March 2002

MARCH 2, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR DAVID NICOLAY--I just wanted to update everyone on David's progress. He has been doing well since Thursday when he had his CT scan. I ask for your continued prayers over the weekend and leading up to when we visit the doctor on Monday which is when we will find out if the Chemo he had in January had any effect or not. If it did, he will undergo more chemo. She indicated to me that they give chemo when they believe it has a chance to do some good. That is why he had it in January. (some have asked why do it- she explained that to me) Chemo is nasty but if he must endure that again, he will. He continues to gain weight with the IV fluids and He has been eating for the past couple of days- has had some nausea but pretty minor. He is off of the pain patch which I think is great since it seemed to do a number on him.----I was concerned about fluid buildup in his feet and legs and he is on a diuretic currently which I believe is helping. Please pray that this is simply induced by the IV fluids he gets 24/7 and the medication as I was worried that something else was going on. (Remember I am a CPA, I can't diagnose everything !!!!!)----We are in generally good spirits around our home and had a great prayer service on Wednesday pm. David sat up for that for about three hours and has been pretty active for the last few days. I ask God to continue what seems to be the healing process. David really is trying to do what he can to help his health situation by keeping his spirits up, eating as he can and resting well.----Naturally the results of the CT are on my mind greatly and I only hope for some good news. Again, as you pray over this weekend, please keep us in your prayers. I remain positive and my resolve is strong but it is only with the help of God.----Have a great weekend and we will update you as news is available. Much love, Anne (Sent by Anne Nicolay)

MARCH 4, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR VINCENT EVANS--The following is an update on five month old Vincent Evans. Since being diagnosed with leukemia, he has undergone a blood transfusion and will be, if not allready, undergoing chemo treatment.----I visited him and his parents for about 5 minutes today. This was the first time that I have ever met them or Vincent.----Vincent looks absolutely perfect, you would never think he is sick. However, later that day, I talked with someone who is closer to the family. They indicated that Vincent's immune system is zero.----So, let us continue to pray for Vincent as well as his family. (Sent by Edward Schneider)

MARCH 4, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR DAVID NICOLAY--I'm sending this message on Anne's behalf - these are her direct quotes as close as I can get them for you:----"As you are aware, today David and I had a doctor's appointment to get the results of the Cat Scan from this past Thursday at approximately Noon today.----The results were not what any of us have prayed for, i.e., a total healing miracle and cure. David still has extensive cancer. The intense chemotherapy from his hospitalization of approximately one month ago did not result in a receding of the cancer. There is no new disease (i.e., new tumors) and the existing tumors grew only slightly. While we were praying and hoping for a more significant progress update, the results could have been much worse. David is going to take a "chemo-type" pill for the next ten days and will have his next MD appointment in two weeks. This pill is Zalatod (for the clinicians on this email I think I remember the spelling close enough for you to figure it out) and is an oral form of chemo.----Please continue your prayers for us during the next two weeks as we proceed with this new treatment approach."----PS - This is from Suzanne - Anne's spirits continue with the "cup is half full as this is in God's hands". (Sent by Suzanne Haggard)

MARCH 5, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR DAVID NICOLAY--I am very sorry to report that the news today is a little different, but from a different angle. With all the medicines David is taking, his coordination and balance are a little impaired. He actually fell during the night. Each day is different and presents a different set of challenges for both of them. That's why as Anne puts it, "we take each day at a time and swim close to shore." As David weighs more than Anne, she has her hands full right now, due both to the situation and her own lack of sleep (David is up and down alot at night).----I have pondered how to respond to all your inquiries on "how can I help Anne and David". Many of you have offerred to send money for a "trip fund" or "whatever" they needed, but I asked that you hold off until we had a clear understanding of their needs.----It is approaching time that Anne is considering engaging sitters to assist her in a manner beyond the skill set of the current group of volunteer sitters. Sitters are not a covered insurance expense.----First, before I make these next few comments, I want to be clear that I am not soliciting on behalf of Anne, David or anyone else. But for those of you who have been wanting to do something and wanting to send me money to care for their needs, I think assistance for sitters will be compatible with your desire to do something of real benefit to the two of them, in addition to the continued prayers support.----The expense of a sitter will be from $8.50 to $10/hour to give you a feel of the expense.----For those of you who have been asking me how you can help Anne and David and have offerred financial assistance for a trip or drugs or whatever, if you are still interested, you can send a check to my address below (Please see note at end.) - I will accumulate all the checks and give to Anne at once. It would be easier for her to only have to deal with depositing one check vs multiple checks and I may be able to even pay the sitters directly to alleviate this burden for her (I'm still coordinating/negotiating/etc on this front as I write), so if you want to make the check out to me and me give Anne one check, with an "accounting spreadsheet" of all her friends support, so she doesn't have to invest time endorsing everything for a deposit, that's fine too. I will do whatever you would like for me to do, with the ultimate goal, of helping in a way that's easy/noninstrusive for Anne at this critical time. She will receive a full accounting of her friends support under either scenario!----If there is any excess funds, these will be directed towards the cost of the medications - some of the pills are $60 each and one bottle of medication is over $500.----Again, I would like to emphasize I am NOT soliciting on Anne's behalf. This is the first situation that we've encountered that I could tell you about in response to all your questions on "how can I help".----Thanks for your continued support and prayers. (Sent by Suzanne Haggard) NOTE: For anyone who wants to help monetarily with sitters for David Nicolay, please make the check out to Suzanne Haggard as stated above and be sure to then write Suzanne Haggard's name on the outside of the envelope, so we can forward them to Suzanne. Thank you.--Laura Lee

MARCH 6, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR J. BRYAN WHITLOW--Thanks for prayers lifted up on my behalf (job is threatened due to the Sabbath). I will be told tomorrow, probably, that I can go to third shift if I choose; they are pulling four people back and I am the last one that will accept. This will allow me to bide some time and not use up all my time to accommodate myself. Or, get bad time and get terminated. It's not over by a long shot, but I do thank God for this and ask for continued remembrance in your prayers. (Sent by J.Bryan Whitlow)

MARCH 6, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR DAVID NICOLAY--It is with deepest apologies that I have to be the bearer of bad news to you again. David has been readmitted to Touro due to internal bleeding. The situation was detected this morning with normal bodily functions, at which time Anne was instructed to take him to the emergency department immediately.----Per the direct words of the MD, David is in liver failure, and she is admitting him to the hospital to try and stop the bleeding. One's blood will not clot when the liver is failing, thus she is going to attempt and stop the bleeding (and identify the source) by giving him frozen plasma, which as the MD explained is like "putting glue in the radiator to seal the break". As the test results were not back to the MD at the time of discussions, she could only speculate as to the various scenarios for us. I will give you some of them so you have a realistic understanding of where we are at currently - I do not want to unintentionally mislead anyone.----If the internal bleeding is in the stomach, he most likely will be taken off of the TPN, which is his only source of food. So the ultimate goal is to stop the bleeding, but his body is so ravaged from the cancer the MD can not promise this either. Dr. McCormick would like to stop the bleeding and continue the food in order that David can go home in a couple of days (Anne and I interpret as 4 days or Saturday based on past "predictions" of a couple of days) with hospice care and sitters to die comfortably, hopefully by slipping into a coma. But at this time, she is uncertain as to which way this will go, but she was very clear that it is a matter of days before David goes to HEAVEN. Upon my accountant mind inquiring as to what is meant by a "matter of days", she proceeded to explain to me that she can not put this in a box and say 2 days, 5 days or 10 days - cancer behaves differently in each patient's body, but it was reemphasized to me "a matter of days".----I hope I have not been too graphic for all of you, but with so many of you from out of town and many of you not having seen David on a regular basis over the last couple of months, I want to make sure you understand exactly where we are at in the end stages of our dear friend's life.----I have completed arrangements for a sitter who is on standby in hopes that David will be discharged to home in a few days for what the MD considers the "best scenario" for his final days. So for those of you who have expressed
an interest in assisting with sitters, I'm still proceeding on that front.----Please pray for a painless end for David and for the strength and support that Anne needs to get through the next few days and the future.----Addendum - Anne has asked for no visitors today as she would like to spend it with David and her family. I will update via email if this status changes. (Sent by Suzanne Haggard)

MARCH 7, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR DAVID NICOLAY--A late night update to everyone - It appears the MD's "ideal scenario" will occur, in that David is being discharged to go home in the am along with his TPN. The coagulents worked well and the internal bleeding as ceased. I expect they will be home by noonish. David slept alot today and the process of just going home will I'm sure wear him out. As I forgot to discuss with Anne a little while ago whether they will be up for calls and /or company I'll use prudent judgement and guess it will be Saturday at the earliest. I will be sure to check with Anne later tommorrow and update all of you at such time. Sitters will start on Saturday providing assistance to Anne seven days/week to provide her more relief than the "amateur sitters" have been providing. Thanks for all your prayers and support. (Sent by Suzanne Haggard)

MARCH 8, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR PAT PATTERSON--Pat is much worse and loosing ground each day in his fight with liver cancer. He is at the point that just getting up and trying to stir a little bit brings on terrible nausea and vomiting. His pain is being controlled pretty well by medication but the nausea is overwhelming. He has lost a lot of weight and is getting weaker each day. He has also begun having problems trying to urinate. Please pray for our Fathers immediate and merciful intervention for Pat. This is very hard for my mother seeing him deteriorate and suffer so much each day. Please pray also that God will give her the strength, faith and encouragement she needs so desperately to face this situation. I pray that God will shower his divine mercy and healing not only on Pat, but for all of those that are suffering so much each day. Thank you for your prayers. (Sent by Linda Moers)

MARCH 8, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR DAVID NICOLAY--Here's your Friday pm update as promised - David did go home today and is resting/sleeping comfortably at home. I inquired as to when visitors/phonecalls would be good for them, and Anne said anytime starting after 10:00am on Saturday (she emphasized the 10:00 am as she's wants to get a good night sleep as she slept at the hospital last night). Have a nice weekend everyone! (Sent by Suzanne Haggard)

MARCH 13, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR DAVID NICOLAY--I feel like I need to give you some news, but its a hard update to try and write.----A day sitter is fully engaged now to provide Anne assistance (except Anne thinks she's not covered for Friday's/Saturday's - I'm waiting on confirmation from Anne; if yes, will ask for male volunteers to assist with these days, as its getting to the point that Anne and her mother or sister in law are having problems managing David's needs due to his weight). I am ordering a hospital bed for the house in the am to assist them.----Sister Theresa of the Sisters of Servants of Mary sits nightly with Anne. So everyone is now getting a good night sleep to help with the emotional and physical challenges at hand.----Anne told me tonight that David has taken an even more severe downturn in the past 12 hours. Upon the advise of the nun, as we are worried that he could slip into a coma immeniently, Anne "gave David permission to let go and proceed to Heaven" tonight before he went to sleep.----I will keep you posted of significant changes in his progress. Its hard to send you all a daily update - I know you would all like one, but its emotionally challenging to try and write about the obvious. I will send you updates of any significant changes - positive (Please continue to pray for a devine healing) or negative.----In the interim, Anne and David are both very grateful to all of you for your prayers and varied support, in each of your own personal ways.----Addendum everyone - forgot to include last night - Anne's birthday is this Sunday - I suspect cards for those interested will be better than phonecalls or emails from all of us (ie, a gesture she doesn't have to answer). (Sent by Suzanne Haggard)

MARCH 15, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR DAVID NICOLAY--Wanted to send you an update before the weekend starts as I know many of these email addresses are work addressed.----David is resting comfortably - the hospital bed has made a world of difference in meeting his needs. The week was somewhat challenging as our dear friend did NOT like the nun sitter - she refused to come back - so we were back to square one. By luck, the day sitter Mary who has sat for multiple other "Wolfe's" and they love, has a brother who could jump in for some nights and we've engaged another night sitter through the Touro sitting service (the Director of Touro Home Health is working extra hard to take care of Anne's needs!). So we have paid sitters almost around the clock, vs the volunteer nuns.----I just talked to Anne - the male sitters can not provide all night sitting service.----The immediate gaps are Monday and Tuesday night. She needs someone from 7/8 to about midnight before the male sitter who gets there, so she can get a continued night sleep. I know many, many of you have emailed me to call you if assistance is needed, but honestly I am email overloaded right now in trying to "sort through" all the responses.----It would be of big help if there are any MALES (males with arm strength are working better for the pms - sorry ladies) who are available this coming Monday or Tuesday, if you could email me: Name, Telephone No., Which night is better for you.----I'll get back with the respondent volunteers to coordinate this for Anne.----Overall, David is resting peacefully. For those of you who wonder is "Suzanne an alarmist", I had a "personal sidebar" with the case manager yesterday. David's liver deterioiation can not be predicted exactly as every liver patient is different - its definitely deteriorating - but not as slow as they initially had thought it would when the internal bleeding surfaced last week. So we are just taking every day at a time and trying to ensure he is comfortable (Anne actually had the digital cable that hooks into his new Bose stereo system hooked up in the bedroom this past week which he's very happy about) - we've added daily reflexology massages for him which he loves. And we got rid of the Nun which made him happier than everything - he said she was a hitler Frankenstein!! And trying to keep Anne rested - the past two days seem to be her best in the last two weeks - so the "sitter impact" seems to be kicking in now.----Thank you for all your prayers and support. Have a nice weekend. (Sent by Suzanne Haggard)

MARCH 19, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR DAVID NICOLAY--Greetings everyone and many thanks to all of you for the prayers and concern. I believe God is listening to all of us as David is still with us and holding his own.----The oncologist visited us last night at home and indicated to him that she was keeping him on TPN for another few days (this is his IV food) There really has not been any change in his counts one way or the other- white cells went up but some of the liver enzymes went down which is good. Altogether though, it is about the same as a week ago. This is a blessing as we continue to pray for more days together and we are still getting them. The doctor believes that David is in the "trenches" and is still fighting and apparently she has not taken away his hope. We are hoping that she will not have to take him off of his IV food but if so- we pray that he will be able to eat on his own. You never know what God can do.----This may come as a surprise to many people- but I am sharing this so that everyone will pray about the situation and continue to pray for a divine healing. We are planning to attend a healing service on Friday, March 22nd. It will be at 2:00 pm at St. Stephen's church. It has been reported that a priest there has the gift of healing and we believe that there is no harm done in seeking this out. If it is God's will that David be healed, than it will be done. David was reluctant at first as this is in the Catholic church however, we made a trip over there about a week ago and there seemed to be very positive energy from it. The priest prayed with us and we both got a great sense of peace from the trip. David is also very happy that his sister who has not attended any kind of church in decades is joining us. There has been a good reconciliation there and I think that is tremendously positive and a big blessing. My feeling was that if God can talk through a donkey, than why can't he use a man. We invite any of you who would like to attend to join us in a caravan on Friday. It may be difficult to get David in the car but he is willing and so we want to make it happen. We will be departing at about 11:30 am. It takes awhile to get him in the car and the trip is about one and a half hours so we are giving ourselves enough time. If you are unable to attend (I know this goes far and wide) please keep us in your prayers as always. I am also asking for help in getting him in the car.----We cannot thank everyone enough for the prayers as well as God for the blessings we have received. David does not suffer and this is a huge blessing. It is difficult for him to communicate and that is frustrating for him so I ask for God's intercession in this especially.----I hope that everyone can feel the peace and love that we share -you all are a great comfort to us knowing that you are out there praying for us. May you feel like you are in the palm of His hand- I know we are. Much love, Anne (Sent by Anne Nicolay)

MARCH 21, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST FOR MARION & RACHEL WHITLOW, BILL POSTON AND UPDATE FOR J. BRYAN WHITLOW--My grandfather and great uncle are ill right now and need prayer. Grandfather Marion has dementia and general old age that requires assistance. It's wearing my grandmother, Rachel, out. Her brother, Uncle Bill, is facing tests to determine if he has malignant tumors in his lungs. He is a simple fella, retarded, with a mental capacity of about a ten year old. But, he held a job for 42 years at Burlington MIlls. Alot of folks in town know Bill Poston. He is 74. Marion will be 87 in April. Marion took care of his disabled and retarded daughter for 42 years, in his first marriage; good and kind man. Please keep these men in your prayers and ask God to allow them to fall asleep in a more peaceful manner, instead of suffering and pain. Thank you. J.Bryan Whitlow ( I should be going to 3rd shift around April 1, God has given me some space and taken some stress off, thanks for the prayers) (Sent by J. Bryan Whitlow)

MARCH 22, 2002--NAME CORRECTION--A prayer request dated March 21, 2002 for Marion & Rachel Whitlow, Bill Poston, and J. Bryan Whitlow----Should have read Marion & Rachel RANKIN----I am sorry for this mistake. There was no last name listed in the original prayer request, so I just assumed that it was Whitlow, because of who sent it. I apologize for this error on my part and I ask that people please correct this before sending cards, if possible. Thank you. Laura Lee

MARCH 22, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR BILL POSTON--Found out today that Uncle Bill has some malignacy in his lung, and it is potentially terminal. (squanous carsonoma) (spelling?) Please ask for healing and minimal pain. Thank you. (Sent by J. Bryan Whitlow)

MARCH 24, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST FOR JIM GRAVES--Jim is requesting prayers for himself. He is having problems with having angry outbursts at work, which he fears will lead to his eventually being fired. Please pray that Jim will be able to control his angry outbursts and remain working. (Written by Laura Lee--This came in via telephone.)

MARCH 25, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST FOR KENNETH WESTBY--This note is a simple request for your prayers. I am scheduled for quintuple heart bypass surgery this Friday. Tests last week revealed that many areas of my heart have severe blockages. I've been having symptoms of heart difficulties for some time. While I dread the ordeal, I look forward to the outcome of improved health and energy. Our life is always a matter of His providence, but moments like this make that truth starkly clear. Thank you. (Sent by Kenneth Westby)

MARCH 25, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR TYLER REYES--To Laura and everyone who has said a prayer for my little greatgrandson, Tyler Reyes: Thank you all so very much.
God has answered our prayers and brought him back home from the hospital. He is still a very sick little boy, but so much better than last month. He will yet have to have surgery to correct some problems, and he is being fed by a tube running into his tummy for the time being, but his color and alertness has returned. Thanks to all of you who sent cards. I received the packet from Laura and it has been forwarded. Thanks Laura. Tylers parents are going to be so plesantly surprised that so many people care. I was so saddened to hear of little Treasure's family loosing such a valuable part of their lives. I pray God will comfort them and that they ever be thankful for the blessings she left behind. ... Please continue to pray that God will heal Tyler completely. His parents, Eli and Stephanie, are under tremendous pressures, they need your prayers, too. My daughter, Tyler's grandmother, will be visiting Tyler next week end ... I will have more to report
when she returns home. Once again, may God bless you all, and thank you so much, from the bottom of our hearts. (Sent by Rhoda Foust)

MARCH 26, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR BILL POSTON--Uncle Bill will be getting radiation for the next month at an out-patient type facility. It's called squamous carcinoma. Cancer in the squamous cells of the lung. (I believe) Please pray that God will allow this procedure to be a success. (Sent by J. Bryan Whitlow)

MARCH 27, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST AND UPDATE FOR DAVID AND ANNE NICOLAY--I am really at a loss on the words to use to communicate what Anne has asked me to communicate to all of you. So this is my best attempt on her behalf.----I spoke to Anne approximately thirty minutes ago. David took a significant turn for the worse in the last 24 hours - his breathing has become significantly labored. Hospice has been called in and he's been taken off the TPN (this was his nutrition IV). While this has been a day by day situation for several weeks now as you could tell from the periodic emails from Anne and myself, for Anne to call in hospice care is a significant statement to me, as this is a step she has been significantly opposed to until today. Anne recounted to me "certain changes" in David's health in the
last 24 hours, which she believes are strong indicators that he will be passing to heaven either today or tommorrow. The hospice caretakers informed her that they do not believe he will be with us longer than tommorrow. While David's strength in the situation has been far greater than that which his MD's or caretakers expected over the last few weeks, its apparent that the situation has take a significant turn in the last 24 hours in my conversations with Anne.----Please pray for God to provide Anne and her family the strength they need at this time in their lives. (Sent by Suzanne Haggard)

MARCH 28, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST FOR ANNE NICOLAY--Our DEAR friend David joined his Savior approximately one hour ago, in a very peaceful and nonpainful way. His last words to Anne were "peace". Please continue your prayers for strength for Anne and her family.----In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions to any of the following: Touro Infirmary Foundation Cancer Fund, St. Jude's Hospital for Children Cancer Fund, or Operation Smile. Memorial Addresses:

Touro Infirmary Foundation - Cancer Fund
1401 Foucher Street
New Orleans, LA 70115

St Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105-1942

Operation Smile

National Address from Anne: Local Address:
6435 Tidewater Drive Suite 720
Norfolk, VA 23509 111 Veterans Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70005

Anne is holding pretty well. Please continue your prayers for her strength.----One last piece of information - Anne is leaving late this afternoon with Mom for some R&R with her Mother and Family and will not be returning until Sunday afternoon. (Sent by Suzanne Haggard & Valla Stewart) NOTE--This funeral will be on April 1, 2002 in Louisiana. Please email here if you need further details in order to attend. Laura Lee

MARCH 28, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST FOR DON & PETRA ESPOSITO--Please keep us in your prayers as the situation here in Jerusalem is getting quite bad. (Sent by Don & Petra Esposito)

MARCH 29, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST FOR DAWN BORNEMANN--Dawn recently had a misscarriage. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. (Phoned in by Dawn Bornemann)

MARCH 29, 2002--PRAYER REQUEST FOR A NORTH DAKOTA WOMAN AND HER CHILD--We received a report and prayer request for a North Dakota woman, whose life is in danger due to a physical/mental abuse situation. There has been an implied threat to her life and friends have lost total contact with the woman since the threat was made. Several people are worried for this woman's safety. (We are withholding all names of anyone involved for safety reasons. Laura Lee)