I know many of you in the Anderson area have meet or worked with Donna Harmon with BB&T. She is a wonderful person and always professional yet very very personable. I have come to respect and cherish the relationship I have fostered with Donna thru our business relationship. But yesterday I recieved a very sad email from Donn'a husband Mark and decided to pass it on so my fellow AR members could remember her and her sister in their thoughts and prayers:
Donna's older sister, Sherry, has been suffering from severe back and joint pain for months. She has seen many doctors and even been sent to the emergency room several times during this period, to no avail. Sherry was finally referred to a neurologist to examine her. That doctor said she had some discs in her neck and spine that needed to be replaced. Surgery was scheduled for this past Tuesday (12/02) to replace those discs.
Donna and I took Sherry for her pre-op on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. At this point she was and had been in constant pain, unable to sleep for long periods and suffering from several other health issues. The personnel at the hospital took a blood sample and performed an EKG for the pre-op. Later that afternoon Donna received a call from the hospital regarding Sherry's blood test. The hospital said that Sherry needed to come to the emergency room immediately, there would be a doctor waiting to see her. The reason for this urgency was that her platelet count was extremely low. After some initial testing upon her arrival, the doctor(s) said that Sherry either had a rare blood disease ( TTP) or leukemia. They admitted her into the neurological ICU department at the hospital and started treatment for the platelet problem. The next day, Sherry had some problems breathing. The doctors put a scope down into her lungs. They found stage 4 invasive cancer. Further tests revealed malignant tumors along some of her bones and the joints.
The doctors stated that without treatment, she would die in 2-3 months. Treatment with chemotherapy and possibly radiation would likely give her 8-10 months.
Friends, I'm sorry that was a little long and I know some of my terminology is probably off a little. I just want you all to know what Donna, her sister Sherry and the rest of the family have been going thru lately. It's been a period of ," we know there's a problem, but we don't know what", to "it's her discs in her neck and spine". Now, in less than a week, it's determined that Sherry has terminal cancer and it has been growing for some time.
Please, we would like to ask for your prayers for this trial Donna's family is experiencing. Sherry is a Jesus lover as well as the rest of her family. Worry over healing is not the issue, as we know God will heal Sherry either here or in Heaven. We are concerned for her pain and suffering while she is here with us. She continues to experience both, to unbearable levels at times. Sherry has touched many lives in her lifetime and we know her crown will be heavy.
Please pray for her relief from pain and suffering. In this busy holiday season, I ask that you take just a moment to say a little prayer for Sherry, and her family.
A little update: I am sorry to say that Sherry did not win her battle and is now looking down on us from Heaven. My prayers are still with you Donna.
16 garden apartments
