Message from Amy

Dear Fellow Lovers of Laurence,

Here on the 14th floor of OSHU, Laurence rests and seems to draw strength with each breath. He hand-squeezed on command today, a milestone, although I half suspect that some of his failure to do so before now is simply his defiance over doing anything 'on command'. He has the most marvelous yawns, wide and deep, and he belly-laughs. He cries sometimes, apparently sad but not in pain. Last night he spoke "wonderful" in his own strong resonant voice.

The doctor says he is improving every day. Current plan is for another week or two here, and then on to rehabilitation before coming home.

Christine reminds me of a circling hawk, searching for some good news to 'prey' upon. One couldn't imagine greater devotion. The biggest response from L. was after I whispered in his ear that we were all taking good care of her - he quivered about a 10 on the richter scale.

I've had the intense pleasure of meeting his beautiful sister Lorraine, who is keeping watch over the three of us here. I don't think a day has gone by without someone from his family being with him.

That's all. Just wanted to chime in.
Yours,
Amy

Back to 14

Laurence was moved out of ICU yesterday and back to the bone marrow transplant unit on the 14th floor. His vitals were stable and he had a quiet day.

Laurence's twin sister, Loraine, is visiting from Sacramento and our friend Amy is also in town from the east coast. I appreciate them both being here.

Your letters are wonderful and I am enjoying reading them to Laurence. Each one is a precious gift. Thanks so much.

Power of Prayer

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

The doctors continue to search for answers while I am so grateful to each of you for standing firmly in your faith. At one point over the weekend, they came to us with devastating news that Laurence had a severe infection in his brain and if the infection didn't get the best of him, the medicine needed to treat it would. They rescinded their statement today, after the specialist read the test results and saw that there is no infection. Prayer in action. Praise God.

Laurence is awake and responding slowly. He cried, he smiled, he said his name. Tonight he told Daniel, "I love you too."

There are other theories and diagnoses but I feel the most important thing to know is that all things are possible in God. I truly believe that our job is to stand in the word of God and build our faith. This may be the greatest gift Laurence gives to us, to walk a closer walk with God. And the greatest gift we give to Laurence is to know Wholeness is revealed. Thank you so much.

Family Blessings

Paula left yesterday and arrived safely back in China. I will miss her terribly. She was a great support and friend these last 5 weeks.

Laurence's son Jason left today. Melinda leaves tomorrow and Daniel on Tuesday. It was a joy to have them here and get to know them better. This experience has brought us together in love in a powerful way. I know Laurence has been blessed by their presence.

Laurence is more alert. The breathing ventilator has been removed and he is breathing on his own. The doctors are still very concerned and cautious about his limited progress and multiple symptoms.

I am so grateful for the treats for the staff, rides to the airport and abundance of prayers and love. God is so gracious. Blessings.

Letters to Laurence

I miss my best friend. Even in the hospital we would call or text each other a dozen times a day. I have so many questions to ask and things to tell him.

I realized you have things you would like to tell him or share a memory you have of him. Please send them to me. I want to do two things: read them to him and publish your letters. Laurence can hear us but can't respond. I would love to read a message to him from you. Please let me know if I have your permission to publish.

Laurence has an amazing presence. The doctors and nurses are hearing stories from the staff on the 14th floor and they so want him to wake up so they can get to know him. I want to write about what an extraordinary man he is.

Send your letters to revgreen@sacredheartministries.org
I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your partnership and love.

Quiet Day

Quiet day. No changes. No news.
Thanks for your prayers.

Joy

Jason made two trips to the airport today with Paula. This morning he picked up his sister, Melinda who flew in from Houston and this afternoon he picked up his brother Daniel from New Orleans. Laurence perked up as each of them arrived. What a joy to have everyone together!

The doctors were pleased with his progress today. His movements may seem minor but they are significant changes from a week ago.

Prayers are answered every day in amazing ways. I know the healing presence of love continues to reveal wholeness, clarity and peace in so many ways. May your prayers be returned to you multiplied. Love XOXOXXOXOXO

A Response

Laurence definitely responded today to our voices. The doctors were also pleased to see his response to their commands. His platelet level continues to decrease even though he has received them two days in a row.

There are still a number of issues that are concerning to the doctors, including not understanding the cause of so many of his symptoms. Several other departments have been pulled into finding a solution.

We know wholeness and harmony for Laurence, clarity for the doctors and peace for all family members. Many thanks for your prayers and good thoughts.

Love and Light

Doctors ran more tests today. Ruled out some possible infections and was able to take Laurence off a couple of the antibiotics. Laurence received platelets this afternoon.

Treats for the hospital staff are always appreciated. These are amazingly dedicated individuals.

All things are possible in God. Thank you for your faith and prayers.
Love and Light.

Team Green

Another amazing group of people fighting the good fight of raising awareness and money for a cure for leukemia came together through Laurence's friend Bonny Violette. She gathered together a group of dedicated runners who will participate in the Portland Marathon in October. Please check out her web page and consider contributing to this worthy cause.

I am grateful to Bonny and Team Green for their support. There are breakthroughs in medicine and technology every day. If we work together we can ensure a cure is found quickly.

No news. A quiet day. Feeling the power of your prayers and love. "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2

With grateful thanks.

Love Expanded

It was a joy to have Jason with us today. I believe that Laurence knew he was there. I read his Father's Day cards from Jason, Melinda and Daniel and his grandkids. I know he was blessed by their loving wishes.

Laurence had a restful day. His vital signs are remaining stable. I know he is getting the rest he needs for his recovery.

Thank you for reading and your comments. Cell phones are not allowed in the ICU so it's difficult to return calls. Thanks for understanding.

Deborah reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures: "Though the mountains move and the hills shake, my love shall be immovable and never fail, and my covenant of peace shall not be shaken. So says the Lord." Isaiah 54:10.

My energy is simply used up today. It's time for rest. A million times thank you for your energy, prayers and love. Hugs.

Love is Healing

Laurence had a good day yesterday and a restful night. His vitals and blood levels have stabilized. The doctors ran a couple more tests yesterday.

I am so grateful Paula was able to postpone leaving for another week. It is a blessing to have her here and walk through this together.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and light and love you send. Every prayer is lifting us up. Thank you for sending love. The room felt warmer and Laurence's hands and skin felt warmer yesterday. He is not yet responding but I know he is allowing his body to heal.

I have a wonderful Father's Day present for Laurence. I am leaving to go to the airport to pick up his son Jason.

With deep gratitude and love...

Beams of Love

The night nurse reported Laurence had a restful night. They were able to take him off blood pressure medicine which is very encouraging.

Seeing Laurence in ICU with all the tubes, wires and equipment is unsettling. I decided to see every tube and wire going into Laurence filled with love and light and all the prayers being sent as beams of love into his body and especially his heart.

I was so grateful for sleep and rest. Thanks for all your prayers and love.

Love

Laurence was transferred to ICU early this morning. They are running tests to find the cause of his symptoms. He is breathing on his own but is unresponsive.

I know the power of the incredible healing energy of love. Please continue to send healing thoughts and prayers of love his way. With deep gratitude.

Day +15

The meds relieved Laurence's pain but are now causing him to feel sleepy and disoriented. They also found high levels of the immune suppressant drug which slow down kidney function.

This feels like a roller coaster ride of good days and bad days. Grateful thanks for your prayers of agreement for balance and harmony in Laurence as his body adapts to the newness of his cells.

Great News

Paula's transplanted cells are beginning to reproduce cells in Laurence's body which is great news. Unfortunately, the way we know this is by the increased level of pain that Laurence feels. After a rough night, the staff finally found the right combination of pain relief medication.

Yesterday I learned how to flush the lines in Laurence's port and tomorrow I learn how to change his dressing.

We are so grateful that the process continues to unfold so graciously. Every prayer is deeply appreciated. Blessings.

Many thanks

Laurence sends his grateful thanks for your prayers. His symptoms continue to be manageable. He is tired but comfortable.

Two sunny days in a row in Portland!! Praise God!

Many thanks and hugs.

Day +8

I participated in a class this morning for care givers of transplant patients. I am grateful for the clarity and information that was provided. Laurence is now being tracked by the number of days post transplant. Today is Day +8.

I learned that as Laurence's cells adjust, he will experience a variety of symptoms, especially first 100 days. This is a dynamic process and there is no magic date or test result. There are benchmarks to look for that indicate that Laurence is on track and so far he is.

The doctors adjusted Laurence's meds since Monday and he is doing much better. He is grateful for the cards and emails and we are both appreciative of your prayers. Sending grateful hugs your way.

Angels Around Us

Amber, Christi, Sean and Sam are angels. They are kind, caring, knowledgeable, confident, considerate and compassionate. As is the rest of the staff on the 14th floor. The doctors, nurses, aides, technicians, cleaning staff and food service staff always have a smile and a kind word.

Patient Care Tip of the Week: The next time someone you know is in the hospital, please send cookies, brownies or treats. Your gift allows the patient to give to the the staff. The goodwill created by your gift is immeasurable!

And yes,we graciously accept any treats so that we can show appreciation to the angels around us.

Laurence had some symptoms this morning and they are running tests to find the cause. Thanks for your continued prayers and love.

Headed Home

Laurence's Mom and sister, Toni headed back home to southern California today. (Of course, they left the one day the sun came out!) It was wonderful to have them in Portland. They were a great support for Paula and Laurence and I were so glad they were here.

Paula is an amazing person. She always knew she would be the match for Laurence and has been so enthusiastic about the process. She went through several days of injections to help build her blood which gave her flu-like symptoms. The port installed in her neck was not very comfortable and removing the port was just plain painful. She never complained but was always willing to do what was needed. She is truly a blessing.

Laurence is taking one day at a time and is doing well as his body adjusts to his new blood cells. Most of his symptoms so far are due to the new medications.

Thanks to all of you who are reading this and including us in your prayers. We are so grateful for your love and support. XOXOXOX

Adjustment

Laurence was tired but had a good day today. The days immediately after the transplant are referred to as the honeymoon period. The new cells have found their way into Laurence's bone marrow and are adjusting to their new home for about five to seven days. After they adapt they will begin to produce new blood cells. This is when Laurence may experience fevers, chills and other symptoms and is suspect to infection. We are in prayer knowing harmony in his body and ease and grace in this process.

Laurence will be at OHSU for at least three more weeks. His email address is lmg5783@yahoo.com
His mailing address is:
OHSU
KPV14
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, OR 97239
Attention: Laurence Green

Thank you so much for your prayers and good thoughts. This is a long process and we appreciate your partnership in knowing wholeness and harmony. Much love from both of us.

Underway

The transfusion part of the process is underway. It will take about two hours to complete. Laurence's vitals will be closely monitored today and in the days ahead.

God Bless You for your prayers and good thoughts.

Apheresis Complete

We're all here in Laurence's room. The doctors decided to proceed as a stem cell transplant.The stem cells engraft faster than bone marrow and the process is easier on the donor.

Paula's process started at 6 a.m. She had a port installed in her neck similar to the one Laurence has. From there she went to another department for the apheresis process where Paula gave blood from which they extract the stem cells. The blood is then counted to determine how many stem cells were produced. If there is not enough, she will give more blood tomorrow.

Paula is a little sore but she is comfortable. Praise God! The actual transplant over to Laurence will happen in the next couple of hours. It is similar to getting a blood transfusion. It takes about a week for the cells to get acclimated to Laurence's body before they will begin producing their own cells.

Thanks for your prayers knowing that Laurence receives Paula's stem cells with ease and grace. Blessings.

Process begins

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." Psalm 28:7

The transplant process begins at 6 a.m. tomorrow. Thanks for your continued prayers and love.