how much better it can be after the surgery and the healing process. And knowing the rest of your body is free of this is definitely reassuring.
Good Luck and God Bless. Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
quote:Originally posted by Pocono Lyme:
Gary, if you didn't get that wall painted, strategically place a mirror so it'll look like it was done at least.
Good Luck and God Bless.
pocono, what a clever idea! have you used it before?
hey gary, diane's going to talk to your family about a possible surprise for you if things work out.
can;t say more without letting the cat out of the bag; jake and jr. wouldn't like that you know.
seriously my friend, good luck tomorrow; it WILL be a success for you and you will be in god's and the surgeon's/staff's good hands! Posted by Boomerang (Member # 7979) on :
Up for Gary!!
Posted by Lymester (Member # 5848) on :
Here's another "up" for Gary
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
Up for Gary. What time was he scheduled for??
Betty, whatever does the trick. For the majority of this disease, I've avoided mirrors. They scare me Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :
Praying for successful surgery. And hoping for an update real soon.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Thinking of you!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
there was NO time shown on caring bridge site.
5-8 hr. surgery so i'd surely want it to be 1st on schedule!
thx everyone for your thoughts and prayers for gary/family, and our own lymenet family! Posted by sonwithlyme (Member # 10942) on :
Surgery scheduled for 9am. As soon as I have an update I will be posting it on his caringbridge page.
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
I've been praying all day. I'm hoping that, by now, Gary's resting comfortably in the ICU and on the road to a speedy recovery.
Not only am I praying for Gary right now, I'm also praying that we'll get some good news soon.
Ali
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
I broke down & called the hospital. He's still in surgery. That's all I can find out.
Prayers still needed. Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
I checked again. He's still in the OR.
Posted by digirl02 (Member # 7177) on :
I just spoke with Gary's family and I have just asked Robin to post an update on Gary's caringbridge site. Not alot of info at this time, yet surgery was succesful and he is in Surgical ICU at this time.
I may not be continuing to post two places. I will get the information to the Caringbridge site hopefully daily.
Diane
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
Thank you so much Diane for posting this. Posted by sonwithlyme (Member # 10942) on :
Gary's caringbridge page is updated. Please go visit and sign his guestbook. I will print out his guestbook and send to him so when he is feeling up to it he can read it. www.caringbridge.org/visit/garynorbut Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
robin, thanks so much for the news and gary's site.
you mentioned time spent updating both, i'm on gary's updated page list, so if you'd like, when i get an update, i'll bring it here and post it ok! it's your choice on how you want to handle this.
i also forward each gary update to my lyme group list for their info too.
glad to hear it went well and considered successful! Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
up for more prayers for gary in ICCU!! Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I have never met Gary but I feel like I know him a little bit from all of the nice things you all write about him.
I am praying that he has a smooth pain free recovery!
a new update by his niece, theresa, is posted so read it in above link!
Posted by digirl02 (Member # 7177) on :
Hi everyone,
First, let me make a correction. Teresa, is Gary's sister, not niece. My apologies Teresa.
Second, Gary is in his own room at the Hospital and Teresa is there today, Wednesday, Sept. 26. I will have an update late tonight or early tomorrow.
Also, many calls have been coming in to Gary's home and it is difficult for Teresa and Gary's mom to handle that many calls.
I would like to ask that we just keep at this point, either sending mail to Gary or tracking his progress both on lymenet and caringbridge to help eliminate the phone calls to the home.
As I get emails or phone calls from Teresa I update usually the caringbridge site first, then I try to add a note here as well.
Just wanted to express the family's concerns at this point.
Do keep the well wishes coming though! Gary and his family need our support.
Thanks, Diane
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
Wasn't able to sign in on caring bridge web site so will let Gary know here that i read his journal entry and was thinking of him.
Breath in Breath out
Keeping breathing Gary!
Posted by sonwithlyme (Member # 10942) on :
Please stop by Gary's website. He could use some support as he is recovering from major surgery
Diane, thanks for all the superb updates you've been posting. Even when I'm too busy to post, I read them immediately!
Gary, you go!! I'm so happy you're home! Bet those dogs 'bout went crazy with happiness! Can't wait to see you posting again. I know you've got a long road ahead, but I'm so thankful you have it!
Michelle
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
quote:Originally posted by Michelle M:
Diane, thanks for all the superb updates you've been posting. Even when I'm too busy to post, I read them immediately!
Gary, you go!! I'm so happy you're home! Bet those dogs 'bout went crazy with happiness! Can't wait to see you posting again. I know you've got a long road ahead, but I'm so thankful you have it!
Great news on Gary. Visit his cb site. His pathology report shows no cancer. His spirits are up and he is very encouraged. Diane Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
up for you to post a few lines on his site!
gary got GOOD NEWS! please take 2 minutes to go and see what all was said ok! gary reads the board regularly and helps him stay cheerful reading HIS FRIEND'S COMMENTS! Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Hey there my friend,
I am so pleased to know that your surgery went well and that the testing has shown such encouraging results!
Continuing to hold you close in my thoughts and prayers.
Much love, Melanie
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
gary, happy birthday; members go to gary's ste and read the GOOD NEWSOK; post there or here.
Posted by digirl02 (Member # 7177) on :
Just a quick update!
Gary just wanted everyone to know that he was able to eat a piece of his favorite BIRTHDAY cake - Red Velvet Cake - that has coffee and chocolate and rich cream cheese frosting !!!! And of course, chased it with a glass of milk !! His niece made it for him for his birthday and Gary said it was delicious.
He sounds good today, a little tired from his doctor appointments this week, but had a good birthday.
He thanks all of you for your continued support and well wishes.
He truly is making a remarkable recovery so far. What a wonderful birthday present.
We'll be adding this to the cb site shortly. Diane
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
wonderful, wonderful as lawrence welk would say.
RVC, another abbreviation ..... red velvet cake!! my those are good, fattening, and what a way to go.
gary, glad you could eat good food on your special bd!!!
thanks diane for the update!!
you/robin have done an outstanding job starting gary's site, making it interesting with various colors/seasons/holidays! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS THERE YOU 2 WONDERFUL LADIES!!! Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :
Posted by digirl02 (Member # 7177) on :
An update on Gary will be posted to his caringbridge site shortly. However, Gary had to go have 'dilation surgery' today to help with swallowing. Let's continue to keep him in our prayers. Thanks, Diane
diane, thanks for all the updates you post online and here.
i just read your thread and other 2 people's comments filling us in more what this pertains too and how it will help our precious gary.
went there earlier and sent him my greeting and update on things transpiring last time we talked.
forgot to add there, gary, you sweety you; you betcha you're in my thouhts and prayers DAILY! Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
Fortunately it's outpatient-only surgery... the BEST kind. It was good to read the comments from others who've been through it on the CaringBridge site.
Good luck, Gary. Hope it went well!
Michelle
Posted by digirl02 (Member # 7177) on :
A post was just made on Gary's caringbridge site. He is doing GREAT!
Thanks Diane
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
diane, forgot....what's dilation surgery?
i'll go read there and post my weekly note to him! thx for doing this project; you and ROBIN for all you have both done to keep us lymenet members up to date on gary's health! Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
more prayers for Gary
Gary- You'd better cut this out & just GET BETTER ALREADY!!!!!!!!
Ali
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Hang in there, man!!! Posted by Ann-OH (Member # 2020) on :
Betty, and others, dialation surgery is a way to strech the esophagus wider so one can swallow easier.
Sometimes only a regular endoscopy (out-patient) or usual procedure for examining the esophagus and stomach is enough to help widen the esophagus.
Ann - OH
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
ann, thank you for clarifying since i wasn't goinng to take the time to go back thru around 100 posts to find out!
gary, your lymenet members all have our thoughts and prayers be sent to you as usual; tomorrow; you'll be in my thoughts 24/7 !! best wishes for a successful surgery so you can begin to eat comfortably again!
GARY, YOU ARE THE MAN; YOU HAVE DEFIED THE ODDS AGAIN AND AGAIN; YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN TOMORROW!
hi to jake and junior; gary's closest friends! ***********************************************
Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :
Gary,
I really hope your surgery is successful. I want the funny Gary back. Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
praying for an update on gary from robin or diane soon on his THURS. SURGERY....thanks! Posted by digirl02 (Member # 7177) on :
An update will be posted to Gary's caringbridge site shortly. He is still having difficulty swallowing and now is encountering chest soreness, probably due to the surgery. Keep the well wishes coming.
Thanks for keeping us informed
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
SOS TIME! time to remember gary; he'll be going thru another SURGERY between christmas and new years!!
diane has a nice lengthy post she wrote up telling some of the things gary had to say.
i was the 1st to respond afte the post, and also gave him the very sad news of CAROL ANN'S husband, John's, passing away at 11:15 am today after going into a coma last night.
it has been carol ann whose husband, john, went thru his own esophagus removal 2-3 years ago. so she was helping gary/us by descibing what to expect and what to do to help gary be comfortable, and ENCOURAGEMENT!
i'll post something so prayers can be headed carol ann's way!
Posted by sonwithlyme (Member # 10942) on :
Please stop by Gary's page to give him some words of encouragement
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