- F
- J
- L
On Sunday, August 7, our beloved Doug spiked a fever, and was acting strange. He was brought to the ER by his wife, as something just seemed "off". Expecting it to be an infection, and to be sent home with some antibiotics, Doug and Sherry were more than shocked when the doctor came in with the announcement "You have a massive brain tumor". Doug was admitted to ICU that night, with tentative plans to have the tumor surgically removed on Tuesday or Wednesday.
However, in the early morning hours Monday morning, his neurological status began a rapid decline. The neurosurgeon rounded on him, and decided to take him in for emergency surgery just a few hours later. When the tumor was removed, we were hit with the facts: Grade Four Glioblastoma Multiforme- the most aggressive form of brain cancer. There were no documented survivors. Doug's case was complicated with the fact that his tumor had spread to his brainstem, and therefore the surgeon could not remove all of it. We had a long road of chemo and radiation ahead of us.
The next morning, on his post-operative scans, we discovered that his rapid decline the day before was due to two strokes caused by the swelling around the tumor. Over the next two days, as he started to clear up from sedation, we realized that he had lost his speech, and use of his entire right side. He progressed out of ICU, and began working with therapy. We wanted him to go to the in-house rehab unit after discharge, as we felt more comfortable that he would remain close to his doctors in the event something happened. We were told repeatedly that he would not qualify for such an intense rehab. But, the Lord came through, and with Doug's hard work, he qualified! Just nine days after two strokes and massive brain surgery, he was discharged to rehab!
Three days later, he was readmitted to ICU with a new stroke. No new complications came of this stroke, and he was back in rehab in three days!
However, eight days later, after some good progress, Doug went completey unresponsive. There was no explanation for why. All of his scans, tests, and cultures were negative. He was able to maintain his own breathing and vital signs, so never needed any life support. A week later, with no progress, we started to have some tough discussions.
On Monday, September 12, we brought Doug home on hospice care. Thankfully, before any of this had happened, he had made his wishes known to his family, in case of just such an event.
All the while, his friends and family prayed and believed for a miracle. We knew our God was bigger than this, and could absolutely choose to heal Doug. While we waited for our miracle, we wanted to respect Doug's wishes and choices.
On Friday evening, September 16, just 40 days after he was first diagnosed, Doug went home to be with his Savior. Doug had his healing, just not on this side of heaven. While we miss him immensely, we rejoice in his victory.
We were not going to set up one of these pages, but so many people have asked us how they can donate, so we decided to go ahead and set up a page. Any money raised here is to go toward covering medical bills and funeral costs.
Please know, that your continued prayers are even more valuable to us than any monetary gift. We love you all, and thank you for being a part of this hard journey.
Thank you,
Krystin Bejian
(step-daughter)
However, in the early morning hours Monday morning, his neurological status began a rapid decline. The neurosurgeon rounded on him, and decided to take him in for emergency surgery just a few hours later. When the tumor was removed, we were hit with the facts: Grade Four Glioblastoma Multiforme- the most aggressive form of brain cancer. There were no documented survivors. Doug's case was complicated with the fact that his tumor had spread to his brainstem, and therefore the surgeon could not remove all of it. We had a long road of chemo and radiation ahead of us.
The next morning, on his post-operative scans, we discovered that his rapid decline the day before was due to two strokes caused by the swelling around the tumor. Over the next two days, as he started to clear up from sedation, we realized that he had lost his speech, and use of his entire right side. He progressed out of ICU, and began working with therapy. We wanted him to go to the in-house rehab unit after discharge, as we felt more comfortable that he would remain close to his doctors in the event something happened. We were told repeatedly that he would not qualify for such an intense rehab. But, the Lord came through, and with Doug's hard work, he qualified! Just nine days after two strokes and massive brain surgery, he was discharged to rehab!
Three days later, he was readmitted to ICU with a new stroke. No new complications came of this stroke, and he was back in rehab in three days!
However, eight days later, after some good progress, Doug went completey unresponsive. There was no explanation for why. All of his scans, tests, and cultures were negative. He was able to maintain his own breathing and vital signs, so never needed any life support. A week later, with no progress, we started to have some tough discussions.
On Monday, September 12, we brought Doug home on hospice care. Thankfully, before any of this had happened, he had made his wishes known to his family, in case of just such an event.
All the while, his friends and family prayed and believed for a miracle. We knew our God was bigger than this, and could absolutely choose to heal Doug. While we waited for our miracle, we wanted to respect Doug's wishes and choices.
On Friday evening, September 16, just 40 days after he was first diagnosed, Doug went home to be with his Savior. Doug had his healing, just not on this side of heaven. While we miss him immensely, we rejoice in his victory.
We were not going to set up one of these pages, but so many people have asked us how they can donate, so we decided to go ahead and set up a page. Any money raised here is to go toward covering medical bills and funeral costs.
Please know, that your continued prayers are even more valuable to us than any monetary gift. We love you all, and thank you for being a part of this hard journey.
Thank you,
Krystin Bejian
(step-daughter)
Organizer and beneficiary
Sherry Prescott
Beneficiary