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I read this on Facebook, however just saw it here.  Prayer continues.

Just back from Karmanos and hearing the latest results from PET scan last week.

For the uninitiated a PET scan shoots a sugar compound into the blood stream and it goes right to any cancer. Cancer shows up as illuminated. In other words the brighter the image is and the more images there are.....the worse the cancer is. It also indicates the size of the tumor.

The PET scan from Henry Ford in June showed the tumor to be 1.456 x .787 inches (a total mass of 1.145 inches) and it was pretty bright in the lymph nodes around the cancer.

The Karmanos PET scan indicated the tumor had shrunk by more than half. It is now .7086 x .6299 inches (a total mass of .446 inches) The lymph nodes brightness was now barely discernible.

The chemo for tomorrow was moved ahead one week with one chemical removed. The next step......the board will review her case on Thursday this week. The result could be radiation, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Then another review by the board.

We are thankful for the good report today. We can't help but feel it all resulted from the prayers on mom's behalf and of course the chemo.

Thanks for bringing this update.  The result of the PET scan certainly sound good and I'll keep praying for continued shrinking of the tumor.

Quote from: Ed on October 05, 2015, 12:17:58 PM

Just back from Karmanos and hearing the latest results from PET scan last week.

For the uninitiated a PET scan shoots a sugar compound into the blood stream and it goes right to any cancer. Cancer shows up as illuminated. In other words the brighter the image is and the more images there are.....the worse the cancer is. It also indicates the size of the tumor.

The PET scan from Henry Ford in June showed the tumor to be 1.456 x .787 inches (a total mass of 1.145 inches) and it was pretty bright in the lymph nodes around the cancer.

The Karmanos PET scan indicated the tumor had shrunk by more than half. It is now .7086 x .6299 inches (a total mass of .446 inches) The lymph nodes brightness was now barely discernible.

The chemo for tomorrow was moved ahead one week with one chemical removed. The next step......the board will review her case on Thursday this week. The result could be radiation, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Then another review by the board.

We are thankful for the good report today. We can't help but feel it all resulted from the prayers on Donna's behalf and of course the chemo.

May our Lord send the Comforter to bless and uphold y'all as you go through these treatments. My prayers are with y'all.

Ruth Ann

Donna had begun her 5th week of radiation.  She will get 33 treatments in all, with the last one on Dec 10th.  She will get a CT scan on the Dec 29th and we see the doctor on Jan 4th.  We are expecting a good report.  The doctor said, "Then we will give her a rest."  I took that to mean further treatment might be needed.

She's very tired, still has the "cancer cough", still painful swallowing.  She's losing weight, but I think the doctor convinced her she needs nutrition and offered a couple of suggestions.

Time and time again we reflect that we know that everything that happens is in God's hands and we are comfortable no matter what the outcome.

Thank you for your continued prayers...we have seen evidence of them.

You certainly have the right attitude, Ed.  And I pray that Donna will feel better, stronger, and the cough will go away.  I pray you can enjoy the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas in peace, joy and love.  Blessings to you both!

Ed, I pray that the report on January 4 will be good news and that she won't need any more treatments. 

Thank you for the update. I've been wondering how Donna is doing.

Ruth Ann

Please continue to pray for Ed and his wife.

Here's his update from today on Facebook:

"Ed McMurray

Donna is on hospice now. They've drained her lung 3 times and they'll drain it again tomorrow. The fluid has cancer cells. They put in a catheter so we can drain it at home....no more runs to the ER.

She sleeps good....for that I'm thankful. She eats a little. She still likes to watch "Love It or List It" on TV.

I think I might not post anymore updates...it's hard facing reality. But then again maybe it's theraputic.......We'll see."

Thanks, Pat. 

We need to continue praying for Donna and also for Ed.  As some of us know, it's very difficult for the caretaker who watches a loved one suffer.

I've walked in his shoes. I'm praying for both of them and for those who love them.

Ruth Ann

Sorry I have not been on in quite some time....things just got away from me.

Donna is resting peacefully. The meds help her do that.  A new med (a 12 hr time release capsule) is supposed to help her even more to remain comfortable.  Breathing and lower back pain is what bothers her the most.

I thank each of you for your prayers and your concern.  Donna & I appreciate it.

While we don't like the final outcome of this situation, we are both comfortable with whatever God has in store for us.  We know that many are praying for a miracle and we really believe it is possible for we experienced one 39 years ago when she almost died with a ruptured spleen.

BUT we do not want to invoke our desires into God's even better plan.  When we say, "His will be done" we really mean it.

I will be praying also!

Here is a post from Ed's Facebook today:

"So what's up in the McMurray househoild. Some of you are privy to how things are going through our kids or through private msg's.

Donna is is stage 2 of 3 stages in this process. She's weak, but eats some, drinks water and LOVES ice chips. Good thing I bought an ice crusher when this all started.
Mornings are a fog.....isn't that how real life is...roads are foggy in the morning, but the sun soon burns the fog off. Well, the Son burns it off with Donna. By 1 pm she is at her best for the day.

As this process progresses, we trust in Him more and more. Like when she says "I don't like living like this, I just want to die." We literally cry out to God for peace that will let her drift off to sleep.....it comes."

I'm so sorry y'all are going through such a difficult time. My prayers for you continue.

Ruth Ann

Ed, praying for strength and peace for you and Donna.  The peace and strength that we know can be given by our Lord.

God is so good to answer your prayers and give Donna rest.  We are all supporting you with our prayers.

Ed posted this lovely photo of Donna and him in their front room today!

What a sweet photo.  I can certainly sense the love of this couple.  May God continue to hold you in His loving arms as you travel through this dark valley.  Prayers continue.

What a lovely photo ... I can relate so thoroughly ... my prayers continue.

Things have pretty much settled into a routine around here.  I'm learning some tricks to move her without hurting her.  She takes so little to make her happy and comfortable.  Every so often a flash of the healthy Donna appears during our conversation.....a smile, even a stare if I say something out of line, or she'll ask a good question. 

Sadly her mind thinks one thing, but something else comes out of her mouth.  I have to figure out what she means.  Most of the time I luck out and guess right.

We have been told what to look for when the end is near and some have started to exhibit themselves...like the flattening of the ear lobe.  Her pulse rate is high, but her breathing rate is "normal."

Two weeks ago we were told 2-3 weeks.  We end each night in prayer and each of us surrender her to Jesus if He should come in the night.

I think that this is a beautiful photo of Donna...

Thank you for sharing your journey, Ed. And thank you, Pat, for the photos. I see the love of God Himself in this couple.

May our Lord uphold each of you with His strong right hand.

Ruth Ann

Posted by Ed on Facebook...

Beyond The sunset By Hank Williams

ED MCMURRAY·SATURDAY, 2 APRIL 2016

Should you go first and I remain to finish with the scroll
No lessening shadows shall ever creep in to make this life seem droll
We've known so much of happiness we've had our cup of joy
And memory is one gift of God that death cannot destroy

I want to know each step you take that I may walk the same
For someday down that lonely road you'll hear me call your name
Should you go first and I remain one thing I'll have you do
Walk slowly down that long long path for soon I'll follow you
In that fair homeland we'll know no parting beyond the sunset for evermore



I've been listening to Bill Gaither songs today and this one especially strikes home with me.
As I sit beside Donna and watch her sleep, I watch her chest go up and down with each breath knowing soon she'll take her last one.  That's when this song's reality kicks in.  For she will go first, and I'll remain......but some day I will walk that long road and call her name.

"Donna,  I'm here.  Donna, I'm here." 

And it will be as if it were a twinkling of an eye when she went first and I remained.

Here's a nice post from Ed on FaceBook:


Well my tortella soup passed muster by the house expert. Sandra said it was good, Ethel Orr said it was delicious. Today Donna had some and deemed it "good."

Donna passed away this morning and is with her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

"Absent from the body, present with the Lord"


Please join us here in the Sympathy area to post messages of condolence to Ed and his family at this sad time.