Ron McCoy

8/20/06 I GOT IN MAIL FROM TONY MURFIN THIS CLOTH IT READS (POCKET PRAYER) THIS CLOTH HAS BEEN BLESSED AND PRAYED OVER BY THE PEOPLE OF HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH IN HOLLY LAKE, TEXAS. KEEP IT IN YOUR POCKET TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE. GOD AND OUR PRAYERS ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU. IT'S A BLUE CLOTH WITH A WHITE CROSS AND I THINK IT' S WONDERFUL THANKS SO MUCH TONY YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO ME. -- RON PROUD MEMBER OF THE CLASS OF 56

Sadly we report that Ron lost his battle with the brain tumor yesterday evening. We will have more information as it is available. Keep Mary Lou and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Ron has been moved to the Skilled Nursing Wing of the North Kansas City Hospital. Yesterday afternoon Karol and I visited with him, Mary Lou, and Sandy, one of his twin daughters. He was in good spirits and seemed to enjoy our visit. I'm sure he would appreciate a card, e-mail --

Email to hospital Room 222 or email his home. He would also enjoy visits from classmates and friends.

Ron under went surgery to remove 2 tumors. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. See below for a way to send emails of encouragement, I am sure he will appreciate your notes. Ron can be e:mailed at North Kansas City Hospital at the following address: http://www.NKCH.org/visitors/email.shtml. His room number is 1036.

Further tests on Ron have indicated a need for another procedure. He is schedule for surgery tomorrow morning, Friday, November 17th.

Ron had a fall this morning and was taken to North Kansas City hospital. He had finished phase I of chemo the last week of October and was felling much better until the week-end. We hope to have more information within the next day or so.

Ron completed his radiation treatments a couple of weeks ago. His optimism is unbelievable and he continues to regain strength each day. With the exception of using a lighter bowling ball, everything else is pretty much what it was prior to the surgery. Well, he said it took an additional two minutes to mow his yard the other day. He had a 252 game a week or so ago, is averaging about 185 for three leagues, and two of the three teams he and Mary Lou are in are in first place. Truly amazing.

Ron is still feeling good. He had to go to the North Kansas City emergency room last week, however, it had nothing to do with his surgery. The little finger on his bowling hand was caught between two bowling balls during Monday's first game. It wasn't pretty, and there was quite a lot of blood, however, he finished the three games. Leaving the hospital he had two more stitches than when he entered. During the week he averaged 192 and had his first 600 series using his new lightweight ball. Ron's last radiation treatment is scheduled for the 28th of the month.

Ron continues to defy the normal after-effects of surgery radiation and chemotherapy. Since the last bowling update, he had a 230 game and 595 series and is carrying a 187 average. His strength is still good and he has re-started his daily walks and sessions on his exercise bicycle.

Ron was feeling extremely good following his first full week, five days, of radiation and chemotherapy. His spirits could not be better. He continues to receive, and appreciate, e-mails of support. The bowling league he and Mary Lou are participating in started last Monday. While not up to Ron's previous standards, he averaged 176 for the nine games. What's more amazing, and challenging, is that his Monday, Wednesday and Friday radiation sessions are scheduled for 11:45 and the bowling league starts at 1:00.

Ron had two sessions of radiation, Thursday and Friday and was feeling good after each session. The treatments will continue Monday through Friday until October 5th. He purchased a lighter weight bowling ball and he and Mary Lou are planning to bowl in a fall league, starting on Monday. Sunday afternoon he, Mary Lou and two friends went bowling and he had two games in the 160's.

Ron had his stitches removed last Thursday. His spirits are excellent and he has an extremely positive attitude. Yesterday he and Mary Lou went to a birthday party, which was also attended by Fred and Ruth. He starts his five day a week chemotherapy and radiation treatments today. He really appreciates all of the cards and e-mails of support he is receiving, and each morning checks the LHS website get an update on how he's doing.

Ron returned home on Friday. He is scheduled to have his stitches removed later this week, and start radiation treatments next week. Please keep Ron in your thoughts and prayers.

I talked with Ron earlier today. He sounded a little tired, but was in good spirits. We had a nice visit and he said anyone should feel free to call him, however, he reserved the right to complain a little. The North Kansas City Hospital telephone number is 816-691-2000, and he is in room number 534.

The surgery was a success and all of the tumor was removed, however, it was cancerous. Following the healing process he will be undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Following the surgery Ron was alert and in good spirits.

We have learned today that classmate Ron McCoy is in North Kansas City Hospital and will undergo surgery Monday 7/31 for a brain tumor. Please keep Ron in your thoughts and prayers as he goes thru this serious operation. He would appreciate your cards and notes of encouragement as he recuperates. The address is below.