Just a quick note. Mom's condition is about the same. She has moments of clarity and seems to enjoy when there is laughter in the room, but does not like the bright lights and external noise that are expected in hospitals. We try to be very sensitive to her reactions and keep her resting as best we can. We still believe she is pain free, and know we are blessed to be able to say that.
Keep us on your prayer list. We know that we have learned more than we had ever hoped about this crazy journey that is cancer. We have known others who have walked this path, and now that we are here it is an unbelievable roller coaster. I guess I never knew the specific struggles that are involved with this disease. We have been blessed to see our mother face these daily challenges with the armor of God on her side. Her strength, determination, faith, and courage keep us motivated and smiling.
God is good...All the time...
Love,
Laura
Friday, January 30, 2009
Quick Update
Hi Everyone,
Yesterday was an interesting day for our mother. I would say that her condition is the same, if not a little weaker, yet we had a very verbal day. Mother had precious moments of clarity, such as when her grandchildren came in the room. She is also very responsive to her doctor, who always receives a smile.
Please continue to pray for us as we continue this step of our journey. It is hard to believe we have been at the hospital since January 19. The days have run together and yet we continue to be so grateful to our Lord. The care we have received has been wonderful and we know our mother is comfortable and at peace.
Also, please add Debbie Keith to your prayer list. She is just down the hall from us, so Patti and I are able to help Debbie and check on her family almost hourly. She is so special to our mother and we know mom would expect us to help them any way we could. The poor staff on the floor are having to put up with us "hover" over them as they care for these 2 great nurses!
Pray for our strength, and for peace and understanding for all of the other dear families that we have met this past week. There is so much suffering and anger, yet God is in the midst of it all. He is good...all the time....
Love,
Laura
Yesterday was an interesting day for our mother. I would say that her condition is the same, if not a little weaker, yet we had a very verbal day. Mother had precious moments of clarity, such as when her grandchildren came in the room. She is also very responsive to her doctor, who always receives a smile.
Please continue to pray for us as we continue this step of our journey. It is hard to believe we have been at the hospital since January 19. The days have run together and yet we continue to be so grateful to our Lord. The care we have received has been wonderful and we know our mother is comfortable and at peace.
Also, please add Debbie Keith to your prayer list. She is just down the hall from us, so Patti and I are able to help Debbie and check on her family almost hourly. She is so special to our mother and we know mom would expect us to help them any way we could. The poor staff on the floor are having to put up with us "hover" over them as they care for these 2 great nurses!
Pray for our strength, and for peace and understanding for all of the other dear families that we have met this past week. There is so much suffering and anger, yet God is in the midst of it all. He is good...all the time....
Love,
Laura
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
January 28, 2009
Hi Everyone,
Just a quick note to let you know that mom's condition is about the same. We have seen some neurological changes in her, supporting the roller coaster ride that we often feel that we are on. We continue to feel so blessed for the love, support and prayers that we continue to receive. While we have known all along that we have not been alone, it is so comforting to see God at work through our loved ones.
We would like to lift up our friend Judy. Her family is about to begin a journey of their own and we pray for the love and unity that we have found will touch their family. God is truly an awesome God and we have seen miracles every day. We pray that they too will see these miracles.
God is good...All the time...
Love,
Laura
Just a quick note to let you know that mom's condition is about the same. We have seen some neurological changes in her, supporting the roller coaster ride that we often feel that we are on. We continue to feel so blessed for the love, support and prayers that we continue to receive. While we have known all along that we have not been alone, it is so comforting to see God at work through our loved ones.
We would like to lift up our friend Judy. Her family is about to begin a journey of their own and we pray for the love and unity that we have found will touch their family. God is truly an awesome God and we have seen miracles every day. We pray that they too will see these miracles.
God is good...All the time...
Love,
Laura
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to give a quick update on Mom.
She continues to rest peacefully in the pallitive care unit of the hospital. Our prayer is for no suffering, and we know that God is with us. The nurses have all been so wonderful and take special care of our mother. Patti and I have told them all about our mother and what a great nurse she is.
Our family would like to say a special 'Thank You' to Wayne the Baptist (as Dad calls him). We listened to his sermon on Sunday while sitting in Mom's room. His words of inspiration have lifted us up during this low time. He has visited us daily and listened to us say, "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." His sermon on Sunday focused on this powerful verse, and we are grateful.
Thank you for all of the love, support, and prayers that we continue to receive. Please continue to think of us as we weather this storm. Our hearts are breaking, but we know that God is Good...All the Time...
Love,
Laura
I just wanted to give a quick update on Mom.
She continues to rest peacefully in the pallitive care unit of the hospital. Our prayer is for no suffering, and we know that God is with us. The nurses have all been so wonderful and take special care of our mother. Patti and I have told them all about our mother and what a great nurse she is.
Our family would like to say a special 'Thank You' to Wayne the Baptist (as Dad calls him). We listened to his sermon on Sunday while sitting in Mom's room. His words of inspiration have lifted us up during this low time. He has visited us daily and listened to us say, "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." His sermon on Sunday focused on this powerful verse, and we are grateful.
Thank you for all of the love, support, and prayers that we continue to receive. Please continue to think of us as we weather this storm. Our hearts are breaking, but we know that God is Good...All the Time...
Love,
Laura
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Prayer Requests
Dear Family and Friends,
It has taken us a week to remember how to post on the blog, so we apologize for not getting this information posted sooner. We know it has been a long time since our mother posted, but she enjoyed being able to reach out to each one of you personally and this was such a great way for her to do that.
I will give a VERY quick rundown of the past several months: Mom reacted very well to the Avastin treatments through the month of October - 9 total treatments in 6 months. In November the tumor began to react differently to this treatment, so she could no longer receive the Avastin. After consulting the doctors at NIH in Maryland, her local doctor wanted to try 2 rounds of Temodar - which was the very first chemo she received in Charlottesville in summer 2007. She completed the first round just prior to Christmas and began the second round December 26. The second round was very difficult, and as her family we noticed significant change in the communication abilities. There was massive fatigue, nausea, and decreased appetite.
On Monday, January 19 we had some challenges in getting her to her scheduled MRI. While we had her out we were able to get a doctors appointment immediately following the MRI. The tumor has grown significantly, creating more and more pressure on her brain. He admitted her into the hospital, which is where she is now. It has been a long week for our family, but also one of love, praise, and joy. We are consulting with the pallitive care doctors and are confident that the Lord is holding her in His hands. She is comfortable and peaceful, which is all that we want.
Please keep our family in your prayers. I will keep the blog better updated as I can. If you think of us today, sing a quick song, because if you knew Marlene, you knew she loved to sing! Patti and I have been singing quite a bit to her - I think she prefers Patti's beautiful voice to mine, but I sing anyway! We have also learned some amazing things about our mother - her strength continues as she fights this battle. We have had so many people ask us what we need, and prayer is our best answer. We have such a strong group of family and friends - we know they are angels - keeping us fed and watching over us. To our extended family, please pray and know that we still know that God is Good...All the Time....
Love in Christ,
Laura
It has taken us a week to remember how to post on the blog, so we apologize for not getting this information posted sooner. We know it has been a long time since our mother posted, but she enjoyed being able to reach out to each one of you personally and this was such a great way for her to do that.
I will give a VERY quick rundown of the past several months: Mom reacted very well to the Avastin treatments through the month of October - 9 total treatments in 6 months. In November the tumor began to react differently to this treatment, so she could no longer receive the Avastin. After consulting the doctors at NIH in Maryland, her local doctor wanted to try 2 rounds of Temodar - which was the very first chemo she received in Charlottesville in summer 2007. She completed the first round just prior to Christmas and began the second round December 26. The second round was very difficult, and as her family we noticed significant change in the communication abilities. There was massive fatigue, nausea, and decreased appetite.
On Monday, January 19 we had some challenges in getting her to her scheduled MRI. While we had her out we were able to get a doctors appointment immediately following the MRI. The tumor has grown significantly, creating more and more pressure on her brain. He admitted her into the hospital, which is where she is now. It has been a long week for our family, but also one of love, praise, and joy. We are consulting with the pallitive care doctors and are confident that the Lord is holding her in His hands. She is comfortable and peaceful, which is all that we want.
Please keep our family in your prayers. I will keep the blog better updated as I can. If you think of us today, sing a quick song, because if you knew Marlene, you knew she loved to sing! Patti and I have been singing quite a bit to her - I think she prefers Patti's beautiful voice to mine, but I sing anyway! We have also learned some amazing things about our mother - her strength continues as she fights this battle. We have had so many people ask us what we need, and prayer is our best answer. We have such a strong group of family and friends - we know they are angels - keeping us fed and watching over us. To our extended family, please pray and know that we still know that God is Good...All the Time....
Love in Christ,
Laura
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