January 7th, 2012
The Memorial Service for Carolyn Searway will be held on:
Friday January 13, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Modesto Covenant Church
913 Floyd Ave, Modesto California. 95350
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:
R.U.S.D C/O Carolyn Searway Scholarship Foundation
6715 7th Street, Riverbank California,95367
Write a message of tribute on the Message Board.
January 5th, 2012
On January 3,2012 we asked all the prayer partners to pray specifically for Carolyn and the family over the next 48 hours.
We asked that "God reveal himself to Carolyn like never before" and for "freedom from pain" and " peace."
This morning at 6:00 AM God answered our prayers. Carolyn fought a brave battle against duodenal cancer for the past 13 months.
She received her freedom from her pain today January 5, 2012 when she ended her 52 year journey on this earth. She clearly expressed that she had no fear of death, an outcome of her Christian faith.
We sincerely Thank You for your vigilant prayers that sustained her through this past year. Your faithfulness blessed her and the family beyond comprehension.
Knowing that a whole community of believers are praying for you on a regular basis had a profound impact on Carolyn's day to day well being.
"Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
The arrangements and Celebration of Life Service will be posted on this web site in the next few days.
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for remembrance to be a Holy time
- For peace and rest for Ben
- For comfort for Michael, Robbie, and Katie
- For God's presence in our midst
- For God to be glorified through the life of Carolyn
Download the most recent prayer guide.
January 3rd, 2012
Special Prayer Over the Next 48 Hours
The Pray for Carolyn web site was launched on Valentines Day, 2011, as a source of love and encouragement for Carolyn and her family.
As prayer partners we all chose to give Carolyn our most valuable gifts of time, prayer, and faith. Carolyn, being a great time manager, responded by praying for each one of us at a scheduled time as well. Wasn't this just the perfect reflection of our love for her returning back to us?
Now it appears that Carolyn's prayer life may be limited and she is depending on us even more to continue our pledges of faith and prayer. Please pray specifically, during the next 48 hours, that the Lord will reveal himself to Carolyn and her loved ones in marvelous ways. If everyone on the prayer chain will pray that Carolyn would receive freedom from pain and a special peace, this would be a culmination of the effort that began this web site and a way to thank God for illuminating our world with the gift of Carolyn's life.
Thank you each for your faithfulness. You mean the world to us.
Prayer Requests:
- That the Lord reveals Himself to Carolyn like never before
- For the peace that passes understanding
- For God's supernatural presence in the midst of her and her loved ones
- For freedom from pain
Write a prayer or message to Carolyn or her family on the 48 Hour Special Prayer Message Board.
Download the most recent prayer guide.
December 29th, 2011
Carolyn spent most of Christmas week in the sanctuary of her lovely bedroom with a Christmas tree which had been decorated with Swedish ornaments and twinkling lights by Katie and Ben.
She had visits from family, friends, and Christmas carolers. Their beautiful voices carried the good news of Christmas to her ears and she experienced the"comfort and joy" that the season brings. The family celebrated Christmas morning together while Carolyn napped and listened to the sounds of anticipation and thankfulness.
The Hospice nurse came Tuesday and reevaluated her status and care plan. Susie and Rose Ann worked with the Hospice Nurse. We told Carolyn that she was the "Queen Bee" and we were all her drones. We all started buzzing as we were changing her nightgown and she smiled at our silliness. She also advised us to "be careful and not hurt our backs" while we were caring for her.
She continues to be the beautiful, caring, sensitive, intelligent person we all know and love and teaches us daily to walk the journey of faith.
December 14th , 2011
Carolyn and Ben met with the oncologist last week and in spite of all the excellent care she has received it appears that chemotherapy is no longer a viable treatment option for her. In order to maximize the quality of Carolyn's remaining life, Dr Bonisadre suggested that Hospice be included in her future medical and personal care.
Ben and Carolyn met with Hospice over the weekend and have agreed to begin this intervention. Thank you again for your ongoing loving care and concern for her and the family during this journey of faith.
Your prayers and support continue to bless Carolyn and a multitude of family/friends in miraculous ways.
"To God Be The Glory".
December 8th , 2011
Read a Message from Susie, which has lots of practical ways to be support to Carolyn and her family. Carolyn has an appointment with Dr. Bonisadre, her Modesto oncologist, this Friday morning. She is no longer participating in the clinical trial as it has not been able to work faster than the cancer cells are rapidly multiplying.
November 22nd, 2011
Carolyn has started on Total Parenteral Nutrition via the IV access port that is inserted below her collarbone.
The home health nurse is coming out several times a week and has taught Michael, Robbie, and Ben to care for Carolyn during this time. The portable high protein solution runs 24 hours a day. It delivers about a 61 grams of protein/multi-vitamins and insulin straight into her bloodstream.
She also can eat food when she wants to. We are hoping this will improve her energy levels and muscle tone.
November 10th, 2011
Carolyn and Ben traveled to Arizona last week to participate in the on-going clinical trial. While she was there, she was hospitalized for gastrointestinal bleeding. She was discharged on Friday and returned home to California.
On Tuesday, she was admitted to Oak Valley Hospital for a transfusion, lab work, and a gastrointestinal work up to determine the cause of the bleeding. She was discharged on Wednesday and is waiting for the final reports from the GI specialist and MD.
Prayer Requests:
- A positive outcome regarding the test results and clinical findings.
- Increase in strength, appetite, and health.
October 17th, 2011
Carolyn has officially started the clinical trial for the BRAF inhibitor in Arizona!
September 28th, 2011
Sunday, October 2nd, Ben and Carolyn will fly to Scottsdale, Arizona where Carolyn has an appointment, on Monday, at Pinnacle Oncology Center, to be considered for a clinical trial. The trial will use the drug that targets the BRAF mutation which Carolyn has. Please pray that Carolyn and Ben have a safe trip and that the appointment and possible treatment on Tuesday and Wednesday, go well. Carolyn will fly back to Arizona 18 days after the initial treatment and, if all is going well, will continue on the drug as long as it is working. She will need to fly in to Scottsdale, for a monitoring appointment, one day a month.
Thank you everyone for your continued prayers. This clinical trial can provide a critical breakthrough in her treatment. We so appreciate your prayers for her strength and for her family as they support her at this time.
September 13th, 2011
On Sunday Sept 11, many of the prayer partners joined together to celebrate the 30th wedding anniversary of Carolyn and Ben Searway.
The day was filled with music, sunshine, a beautiful wedding cake, flowers, and lots of hugs of happiness as we also celebrated another milestone in the journey of faith with the Searways. Carolyn and Ben enjoyed visiting with all that attended. They continued to enjoy the celebration at home as they opened the many cards and gifts and were blessed by the loving words of encouragement they received from all of you. On Monday, Carolyn met with the Oncologist and it was decided that her course of treatment would be changed. The new protocol (Gemzar, Xeloda, Taxotere) is currently being used at MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER in Huston Texas with considerable success. The good news is that there is less neuropathy associated with these drugs. Please continue to pray that the new treatment will be successful and that an opportunity will be available in a future clinical trail for BRAF inhibitors.
As was stated many times Sunday afternoon, Carolyn continues to feel the strength and power of your prayers. May God continue to bless you all as we unite in prayer with Carolyn.
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