Clayton's Blog

Christmas Has Come Early

Donavon Smith — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:06:04 +0000

Hello all

As most of you know I had a PET Scan done last Wed. and I got my results today. Dr. Brizel said, my head and neck area (in his words) was crystal clear. Praise the Lord!!!!

There was an abnormallity in my left lung. We knew going in that the pneumonia I had in my left lung would probably show up on the PET Scan and it did. He feels that this is probably scare tissue. So I will have a CT Scan on Jan. 7th to make sure everything is OK.

So just to recap. My head and neck area is clear. It showed no cancer. I want to thank each of you for your prayers and support. I could not have made it without you!

I hope each and everyone of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Remember God in everything you do this Holiday Season and enjoy your family.

Peace

Clayton

Nov. 24th Update

Donavon Smith — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:24:56 +0000

I hope this update finds everyone and their families OK and getting ready to give thanks to God for our blessings. Speaking of blessing I am so blessed. I am doing very well. I feel really good. I am getting stronger every week. My throat is getting better and better. I am eating basically anything I want. I still go for the soft stuff but getting back to my old diet. I have been able to go to the last three ASU football games. Go ASU!

I went to Duke last Wed. the 19th for a check up. It went really well. I met with both of my Dr.s and they said I am healing very well. I have a PET scan set for Dec. the 10th. So hopefully by Christmas we will know if we got rid of the cancer or what our next step will be. Please pray for me that I am cancer free. Your prayers and support has be unbelievable. My family and I could not have made it through this without your help! Thank You!

As I said earlier I hope you are able to give thanks to God this Thanksgiving Holiday. Enjoy your family everyday.

Thanks Clayton

Oct. 22nd Update

Donavon Smith — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:51:53 +0000

I went to Duke last Wed. and got a good check up. I met with Dr Brizel and he check my throat and he said it has healed some since my last appt. He said it was still red and had some more healing to do. So I go back in a month for a check up and at that time he we decide if it’s time for a pet scan.

Good news, I went to High Point Market on Sunday for my Salesmeetings. It was great to see everybody and to get out and do something. I went back to High Point on Tuesday and worked with a few accounts. Both days were long but everything went great. My feet hurt at the end of the day but that’s all right. So I have a ways to go but these last couple of days have been really good.

I want to thank everyone for their support and prayers. Please help me pray that everything keeps going well and when we do have that Pet Scan we get a clean bill of health!

Thank You

Clayton

Oct. 7th Update

Donavon Smith — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:52:50 +0000

Hey All

I’m sorry for the lack of info. I don’t know if everyone knows but I was in the hospital with phnmonia for almost two weeks. I had to have two tubes put into my left lung for drainage. I still have one left but I hope to get it out next week.

I had a rough week or two after I got out of the hospital. I have had a good week or two. I hope everything stays the same. I’ve been lucky these last days. Keep praying for me, please.

I hope you are all well and I hope to talk to you soon!

Clayton

Sept. 19th Update

Donavon Smith — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:54:37 +0000

This past Wednesday I met with Dr. Brizel at Duke, which went very well. He could not find any scar tissue in the neck from the cancer. They ran many tests and all the results were positive, which pleased the doctors. The doctor said he could not say where the pneumonia came from, but he was very pleased I had not lost any weight during my illness, however he did say it probably set my recovery time back four or five weeks.

Today I met with my local family doctor who said my hemogloben was up, which is very very good news. He said it looks as if my vitamins and minerals are finally starting to replenish themselves. I go back Monday to have more drainage tubes removed from my chest and to take a chest x-ray to make sure the pneumonia is gone.

Eating is starting to pick up which is a struggle due to lack of appetite, nothing tasting very good, soreness in my throat and generally not feeling like eating. The doctors want me to try to get somewhere between 2500 and 3000 calories a day which I can do on good days but struggle with a little on bad days.

Overall things are a little better. I don’t want to say it’s starting to look up because I still have a very difficult road ahead and I don’t want to jinx myself, but I am hanging in there and taking one day at a time.

Clayton

Sept 8th Update

Donavon Smith — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:53:52 +0000

Good news, Clayton was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon and is resting at home. He is eating on his own and hopes to continue to do so to keep his strength up and speed the healing process.

Donavon

Sept. 5th Update

Donavon Smith — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:00:47 +0000

Clayton is still at Catawba Valley Medical Center recovering from his case of pneumonia. The culture of the fluid came back clear of any cancer and he is undergoing a battery of antibiotics to treat it. His doctors are still concerned with his food intake and are monitoring his calorie count closely to determine if he needs to have a feeding tube put in to ensure he is gets enough nutrition. As soon as these questions are answered, he should be able to return home.

Donavon

September 2nd Update

Donavon Smith — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:13:23 +0000

Friday Clayton checked into Catawba Valley Medical Center. On Saturday he underwent surgery to remove two liters of fluid from his lungs. He is still in the hospital awaiting results of tests on the fluid to determine what the fluid is and it’s source, so he can be properly treated. Clayton’s doctors at Duke are monitoring the findings at CVMC and there are no plans to transfer him to Duke unless his condition worsens.

The doctors have also stressed the importance of Clayton getting more nutrition on a regular basis, which has been an ongoing struggle during his treatment. Please keep Clayton and his family in your prayers during this time. I will post more information on Clayton and his condition as it becomes available.

Donavon

August 21st Update

Donavon Smith — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:19:34 +0000

Just a note to let everyone know what’s going on with my treatment. I went to Duke on Wednesday and met with my Dr.s.

9:00am I met with Dr. Thenover and my blood work was a little off. Not bad though, so we talked about backing off some of my pain pills. So I’m starting Thursday on cutting back on them.

Then at 10:30 I met with Dr Brizel’s staff and then him. Over all my appointment went well. But he had me get some more blood taken he wanted to check my Thyroid. Then he told me I have to gain some weight. We talked about my weight for along time.

I had an Ultra Sound done at noon and we came home.

By the time I got home, Tim part of Dr. Brizel’s staff, had called. Then blood work they took showed my Thyroid was low. So he called me in some medicine and I started it on Thursday.

Still no sign of cancer but still healing up. I go back in four weeks and if I have healed up enough I will have a pet scan done the following week.

Let’s talk Golf. What a great turn out for that, it was great to see so many people. I think everybody had a good time. We had a lot of people stay for the night auctions. I really enjoyed myself.

May God bless everyone of you as much as he has blessed me, thank you.

Clayton Abernathy

Golf Tournament Tomorrow

Donavon Smith — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:45:20 +0000

Well, the big day for the golf tournament is tomorrow. I want to take a moment to congratulate the entire committee on the hard work and many hours they have put into making this tournament a success. They have all done a GREAT job.

Many people over the past several months have asked what they can do for Clayton and the family during his illness. I know many people have stepped up for this tournament either by playing and/or donating everything from merchandise and money to time and support. On behalf of Clayton and his entire family I want to say thank you for everything. I cannot begin to express their gratitude for everything you all have done.

For those still looking for a way to contribute but are not into golf, I encourage you to come out to the tournament and check out the many wonderful items available in the silent auction. There are many very nice items such as autographed NASCAR memorabilia, golf packages, high-end furniture, clothing, salon packages and household items. The auction will be going on all day and will conclude after the tournament is completed.

Many folks have also asked when Clayton will be there and for how long. When I spoke to him today, he said he plans on arriving between 11:30 and noon and staying until the afternoon players tee off. This way he can have an opportunity to see participants of both the morning and afternoon. He plans to leave at that time and return for the end of the tournament. Obviously, how Clayton feels will be the determining factor on how long he is there. We definitely don’t want him to over do it.

There have also been questions about adult beverages at the tournament. Glen Oaks will be selling alcohol at the clubhouse. It’s also important to know that normal rules apply.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Donavon