David Cale Fund
Donation protected
On March 16 of this year David suffered a severe brain hemorrhage, resulting in a massive stroke. This greatly affected his motor skills, speech, and his ability to breathe on his own. It also completely paralyzed his right side from the face to his foot. His wife, Gay, and children Preston and Charity, were given little to no hope that David would ever leave the Neuro ICU of The Medical Center of Plano alive. But by the prayers and visits of friends, family, co-workers at Halliburton, and fellow church members David was able to rather quickly progress. On April 2 he was transferred to an acute long-term care hospital where he was weaned off the ventilator and made incredible progress in his ability to communicate. Because of his progress he was then moved to a skilled nursing home to receive physical and speech therapy. He responded great to both therapies and in only a few weeks from being admitted to this facility David was able to stand for the first time in several months with the help of his therapists (see photo). His feeding tube was removed and for the first time since he suffered the stroke he was able to eat real food. Anyone who knows David understands what a wonderful day that was for him! The staff at first brought him soft, squishy stuff to eat but within 24 hours he had downed as much “real” food as they were permitted to give him.
We all rejoiced with him for these miracles that seemed an impossibility during those dark days in March. But it was a short-lived victory as soon setbacks began to occur and Emergency Room visits and Hospital admissions became more frequent. David was no longer able to stand up with assistance and would lapse into what seemed to be depression and despondency. Gay often commented that something was just not right. David’s spontaneous singing of “Happy Birthday to You” and other expressions of an elevated mood disappeared and he lost his ability to use what little speech that he had regained.
On August 22, while holding his hand, Gay noticed that David was either having a seizure or another stroke. After assessing him the staff called 911 and had him taken to the Medical Center of McKinney where a large tumor was detected on his brain. He was immediately transferred back to The Medical Center of Plano for more testing and diagnosis. There the doctors made the determination that the tumor was more than likely a metastasis of David’s kidney cancer 7 years ago, and scheduled him for surgery to remove it. They expected to be able to remove the tumor completely and even had great hope of David regaining most of his ability to speak, move, and even be able to go home and resume much of his former life. Everyone was hopeful and excited about this prognosis the afternoon that David was taken into surgery. But when the surgeon came out to speak to the family after the surgery was done, everything had changed. Several of those present commented that Dr. Dickerman was very shaken when he had to deliver the devastating news that the tumor was indeed cancerous, but not the treatable renal cell cancer that he had been so positive about. And instead of being the size of an egg it was the size of a man’s hand and had infiltrated the entire brain.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, Gay received the pathology report and prognosis: untreatable Glioblastoma and a life expectancy of approximately two months. Needless to say this has been a severe blow to Gay, Preston, Charity, and Ronald and Jackie Cale, along with all of David’s family, friends, and Church family. Since March 16 Gay has spent all but three nights by David’s bedside, and has fought through the maze of insurance and paper work that is required for any government assistance that they may be eligible for. Only a couple of days before David fell ill this last time he was finally approved for Disability through Social Security. But that will not be in effect until late-October. She and David will be without any income between September 10 and October 28 (if indeed Disability income does happen as planned). David will soon be moved to a hospice facility in the Conroe / Woodlands area to be closer to his parents and family, and the transportation from Dallas will cost several thousand dollars. Although Gay will continue to stay with David as much as is permitted, she and Preston will also have the expense of a short-term apartment nearby the facility along with everyday living expenses. Preston will need to take a long-term leave of absence from his job in Dallas to be close to his Dad during these final weeks, resulting in a loss of income during that time. As you can imagine this is the most trying of times for everyone. Although there is nothing that any of us can do to take away the pain of these next few weeks, and the future that David’s family is facing, it is possible for us to help alleviate the financial burden and stress of these coming months. We so appreciate any financial donation that you could make toward getting David “home” to Montgomery County where he can be loved and visited by so many of his old friends and family during whatever time God grants him. We still believe in the miraculous healing power of prayer and covet your prayers and thoughts during this time.
We all rejoiced with him for these miracles that seemed an impossibility during those dark days in March. But it was a short-lived victory as soon setbacks began to occur and Emergency Room visits and Hospital admissions became more frequent. David was no longer able to stand up with assistance and would lapse into what seemed to be depression and despondency. Gay often commented that something was just not right. David’s spontaneous singing of “Happy Birthday to You” and other expressions of an elevated mood disappeared and he lost his ability to use what little speech that he had regained.
On August 22, while holding his hand, Gay noticed that David was either having a seizure or another stroke. After assessing him the staff called 911 and had him taken to the Medical Center of McKinney where a large tumor was detected on his brain. He was immediately transferred back to The Medical Center of Plano for more testing and diagnosis. There the doctors made the determination that the tumor was more than likely a metastasis of David’s kidney cancer 7 years ago, and scheduled him for surgery to remove it. They expected to be able to remove the tumor completely and even had great hope of David regaining most of his ability to speak, move, and even be able to go home and resume much of his former life. Everyone was hopeful and excited about this prognosis the afternoon that David was taken into surgery. But when the surgeon came out to speak to the family after the surgery was done, everything had changed. Several of those present commented that Dr. Dickerman was very shaken when he had to deliver the devastating news that the tumor was indeed cancerous, but not the treatable renal cell cancer that he had been so positive about. And instead of being the size of an egg it was the size of a man’s hand and had infiltrated the entire brain.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, Gay received the pathology report and prognosis: untreatable Glioblastoma and a life expectancy of approximately two months. Needless to say this has been a severe blow to Gay, Preston, Charity, and Ronald and Jackie Cale, along with all of David’s family, friends, and Church family. Since March 16 Gay has spent all but three nights by David’s bedside, and has fought through the maze of insurance and paper work that is required for any government assistance that they may be eligible for. Only a couple of days before David fell ill this last time he was finally approved for Disability through Social Security. But that will not be in effect until late-October. She and David will be without any income between September 10 and October 28 (if indeed Disability income does happen as planned). David will soon be moved to a hospice facility in the Conroe / Woodlands area to be closer to his parents and family, and the transportation from Dallas will cost several thousand dollars. Although Gay will continue to stay with David as much as is permitted, she and Preston will also have the expense of a short-term apartment nearby the facility along with everyday living expenses. Preston will need to take a long-term leave of absence from his job in Dallas to be close to his Dad during these final weeks, resulting in a loss of income during that time. As you can imagine this is the most trying of times for everyone. Although there is nothing that any of us can do to take away the pain of these next few weeks, and the future that David’s family is facing, it is possible for us to help alleviate the financial burden and stress of these coming months. We so appreciate any financial donation that you could make toward getting David “home” to Montgomery County where he can be loved and visited by so many of his old friends and family during whatever time God grants him. We still believe in the miraculous healing power of prayer and covet your prayers and thoughts during this time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amber Walters Pitts
Organizer
Bellville, TX
Gay Cale
Beneficiary
