Update

Rhonda is doing well and is ecstatic about NOT having to have a colostomy bag! The doctor did remove about a foot and a half of her colon. He said the tumor was shrunk to a “scab” size, so everything she went through before the surgery with the radiation and chemo treatments was well worth it! They also did a full hysterectomy. She was up walking with help last night and did a “lap” in the hallway. She is weak but in very good spirits.



I felt really privileged yesterday as I waited with Rhonda’s family during the surgery. Al, Stacy & Lance, Andrea and Kevin, Eric, Rhonda’s parents, Bud & Sharon, her brother and sister-in-law, Rod & Teresa, her brother, Mark, Al’s brother, Stan, and Rhonda’s Aunt Naomi, were all waiting for news when I arrived. We were all pretty nervous when the call came for Al and the kids to come talk to the doctor, but then the absolutely best news came, and to watch all the heartfelt emotion come pouring out was really something to see. To know that Rhonda is surrounded with such love and caring by her family and all of you has kept me close to tears for the last 24 hours. I firmly believe that God heard all our prayers and answered. I’ve said it before, but not with as much deep conviction as now: Rhonda is truly blessed to have such a wonderful network of family and friends to pray and care for her.



I don’t know when Rhonda will be released from the Hospital yet, but will keep you updated. She is in Room 338 at Allen Memorial Hospital, if any of you want to visit or write to her.



I’m continuing on with the meals schedule for Shaws starting next week when Rhonda will be home. Here’s the new schedule:



August 12th - Denise LeBahn

August 14th - Terri Zuck

August 19th - Juli Kopriva

August 21st - Julie Merfeld

August 26th - Teresa Johnson

August 28th - Kathy Juel

September 2nd - LuAnn Jones

September 4th – Lisa Schmitz

September 9th - Darla Payne

September 11th - Diane DeBuhr



Feel free to switch with another person if your date doesn’t work for you, or contact me. Again, please put meals in disposable containers or label your pans so I can be sure & get them back to you. If you are unable to get the meal to Shaws directly, you can drop it off to me (Denise Gibbs) at my office, Correll Law Firm, 411 Main St., Cedar Falls, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call Denise at (319) 983-2470 (home) or (319) 269-6043 (cell), and make arrangements. Shaws home phone: (319) 277-4276. If you want to make something to put in the freezer and get it to me or Shaws before the date I have you scheduled, feel free to do so. And if I forgot anyone, I apologize!



THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE SHAW FAMILY!



Denise Gibbs