We Can Feel the Prayers

This beautiful painting was created by Jack Sorenson, a good friend of Ray and family. It was presented to the family at the recent Diocesan Respect Life Banquet in Amarillo.

Update: We are all feeling a tremendous amount of grace. Actually, I can't speak for everyone, but I know that I and his immediate family are feeling your prayers!!! Keep them coming.

We miss you, Raymond! We miss you!

-Sr. Mary Michael posting (with Kim's permission)

Video of Ray's Life and Family -- Enjoy!

Stories about Raymond ?

We realize that there are many stories that people would like to share about Ray. We invite you to post them here on the comments. We'd love to hear more about how Raymond touched people's lives.

The funeral this morning was very nice. The sun came out shining upon us. (We're going to miss you, Raymond!!! We love you SO much!)

If Ray were here, I think he'd be telling us this:

"If you were touched by my life (only possible with God's Grace), then go ahead and have an inspiring life yourself. Ask God for the grace, say YES to Him on a daily basis, and live the paradox of the Gospel: faith, hope, and love."

Post your stories here if you like . . . or write Kim a letter.

God bless you all! "You're precious!"

-Sr. Mary Michael, OSF

Obituary

http://www.schoolerfuneralhome.com/services.asp?page=odetail&id=12412&locid=44

Funeral Arrangements

• Rosary at St. Thomas on Sunday evening -- 6:30 p.m.
• Funeral Mass in Nazareth on Monday morning -- 10:30 a.m.
• Dinner to follow in the Community Hall

The Fight is Over

Ray's body began to shut down last night. They called us in and there was really nothing else they could do for him.....

Ray died peacefully this morning surrounded by family. He quit breathing as they finished the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Details on rosary and funeral will be posted as we know about them.

Same Today

Things are about the same today. The Drs. have cautioned us about watching all the numbers and looking for quick improvements. We're told recovery is going to be an "arduous" process, and not to get discouraged when numbers that need to go up tend to decline. To keep it all in perspective, one Dr. said it's "like trying to tell time by only looking at the second hand." There's so much to the big picture.

Encouraging news, WBC is going up so that's good news for the immune system. Letting him rest tonight with 100% oxygen while on the ventilator. We're hoping to decrease that percentage of O2 ASAP.

Thanks for all the prayers, visits, phone calls, food, laughter and tears.
More later.
Love you all,
Kim

Waiting and Waiting

The pulmonologist said that things are a little more improved from yesterday. White blood count continues to improve, so that's a good sign. We wished it would improve faster, but we'll take what we get.

We're told that things should be more clarified by the end of the week, which means we should be able to tell more about how Ray's body is responding and recovering.

The oncologist said he plans to do a bone marrow biopsy in a few days as those results will also be a determining factor for future treatment.

Thank you all for your love and support!

This Family of Faith

Things look better than they did 24 hours ago. The doctors are a little encouraged by the immune system recovering, and the body being given a chance to rest and heal with the help of the ventilator. The doctors are quick to add that things could get worse at any moment. We really do not know for sure what is going to happen (this top paragraph is from Kim).

I have to say, it's so edifying to watch this family of faith. We love Ray SO much! He has lived a good life. He and Kim and their family have touched so many people. Now in this time of waiting, we are crying, we're grieving, we're hoping, we're telling funny stories about Raymond that we remember, we're laughing. We are a people of faith. We know down deep in our hearts that whatever happens, he and we will be okay. We have high hopes that he will get out of this mess and get back to a normal life. But we also know that that may not be in the Father's Plan. He has had every saint relic in Texas, he's been blessed with some of them by priests, he's had every holy person pray for him, over him and bless him. If he still does not survive this, he will be going to his goal of life and ours -- eternal life!

Thank you all for your prayers and love. We can feel them! May God's Will be done!

Thank you, Raymond, for teaching us and leading us in this family of faith. We're reaping the beautiful fruit of your life and love in our lives.
-Your little sis, Sr. M.Mich.

Keep the Prayers and Love Coming

Ray was struggling to breathe this morning. He's in ICU on a ventilator now. He's not doing well. Please keep the prayers coming.
-posted for Kim by Sr. Mary Michael, OSF

Early Morning

I wish I could say things are so much better on this early Monday morning, but they just are not. The big concern now, is what's going on in the lungs. Back in November when the lung biopsy showed a fungus in the lungs, well now it appears (the fear) that after Ray being immune suppressed for so long that possibly the fungus has had a chance to spread. Ray has been on two anti fungal antibiotics since November, but it was explained to us that the fungus is never completely eliminated, you only try to contain it. Only a biopsy would show for sure what is happening in the lungs, and another biopsy is totally out of the question. X-rays show more infiltrations in the lungs, blood work shows very little immune system, and spiking temps still a big problem. We're locked into numbers. The Dr.'s words Sunday morning: "It doesn't look good."

Nighttime is always a bad time for Ray, which makes it hard for me to leave. I went home last night around 10:00, and came back this morning around 5:00. He does need a lot of help and is always needing a drink. Andy & Britteny were here most of Saturday, and Amber & Steve drove down yesterday afternoon. Ryan is also in & out often. I'm thankful I can be here as much as I can.

Love you all,
Kim

P.S. Happy Birthday, Becky! Man, you're getting old!!