Update on Laurie

Here is an update from Gary from today. Things are looking good. What a testimony of faith and hope. Thanks for fasting on her behalf and keeping her in your prayers. Her headaches are gone and she is holding things down. Little miracles are occuring each day.

Keep sharing your stories and experiences. Karen, do you have Chase and Stephanie's e-mail so I can invite them to the blog? What about MacKenzie or Kayden.

Keith and Robyn, we can add Brant and Kyler too if they have their own e-mail addresses.

Love you all!

Bryan


Your fasting and prayers had a huge effect!
We were up and going early yesterday so that Laurie could get her blood drawn, see the oncologist at 9am and get her radiation treatment at 1030am. As the day unfolded it became very obvious that the faith and prayers of so many were being answered upon Laurie in great degree.As we parked to go into the hospital, and we were parked in the boonies, Laurie did not want to be dropped off or have a wheel chair. She wanted to walk in and walk in she did. She got her labs drawn and we even had a few minutes to have a yummy breakfast in the dining facility before Laurie’s oncology appointment. She ate well and felt well. Our meeting with Laurie’s oncologist went very well. The plan was laid out and there was plenty of time for questions. Laurie will start on her chemotherapy on Thursday, which will consist of a pill twice a day and a bone strengthening infusion every three weeks. She will have two weeks on the meds and one week off. She will meet with the oncologist at the end of the third week to get her labs done and to check to be sure that she is ready for the next round. Although this medicine does have side effects, they are much milder than many other breast cancer chemotherapy regimens. Even the amount of bone marrow suppression is less. Laurie’s doctor was fine with the idea of taking a short break in May to allow her to be strong for Nathaniel’s graduation and wedding. She will be on this medicine for as long as it continues to work. We will begin tapering her steroid medicine tomorrow.Next we were off to Laurie’s 9th radiation treatment. She hopped right up on the table, got her radiation and was ready to go again. She walked right out of the hospital and to the car without a problem. When we got home we were delighted to see that Abe was home! How wonderful to have him with us. Thank you, to those who helped him with transportation, storing his stuff and getting him to the airport.Laurie was doing so well and was going to nap a while, so I headed back to work. When I returned 5 hours later, Laurie had been up for two hours, was clearing paperwork off the bureau and getting things done. She was more alive and more animated that I have seen her in 3 weeks time. After dinner, as we were cleaning up, she took on the fridge and began throwing out food that she thought was past its prime. Wow, Laurie was back!!! Walking to the mailbox has become a goal for her each day. Last night, she wanted to see how far past the mailbox she could go. We went at least twice the distance and back again and Laurie was commenting on what a lovely evening it was. I better wear a coat tonight when we make that walk!She kept right on perking through scriptures and on to bed!It is hard to describe the joy that fills my heart as I seen her abilities returning! We watched and then discussed Elder Uchdorf’s conference talk about Hope last night for Family Home Evening. Hope is both a gift of the spirit and a commandment. His message increased our hope and helped us to realize the importance of maintaining hope and forcing doubt and discouragement from our minds. It seems that each time my faith and hope are dwindling, we get an email from Ben or Zach or a blog from Bryan or I just feel the Spirit come over me and my hope and faith are restored. The Lord is working in and through each of you in so many ways to bless and strengthen us.Today is 10 of 10 radiation treatments! What a milestone to reach for Laurie. The radiation oncologist was so happy with Laurie’s progress yesterday. Today we will celebrate the end of radiation at East-West Café for Lunch.Thank you, for your fasting and prayers this weekend and every day. Your faithful efforts are infusing Laurie with strength and all of us with hope, faith and courage. I am sure that there is yet an effectual fight to be fought as we close the page on radiation and open the book of chemotherapy. We deeply appreciate your continued support as the miracles continue and the angels do their work!Love, Gary, Laurie, Abe, Spencer, Grandma and Grandpa