Thomas O’Connor High, Sr. (August 18, 1919 - May 25, 2010)

Woodruff, SC – Reverend Dr. Thomas O’Connor High, Sr., husband of the late Katharine Younts High, died May 25, 2010 at Skylyn Place Health Center.

Born in Duncan, SC on August 18, 1919, he was a son of the late Andrew Furman and Temperance Fowler High. Dr. High was an Army Veteran of World War II serving in Italy, the Pacific Theatre and North Africa where he taught French Army Officers the mechanics of Radar 264. Dr. High was a graduate of Wofford College, Vanderbilt University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned his Masters and Doctor of Theology and the University of North Carolina where he earned his Masters of Library Science. He taught English for several years in high schools and colleges. Dr. High and his wife Katharine served as missionaries/teachers for 35 years at the Nigerian Baptist Theology Seminary, Ogbomoso and Baptist Pastor’s School, Kaduna, Nigeria, under the Foreign Mission Board (now the International Mission Board) of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. High pastored churches in Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina. He was a member of Green Pond Baptist Church of Woodruff.

Dr. High is survived by a daughter, Katharine High Dunson of Woodruff, SC and five sons, Thomas O. High, Jr. of New Delhi, India, Stephen A. High of Honea Path, SC, David M. High of Woodruff, SC, John T. High of Nairobi, Kenya and James R. High of Belmont, NC. He was blessed with eight grandchildren.

The lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the International Mission Board, Atten: Development Dept., P. O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767 or Homeless Children International, P.O. Box 416, Reidville, SC 29375-0416.

Hello!

Well, tomorrow I go in for my third chemo treatment. I am so not looking forward to it. The last time, my nausea seemed to linger on into the next week. So although the first time I felt sicker it lasted only a week. This time it took me til about wed. afternoon, a week later, to feel okay. I get chemo on monday and the shot on tuesday. I think the shot is just as bad. It is supposed to massively produce white blood cells and so it makes your bones just ache.

I have two more treatments with these two types of chemo. They are every other week. Then mid June I begin my final chemo drug will be every monday. They said it shouldn't be as bad (let's hope) and I am so glad I won't need that shot the following day! My last day of chemo is Sept. 6th.

We meet with the oncologist tomorrow morning so I am gonna see if there is anything else he can recommend for nausea. I don't believe the meds. he has me on now are doing anything. They implied I shouldn't be feeling this bad for that long. I hate more than anything to be nauseated. Phenergan, a med. for nausea, isn't making me sleepy anymore. And I have always been super sensitive to that! I am not even able to take naps during the day.

So physically, that's where I am. Also losing my hair. ugh. I am used to the idea more now and am handling that better. Thank you James, for telling me I'm pretty when I don't feel it at all. I love you.

Emotionally, how am I? Better. I have had some good friends take me to the movies to get out of the house so that was a lot of fun. Went on a double date friday night. So when I am feeling up to it, it is good to get out of the house. Otherwise when the boys are at school, James is not there, and Ashley is taking a nap, I admit many days it has been a challenge for me not to be really down. Or sometimes it seems to not even feel anything at all. It's really hard to feel upbeat when I have felt so bad physically.

The kids are doing great. The boys are really enjoying school and making great grades. They have been so sweet to me and pray for me each night. I have had so much fun at home with Ashley. She has the best personality, keeps us all laughing.

James is doing well. He's very positive which is so encouraging to me and also very busy with the kids. He's working a few days at the health department and enjoys it. Please pray for wisdom for him as we decide what path to take as far as employment.

Thank you so much for all who have prayed for us. I have never felt so loved before. Each treatment I get to open a bag of presents that my sister put together. I want to thank everyone for buying such special things and sending them to her for me. I feel so unworthy of it all, I really do.

Please pray that I will feel better these next few treatments.

Please pray that I will have joy.

Please pray for our family, that this will be a time for all of us to love Jesus as never before and trust Him.

thank you

holli

Things are going well

Thanks to everyone for all of their thoughts, prayer and well-wishes.

Holli continues to do well. She had a pretty rough week after her first chemotherapy treatment but felt much better the next week. She had her second treatment yesterday and so far has only had some nausea. Her blood counts looked good. She had a chest x-ray done to evaluate a cough and it looked normal as well. She also continues to get a white cell stimulator shot the day after chemotherapy to keep her from becoming too immune suppressed.

She will continue chemotherapy treatments every other week for two more cycles, then weekly for a total of 16 cycles. Her oncologist told her that she is probably through the worst of the side effects and that her medications will continue to control her symptoms. She will continue to be immune suppressed and will need to avoid crowed public places or sick individuals.

Please continue to pray for Holli that the chemotherapy will eradicate any potential cancer cells that escaped into her body before the surgery and that she will have limited side effects from the treatments.

James