Merry Christmas!

Good morning and love you Uncle John (and the family too!)
Good morning and Merry Christmas to all our family and friends! I told Chad it was his job to write the blog entry today, but I will do a quick one and we'll have pictures later. We are at my sister, Jean's house with her family and our parents this year. When the boys are up they will open presents and then we will start cooking our Christmas dinner.

For me it's been about the same. I'm working a little and tolerating that ok, except for the lights. I had some testing to look at the nerve function on my right side because of the dizziness and hearing loss. It showed some damage to the Right vestibular nerve. I haven't had a follow-up with the doc that ordered the test yet, but I'm assuming that's from the radiation and I am praising and believing God that it will be temporary! For those of you that haven't seen me in person, I've lost half the hair on my head (fortunately I had very thick hair to start with and a great girl to cut my hair) and you can hardly tell. Also, one day, my eyebrows fell out...that was strange because it was after radiation was over. I have to draw them in. Yes, sad and funny, but true. Looks better than going without.

I was the first one up this morning! I even beat my dad...that's a big deal for those of you who know my family. He's up now and has the coffee started. Jakey's awake, but the action won't start until Benny wakes. My husband just came up from the basement. I told him he was on for a blog entry later today.

May you all have a blessed day and a very Merry Christmas! And may we not forget that today we celebrate Jesus' birthday!

Love,
Laura

Crashed Computer...

...that is the reason there hasn't been a post in so long. I have had many emails about updates, so here we go. My computer crashed shortly after the last post. It occupied much of my time and am anxiously awaiting it to be fixed. I get brief moments on Chad's computer when he comes home and isn't finishing up work. Tonight he has a basketball game, so I get to use his computer for a little bit. We were able to take a weekend trip to Florida with my sister Jean and her family. That was very nice. I got to walk on the beach and get some fresh air. No walks outside for me in Michigan right now! I'll try to attach a couple of pics from us on the beach.







My head has been feeling pretty good, rarely headaches. Still dealing with dizziness, fatigue, ringing and hearing loss on that side. I've started physical therapy to help my brain habituate to the dizziness. I have some more testing for the ringing and hearing loss. Our hope is that it's just from inflammation from the radiation and will resolve with time and more healing. I worked a little this week to test it out. Did ok, just had to take a long nap! The residents didn't make too much fun of me when I had to wear sunglasses under the fluorescent lights! I would prefer to work in candlelight...does anyone know of a hospital like that?



Chad's parents are coming this weekend for a visit since we won't be able to go back to Kansas this year. Today I was able to go with my friend Nicole and son Gibson to the Meijer Gardens to see the trees. It was nice to get out of the walls of the house and of course to visit with a friend. May you all have a blessed holiday season and a very merry CHRISTmas. May we not forget the reason we celebrate--the birth of our savior Jesus.


Please continue to pray for the above symptoms to go away and for complete and total healing. My follow-up MRI is January 3. Pray that there is absolutely no tumor, no scar tissue, and no inflammation. Blessings and a very merrry Christmas,

Laura

Thanksgiving

As I walked into the wonderful facility that is Lack's Cancer Center for Laura's final treatment, I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving knowing that we are reaching the end of this journey. To think that 6.5 months ago, I can distinctly see Laura sitting across from me asking for me to help her, but having no idea what she was talking about. That was her first episode. The whirlwind of events that have taken place since provide such perspective, it is almost too much to absorb.

First, God is a loving and faithful father, being there whenever you need Him. A friend of mine mentioned that the intimacy that we experienced with Him while in Arkansas must have been extraordinary, to say the very least. He was right. It was so powerful, that I cannot put it into words. Ever since, he has been there with peace and serenity whenever we called on Him.

Second, the power of family and friendship and all the love and support so many of you have provided over the past months is truly humbling. Personally, I have been guilty of not giving these relationships the weight and appreciation they deserve, and I pray that changes from this point going forward throughout the remainder of our lives. Understanding and supportive family, friends tripping over themselves to do whatever they can, it's been amazing.

Finally, I feel so blessed to know that Laura is going to walk out of the treatment room in a few moments, and she will not have any more treatments to incur. She has been so strong and faithful throughout this time, I have been so proud. You see, we have always joked that she is a delicate princess, but the day we arrived home from the hospital after finding out about the tumor, I held her in our living room while she was crying. God put it on my heart to change her perspective, that she is a strong princess, with a delicate head. Those that have supported us throughout this process can testify that she took that to heart.

Therefore, I am thankful for family, friends, health, healthcare, the Lord's love and faithfulness, prayer, and pain. Without it all, we would not be where we are now. Thank you all for all you have done, whether it be a silent prayer while you are in the middle of something else, or breaking into our house to mow the lawn awaiting for the police to arrive. We love you all and know you have been a reflection of His love throughout this time. I/we could not have gotten through this without you.

God Bless You All,

Chad

The Final Stretch

Though this journey has been anything but easy, it has shown me what a wonderful God we have and how blessed I am with my family and friends. If it was possible, I have fallen more in love with my husband and have a greater respect for his strength. He has stood by me through every rough day, every symptom, every tear. We will certainly be celebrating on Monday morning!

At times the frustration gets to me with the continuing symptoms of nausea, dizziness, fatigue, etc. My mom reminded my of one of my favorite verses since I was a child, which is very fitting right now: Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." I am continuing to wait on Him and continuing to have faith for my complete healing. We are in the final stretch and will continue to keep you posted. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

Better Day

Friends and Family, Near and Far,

Thank you all for the notes and prayers, they were felt. Laura started feeling better yesterday afternoon following a big dose of prayer and a new nausea medicine. She is doing well today, taking good naps and excited there are only two treatments left. Monday at 9 AM will be a happy time, no doubt. Thank you all for your support, it means so much.

God Bless,

Chad

Prayer Request

The cumulative effect of incrementally increased dosages of radiation is starting to rear its ugly head as we head down the home stretch of Laura's treatments. Barring any issues with the machine today, she is already finished for the day and has only 3 treatments left. That being said, the dizziness was worse this morning and was accompanied by its evil brother nausea.

If you could say a prayer for Laura to receive healing, comfort, and peace during these next few days, I would be grateful. It is difficult watching your wife feel so bad it brings her to tears as it did this morning. It's a helpless feeling, wishing I could shoulder that burden if even for a short while until the treatments are finished. Laura has been so strong throughout this process, a testiment to her faith in God. Thank you all for your prayers, support, and acts of service throughout this time. God has shown himself through so many people in our lives, even those I/we don't know, that it humbles me to the core when I allow myself to take it all in.

God bless you all,

Chad

A bump in the Road

I almost had this post done, hit something on the computer, and lost it! The good news is that I was given the OK to drive last week! Yippee, freedom! I even tried to work a little. I overdid it a little, but it felt great to not be home on the couch. Unfortunately, now I'm back home on the couch. I woke up yesterday with such bad dizziness I could barely walk a straight line to the bathroom. It persisted throughout the day, so I called my docs last night. One of the side effects from radiation is irritation in the ear canal, sometimes to a point where it swells shut. I have quite a bit of irritation, itching and some swelling, so the doc put me on some eardrops to help with that. I spoke with my radiation doc about whether the radiation can also irritate my inner ear and cause dizziness/vertigo. He said it's not typical, but doesn't mean it can't happen. My primary doc put me on some medicine for vertigo. I woke up this AM feeling a little less dizzy, but it came back within an hour of being awake. I've spent most of the day on the couch, and we are unsure what the cause is. It's also possible it's a medication side effect. We are having a difficult time getting my seizure medicine at the right level. We are considering changing meds.

All that being said, please pray for my dizziness to resolve. I am obviously unable to drive when I can't turn my head without getting dizzy. Also pray that my meds get straightened around. The more I'm on, the more possible side effects. For those who know me, you know I used to not even like taking Tylenol or Motrin for a headache. This has been a big change for me to have to carry pill bottles around with me everywhere.

Sorry there wasn't more good news for this post. I am in the last 1/3 of my radiation treatments! That's something positive!