September 17, 1983
“I, Doug, take you, Karen, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part…”
“I, Karen, take you, Doug, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part…”
February 2013
“Karen, you have cancer…”
Doug had the opportunity to make good on his “… in sickness and health…” vows. I was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. He stood by me and served me through thick and thin. Hair and no hair. Chemo and surgery. Tears and hugs. Today, six years later, I can confidently declare I have beat that dreaded disease! I am well. I greatly admire Doug and all he did for me on that journey.
March 2019
Now it is my turn to serve…
It is my opportunity to make good on my “… in sickness and health…” vows to the man I love and cherish.
February 2016
We started to notice “things” weren’t quite right. I thought maybe vitamins, nutrition, or exercise were the culprits. Fluent tasks, which Doug had never struggled with before, were occasionally popping up as challenging. A flight was missed, a conversation was repeated, a card game was scrambled, a sermon was cut short… all things easily dismissed, justified, and ignored.
We decided a blood test was in order. It came back normal. We went back to normal. Time passed.
We decided a second set of blood work should be done. It came back normal. We didn’t go back to normal. Time passed.
An MRI was done. No stroke… No brain injury… No tumor… No significant brain shrinkage… Normal…
Problem-solving tasks were becoming more laborious.
Words were being repeated.
Thoughts were sometimes tangled.
Traveling directions were misunderstood. Getting lost was the result.
A darkness of anxiety lurked in the shadows, surfacing unannounced at any time, only to bury him in confusion.
Neurology was next. Dr. Lipiz joined our team. His office is a two-hour drive inland towards L.A. He came highly recommended. Testing was done…
MCI -Mild Cognitive Impairment was diagnosed, and the word dementia was ping-ponged into the conversation. I was feeling anxious at that point. Additional testing was prescribed. Again, time passed.
Neuropsychology was next. Dr Barrera at Loma Linda University joined our team, and Doug bravely undertook a series of difficult and cumbersome diagnostic assessments.
March 13, 2019
Diagnosis –
Doug, the man I vowed to love and cherish in sickness and in health… is descending down the road of early onset Frontotemporal Dementia. Sadly, he is in the Moderate stage with rapid progression. There is no cure. Our lives are changing.
2013, I started a cancer blog (Dancing with the King). It was my way to interact with family, friends, total strangers who became friends, and just total strangers. It became a journal of the journey. A place where I could share my thoughts and feelings so others could know and take comfort, or take whatever from it, along the way.
Doug is aware of the diagnosis. He is very aware of the implications and their impact on him, us, and our family. He has asked me to blog his journey. He wants you to know what it is like to be him, me, and us. So here it is. Doug’s dementia blog: “As it is in Heaven.”
The title comes from a song by Hillsong United. The lyrics:
“Whether now or then,
Death is not my end
I know Heaven waits for me…
…And while I’m waiting,
I’m not waiting,
I know Heaven lives in me…
…Should I suffer long
This is not my home,
I know heaven waits for me…”
If you would like to follow this journey, the blog will be a regular post every other month or so. You can connect directly to it by going to www.asitisinheaven.blog. I will post it via social media as well.
We are expecting many good days, months, and even years ahead of us, and we are expecting hard ones as well. We trust God in this tapestry that is being woven. His will is our will.
If you know Doug and share fond memories, he would love to have you share them with him. A contact tab is attached to the blog where you can connect and share a memory, a thought, a laugh, or whatever you’d like. We would love to hear from you.
Living in peace one day at a time,
“…We’ll sing Holy, Holy
The earth, cries Holy
As it is, in Heaven
So let it be…”
Doug and Karen
As it is in Heaven 
Praying God keeps you both in the palm of his hand through this journey.
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Wow, I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes. Oh, how we love you two, the fact that you took time to rescue us in our time of need. Your care and love that you expressed lives in both Mildred and me to this day. All our love to you and our sincerest prayers go out to you.
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Our hearts and prayers are with you both on this life Journey.. we don’t often get to choose our journeys. But know God is right besides us. We will soar on wings of eagles 🦅. We wake up each day praising HIS name . Without Him we would never be able to walk the journey before us. All our Love and Prayers daily for your whole family 💕💕💕
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Loving you both. Praying for you both, and beyond.
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I rarely go on fb and I was actually looking for a coat rack through the furniture swap and I saw your posting so I read “as it is in Heaven”. Out earthy struggles are real and it is heart wrenching to hear all that our friends and loved ones go are going through. But I have learned that these are the times that really teach us how to pray and listen for Gods voice. Thank you for sharing from your heart and reminding me today life is so very fragile and short and to really embrace and be a light to each and every person we meet! I will be praying for you Doug and Karen!
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I am sorry this is happening to you. I Love you both so much! You both made lasting impressions on me that I will never forget! Praying you sense Him so very close as you walk this path. Hugs and prayers!
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Both the bravest souls I know. Strength, hope and love to you both. May the Lord wrap your family in his arms and peace.
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Both the bravest souls I know. Strength, hope and love to you both. May the Lord wrap your family in his arms and peace.
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I just want to tell you how much I love you both, through time and distance, you are dear to me and I hold you in my heart, always. Doug, you are a beautiful soul, and Karen, you are a beautiful soul. Blessed to know you.
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Love, Love, Love you both! I believe Gods Word over you! He’s our Peace, Hope, and Healer. Speaking all over you in your journey!
I remember Doug being in the furniture building mode and Antiquing/distressing everything. I asked him how he applied the distressed marks. You told me you hit it with chains, screws, metal, then sanded it and stained it. The marks stood out and the imperfections stood out to bring out the beauty.
I really never got it. I believe these marks, struggles, and beatings are from the enemy. Gods Holy Spirt will settle in to these areas bring beauty to you and who you are!
Doug you always saw this in people and it speaks of your dreams, desires, and vision you see in others even in their brokenness, scares, and bruises. Always seeing the good and beauty in others!
Praying for you and believing Gods best! May He fill you broken areas and bring beauty to you!
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We love you both, and are praying for you. I remember You both pouring your lives out for the kids at Westside Church. And you’re still doing that now in the desert. You’re strong, resilient, faithful people. Sending our love and prayers. God’s Grace to you. ❤️
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My friend Doug…we met in Junior High in Eugene and almost played basketball together at Sheldon. My thought and prayers are with you and your family during these most difficult times..
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Love you both and we are praying.
Steve & Lori
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If only I had the words to speak peace to your soul, comfort to your heart. There is one word, “Jesus“! When everything else is said and done, Jesus remains I wish you Jesus more than anything. Dear ones, you are loved more than you will know. I mention you to the master in all my prayers.
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So much to say yet in this moment I am without words Love love love you both. I will be in touch and praying. Love G
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We have such sweet, sweet memories of you and Doug here at ECC and pray for you as your walk this journey. I have repeated to many people the adventures we enjoyed with the young adult group during your tenure here. Remember the Lakefair Pie Booth? The camping, bicycle trip to the San Juan’s? the retreat at Christa camp? It was a joy to labor with you as you ministered to the hearts of young people. Great memories. Life changing times in the lives of young adults. God bless you both. He does. He will. For His glory and your good!
Love you. Your old friends, Dick and Pat
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My heart was so moved, saddened and yet rejoicing the hope you so beautifully express. God is our refuge, our peace, our righteousness, our strength and the One who made us all and has a plan for our lives no matter what trials and tests come our way. Here’s a little poem….
I PRAYED FOR YOU TODAY
I prayed for you today,
I knew in my heart that you were in need,
So I told our Father in Heaven.
In His great hand is the answer
to every pressing trial,
So I prayed for you today
for a sacred little while.
My Father spoke to me
assuring me sweetly that He had heard
and that I could trust His wisdom
He knows the best way to answer;
His ways are beyond compare,
So I prayed for you today,
And I know God heard my prayer.
–Joann J. Johnson
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Jim and I have you in our hearts. 2 weeks ago we watch a video with our kids of The Creaseys & Heislers at Christmas time…
We will follow your blog and k ow you are touching many lives.
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My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and I am certain your beliefs and prayers and thoughts and love will help you all handle this !!! Melinda
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I just re-read your blog and I am convinced you should write a BOOK! You’ve got the title and content already; just keep writing until the Lord says the work is done. Much love and prayers are with you.
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