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David Colbeth
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Ron Colbeth dies
UPDATED August 31, 2002
From Larry Neff, pastor Denver/ Colorado Springs/Loveland CO:On Friday evening, Aug. 2, Ron Colbeth asked to be anointed. He specifically wanted to have included in the request that his suffering not be prolonged if God did not choose to heal him now. It seems that God did grant this request and Ron died Sun. morning Aug. 11th. He was comfortable the last 24 hours, having slipped into a coma. The family is very close and they are working through this terrible loss together, with the support of the church family. Memorial services were held in both Loveland and Wisconsin and each was attended by 200-300 people, over 500 in all.
UPDATED August 23, 2002
Could you post Ron's death on August 11. He was in a coma since early Sabbath morning, and died around 9:10 am Sunday with all of us at his side. His services were in Loveland with Charles Melear on Aug 14 & in Hudson WI with Mr. Don Erickson on Aug 16. Cremation was conducted.
Betsy Colbeth
5917 Stagecoach Ave.Longmont, CO 80504
UPDATED August 4, 2002
Sadly I have some very serious news.
Yesterday (8/2) we took Ron to the Emergency Room as he was having trouble breathing, and after another CT of his lungs & discussion with Dr. Moran, (our oncologist), Mayo confirms that what Ron has is a very rare Sarcoma, or cancer, instead of the Hystiocytosis. Unfortunately, he has seriously worsened in the last 2 weeks (per CT), and there really is little hope Chemo will be effective as it is very aggressive and extensive throughout his lungs. However, Ron chose to have another Chemo dose yesterday. It is the same chemo he originally used in the beginning & apparently was responsive to at that time. If no improvement is seen, Dr. Moran feels he may have a few weeks/month until he succumbs to this cancer.
He continues to be hopeful and believes God is our Ultimate Healer, but is also realistic about the possibility of death. Our family is deeply thankful for all the love shown up till now, and ask you continue to beseech God to intervene, & if not heal Ron, to comfort him & relieve the pain in these last days. I also ask you pray for the kids: Jon (& his wife Crissy and children Tyler, Donovan & Riley); Gabe, Sarah & her husband Pat (both in Okinawa), Jacob & Rebekah. This is extremely difficult for each of them.
With deep love for all of you,
Bets
UPDATED July 24, 2002
After speaking with Dr Moran this morning, we are starting chemo today while he's still inpatient. According to the pathology lab in Boulder, the biopsy tissue is very similar to the previous bone marrow, & even though it's going to Mayo for further testing Dr Moran is very anxious to begin treatment, which we're readily agreeable with. It is a 5 day course, then again in a month. Because his pain was bad again yesterday, we're going to wait & see how his day goes before discharging home. Please pray for his comfort & effective results from the chemo.
Thanks!
5917 Stagecoach Ave.Longmont, CO 80504
UPDATED July 20, 2002
Ron's surgery (open lung biopsy) went well last night, he didn't go into surgery until after 8 PM & went to ICU following the procedure. The wedges of lung tissue "looked different" than anything the surgeon had ever seen, but he admitted he hadn't much experience with Histiocytosis. He has a chest tube that is draining blood from the area of the surgery, & that will come out after it has stopped draining, hopefully tomorrow. He was in extreme pain last night, but I told the nurse very clearly that what was ordered was not enough & to call the Dr to increase his doses when I left him about 11:45 last night. When I got home the nurse had done that. When I called this morning he reported Ron had a pretty good night & rested most of it. He should probably be moved to the Oncolgy Unit later today. and if all goes well home early next week. Pain Management will be the focus as his back pain has returned with a vengance this week, which Ron & I feel is a clear indication this it is certainly the disease once again. His lungs per CT are in very serious condition with thickening of bronchi & other tissue, and what they call "Interstitial Lung Disease", a condition of great seriousness. IF this is the disease, Dr Moran feels the tissue should regenerate. We certainly pray that's the case, the alternative is similar to Emphesema which is continual deterioration..
Dr Moran was in phone conversation with the Mayo Dr yesterday & he's anxious to get the tissues as well. Hopefully we will get results by Friday, and then begin the chemo quickly. Please continue to pray for God's intervention. We both deeply appreciate everything!
UPDATED May 16, 2002
From Larry Neff, pastor, Denver/Colorado Springs/Loveland, CO:
There is some very encouraging news on the progress of Ron Colbeth. Ron and his wife Betsy just returned from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. After a second biopsy the doctors have concluded there are no active cancer cells in his body and that he will not need to continue with
chemotherapy! It may take a while for his body to return to normal. He still has some pain and fluid retention, but the Colbeths believe deeply
that God has intervened. All the prayers, large number of cards, and concern are greatly appreciated.
UPDATED April 27, 2002
Wanted to let you all know where we are at with our plans to go to Mayo next week. Through my brothers graciousness, he got us tickets to fly into Mpls on Sunday (4/28). We will be @ Ron's brother's house (Dick 715.749.3885) until Tuesday when we''ll head to Rochester. Our appt is @ 9 AM Wed. with many tests to face I'm sure. It's unknown @ this time how long we'll be there, all depends on what tests/results they do. We will be @ Best Western @ Soldier Field 1-800-366-2067 while there. It looks like Bekah will be with us as her advisors have recommended she finish up classes from here this summer & take a leave at this time. She's had an extremely difficult time focusing on her courses. It will be wonderful to have her with us.
I'll try & keep everyone up to date as best I can as we go through this experience. We just pray it's a fruitful & productive trip rather than exhausting, expensive & without answers. Ron & I are indebted to so many for their financial, emotional & physical support. It's very humbling and we thank you all deeply.
UPDATED April 26, 2002
Just a quick update on Ron. I know it's been a few weeks but not much new to write about (good I guess!)
He had the 4th treatment yesterday & it seems to be pretty tolerable. His hair is thinning quite a bit but no loss to notice by just looking. We do think it eventually be gone, how soon is hard to know. No other side effects such as nausea, but they said that can begin after he's into the treatment a ways if it does occur. We of course hope that isn't the case. He's been very fatigued; that can be attributed to alot of factors such as anemia, pain meds, the disease, or chemo. Take your pick. He will have an hour or 2 during each day when he feels up to doing some work, but tends to pay for it later in the evening or during the night with increased pain. Overall the pain is much better, but typically needs pain meds once or twice daily to alleviate some "breakthrough" pain (as we professionals call it). He currently is on antibiotic as he's got a Bronchitis now. They did a chest X-ray after Chemo yesterday but haven't heard any results from it, so it must not have been too worrisome. The other news is that the University Dr finally got back to Dr. Moran & informed him they agree with the diagnosis of "Langerhan's Cell Hystiocytosis" and the treatment we have begun is what they recommend. Again, due to the rarity of the disease no one can tell us if the Chemo will work, how soon we'll see improvement;- prognosis in general is very unknown. "One day at a time" truly is our lifestyle currently.
Sarah will depart on Thursday afternoon; it has been such a blessing to have her with us, & of course will miss her terribly (all over again). We are so thankful her husband Pat has shared her with us, but they need to be together & have been very lonely for each other. Bekah arrives on the same day Sarah leaves, & we're hoping they can at least see each other at the airport as she arrives 2 hours prior to Sarah's departure. Bekah will be her until Monday. Then I'm on my own again
That's about it for the news. Ron & I again thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your continued concern & prayers. Without it we'd be so lonely & sad. The suppport I'm gettting from work is also awesome. A couple of fellow nurses are sponsoring a Charity Golf Tourny on May 5th in Denver. If anyone is interested let me know & I"ll forward the info. They realize Ron's disability is affecting our income greatly, (but those bills sure don't realize it), so we're so very grateful for their kindness & thoughtfulness.
Love to you all,
Bets
UPDATED April 7, 2002
Just a quick update on Ron. I know it's been a few weeks but not much new to write about (good I guess!)
He had the 4th treatment yesterday & it seems to be pretty tolerable. His hair is thinning quite a bit but no loss to notice by just looking. We do think it eventually be gone, how soon is hard to know. No other side effects such as nausea, but they said that can begin after he's into the treatment a ways if it does occur. We of course hope that isn't the case. He's been very fatigued; that can be attributed to alot of factors such as anemia, pain meds, the disease, or chemo. Take your pick. He will have an hour or 2 during each day when he feels up to doing some work, but tends to pay for it later in the evening or during the night with increased pain. Overall the pain is much better, but typically needs pain meds once or twice daily to alleviate some "breakthrough" pain (as we professionals call it). He currently is on antibiotic as he's got a Bronchitis now. They did a chest X-ray after Chemo yesterday but haven't heard any results from it, so it must not have been too worrisome. The other news is that the University Dr finally got back to Dr. Moran & informed him they agree with the diagnosis of "Langerhan's Cell Hystiocytosis" and the treatment we have begun is what they recommend. Again, due to the rarity of the disease no one can tell us if the Chemo will work, how soon we'll see improvement;- prognosis in general is very unknown. "One day at a time" truly is our lifestyle currently.
Sarah will depart on Thursday afternoon; it has been such a blessing to have her with us, & of course will miss her terribly (all over again). We are so thankful her husband Pat has shared her with us, but they need to be together & have been very lonely for each other. Bekah arrives on the same day Sarah leaves, & we're hoping they can atleast see each other at the airport as she arrives 2 hours prior to Sarah's departure. Bekah will be her until Monday. Then I'm on my own again
That's about it for the news. Ron & I again thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your continued concern & prayers. Without it we'd be so lonely & sad. The support I'm getting from work is also awesome. A couple of fellow nurses are sponsoring a Charity Golf Tourny on May 5th in Denver. If anyone is interested let me know & I'll forward the info. They realize Ron's disability is affecting our income greatly, (but those bills sure don't realize it), so we're so very grateful for their kindness & thoughtfulness.
Love to you all, Bets
UPDATED March 16, 2002
From Larry Neff, pastor, Denver/Colorado Springs/Loveland, CO:
Ron has been in Boulder Community Hospital since Sabbath afternoon, March 9th. It appeared he had contracted pneumonia, but it is evidently bronchitis, with some fluid in the base of the lungs. Pain has been worsening, although an IV meditation was infused on Friday to slow bone deterioration and thereby mitigate the pain. It became so bad Saturday night that steroid therapy is also being administered.
A central line is being put in place for the chemotherapy, which is scheduled to begin Thursday. The type of chemo has been decided, pending the conclusions of a conference of specialists at Anschutz Center on Wednesday. The oncologist at Boulder feels it is very likely that the group will support the earlier diagnosis. What Ron has can best be described as a rare form of cancer which is affecting the bone marrow throughout his body and can invade other tissue. The Colbeths have deeply appreciated the tremendous care shown by so many and request continued prayers.
UPDATED March 4, 2002
From Betsy Colbeth , spouse of Ron Colbeth
A pathologist at the Mayo Clinic has determined from the bone marrow biopsy, that Ron probably has a rare cell disease called "langerhans cell histiocytosis." This is not completely conclusive but "this is what he favors." If this holds up or at least the diagnoses stays in the realm of this kind of disease, this would be good news compared to previous determinations. LCH is treatable with normally good response to treatment. Left untreated, it would provide symptoms like Leukemia. So it is still a very serious condition.
His pain is getting worse and is taking increasing amounts of pain medication for him be comfortable. The medication has been changed as some as some of the larger doses may be hard on his liver. The pain when it does get on top of him is horrible. So I ask that you would pray that God would moderate the pain and that we can find safe and effective means ofmedication to keep it under control.
On Wednesday March 6th, after a review and conference of his case at the Anshutz Cancer Clinic at the University of Colorado Hospital they should have a definite diagnoses and course of treatment. Until
then, we keep on taking one day at a time!
Ron says to thank everyone from the bottom of his heart for your prayers, cards and concerns. He loves you all.
Betsy Colbeth
2,096
February 20, 2002
From Larry Neff, pastor, Denver/Colorado Springs/Loveland, CO:
Ron Colbeth, a member of the Loveland, Colorado congregation, has been diagnosed with a form of cancer in the pelvic and spinal areas, in the bone marrow. MRI images appear like "Swiss cheese with cancer eating its way out." The pain has been extreme and increasing for months, but is much better with the present pain medication. Tests are being evaluated at the Mayo Clinic to determine just what kind of cancer it is. Initially, it appeared to be multiple myeloma, but tests have proven otherwise. Other organs appear to be unaffected so far as can be determined at this point.
Ron is in a very positive, yet realistic attitude, and is truly looking to God to see him through this severe trial. Prayers would be appreciated for him, his wife Betsy, and the family, including two daughters far away--one in Minnesota and one in Okinawa!
