A Prayer Needed...

[Mad Russian]

Tom Grace is known to the CM community as Warmonger. He has been active every since the CMBO days.

Right now his 14 year old son Matthew is fighting for his life. Matthew and the Grace family need our prayers.

This is the last email I got from Tom:

Hi

Some of you may have heard already but Matthew has spent the last three

weeks in the Calgary ICU. During this time he has weaken greatly. He

has had

two more surgerys. One to drain excess fluid from his brain which was

successful. He also had a operation to put in a trach and a feeding

tube as

he could no longer protect his air way. He lost his gag reflex and was

getting lung infections from breathing stuff into his lungs. We learned

that

the Doctors are extremely worried about his heart and lungs. They told

last

friday that he could have a heart attack. However they are continuing

with

his radiation treatment. He has currently had 10 of 31 treatments. We

have

no way of knowing if it will work but we are praying for success. They

have

noticed that over the weekend Matt improved a little. We hope this is a

indication of some kind of success. We are staying at the Calgary

Ronald

McDonald house. We have taken our other boys out of school and the

entire

family is here in Calgary until the new year.

Please continue to pray for Matthew. A Christmas miracle would be so

great.

Tom, Wendy, Micheal, Matthew and Nicholas

The Grace family email is,

twgrace101@hotmail.com

Please pray for Matthew and drop the Grace family a small email to show our support.

Thank you.

Steve Overton

[Spookster]

Steve,

Just called the Ronald McDonald House. Left a $100 donation to the facility. (Apparently, Wayne Gretzky is a big Calgary Ronald McDonald fan. So I am in good company.)

Talked to a Ronald McDonald associate, who told me, "Matthew's doing pretty well."

Good news.

The associate offered to connect me to the room, but since I've never met the Grace family, I said it was enough to tell them that the "CM Community has them in their thoughts."

Somehow, I think "Warmonger" is the least fitting name for Tom..."Good Father" should be his moniker.

Peace,

Mike

[Mad Russian]

Originally posted by Spookster:

Steve,

Just called the Ronald McDonald House. Left a $100 donation to the facility. (Apparently, Wayne Gretzky is a big Calgary Ronald McDonald fan. So I am in good company.)

Talked to a Ronald McDonald associate, who told me, "Matthew's doing pretty well."

Good news.

The associate offered to connect me to the room, but since I've never met the Grace family, I said it was enough to tell them that the "CM Community has them in their thoughts."

Somehow, I think "Warmonger" is the least fitting name for Tom..."Good Father" should be his moniker.

Peace,

Mike

Thanks for the update Mike. I'm sure the RMH can use the donation and that was very thoughtful of you.

I know the Grace's will be pleasantly surprised at your message. I'm sure that Tom has been far too busy to check the BFC boards and see what is happening here. I emailed him and told him that I had asked for prayers here but I haven't heard back from him yet. He more than likely isn't checking his email too often either.

Thanks for your compassion. That is what makes our community strong.

God Bless You,

Steve

[junk2drive]

I did hear from Wendy yesterday. I will forward the letter to you.

[Mad Russian]

Originally posted by Spookster:

Steve,

Just called the Ronald McDonald House. Left a $100 donation to the facility. (Apparently, Wayne Gretzky is a big Calgary Ronald McDonald fan. So I am in good company.)

Talked to a Ronald McDonald associate, who told me, "Matthew's doing pretty well."

Good news.

The associate offered to connect me to the room, but since I've never met the Grace family, I said it was enough to tell them that the "CM Community has them in their thoughts."

Somehow, I think "Warmonger" is the least fitting name for Tom..."Good Father" should be his moniker.

Peace,

Mike

DUH!!!! I never thought about calling Canada. It is treated the same as a call in the US on my cell phone. I have gotten the number for the Ronald McDonald House... 403-240-3000 and also left messages and donations.

They said that in the past week that there have been an influx of calls and donations.

THANK YOU!!!

All of you!!!

Keep the prayers coming. It can't hurt!!

Steve

[Spookster]

Originally posted by junk2drive:

I did hear from Wendy yesterday. I will forward the letter to you.

Like to see the letter, if you wouldn't mind posting. I'm out of town this week, but I'll check back on Monday.

Peace.

-Mike

[Mad Russian]

I talked with Tom on the phone twice yesterday. The family has been amazed at the emails and calls to the Ronald McDonald House. The number is 403-240-3000 for the Calgary RMH. They told the Grace family that good wishes and donations are pouring in from the United States. Not sure what they consider pouring but it must be a lot more than they are used to seeing.

Matthew's condition has started to improve as well. Imagine that...

Last week they tried to sit him up in a wheel chair and his heart rate and pulse soared to the point that they were worried that he would have a heart attack. When the family met with doctors last week they were very concerned about Matthew's condition.

In the last part of this week his heart rate and pulse have stabilized, he has taken his chemo-therapy treatments without any problems, he has sit up in the wheelchair with no complications, he is a lot more active and his father said, "he looks better."

That says it all.

Keep the prayers coming. Also, the messages to the RMH in Calgary are a source of support to the family. The donations are nice and I'm sure they are more than appreciated but this isn't about money. We need to continue to pray for Matthew. His battle isn't over yet.

Thank you for your immediate and caring response. I know that it has meant a great deal to the Grace's. When I asked Tom if he had gotten any emails he replied more than he could answer.

Here is a letter that Tom's wife sent out. There is reference to a TV news cast but I have yet to make it work. Tom couldn't find it either. Both of us use the computer for hours a day. His wife, who is rarely on the computer, went straight to it. If someone can figure out where this is I would like to see it too.

Here is the letter that has the relevant Matthew Grace parts to it.

Subject: Link for Matthew's newscast on web

Date: Fri, 03 Dec 2004 07:40:53 -0700

I checked on the BC TV website and I see that the version of the news

I was able to tape was edited from the full one that showed at 7 p.m. (mine

was

taped at midnight).

However, on the internet there is the full version at this link:

http://www.bcctv.ca/streamnews.jsp?id=/news/streaming_news.htm

Click on the CTV News Button, then on THURSDAY. You can move the

slider to

20:25, which is when Matt's newscast comes on.

I tried using the search for news option but Matthew Grace didn't bring up anything.

Once again thanks for your support of the Grace family.

Steve

[Mad Russian]

This is the latest news about Matt...

Hi

Just wanted to let you know that Matt's condition has improved enough

in the

last 10 days to allow him to be moved from the ICU to a regular room.

(Yeah!!!!) The Doctors are greatly pleased that Matthew has regain some

strength and some movement and his breathing and heart beat are back

close

to normal. We are still not out of the woods but this is a step in the

right

direction as Matts radiation treatment will be able to continue. So far

he

has had 14 of 31 treatments so he is almost half way. He is starting to

loose his hair but considering he was suppose to loose his hair but

didn't

with the chemo and that didn't work we are taking this as a good sign.

However we won't know how effective the radiation is until after it is

done.

We would like to thank everyone for thier support , prayers and visits.

This

has really helped bring up Matt's spirits. We are hoping and praying

that

God will give us a Christmas miracle

Tom, Wendy, Micheal, Matthew, and Nicholas

Keep those prayers coming.

[arax3]

PC: Hurray for Matt and your family. I will continue to hold him in my prayers. We can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us. A3

[Spookster]

This is what I like to hear/read. Thanks for the updates, Panther.

-Mike

Originally posted by Panther Commander:

This is the latest news about Matt...

Hi

Just wanted to let you know that Matt's condition has improved enough

in the

last 10 days to allow him to be moved from the ICU to a regular room.

(Yeah!!!!) The Doctors are greatly pleased that Matthew has regain some

strength and some movement and his breathing and heart beat are back

close

to normal. We are still not out of the woods but this is a step in the

right

direction as Matts radiation treatment will be able to continue. So far

he

has had 14 of 31 treatments so he is almost half way. He is starting to

loose his hair but considering he was suppose to loose his hair but

didn't

with the chemo and that didn't work we are taking this as a good sign.

However we won't know how effective the radiation is until after it is

done.

We would like to thank everyone for thier support , prayers and visits.

This

has really helped bring up Matt's spirits. We are hoping and praying

that

God will give us a Christmas miracle

Tom, Wendy, Micheal, Matthew, and Nicholas

Keep those prayers coming.

[willbell]

Tom,

My prayers go out to Matthew.

Will

[Mad Russian]

Just talked with Tom.

Matthew has been moved to a normal room and has had another radiation treatment today. That makes 17 out of 31.

When he was in such bad shape he had only had 10.

They are a very happy set of parents and thank everyone for the continued prayers.

Steve

[Mad Russian]

Matthew Grace update...he is continuing to improve daily. His radiation treatments are progressing as well. He has now taken 21 out of the 30 he needs.

He is still wheel chair bound and continues to be feed using a trach. He is able to talk though.

Our prayers are making a difference in his life. Continue to pray for Matthew and the entire Grace family as the Christmas season progresses. It has to be hard to spend this season in the hospital for them. On the other hand it has to be a happy time for them since Matthew is making such progress over the past few weeks.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Steve

[Panzer Aufklarung]

Thank you, Steve, for doing your part in winning graces for the Graces. Christmas truly is a time for miracles... may they continue to happen for Tom and his family, a family that includes all you guys in the support & security elements.

[Mad Russian]

Another Matthew Grace update:

HI

I am happy to report that Matt is continuing to slowly improve. Matt

has

completed most of his Radiation with only 8 radiation treatments left

to do.

His last treatment will be on December 31st!

Today the doctors actually let us know that they expect Matt will be

able to

go back to Golden in the new year!!! We are now in the home planning

stage...The doctors here and at home will meet soon for a

teleconference to

prepare everyone for the move to the Golden hospital. He will have to

stay

in the hospital in Golden until we have everything prepared at home.

(But at

least we will be back in our own town.) Nurses are in the process of

being

trained to watch him at night so we can get some sleep. Wendy and I

have

also been trained to look after Matthew's trach and G tube. We will now

look

at our home situation and how we can make it wheelchair assessable.

This

will require a lot of preparing and renovations but just having him

back

home in the Golden hospital will be such a blessing till we can get the

house ready for him. Of course we are praying that he will regain his

ability to walk but that is in God's hands.

Matt was so happy today, as it was okayed for him to "Taste" food, The

nurse

brought him chocolate syrup and he was able to lick a candy

cane........ he

can't eat food as of yet, but just the taste was heaven........ However

the

doctor was able to get a gage reflex out of him today!!! If this

continues

to improve it might mean that we might be able to get rid of the trach

and G

tube which would make home care so much easier. We are really praying

for

that!

They also worked out a way that he can e-mail his friends so, he has

already

started the process and will be able to send them off soon.

Mike, Nick, Wendy and I are doing well. They were right about the

hospital

being a special place at Christmas time. They are always entertaining

the

patients and lots of cheer.... We are all doing a lot of laughing......

oh

which reminds me, Matt can now use his talking trach and sounds a lot

like a

boy on helium ........ ha ha he's great at the munchkin song from the

wizard of oz.... follow the yellow brick road....

We are not out of the woods yet as only time will tell how effective

the

radiation treatment is but it is so nice to see Matt smile and laugh

again.

It is already hard to believe that he is the same boy who the doctors

were

so worried about only a few weeks ago. We are looking forward to

spending

Christmas with Matt in the childrens hospital.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and thank you all for your prayers

and

support.

Tom Wendy Micheal Matthew and Nick

[Old Warmonger]

Hi

I would like to thank everyone for thier prayers and support. Matthew is improving every day and we are hopeful that this will continue. This is the first time I've had a chance to get to the forum and read your posts. I thank you all your encouragement! I would also like to thank Steve for updating this thread. The world wide support and prayers are amazing and the effect on my son has been wonderful. We are hopeful that our son will be able to come home soon.

Thanks so much!

Tom "Warmonger" Grace

[Akula2]

Overjoyed to hear it.

God bless all of you.

[Mad Russian]

Here is the latest update on Matthew Grace.

Matthew is continuing to improve slowly

and

is heading in the right direction which is great. He has only two

radiation

treatments left so he will be done on friday. The doctors here have

already

had a conference call with the doctors in Golden to set up Matt moving

to

the Golden hospital early in the new year. Our prayers have been

answered so

far.

We are planning to bring my two other kids back home right after the

new

year so they can go back to school. Wendy will go home with them for

two

weeks then we will switch. Thanks for your support during this

stressful

time. It was a great help to know that we had prayer and support from

all

over the world.

Thanks again

Tom

[Old Warmonger]

My many thanks to those in CM community who have offered support and prayer for my son. He is improving and might be returning home by the end of the month but we will have to convert our livingroom into a hospital room to do it. My son is keeping track of the countries of those who e-mail etc on a map on the wall of his room so if you can say your country of origin (state or pronvince in larger counties)in your mail that would be great. Thank you again for your support.

Warmonger

[Mad Russian]

I thought I would share part of an email that Tom Grace sent me last night.

I have an amazing story to tell you. The area where we will be setting up Matt's room is carpeted. So for hygienic and ease of movement of Matts equipment we decided to have the carpet removed and an laminated floor put in. We were given some money by an radio station in Calgary in December and thought we use it to pay for this project. I had to get on this fast as the hospital equipment will be arriving soon so I went to the local flooring store. This store is own by a family living about a block away and they have a son who is friends with Matt and they are Christians as well. I found the flooring we wanted and they even dropped the price from $2/square foot to $1.50/square foot which I thought was great. I went home and phoned my wife to update her then after I hung up the phone rang. It was the flooring supply store. They had decided to donate the flooring to us and install it as well. (I was going to have our church organize a work party to help me put it in) I was flabbergasted as we are talking about an $1000 floor!!!! I went back to show them what pattern we wanted. I was so grateful and over whelmed that I could not control my emotions and tears were flowing. They have already delivered the material and will put it in on Wednesday. Let me tell you the whole thing amazed me!!! God really works in amazing ways!!

Well I hope to try out your operation. It may take a bit time if it is an large one. Does it matter what side I play. What is PBEM helper and where do I get it?

Well gotta get to bed. I have to move furniture tomorrow!!!!

Thank you for all your support for this family. God is good. We need but be faithful. Continue to keep the Grace family in your prayers. I believe that Matthew is scheduled to return home sometime in February.

Steve