Another really good day for Lea today. She went through her 11th surgery this afternoon, and a small amount of dead tissue was removed from the pancreas, but she is otherwise looking good. According to Dr. Kirton, Chief Surgeon, he said that in similar cases he has seen in the past, Lea is much farther along than most people are at this time, simply because of her inner strength and desire to heal.
He said that while he was “cautiously optimistic” last Sunday, he is now a little less cautious, and a little more optimistic! He also made the statement that he and Dr. Mah have “marveled” at the drastic change in her condition since last Friday. Those are pretty strong words for a medical doctor! Remember that last Friday was a disappointing day!
Lea’s kidneys have been continually improving over the past few days, and she is now producing well over the minimal amount of urine for an adult, so she was not put back on dialysis after her surgery. It would be wonderful if her kidneys would kick in full force and be able to handle the purification of her blood. If not, she will have to go back on the dialysis machine until she can be weaned from it sometime in the future.
Lea had produced a temperature again after surgery, as she has done in the past, but this time it eventually went up to 103.2 degrees, a very high spike. I placed cool cloths on her forehead, and used another wet cloth to wipe her legs, feet and arms, while the nurse, Flo, located a fan tocool her, and took blood and urine samples to send off for cultures. It will take a couple of days to determine whether this was caused by an infection, but we soon had her temperature down to a more manageable 101.5.
Meanwhile, Flo was working on reducing a rash Lea developed on her left thigh. Although it has reduced in redness, it has been about the same size for over a week, and persists. We have eliminated other areas of redness by changing from a hospital provided body wash and lotion, to Aveeno fragrance-free items, and are hoping that this change will eliminate this persistent area as well.
I played a home-movie of the 1997 “Grandmom Camp”, in which Lea hosted our granddaughters, Lyndi and Megan, for a week filled with activities including crafts, cooking lessons, and themed activities. It was delightful to see Lea react to the voices on her headset . . . ranging from blinking of her eyes, wriggling her toes, and occasionally wrinkling her forehead. She is hearing, and recognizing the voices, and I look forward to when she can sit up and watch the action on screen again.
Glory to God for this marvelous healing, and thank you for your continued prayer support on Lea’s behalf.
Larry
Surviving God's Woodshed 
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March 28, 2007 at 9:49 am
Pray-ers
DAY TWENTY-FIVE RESPONSES
FROM: Gracie
Aug 9 @ 8:18 AM
Dave, Thank you for taking the time to respond to my letter. I wrote you out of loving concern and I am grateful that you understood my motive. I have become so emotionally involved with this family. I also believe nothing happens by accident and that there is a reason for everything. Your Brother’s letters have touched me deeply, he writes from the depth of his soul, I can’t help but feel the love. Kathy sent me Larry’s latest letter and the wonderful report how Lea is making strides forward. I believe in miracles, I’ve experienced many in my own life. Many in my family are involved in Lea’s healing also. Our prayers are with you.
———- Forwarded message ———-
FROM: David
To: Gracie
Aloha Gracie, Thank you for your note and expressing your concern. We aren’t in disagreement. We are relying totally upon God’s will and pray every day that we not resist His will. My note was intended to give all those with interest and concern for Lea a perspective on her status as well as all the efforts being made to meet her present and future needs.
Lea never signed her living will, so Larry has no legal basis to “pull the plug” as long as doctors maintain that she has higher brain functions. Her physical damage is limited to the pancreas, but the “bomb” was so major that all other organs in her abdomen shut down. We are praising God that her lungs are recovering and one of her kidneys is recovering. Case studies show that as long as there is recovery, there is hope. In the time since I drafted and sent my note, Lea’s prognosis has moved from a 15% chance of survival to something better than 50%. Tuesday’s surgery and Lea’s reaction/recovery from that surgery will be the best indication we have of the most recent assessment being reliable.
The Chief Surgeon and the Assistant Chief Surgeon were amazed to find healing and new tissue on Sunday. We are not amazed but give praise for His miraculous healing. In less than 48 hours He demonstrated His will for Lea and we will continue to give Him all the glory. Thank you for your notes of supports. Lea still has a long road to what we would call recovery. Please continue to pray for Lea to fulfill His will both here and for eternity.
FROM: Linda
Aug 9 @ 6:44 AM
Good morning, Just a note to let you know that we’re thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers daily. We’ve decided that when we sell our houses, we should all get together and throw a big block party like Atlanta has never seen. So, your job right now is to feel better really soon. We’re thinking of you.
PS Larry, I haven’t been able to make contact with Pat, although I have talked to Scott a couple of times. If you talk to her, will you tell her and Joe that we’re thinking about them, too? Take care of yourself.
REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Aug 9 @ 7:40AM
I sure will, Linda. Scott and I are with her every day. She doesn’t carry a cell phone, and isn’t on the internet, so it’s not easy to reach her. Thank Clint for calling me this past weekend. I apologize for not getting back to him, but it was a very stressful time. I appreciated his call a great deal, though. Best wishes.
FROM: Karen
Aug 9 @ 7:55 AM
HI, Larry and Lea, what a rollacoaster ride we have been thru, you have been terrific in keeping us updated daily on the progress or the down times. None of us have let up for a minute to keep the power of prayer going………………and going………………….You are remarkable Larry for doing this, Lea will be so proud of you when she gets to see how you took not only care of her,but all of the friends and family daily thru these updates. The boys also have been terrific to keep us posted if there was a special message being sent out that was needed. TAKE CARE AND WE LOVE ALL OF YOU WITH OUR WHOLE HEARTS.
From all of our famlies
Robert and Karen,
Rod, Connie, Ryan, Clayton and Kyle
Rich, Carrie, Matt, Scott,Jake and Kelsie
Mark, Malissa,Devin and Dylan
FROM: Dean
Aug 9 @ 8:33 AM
Larry, Thank you.
FROM: Pam
Aug 9 @ 8:34 AM
What a beautiful tribute to the love that Lea and you share. I hope that you also read what you write to Lea – or will, when she is more alert.
One of the things that I learned many years ago and have never forgotten, is that: God is in control of the universe and all of it’s facets, even when it appears that He is not. We may be taken through experiences that aren’t even meant for us, but for us to use to help someone else down the road who’ll benefit from our understanding, our compassion and God’s grace through us. If God allows us to walk through fire, it’s not only because He sees that we are strong enough, it’s to prune us and most often, to teach us. Many times the lesson is hard. Many times we don’t believe we can make it through this “lesson”. Many times the lesson is a life-changing one and we are reminded that God isn’t through with us yet, Hallelujah! (I believe very strongly that I, personally, have walked through many things that have given me insights and perspectives so that I may be of service to someone else. I’m so hardheaded that the lessons have been hard, I’ve slipped, but He’s picked me up, dusted me off, set me on the right path once again. Again, Hallelujah!)
Back to my reason for responding to this email message – you’ve made me aware that not everyone may agree with our prayer requests, not understand our love for Lea and our “pulling” for her recovery versus “giving her up to God”. I can only think that they don’t know our history, don’t understand the depth of our love for God. Maybe we’ve let that part go unsaid because it’s just plain natural for us to pray for God’s will. Maybe they don’t understand the power of prayer and how miraculous healing is possible. I don’t give them much thought and certainly don’t let them lay a guilt trip on me – I hope that you don’t either.
The things that you’ve shared have come from deep within you, and it has been beautiful to read. With each letter you’ve written has come deeper understanding, a stronger desire to support both of you. Please don’t stop pouring out your thoughts, it allows us to be a channel of strength back to both of you.
Every time I pray for Lea, I picture her face that last visit I made when I was grumbling about something – she was sitting in the parlor, can’t remember what she had in her hands, but I’d walked up with a one liner complaint like I so often do, and she looked up at me with those beautiful sparkly eyes and laughed. I can’t remember even what she said, but I see her pretty white teeth and those eyes that I’ve always envied looking up at me. I remember that we both laughed and there was that comfortable loving feeling that she always gives me when we’ve shared something between just the two of us. I look forward to many more moments like that.
Lea, you are so strong, we are so encouraged by the responses that you are able to give us. I know the energy that it takes for you to respond and I know that Jesus is with you every moment, helping you and restoring that energy so that you can respond again. I love you and I can’t wait to get to visit with you in person. Love & many, many, long, soft hugs to you both,
FROM: Lance
Aug 9 @ 8:53 AM
Mom, I can’t wait for the day when you can read this!!!!!!!!
Kristin and I are on our flight back to Austin from Hartford. It has been a long and emotionally draining week. You had us all convinced that you were going to die. It was terrible. I had never tried to imagine my life without you so soon. I always figured Dad would go and then you would follow 10-20 years down the road.
Your sister and brothers are all such wonderful people. And Christy and Dawn both remind me of you in so many ways. They all love you so much and would do anything for you. “Lea holds us together,” they kept saying. And then there’s Dad. He so much adores you it’s amazing. Link and I are convinced that he wouldn’t last long without you in his life. You are his core. You define him, truly.
It was hard to leave you today. I flew into Connecticut on Tuesday and arrived at Midstate Medical Center just in time to see you whisked away by a team of flight nurses and life-lined (airlifted by helicopter) to Hartford Hospital. Dad was completely worn out when I arrived, but he was surrounded by a wonderful nursing staff with whom he had obviously developed a significant bond over the three or four days the two of you were there.
Once Link arrived and we were able to get Dad as settled in as we could and prepared for a long stay in his new digs, we turned our focus forward. What could we do to help Mom & Dad? Well, the hardest part was trying to figure out what you would want us to do. And that wasn’t easy. Yes, you’re our mother and we have a decent idea, but even Dad confessed to not always knowing what you want. We knew we wanted to do something to help, but the last thing we wanted was to do anything that would upset you when (if) you came back to us. At first it was easy, because the doctors were saying that you would only be on the ventilator for a week. Then it was two. Now it’s several months… When will we see your beautiful smile again?!?
Well, we know for sure that you want to sell the house, because you and Dad agreed to that a few months ago. Great. Well, even as straight forward as that is, there’s still a catch. What if you come out of this experience with a change of heart? What if we sell the house and you get upset knowing that you won’t be able to return to your favorite place in the world? Even if we all chip in and buy you a beautiful house in Fishers, you could still be upset about not being able to return to the Walton House.
Well, after some soul searching and praying, I’ve decided the bottom line is this… You and Dad are going to be in Connecticut for what could possibly be as long as six months. If Link and I can get the house sold, minimize or eliminate your debt, and get you and Dad set up in a condo or house in Fishers, you’ll be able to return to Indiana and get your feet back on the ground and on the road to recovery. If we rent a place for a year, you can return to work for as long as you want, and you won’t feel like you have to decide right away what you want to do or where you want to go or who you want to be, etc. Success to me is two things: one, to relieve you of as much burden as possible and allow you to start again; and two, to do so in a manner that is as close as possible to the way you would want things done.
I have thought a lot about this approach and have discussed it at lengths with Link and Dad. We all agree it’s the right approach. As hard as it was to decide whether or not you’d be happy with Link and I having sold the house, it occurs to me now that would be the easiest part. The hardest part of the process will be deciding what items in the house you would want to keep and which items you wouldn’t want. Wow, what a nightmare. I’m really setting myself up for disaster here. Nonetheless, Kristin and I are driving to Indiana tomorrow to get the move started. It won’t be easy being there without you and Dad, but
it’s something that I’m convinced is necessary and appropriate….
I love you, Mom! Call me soon!
FROM: Jennifer
Aug 9 @ 9:59 AM
Larry – Greg has kept us informed of your situation. But I wanted you to know that I keep you and Lea in my daily prayers. You are both so strong and couragous. I don’t know that I could face such an adversity with the grace and dignity that the two of you have. Please know that you are remembered and many, many prayers are with you.
REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Aug 9 @ 10:39 AM
Thank you, Jennifer, for your prayers. It is amazing to see how prayers are working on this receiving end! The entire family is in awe of God’s workings in this situation, and we are particularly pleased to see how He is working through us to bring others closer to Him.
FROM: Gracie
Aug 9 @ 10:07 AM
Thanks again for sharing with us your wonderful loving relationship with Lea. I now evaluate my relationships differently and try to make each moment count. I love the essence of this Lady Lea, who you describe so well.
FROM: Gracie
Aug 9 @ 10:16 AM
This is from one of my sisters, her name is Jeanne and she is totally deaf. She has been deaf since the age of three. She has a glowing spirit and brings us all great JOY. Jeanne reads your letters and sends her thoughts my way. I too have a large loving family, I am blest. Yet now my family is extended. lol
———- Forwarded message ———-
FROM: Jeanne REF: Larry & Lea Update from Dave
That is a very sweet warm and honest letter from Dave. Both of the brothers are so warm and intelligent, not common with men especially when it comes to writing or communication. They cover all the bases, we get to know everything. I have to admire both of the men. They express their thoughts with their fingers, like it is nothing for them. It is wonderful Lea is going to make it. Larry and Leah will continue to have wonderful lives together. They are still granted such. I would love to see them all. They all are beautiful people. So are Kathy, her husband and her brothers. I am glad to get to know Cory’s sweet uncles. I hope they can help with our house someday, who knows what the future wil bring. Gracie you have many new friends, that is so wonderful.
FROM: Kathryn
Aug 9 @ 10:53 AM
Hello Larry, Greg was kind enough to share your update on Lea with us yesterday, and I was moved and comforted by your words of love and faith. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us.
The restructuring of the Latitude team turned out to be a blessing for me, as my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer shortly after we got the news, and it made it possible for me to move back to Canada from Phoenix to be with her. The months I spent supporting her as she grew weaker were as wonder-filled as they were difficult, and I have found it hard to describe to anyone else what we experienced together. But those conversations of love and support and acceptance that you described, while unique for each of us, remind me of the blessing it was to be by her side at such a difficult time, and your words of faith help to ease the pain I still feel at her eventual passing. For her, it was time to go, and being with her during her last breaths is something I will always cherish and thank God for.
Thank you so much, Larry, for your grace and inspiration. You and Lea continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, and I pray that God will help Lea to continue to grow stronger and recover quickly, if that should be His will.
FROM: Gracie
Aug 9 @ 11:06 AM
Dearest Larry, Here is another loving letter from my sister Jeanne. She reminded me again of our dear sweet loving spiritual friend, Sandra, who has been my dearest friend since high school. Even though I seldom see her, she still remains my dearest friend. She is very intelligent but more than that she’s perceptive and lovingly open to all. She has no friend she holds in higher esteem than another, she just has deeper depths in her relationships. . She too writes beautifully although today she’s totally blind. Awe, I love her. It was lovely she put her in a category with Lea and you.
———- Forwarded message ———-
FROM: Jeanne
Oh Gracie, soooo beautiful, can’t help loving that man. I hope you all get to meet each other when Lea is well. She is going to love you, too. His religion is not preachy, it is so clean and forthright honest and allowing God to control their lives. He responses loving, especially to you and others and covers all the bases. This is a grand life…. Lea with her LOVING spiritual walk is drawing other people that she has never seen into their lives, she is so giving and has full of wonderful useful, loving, attracting, spiritual energy. Amazing . . . another Sandra . . . .
FROM: Cathy
Aug 9 @ 11:20 AM
Larry, Thanks for sharing your amazing faith. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
—–Forwarded Message—–
FROM: Greg
To: DBM Webhosts
Hello Everyone: Larry has me on an e-mail list and I get these updates from him nearly everyday. I just thought I would send this one to you all to keep you informed of the situation he and his wife are going through. It’s hard not to be touched by the thoughts the two of them share.
FROM: Suzie
Aug 9 @ 12:44 PM
Larry, as you will recall, I am Kellie’s friend that visited your home some years ago with Doug. I wanted to let you know that Kellie has been keeping me updated with Lea’s progress and I have been sending much love and prayers your way. I have always thought you both were incredible and amazing people and this just reiterates the true fact that you are. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you. Love and prayers.
FROM: Link
Aug 9 @ 2:13 PM
Dad – Can you please add Craig Powell to your distribution list? Craig works and goes to church with me… His wife Margie is a friend of Deanna’s and his two daughters are close with Lyndi and Megan. They are all praying for Mom and want to keep in the loop without having to ask me about her each day.
FROM: Dean
TO: David REF: Larry & Lea Update from Dave
Aug 9 @ 5:36 PM
Dave, Thank you for including me during this very difficult time. I have been impressed by your family’s closeness and Larry’s dedication and love for Lea. I look forward to meeting you.
— David wrote:—
Aloha Dean, Larry has been lifted daily by your notes of support. He is amazed by all the support for Lea and your contribution has not gone unnoticed. I look forward to meeting you … Kristen obviously comes from a family of admirable character.
FROM: Ben and Joni
Aug 8 @ 7:59 PM
Hello! How awesome to hear that Lea is doing so much better!! Mom forwards me the updates (I usually get them the next day as she reads her email after I’ve gone to bed) and I look forward to hearing of her great advancements. I’m especially glad to hear that they’ve backed off of her sedatives so that she can communicate a little more with you. The eyebrows can really say a lot!!
Over the past few weeks I’ve been going over in my mind all of the wonderful memories I have of your family! You guys were always the one’s I looked forward to seeing the most whenever we had family reunions!! Going down to Scolfields ( I think that was the name of the restaurant) for those giant tenderloin sandwiches and hanging out by the pool at the Holiday Inn. Once Lea gets better maybe we can get together in Hannibal again just like old times. (It wouldn’t be the same without the Vaughn’s!) Especially now since I’ve got a child (and 1/2) of my own!!….and of course an incredibly handsome and itty husband!!
Anyway, I just wanted to check in with you and let you know that we’re still a prayin’ away for God’s will and Lea’s speedy recovery!! It’s amazing the power of prayer!! I love you both very much.
FROM: John
Aug 9 @ 8:26 PM
Dear Larry, You don’t know me – I am Kristen Niemeyer’s cousin John Donaldson. My aunt Marlowe has been faithfully forwarding your messages and updates from New Mexico to here in Singapore, where my wife and I recently moved. I just wanted to let you know that you and Lea and your family are being prayed for here. I wish to encourage you during this stressful and harrowing time. James advice isn’t easy: “whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy.” Joy? Perhaps at times. But certainly these trials are increasing endurance, from which can spring a range of amazing things, says James. I hope that the next trial we face, we will remember you and your example and try to approximate this verse to the best of our ability.
FROM: Barb S
Aug 9 @ 8:49 PM
Hi! We were so happy for you when we got your email this morning. It is good to have more good news. God is listening to our prayers!! Hope Lea had another good day after her surgery today. That would be wonderful. Hope we see more good days than bad ones. She has been through so much. She is a fighter!
Pray that Joe is doing better too. He to has been through a lot. He and Lea will have quite a story to tell when they get better! Well, I’m out of here. Just wanted to let you know we were thinking of you and that I am sticking a package in the mail tomorrow for Lea so kind of watch for it. Love you both. You’re in our prayers.
FROM: Carol
Aug 9 @ 10:04 PM
Happiness keeps You Sweet, Trials keep You Strong, Sorrows keep You Human, Failures keeps You Humble, Success keeps You Glowing, But Only God keeps You Going! You are so special!
FROM: Carol
Aug 9 @ 10:14 PM
Larry, Thought you might Like to see this:
—–Forwarded Message—–
FROM: Scott
Flt C-21 Qatar (Persian Gulf)
Mom, I have been sharing the “Lea Updates” with some friends or mine and more than one or two have responded with tears. They express to me how wonderful Larry & Lea and the family seem to be. They have also talked about how heart wrenching this is. I believe God is really at work here. Not just in healing Lea and keeping Larry lifted but also in touching countless other lives. God’s love is amazing and the more you share it the more you get. How has Grandpa been? I am praying for you and dad as always. I love you both and look forward to coming home. Love you….
FROM: Gayle
Aug 9 @ 10:18 PM
Hey Lea and Larry, Just wanted to write a quick note and let you know that I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.
I have been really busy with school getting things set up for the new school year, etc. I now have 19 students, 8 of them being ESE (exceptional students with varying medical, emotional, or academic problems). It is challenging but a good class! I have several pictures that I took and was going to share one (and still will) but we need to have time to look at the camera, etc. and maybe reinstall the software because of course, the computer is being contrary!!
We played a fun game at school the other day ( a class builder to promote unity). I got pics of that, too. I divided the class into two groups and the kids held hands. I tossed a balloon in the center of the group and they had to keep the balloon up in the air but could not let go of hands. They just had to move the whole circle and use their hands, heads, knees, etc. to keep the balloon in the air. Of course, we had to get over the usual oohs and yuks of holding hands–10 year olds, you know!! It was fun, funny, and something all of us would have enjoyed maybe a few years ago when our bones worked better!!!
Jim is busy at work, but enjoys it. We are both going to be taking some classes in the next few weeks. Jim will be in Tampa during the days. My class will be on Tues/Thurs. in the evenings not too far from home. I am not looking forward to the long days!!
Our kids are doing fine, but I did send Angie’s oldest two a couple of new school outfits the other day, and her 3 yr. old, Dalton, was mad—not because he didn’t get clothes but because he didn’t get some pencils!! Angie said like he needed those to draw on the walls with!! Of course, I just sent him and Landon a pkg. which included Spiderman pencils and a writing tablet!!
I better go for now and get some things done for school. Remember I love you both and will always, always, have you in my prayers.
FROM: Carol
Aug 9 @ 11:28 PM
Lea & Larry,
Sometimes as I read the updates I feel as if I were there with you. I feel the pain, worry, love, and happiness…mostly I feel the presence of God through it all. I don’t think we will ever know how many people have been affected by this, but we do know that God is working wonders in many different ways. It saddens me to know that we (cousins) have lost touch (for the most part) and it takes a catastrophe to bring us back together, but the love we shared as children is still in our hearts. I send the updates to Scott daily and read them to Sharon and we all pray for you both daily. If there is more we can do please don’t hesitate to ask.
FROM: Dean
Aug 9 @ 11:35 PM
Dear Larry, Lea is going to make it – thanks to your love and support and to the healing mercy of God. I feel it in my bones!
REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Aug 10@ 7:16 AM
Thank you, Dean. I apologize for not responding to your earlier messages in a more timely manner. I wanted to take a moment to dash off a response this morning before heading to the hospital to be with Lea. I don’t think we will ever know how many people have been affected by this, but we do know that God is working wonders in many different ways. Lance and I are working on a way of sharing news of this work on another website he is setting up. It wil be a great testimony to how God works through others to reach His flock.