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

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

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

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

Fall Greetings

Hope this finds each of you ready for the fall season. As usual, I am behind in posting on the Blog. It is not deliberate, I really am resting often. I continue to do some of the cooking, though I have slowed down and resting more. Unfortunately I continue to have problems with my muscular-skeletal especially my back, both thoracic and lumbar vertebra have some problems. I really am getting old...well that is only part of the problem. I am trying to staying active, walking and doing exercises.

I have one more Chemo treatment (on Tuesday, Oct 23). Praying for a good report with minimal side effects. MRI scheduled for 4th and report on 11th.

Thanks to each of you for your support and your prayers.

Roger is doing well and we do have water on the mountain so we are thankful.

Rembember that God Is Good. Take care. Love. Roger and Marlene

Late again

I think I must accept that I am old and slow and consistantly late writing. Believe me it is not deliberate. Please forgive me again, and Thank You to those of you who have reminded me. Time truly does pass quickly for me.

I will get another treatment on Tuesday, Sept. 30. I have continued to have some side effects that haven't been able to just "shake" after this treatment. Have had problems with muscles and joints and had to go back to using the walker. Better safe than sorry.

I did get a prescription to ease the aching, muscular pains, feel like I am getting old more than anything else......ok, so I am getting old. I am still praising and smiling and believe things are going well. I am sure I will be able to rebuild my strength soon. Have begun to walk better, and been on the deck.

Life goes on, with every day challenges and praise. Praying for Rain,

Keeping the humor in life is important and we have had opportunit to do that.

Keep smiling, praying, keep the joy. Sing I have the Joy, or The Joy of the Lord is my Strengh....

God is Good All The Time........All the Time, God is Good.
Love to all. Marlene and Roger

Sept. 9

Hello to everyone.

We have much for which to be thankful. We saw the doctor for last week's MRI results. There is a very small spot but they could not determine exactly what it was. Decided to do 3 more treatments and re-evaluate. Treatments are still every 3 weeks and I had the first of this series today. Will be Nov. before re-evaluate. We all believe continuing treatments is the right thing to do and are very thankful for the progress seen.

Decreased steroids a little more. Hallelujah!
Prayers that there will be not complications with the decrease.

It would be wonderful if reports came back totally clear without questions and treatment medications did not have side effects! I am very fortunate that my side effects are minimal. Prayers for those who are in treatment with multiple side effects.

Roger and I celetrated our 39th anniversary this past weekend. Time passes so quickly. I am so thankful for him. He is THE BEST NURSE I have ever known, and you know I know a lot great nurses! :) (course I trained him). He is my hero.
God bless each of you richly this week.
Remembering: God is Good....... All the time and All the time......God is Good.

Marlene and Roger