A Tribute to Carol

September 21, 2009

Dear National Colleagues:

With deep regret, I write to inform you that today, September 21, our
friend and colleague Carol Marshall passed away and has gone home to the
Lord. Carol has suffered with a terminal illness for the better part of
this year, and passed away peacefully in hospice care with her family at
her side.

Many of you got to know Carol over the past twelve months as she guided
National Air Cargo through the rigors of initiating our Ethics and
Proper Business Conduct programs throughout the global offices. All of
us who knew her can see her bright smile and positive voice, encouraging
us and coaching us. She leaves a very strong legacy of proper business
behaviors and expectations to National Air Cargo. I now encourage all of
us to stand up and proudly live the "work ethics" Carol so positively
displayed. Her impact on National Air Cargo and National Airlines, at an
extremely critical crossroad in our company's history, will live on and
on. Let's make her proud by working as she would expect.

Carol was recognized as an expert in the area of Compliance, Business
Ethics, and Workplace Conduct. She had established internationally
recognized compliance and ethics programs at a number of corporations
and worked closely with government entities and non-government
organizations to promote the highest standards of ethical conduct in
multi-national corporations. She received her law degree, and was
formerly a senior vice president at MCI and at Lockheed Martin,
specializing in Ethics and Compliance.

Carol is survived by her husband Frank Marshall, and children Charles,
Christine, and Andrew. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Frank and
family at this difficult time. A memorial service will be held in
Northern Virginia on Thursday September 24th.

Preston G. Murray
CEO

Signing Off

Carol enriched my life in many, many ways. None the least of which . . . she turned me into a blogger! And I suppose many of you as well.

It is time for me to wrap up this blog. And since I have no words to describe what this amazing journey with this amazing woman has really been about, I thought it only fitting to close with the wonderful words spoken about Carol at her memorial service by Steve Chaudet, Phyllis Cooper and Christine Maginnis. They did have words . . . beautiful, eloquent words. And if, by chance, you haven't had a chance to hear them, I thought you might like to read them.

Sally


A Tribute to Carol - by Steve Chaudet
This wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s way too early. There were years to live, great meals to prepare, kids to pamper, grandchildren to spoil and trips to take with Frank and friends, and long days at the Shore watching the sun rise and set on that beautiful deck while the family grew around her. But life has a way of throwing speed bumps in our path when we least expect it. Turned out Carol’s wasn’t a bump, it was a mountain. A mountain that she scaled, but just couldn’t get to the other side. This is a life that was well lived and courageously ended. Carol taught us how to live and she taught us how to die. In living Carol defined passion, commitment, and love for all those she came in contact with. Her passions ranged from, her work where she was a recognized leader in the field of ethics and compliance, to her love of God, and commitment to teaching others about the glories of the bible. Where I noticed this passion was Carol’s love of cooking. Carol loved to cook and be the maestro behind the kitchen island, hands chopping, dicing and mixing, moving from one food item to another, all the time holding three separate conversations with her guests. She would typically fly in from some activity and within minutes pull together friends, some on short notice, and a delicious meal that always made for memorable evenings. A dinner with Frank and Carol whether at the Shore or Georgetown was always an event, as you never knew who the other guests would be and you would always be amazed at how good the meal was. Carol loved to share her friends and she wanted you to like and love them as much as she did. She was always mixing and matching different friends. It wasn’t a circle the wagons, these are my friends and you can’t have them, but rather, Steve you have something in common with this great friend and I want you to meet him. Oh, I will miss those evenings, seeing my friend in total joy behind that island, wooden spoon lifted as she began a symphonic concert of friends and food.
The other passion was family. We all love our families, Carol adored and worshipped hers. And she wanted you to feel the same. I loved her for that because she introduced me to three wonderful children who during this tough year have been by her side and provided comfort that reflects enormous love. Carol was always saying to me---- “Don’t you just love Chip, isn’t he the neatest Marine, or isn’t Andrew the cutest guy, and isn’t Christine beautiful and smart” Right on all counts. The other great passion was Frank. What a love story. Theirs was a growing love not a relationship in neutral. These past few months have demonstrated a commitment to love and caring that surpasses anything that I have known. God bless you Frank. Carol would often say to me “Isn’t Frank wonderful”, and Frank would say to me how lucky he was to have found Carol.If Carol had passion for living she had courage in dying and she provides each of us with an example of that dignity. From the day she found her prognosis it was upbeat in her blog and in her demonstrated desire to live. I watched Carol in the hospital and it was Carol who was cheering up the hospital staff, asking about themselves and their families. It was so Carol. Think about someone else, make someone else feel comfortable. A wonderful story I love to tell that sums up so many aspects of Carol’s personality was a time on the big island of Hawaii when Ruth, her mom, called me around midnight telling me that Carol was very sick and was with the paramedics who were taking her to the hospital. I hurried to the back of the hotel and found Carol on a gurney about to depart for the hospital that was it least 50 miles away. I told Carol I would go with her, where upon she says, “no you take me in your car”. Carol I replied I have no medical training and you are sick. “Well she replied it cost so much to take the ambulance. Carol, that’s why you have insurance. Well guess who drove her. She got into the back seat of the car with her pillow and off we went. About half way to the hospital she jumps up from the backseat and informs me that feels fine. Carol I said we are heading to the hospital to have you checked out. We arrive at this little hospital that had to have been built during WW-II. Carol is now totally recovered, it’s about 1:30 in the morning and the doctor says she doesn’t need to stay. Before we could leave the nurse who has instantly taken a liking to Carol asks me what “my wife does”. Well here was an interesting situation. Carol is dressed in a light cotton nightgown and how do I answer. So I say, “She’s a lawyer”. Good answer for the nurse, as she is going through a divorce and wants legal advice……of course Carol engages and what ensues is a lengthy discussion of the nurse’s divorce with free advice from Carol. We finally leave the hospital, Carol is feeling fine, the nurse is happy; I am beat as it’s now 3 or 4 in the morning and we have a 50-mile drive back to the hotel. This little story says so much about Carol. She takes charge, starts giving orders, keeps up a constant happy chat with me on the way to the hospital, makes friends with the nurse, provides advice and off we go. A great adventure for Carol. We celebrate a life that touched all of us, a life well lived and a memory that we must all nurture and keep alive. No one dies if we don’t let them die. If we cherish Carol and what her life meant to all of us she lives on; she lives on through her wonderful Frank, her great mom Ruth, her caring brother and sister-in-law, her three wonderful kids and a great a new son-in-law who will keep her alive for their children, and finally we keep her alive because she was a friend like no other, a friend that loved each of us and only wanted the best for us; and to sit at a table filled with good food and friends to celebrate life. God bless you my good friend, may you rest in peace.

Carol Marshall - A Beautiful Reflection of Christ,
Delivered by Phyllis Cooper
Everybody loved Carol. I feel privileged that Frank asked me to share concerning Carol’s spiritual side – her walk with Jesus and her service for Him. For a moment now, use your sanctified imagination: Carol is standing at the pearly gates. St. Peter won’t allow her to pass through until she looks into a mirror. So she does. With a big grin, he motions her in. Two angels are observing:
Q. What showed up in the mirror?
A. Exactly what pleases God the most! Not Carol’s pretty face, but a beautiful reflection of Christ!

Clearly, Carol chose early on to make Jesus Christ her role model for life. Here are three ways Carol’s life reflected her Savior.

I. Humble Service – Jesus healed unclean lepers and washed the disciples’ dirty feet. He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” Mk. 10:45. Carol, Frank and their family began attending Agoura Bible Fellowship, L.A. area, in the mid-80’s. It wasn’t too long before she began serving on the Deaconess Board and then as chairman.
Her friend Bernice wrote to me about Carol’s many years’ involvement with the church’s Christmas Dinners, which included a big show. “The first year we put on the dinners, when Carol was one of the helpers, we didn’t really know what we were doing…When planning for next year started, Carol sat me down and said, ‘I can’t sing…so I can’t be in the program but how about if you and Jim take care of the program, and I’ll coordinate everything else behind the scenes…’ And in typical Carol style, she jumped in and did just that…Only our Carol could actually make it fun for men to stand around wearing garbage bags as they scraped dinner plates.”

In 2002, Carol and Frank moved to the Washington DC area and began attending McLean Bible Church. Here the Lord used her up-front gift of speaking to impact women at conferences and special events, but the humble servant heart still shined through. Sue Moye, Director of Women’s Ministries, shared the time when Carol was just walking down the hotel hall at a church women’s conference where she was one of the break-out speakers. Sue was desperately looking for some help. Boxes and boxes of books authored by the conference speaker had just been delivered – a big surprise to Sue. Carol saw Sue’s desperation and asked if she could help. You guessed it. Carol – on the spot – took on organizing, finding sales recruits, unpacking and selling those books – books that contained the Good News of the Gospel. See the servant’s heart. See the reflection of Jesus. Beautiful.

II. Heart of love for unbelievers. Like her Savior, Carol had a deep passion and concern for telling the world that Christ had come “to give His life as a ransom for many” Mk. 10:45. As a discussion leader for CBS each year until her illness overtook her, she faithfully shared her personal testimony of how Jesus Christ transformed her life. Then she loved those 15 or so women in her group, including the challenging, “hard to love” ones. Even on a business trip to the other side of the world, she would use her blackberry to keep in touch with her “gals.” Once again, a beautiful reflection of Christ.

God gave Carol the unique opportunity of serving on the Board of Community Bible Study, a group that has a world-wide ministry. The Board members wrote to say, “Carol came on the Board as CBS International was being assimilated into CBS. She was so insightful in helping each ministry appreciate the differences, sensibilities and ways of doing things in other cultures. Her wisdom contributed to the joining together in a God-honoring way…She was dedicated to honoring the authority of God’s Word…”

Even though Carol was virtually overwhelmed with drugs because of her pain in the last weeks of her life, Sally told me how concerned she was that the man who emptied the wastebaskets in her hospital room hear the Gospel.

And the Blog was Carol’s way to articulate to everyone who would read it, her walk of faith in a dark place. Above all, she wanted God to have the glory! All of us who sent her verses and tried to be supportive, found ourselves strengthened by her authenticity and simple trust.

III. Joyful encouragement –Like her Savior, Carol was an encourager – always with a smile, always with a positive outlook. Always cheerfully generous. The Holy Spirit enabled her to see people’s gifts and encourage them in those gifts. How do I know this? Carol encouraged me – and her carefully chosen words made all the difference for me in a difficult situation. She was the reflection of Christ to me!

Could it be at this very moment Carol is standing before the Lord and hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant – your life has reflected your Savior beautifully! Come, enjoy your heavenly reward.

A Tribute to My Mother - Christine Maginnis
Thank you all for coming here to celebrate my mom’s life with us. The outpouring of love and support from all of you, whether it was by email, the blog, phone calls, or even facebook has meant so much to my family and has served as a reminder of how amazing my mom was and how many lives she touched. She was truly a remarkable woman. It is safe to say my mother touched and taught each one of us something special – for some she taught us about the love and amazing grace of the Lord, for others she might have counseled you on government compliance, and to all of us she showed us what a friendship is.

My mom taught me a multitude of things - all that have shaped me and molded me into the person I am today. My mom taught me of the importance of family. As you just heard from Steve and Phyllis my mom was involved in everything – we used to joke that it wasn’t that she “couldn’t say no” to opportunities to help and get involved – it’s that she didn’t WANT to. Growing up my mom was involved in our church, school activities, as well as working full time, and I can honestly say that I never felt like I had to compete with anything for her love, affection, and support. Speaking on behalf of my brothers, my mom never made us feel like we were pulling her away from something more important or that there was anything else she’d rather be doing than spending time with us. I think my brothers will agree with my, that my mom was our biggest fan in everything we did – big or small.

My mom also taught me how to me an amazing wife – the love my mom and dad had for each other is something that I was constantly in awe of…when Erik and I were preparing for our wedding, the pastor we met with us asked us what we expected in our marriage…I said, without hesitation, that I want the kind of marriage that my parents have – I want Erik and I to look at each other and care for each other the way my parents looked at each other and cared for each other after 20+ years of marriage. It is impossible to ignore that what made their marriage and love for each other so incredible was their love for the Lord. My mom taught me something that was taught to her before she and my dad got married. She said that their marriage is really a picture of a triangle. With my parents at each of the bottom corners, and God at the top point….as each of them drew closer to God, knowing Him, -- they grew closer to each other. She went on to say “We can tell you…that’s true. And we believe it is the secret to a strong, wonderful marriage. ---and I can tell you it’s great”

Finally, my mom showed me what it was like to be unconditionally loved - I was given an incredible gift to have Carol Marshall as my best friend and mom for 26 years and I thank God everyday for that gift. I miss my mom so much – but I look forward to the day when I can see her again and we can celebrate together.

When I sat down to write this – I was using my mom’s computer and got sidetracked and started browsing her documents…I came across a file called “No matter what…remember this”. I don’t know if this is something my mom wrote or just found encouragement in, but either way I want to share it with you:

These are good to remember:

Absolutely God is in control, no matter what.

Absolutely God is good, no matter what.

Absolutely nothing is impossible for God, no matter what.

Absolutely God works all things for good, no matter what.

Absolutely I am thanking and praising God, no matter what.

Before we read the 23^rd Psalm together, I would like to read an excerpt from my mom’s blog that she wrote on Sunday, May 10^th after a particularly rough week:

… at one point during the night I found myself thinking of a verse that I hadn’t thought of in a long time…The 23rd Psalm. You know how it says “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. HE makes me lie down in green pastures, HE leads me beside quiet waters, HE restores my soul. HE guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” It was particularly meaningful when, as I was thinking of the verse, the way it says: Even though I walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death, I WILL NOT FEAR, because YOU are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me….” Well that was amazing as that verse came to me b/c I thought, that’s how this feels – this feels like a SHADOW. And I am not alone. I felt as though I was covered. Does that make any sense? I can’t explain it, but it was just so amazing that that was the verse that came to me. I was feeling like I needed a Rod and Staff to get through the scary parts…

Please join me as we read the 23^rd Psalm together and remember that this verse is a verse of much encouragement as we all encounter our own “Shadows”:

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

If you were unable to attend Carol's service...

The video archive for Carol Marshall's memorial service is now available at http://www.mcleanbible.org/carolmarshall. From that page you can also access a PDF version of the program as well as the online guest book.

Details of Internet Service

For friends of Carol who are far away, or unable attend, we invite you to join the memorial service for Carol Marshall live on the Internet

at 2 PM ET on Thursday, September 24, 2009

To access the service, you will go to mcleanbible.org/carolmarshall. The live stream will begin 15 minutes prior to the service.

To download a copy of the program for the service, please click here.

To sign Carol's guest book, please click here.

Gone To The Lord

Carol R. Marshall
May 4, 1953 - September 21, 2009

Far too soon for all of us who loved her so much, Carol is safely at home in the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
It is no surprise to the readers of this blog that Carol loved people. Her heart for others was only surpassed by her tremendous faith and a desire that all would come into a saving relationship with Christ and thereby know, as she has known, His peace, grace, mercy, and love. As a testament to this, even in her last days, Carol expressed a passionate concern for all those who may not know Christ, especially those who have shared this journey with her. In the depths of her heart, she wanted all of you to know that the purpose of this blog was about honoring Him. Carol was nothing if not a faithful servant of God.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he
has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to
those who love him."
 James 1:12

A memorial service for Carol will be held at McLean Bible Church
2:00pm Thursday, September 24
8925 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182

Reception following the service
Congressional Country Club
8500 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20817

For those friends of Carol's who are far away or can't attend, we are
planning to put the service on the internet, live at 2pm EST.
Please check back for details.


In lieu of flowers, Carol's family asks that donations be directed to:

The Carol Marshall Memorial Fund
c/o Dr. Dan Laheru
Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital
1650 Orleans St. Room 4M09
Baltimore, MD 21231-1000


Community Bible Study
790 Stout Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80921


The House DC
P.O. Box 30958
Washington, DC 20030

A Note from Carol's Mom

Carol's mom, Ruth, asked me to let everyone know how much she appreciates the many, many notes, prayers and scripture readings so many of you have left on this blog. She wants you all to know that your words bring her great comfort in this painful time. And she glows with warmth and pride when she reads how much Carol meant to each of you. Please continue to hold Ruth in your hearts and prayers as she accompanies Carol in her journey.

Carol continues to rest peacefully and comfortably. My husband (who is a surgeon) said she defies medical science. Amazing woman!

With love,
Sally

September 18 Note

Dear Friends,
Carol spent another peaceful night with the angel-nurses in hospice care. We continue to be grateful she feels no pain.

I opened my daily reading for yesterday from Max Lucado and read:

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains a single grain of wheat; but if it dies, it brings a good harvest. John 12:24

We do all we can to live and not die. God, however, says we must die in order to live. When you sow a seed, it must die in the ground before it can grow. What we see as the ultimate tragedy, he sees as the ultimate triumph.

And when a Christian dies, it's not a time to despair, but a time to trust. Just as the seed is buried and the material wrapping decomposes, so our body will be buried and will decompose. But just as the buried seed sprouts new life, so our body will blossom into a new body . . .

The seed buried in the earth will blossom in heaven. Your soul and body will reunite, and you will be like Jesus.

So . . . we must trust. While we wait.
Love,
Sally

The Slow Journey Home

Carol continues to rest peacefully . . . and more deeply each day . . . as she makes her journey home. The family keeps vigil and waits.

We do read your blog messages to Carol. The hospice nurses tell us she can hear them. So thank you for all the wonderful notes you post and the love and prayers you send!

Love,
Sally

September 12 Update

Dear All,

I am writing to tell you that there is really nothing to tell you. Carol continues to rest comfortably, highly medicated for pain . . . so uncommunicative. We wait and we pray. Her brother Wayne and his wife Barbara returned from Connecticut yesterday and continue to keep vigil with Ruth, Frank and the rest of the family. Please continue to hold them all in your prayers.

I will be sure to let you know if there is a change.

Love,
Sally

God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile. -Max Lucado (In the Eye of the Storm)

A Short Update

I thought you would want to know that I saw Carol today and she continues to rest comfortably in hospice care. Her pain seems to be under control.


Thank you so much for all the wonderful messages you have posted during the last few weeks. I can't imagine not being with Carol on this journey. It has been my privilege!

Love,
Sally

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."
Psalm 37:7

An Update

Thank you, everyone, for the outpouring of love, support and prayer for Carol and her family during this difficult time. It is overwhelming and so appreciated.

Carol moved yesterday afternoon from Georgetown Hospital to a lovely, in-patient hospice facility with relative ease. She is resting comfortably, surrounded by her family.

The rest, as we know, is in God's loving hands.

Love,
Sally

Message from Sally

I know how often this blog is checked. And how disappointing it must be to find no entry. I'm sorry.
The truth is, not much has changed. Carol remains in Georgetown Hospital in critical condition. And we are keeping vigil. Frank, Chip, Christine & Erik, Andrew, Ruth, Wayne and Barbara take turns being with Carol around the clock.
Please know that I will update the blog with any change. And that all your thoughts, wishes and prayers are so very, very appreciated.
Sally

A Message from Frank

Frank asked me to tell you all that Carol's pain escalated to such a high level Monday night she was transported by ambulance to Georgetown Hospital and admitted to the ICU. Her condition is listed as critical.
I ask your prayers for Frank and Carol's whole family at this difficult time. We will keep you updated about Carol's condition.
Sally

Today's Procedure

A note from Sally . . .
Frank called to say that Carol is back home in Georgetown and resting following the endoscopic procedure today at Johns Hopkins. It was decided that the stent was not doing any harm where it was resting and didn't have to be moved. The doctors will re-check in two weeks.
So . . . clearance was given for a soft diet! Sounds good when you've been on clear liquid for weeks! And the team will convene on Wednesday
at Hopkins for CT scans, blood work and a pow-wow to determine the next course of treatment.
Then on to the shore for some R&R, sunshine and good nutrition!

Home!

Does God smile and chuckle at us? If so...He is having a merry time with all my 
worry and concern, saying "ah ha!! And you NEVER anticipated such an uneventful, 
COMFORTABLE flight, my girl". We have landed. The flight was great..in fact the 
seat reclined so I had great back support and legs elevated the whole way. 

We are in the car with Andrew now on the way home. Erik and Christine are behind 
us with Chip. So we are headed on to Georgetown. 

Thanks for praying us home. And Thanks Lord for scoffing as my silly worries! 

Love,

Carol 
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Travel Update from Carol!

So far so good! Made it to the airport in Paul's car surrounded by pillows in 
such comfort! Just about ready to board the plane and guess what??our friends 
Steve and June on our same flight, also upgraded to first class!  God planned a 
party! So---just wanted to send an enroute All Is Good!  Prayers answered moment 
by moment!!
Love
Carol
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Carol's Prayer for Today

Lord, I know that you have a plan for my life and as I am on this journey, don't
see those plans or see how I fit in. But Lord I thank you today so much for our
family and friends who have prayed me back to health these last few weeks in
California. It is bittersweet to leave, and I don't know why you kept me here in
California, but please make it someday clear the blessing that you had planned.

For today I  ask for your protection and just to "be in the details" as we
travel back to DC. You know that I am worried about the logistics of this trip
and the crazy things like swelling in my body and getting me into tip-top shape
for the important medical stuff I have coming up at Johns Hopkins next week
with Dr Giday on Monday and Dr Laheru on Wednesday and their teams. But I also
KNOW from Your Word that I don't HAVE to worry about next week or even tomorrow.
..that you will give me just the strength I need.
You tell me so clearly that You will be there for all the tomorrows, and next
weeks, just as You have been.

I thank You that You worked out the travel details that both Chip and Andrew
will be at the airport in cars when we arrive on the East Coast. I don't know
why You have our whole family brought together over 3000 miles -Chip from San
Diego, Andrew from Maine- for this Saturday night pick up/Sunday in DC, but I
thank You for that.

Lord, there's what is on my heart tonight. I'm going back to sleep now. Thanks
for this time with You.

Holding on to these veses of Yours: --

Deuteronomy 33:12 "Let the beloved of the Lord rest 
secure in Him, for He shields "her" all day long, and the one the Lord 
loves rests between His shoulders."

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his
word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto
me." - Psalms 56:3-4

Your daughter,
Carol
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Today's News Straight from Carol!

Hello all!
I have my Blackberry back under my thumbs again, so I  thought I'd send
an update. Although I know that Christine and Frank have been giving real-time
updates.  I am happy to say that, although I am still in Hoag Hospital in
Newport Beach (there goes the vacation!) I have been transferred out of ICU to a
regular unit on clear liquid diet. (Mm-mmm Ensure is my new best friend!!) Just
need to get to the place where I can get my muscles back, get out of the bed,
get the infection cleared up and then we can get back to DC and Johns Hopkins to
get the stents fixed up. (Did I tell you they think the internal bleeding was
caused by the stent/s moving?) Glad they got that patched up!

It is nice to be feeling back into the swing of things. I can't thank you enough
for your prayers during this specific time when you were getting blog updates
though Sally, Christine and Frank.  Whew it has been quite an 11 days. A bit of
a blur there for a while I was fully relying on God guiding the decisions of
every doctor, nurse, assistant, family and friend!  As always, He Was Faithful.
The result at this point is no more ICU, no internal bleeding, infection
clearing up, tests, tests, tests, but hopefully I will be out of the hospital in
a few days and then scheduled back to Johns Hopkins for "clean up" surgery on
the stent/s. I have to say though, if we had to extend our "vacation" with
Frank's family, Hoag Hospital has been wonderful. I feel as though I have had
great medical care here and while I have been hospitalized (no surprise) our
family has been so, so, so amazing. Chip has been able to drive up here to
Newport Beach from his base in Miramar (San Diego--about an hour or so). He
spent "night watch" in my room early during the ICU phase when I was pretty much
out of it. Christine took a night on the lovely vinyl cot also!  Christine and
Erik also extended their stay out here and she has set up a little office right
here in the corner of my hospital room with her laptop, mouse, etc etc and she
hasn't missed a beat! Gotta love this new technology and understanding
colleagues who are also out there in cyber space!! Andrew calls almost each day,
feeling frustrated that he can't be out here, but there doesn't seem to be any
reason to make the trip here from DC.  Family and 2 girl friends from Oak Park
have spent many daytime here just helping me get back, encouraging, keeping
notes, and being eyes/ears to all the docs and medical-types who come by with
messages and updates that all, candidly, become a blur. Our biggest challenge is
to get Frank to take SOME time away from this hospital and get some rest!

Oh, speaking of Frank though and time at hoag Hospital--- I have to tell you the
funniest story. The other night Johnny and Michele (Frank's middle brother) had
made some of their signature enchilda sauce (!) And invited everybody over for
enchilada dinner. Well somehow, when they arrived at John and Michele's house,
Chris tripped, fell down and hit her head on the payment and a little bump
raised on the back of her head. So in an abundance of caution, Paul (youngest
brother) brought her in to Hoag Emergency Room! They checked her out, gave her a
bandage and sent her home and said to wake up in the night just to be checked.
So Frank says "Mom, I get up a couple times during the night anyway, I'll come
check on you. Besides, been through this with Carol, I know all the questions
they want asked." So at midnight he wakes up, pads downstairs and whispers "Mom,
how are you doing?" And she sits up in a loud voice and hollers:"CHRIS MARSHALL;
BALBOA CALIFORNIA; AUGUST 2009."  Ha ha. It sounds so funny. Frank thinks she
was laying in bed since 10pm just waiting for him to come downstairs!!  Good
news is that she is just fine, although we are considering requesting a Marshall
Discount at Hoag!

As to me, we are still looking Up. Not sure when we head back to East Coast for
the "Clean Up surgery" depends when I am released from Hoag and declared "ready
to fly". We will keep you posted on THAT prayer request for me+Frank+American
Airlines!!
Love,
Carol
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Answered Prayer . . . In a Different Way

Just got this email from Christine. Carol's procedure has been postponed until it can be done back home at Hopkins. Apparently the doctors at Hoag and Hopkins conferred last night and made the decision. Thanks for all the prayer!
Sally

From Christine . . . . .

Just talked to Dr. Lee – the gastroenterologist – who had a long conversation with Dr. Giday (the gastroenterologist at Hopkins) and they have decided not to do the procedure today because of complications that can arise from trying to manipulate the stent. CT scan showed no evidence of perforation and the contrast flowed freely to the intestine so there is no obstruction there. They plan to put her on a full liquid diet for nutrition, let her recover from the trauma of the bleeding, and readdress the stent in a few weeks time (at Hopkins).

Both doctors agreed that at this point it’s better for her to completely recover from her initial bleeding episode and then do the procedure later when she’s stronger. There is no emergency threat right now. If she looks as good as yesterday they plan to transfer her out of ICU. The goals before releasing her from the hospital are to manage pain and get her strong. The moved stent is not what is causing her pain, it is most likely aggravating what pain already existed. Dr. Lee is not worried about internal bleeding again - he irrigated the area a lot when he was in there yesterday and often times that can cause a bleed, which it didn’t.

If there is continual pressure pushing the stent out there is a risk of perforation with time, however the risk of perforating her while performing the procedure is higher. Dr. Giday was surprised it had moved – both doctors agree the tumor in-growth within the bile duct had pushed it out. Fixing this issue will be a challenge wherever she goes to get it addressed. Right now she needs to progress well with a diet and get pain under control. Fixing the issue is really a timing issue – they need to find a window of opportunity to do this when she’s at her most optimal health – right now her platelets are low and she’s weak from the internal bleeding.

Still in California

Hello . . . from Sally. Just wanted to let you know that Carol isn't home yet. It's been a week of ups and downs . . . but here's the bottomline. The internal bleeding, which took Carol to the hospital in the first place, has been stopped. Seems Carol's stents were the culprit. Once the bleeding was stopped, she remained in ICU where they gave her blood and monitored some suspicious liver functions. Today, her vitals are strong and the liver tests are looking more normal. But pain persists. An endoscopy revealed that the stent which was inserted in July - inside the original stent - has slipped and is somewhat precariously resting in the duodenum now. Something that must be corrected.
So . . . ramp up the prayers, warriors. Carol will undergo a procedure tomorrow to move or remove part of the trouble-causing stent. Not just a routine procedure . . . so I ask your prayers that all goes well. A CT scan this evening will provide more information to guide the physicians at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California.
Frank, Christine and Erik remain in California with Carol. Please keep them in your prayers as well.
I will report back tomorrow as soon as I know something.
Sally