A Request

Laurence is very grateful to be at home. He is resting comfortably and slowly regaining his strength.

He had another bone marrow biopsy today. This test will confirm that the chemotherapy treatment is still doing its job and will also give his doctors information about the next steps for the bone marrow transplant. It takes about a week to get the results back.

Laurence did ask me to pass on a request to you. He feels very fortunate to have a number of siblings that can be tested to find a match. Not everyone has options. Check out the National Marrow Donor Program for more information on how you can be a bone marrow donor.

We learned this week that our insurance company has approved the transplant process. In this time of limited health care, we feel enormously blessed with this news. Your prayers are blessing us each and every day! Thank you!!

Team in Training

We received this message from our friend Tom earlier in the month about his daughter, Heidi.

"I thought you might be interested to know that Heidi completed the Walt Disney World marathon last weekend in your honor. She competes with the Leukemia Society’s team in training. We made a laminated picture of you and pinned it to her race jersey. So if you are a little more tired than normal it’s because you just finished a 26.2 mile marathon! You would have been proud of her (as am I). It was freezing cold – even in Florida- but she hung in there and she & you crossed the finish line together."

Thank you Heidi! You are awesome!
You can read more on Heidi's website.
You can learn more about team in training.

Hugs!

God is Good

I forgot to acknowledge another of God's miracles that happened when Laurence was being discharged yesterday. The nurse stopped by and reviewed his list of new medications. She sent the prescriptions to the hospital pharmacy and told Laurence we could pick them up on the way out. She stopped by again a short time later because she thought she should mention that one of his new medicines had a CO-pay of $1800. That was just the co-pay! The hospital has a special program to defer the cost. She graciously signed him up for the program. Praise God!

Laurence is so grateful to be home and is catching up on his rest. It was a victorious football Sunday. God is Good.

Home Sweet Home

Laurence's doctor was pleased with the improvement in his blood count so he discharged him today!! Yeah! Praise God! It is great to have him home.

Laurence is restricted to being indoors for a few more weeks, except for his doctor appointments. We have a little more freedom with the bacteria-free diet at home. A few good spices makes all the difference in the world.

He has another bone marrow biopsy scheduled later this week. This test will dictate the next steps for the bone marrow transplant. His siblings are receiving their information and will be tested to see who will be a match.

It is so healing to have a venue to share this journey of wholeness and faith. Thank you for reading and for your kind words of support. I will continue to share our progress.

I am at a loss to find appropriate words to express thanks for your love, prayers and gracious acts of kindness you have bestowed on us. I know that blessings are returned to you a hundredfold. Thank you for your partnership in faith. "For nothing is impossible with God."

Two Good Reports

Laurence's latest CAT scan showed that his lungs are much clearer and his infection has diminished significantly. His antibiotic was changed from an IV to a pill form. That will enable Laurence to get a better night's sleep, so he isn't awakened when they change the antibiotic during the night. They are continuing to monitor his blood count.

I had a good report as well. I've been having vision problems lately, especially wearing my contact lens. I saw my opthamologist today and he identified the problem. Apparently, my vision has IMPROVED and things looked blurry with my old prescription. We both had miracles in clarity! Praise God!!

Never!

Laurence's doctor stopped by and told him his blood counts are coming up and are looking good. He is still being treated for a lung infection and waiting for results on the latest biopsy.

When the body is sick, we spend time focusing on healing. When we feel better, we begin to be restless. Laurence is feeling better. And a bit restless. He had a dream last night that he was home cooking one of his fabulous meals.

I was walking laps with Laurence and he was chatting and laughing while we were walking down the hall. One of his doctors called out "When are you going to start acting like a normal patient?" We replied in unison, "NEVER!"

Hugs and kisses.

Prayer Works

I was at the hospital this morning when Laurence's doctors came to see him. There are three doctors that visit him everyday from the Oncology Department. They talked with him and listened to his heart and lungs.

They told him that they were concerned about antibiotic used to fight his lung infection. It is a very aggressive drug and can have severe side effects, especially with the multiple issues that Laurence is dealing with. However, before they prescribed the antibiotic, they examined the latest research which showed that a smaller dose has the same impact on healing the lungs without the dangerous side effects. They opted for the smaller dose which Laurence has been able to tolerate.

When they left we looked at each other and agreed: Another dramatic result of the power of prayer. Praise God!