Ole' Blue Eyes

I was so surprised when I went to the hospital today - I was expecting Stew to be out of it for at least another day or two, but I walked in and saw those blue eyes opened for the first time in 2 days! Of course, he couldn't see 3 inches in front of his face, but that was fine with me! Blurred vision is part of the process of healing from brain surgery, and by the time I left earlier this evening, he commented that my earring was twisted...meaning that he had great improvement in just a few hours.

The greatest part of the day was his great sense of humor...he was his old self, teasing his siblings mercilessly, and ate enough food for a small army. I still can't believe all the junk he ate today...steak, lobster, milkshake, candy bars, (?!), pudding, on the list goes. Hey, didn't he have brain surgery yesterday?!

The great part about this surgery is that they left the actual brain hemispheres alone, operating on the base of the brain where the pituitary gland is. We won't have to deal with so much of the therapy and recovery that is involved if the brain itself is operated on. I know parts of it were moved, but not affected beyond that. I think. (I dropped out of medical school early on...can you tell? ha.) Anyway, all that to say he was spared much.

Tomorrow is some sort of physical therapy, then I'll probably have to drive all over downtown Ft. Worth collecting assorted foods that he thinks he must have since he's in the hospital. We will spoil him.

There are still SO many tubes running hither and yon...I will be glad when they are removed.

Tired! Have a great night,
Denise

A Peaceful Evening

Stew is recovering in his ICU suite, and doing so well. He has said some funny things, like his "hat hurts." He has a turban to keep the swelling down, and he does NOT like it! He has wiggled out of it a couple of times, but on it goes again. He is resting peacefully, and we are all "decompressing" after such a tumultuous, scary and very unpredictable 3 weeks. He is not a fan of our weenie dog, Kiki, so Tiffany thought it would be funny to put a stuffed one in bed with him at the hospital. What?! He isn't going to appreciate this when he wakes up. :)

There are really no words to thank you for all you have done. I haven't cooked a meal, I haven't stood alone, and I haven't turned to the right or the left without someone at my side to support my family. These are the types of things that you wonder in the back of your mind if you could really handle if it happened; one minute we were living life, the next minute, wondering how we would fight the mountain of a brain tumor. It has been a life-changing event for me personally, one that has filed down some rough edges of some things that just aren't worth worrying about in my life anymore.

Life is SO SHORT! No more nagging Stew about going too fast over speed bumps, :) :), I think I'll make him a few more meat loafs (ughhh...but perhaps for the sake of love I can endure them ocassionally!), I will clip the dog's nails before Christmas, and NEVER miss choir practice, (well, almost never). I will listen when he says to take my vitamins even though I always claim I am too busy to do stuff like that, and, above all, I will pray that I have another 28 years with this wonderful man.

Stew will be in the hospital for about a week, so more updates to come! Enjoy them with a cup of coffee and a heart of thankfulness!

Love,
Denise

When the Rain Gives Way To Sunshine

We awoke to thunderous storms, hardly making it to the hospital on time. We sat in stand-still traffic for 30 minutes, and I looked around and wondered how I could be setting in a terrible storm going to my husband's brain surgery. We finally arrived, and found him to be the calmest I have ever seen him...without meds!! We had intense family prayer and he finally went into surgery.

He was in surgery less than 2 hours, and the surgeon gave us the wonderful news that it was indeed a pituitary gland tumor, they were able to get almost all of it, they didn't see any aggressiveness in the biology of the tumor that would cause it to grow again, and that it is not cancerous! How could we ask for more?

I am so relieved I can hardly breathe right now. I am just glad his now bald head is closed up, and that he is back in his ICU suite.

Going to see him right now!

Love you,
Denise

Hospital Update

Hi Friends,

Just a short update to let you know the surgery has begun. We are being updated hourly via phone call from the operating room. Everything is going well as far as we know. We are waiting patiently and in good spirits. Again, there is a room on the 5th floor for friends and church members to sit and pray in. Our family has been making visits up there to see everyone, update them and pray. Thank you for your prayers

Love,

Tiffany

It's Finally Here..

Tommorow morning is the surgery at 7:30am. We are on the second floor at Plaza Medical Center in dowtown Fort Worth. Stewart is still in the Neuro-ICU. ( I just know I have said that a few times now, so sorry if you already know.) They are setting up a special room for friends and church family that wants to come for support and prayer tommorow. Stewart is in good spirits tonight, and we are just so ready for this to be over. We are leaving around 5:45am in the morning to get there and be able to see and pray with him. Only family will be able to see and pray with him in the early morning, but we will be keeping everyone updated who is there. I don't think I will be able to update the blog until tommorow night, possibly Friday. Also, feel free to call North Fort Worth Baptist Church if you want additional info..they should be updated during the day tommorow. The number to the church is 817-232-8210.

We are so thankful to be able to see our church staff today, and are thankful for the comfort of the Godly men and women on the staff at NFWBC. All of our extended family and wonderful Godly friends and choir members have ministered to us so much. I just cannot express our gratitude. I just have to say, obviously our friends know us; we had enough sonic drinks to keep us hydrated all day! The Koontz family LOVES Sonic.. :) The body of Christ is a pretty amazing place to be in the center of when your going through trial and crisis....I highly recommend it. :)

Love to all,
Tiffany

Tuesday Night

I got from the hospital about an hour ago. Dad was awake and alert tonight. I read some scripture and prayed with him. No one can stay with him overnight, so I know he misses us at night. We are hoping they will be able to keep him medicated enough to sleep well and have no stress. As of now, he has not had any pain.

As Jazz posted earlier, Dad is in the Neuro ICU. They are doing this to keep a close eye on him and make sure he rests and has very little brain stimulation. He is also having more pre-op routine tests done tommorow. Unfortunately, visitors are very limited to his actual room,(family only). Tiff, Jazz and Denise will all be there tommorow in the waiting room during the day along with extended family. We would love to see anyone that can make it there. Again, he is at Plaza Medical Center in downtown Fort Worth, and the Neuro-ICU waiting room in on the 2nd floor. As soon as you come off the elevator you will see the waiting area.

(The best way to get there is Exit Rosedale off of 35W going South, turn Right on Rosedale, go down several blocks and turn right on 8th street. You will see the hospital on your left.)

Reality is starting to set in. We can breathe on Thursday when he is out of surgery. I know many are praying for healing, and that surgery will not even be needed. Despite what method God uses to heal, we will praise Him in this storm.

I also just wanted to say thank you to my Dad's PRECIOUS choir members and other wonderful NFWBC church members who have been bringing meals, visiting us, and making sure we are okay. I cannot wait to tell my Dad in detail everyone who has prayed, lended support, and taken care of his girls.

Praise Him,

Tiffany

(The song "Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns has really spoken to me through this trying time. If you get the chance you should listen to it, you should. :)

Tuesday Morning

This morning my Dad was admitted to Plaza Medical Center at 6:00am. My Mom and Grandma took him and my sister and I and aunt are going later this morning. I know they were able to give him relief for his anxiety which is a HUGE blessing. Last night we were so blessed to have friends and family bring us the support we needed. At this point I really just think we are ready for this to be over. This morning my Dad is having testing done and should be in his private room by this afternoon. We are still praying for healing, and waiting on the Lord. I will update as much as I can. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

Also, please pray for my Grandfather flying in from ABQ tommorow, and other extended family friends coming on Wednesday. We are also so thankful for everyones prayers, support, our church family, and are really learning how vital the body of Christ is to us in time of need.

Love,
Tiffany

( I will try to post more hospital and room information when I find out more.)

Sunday Wrap Up

Today has been a little tough. We are so thankful to our family who is here, and wonderful and faithful friends who have brought us dinner last night and tonight. Stewart has to be at the hospital in the morning at 9am to begin pre-op and paperwork. He will be admitted on Tuesday morning at 6:00am.

I wanted to share a few verses with you that my Aunt, Doren Osborn, shared with us yesterday.

"Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:3)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

(My Dad has quoted me this verse for years. Everytime my sister and I have had trials in our lives, our Dad quotes this to us. Please pray that the Lord will strengthen and uphold him. )

Love in Christ,

Tiffany

Sunday Update

Good morning, friends. Stewart's mom and sister came in last night, which has brought a sense of relief to me. They have taken up the slack and just to hear them working in the kitchen or pouring a cup of coffee has brought a sense of normal to my heart. I know that they will be strong hands for me.

Stew wasn't able to lead worship today, which was the original plan, but decided to allow someone else to take that over for us early this morning. I am grateful that the Lord has provided so many people to fill in the many gaps that Stewart fills so effortlessly...I don't think a wife could appreicate a husband more. Thank you church family for marching on and doing what needs to be done.

Yesterday was also a time of intense prayer as family joined us in prayer. For the first time since Friday I can breathe. And even eat a little. And hope a lot. I want to share the many ways we have been comforted by Scripture, but will have to find time to do that.

We have our first hospital appt. in the morning to do the pre-op paper work. Tuesday he is admitted at 6:00 a.m. 2 days of testing followed by Thursday morning surgery.

More later. Have a blessed day!

A Word from Stewart

I have found great comfort today in Psalm 34:19. " A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all." Please join me in praying for complete healing and restoration. Thank you for your prayers of encouragement.

Stewart

Denise's Honest Words

Yesterday, Friday, was perhaps the saddest day of my life. We visited with the nuerosurgeon and learned that the tumor is much larger and more involved than originally thought. This isn't going to be the minimally invasive surgery that we had hoped for which is through the nose, but a craniotomy. He isn't sure he can get it all. He is hopeful that it is a pituitary gland tumor, but isn't even 100% sure of that.

Stewart isn't feeling well...he sees that his body isn't as well as it always has been, so we are facing the loss of so many things. Him working for a season, the loss of our peace of mind, the loss of health for a season, the loss of a warm, carefree summer when we were supposed to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in just a week. We will be in the hospital on that day more than likely. Nothing compares to just having him beside me in these days of sadness.

The cry of my heart is for healing and God's presence in this dark time. I am guarding my heart against anger, but the grief doesn't stop. I have learned so much, have been loved so much, and been given so much by my blessed husband. He has served the Lord in ways that have humbled and amazed me. He is truly my hero.

Thank you for reading and praying. I am a very private person, but perhaps this is therapy.

Blessings,
Denise

Hospital Info

I also wanted to add that the surgery is scheduled to be at Plaza Medical Center in downtown Fort Worth.

Update #1

As many of you know, the Koontz family found out last Friday that Stewart has a brain tumor on his pituatary gland. It is 4.5 centimeters. After a few years of struggling with daily night sweats, and a recent bout with shingles (to name a few symptoms), Stewart finally was sent for an MRI last Wednesday, July 15th. ( Following his yearly physical.) The Endocronologist's office told Stewart that they would be calling the the results the following day. After not hearing from the office that day, the Koontz family hoped and prayed that "no news was good news". The following morning, Stewart, Denise and Jasmine traveled to Waco to have breakfast with a dear friend and pastor who was in town from CA. While there, Stewart recieved the phone call with the news that indeed a tumor had been located and needed to be removed urgently. Needless to say, any type of tumor is frightening, especially in the brain.

The last week has been challenging. The Koontz's are so extremely thankful for the support of their church family at North Fort Worth Baptist Church. The prayers, meals, desserts, flowers and visits just in the last week have meant more than words can express.

Probably the hardest part of this whole ordeal has been waiting for an appointment with the neurosurgeon, and finding out when the actual surgery will be. Today, July 24th, Stewart and Denise met with Dr. Cravens in downtown Fort Worth. He will be performing the surgery. Stewart will be admitted into the hospital on Tuesday, July 28th and the surgery is scheduled for Thursday, July 30th. According the the surgeon, the surgery may be moved up sooner if possible. As of now, however, this is the information we know for sure.

Please continue to pray for the Koontz family as they prepare for the surgery to remove this tumor. Please pray that it will be benign after the biopsy is complete. Pray that the Denise, Tiffany and Jasmine will have peace and strength this coming week and they prepare for this upcoming time of difficulty. GOD IS IN CONTROL! The Koontz's know that He is watching over Stewart every step of the way and has a reason for allowing this to happen.

Also, please remember Stewarts mom, Sherry Osborn, and sister, Louise Ayres and they travel to Fort Worth tommorow and later this week from New Mexico to be with the Koontz's during this time. Thank you all who have taken the time to read this and pray. May you be blessed today.