Lauras Health Update Many have messaged wanting to know Lauras health status. This is a somewhat long message designed to answer all your questions from her current health to her prognosis and beyond as she nears the end of her hospice care. Current health. Lauras health over the past two weeks has declined dramatically. Vision in her left eye is almost completely gone, and in her right eye is quickly dimming. She is still walking the flight of stairs here at the house, but sometimes needs assistance and usually even then with some difficulty. Her pain levels are being held at bay with medication, and we believe that will continue. She sleeps more each day; her body is weakening from the effects of the tumors pressing on more and more vital portions of the brain and simple tasks and short visits can leave her exhausted. She is having some short-term false memories that can leave her disoriented. She has called and texted some people asking confusing questions. This is all very normal based on the location of the tumors. If you get a call or text, please contact me or ignore it. Please do not call or text her back unless her message makes complete sense, as responding would likely add to her confusion. Prognosis. The hospice folks are amazing people. We love them like family. It is their opinion that Laura is now entering her final weeks, if in fact she has not already done so. They have hedged that prognosis based on two factors: Lauras general body health is still very strong (her vital signs are better than mine); she is an INCREDIBLY strong willed human being. Either or both of those things could potentially mean a few extra weeks of life. But as the end here approaches, she will sleep more often, and for longer periods. Eventually these naps will grow closer and closer until she slips into a light, then heavy, coma. Her body will then slowly shut down as she will no longer be eating or drinking. She will likely transition to the next existence in one or two weeks. The entire time she will remain at our house, hopefully in our bed, as is her wish. I will continue to be her primary caregiver, assisted by close family and friends. As that approaches I will go on family leave from work. (My work has been amazingly supportive through this journey. Thank you all there at MRS.) How to help. Pray for Peace. This is so crazy stressful and difficult. Words truly cannot describe it. Pray for Provision. That every person in this will be looked after in just the way needed. Pray for Comfort & Hope for our dear Children. Each are dealing with this on many terrible horrible levels in many different ways. But we all deeply love each other and I am confident Lauras love and tremendous belief in us will help sustain us through the grief and tears of now and the coming months. Visits. Except for family and the closest-circle of family friends, Laura is not taking visitors inside the house. Our basic life and sustenance needs are being plentifully met, but it is stressful getting the daily stuff done, so thank you to those who are helping with that. Such a true blessing. Contacts. Laura (and I to a lesser extent) are getting MANY nice messages and comments by Facebook, text message and email. There are now so many coming that we only respond to a small number. We appreciate the heart of love and joy you send with each. There are times her phone goes off every few minutes and it is very exhausting for her as she wants to read each to find out if it is from family, so please consider that when messaging. Thank you for understanding. Future Updates. There may be one or two more, but much more succinct. I would ask that you not private contact me for further details so I can focus on Laura and the family. Thank you for understanding. Gifts. Some have asked about donations. There is a college fund for the kids is setup at the YouCaring fundraising website; this was Lauras wish. If you would like to donate to that, the link is: youcaring/tuition-fundraiser/kids-college-fund/166192 . Please feel no obligation to give. What now? Laura is readying herself for passing soon. She still remains mostly alert, very funny (she tells me something very funny everyday), full of life and whip-smart. Laura set an early goal with her cancer battle to do this terribly MESSY THING, surviving then passing from cancer, “as well as it can be done.” She has succeed far beyond what anyone thought possible. Just in September they gave her 3-4 months, maybe six. She is past seven and a half now. She is the strongest person I have ever known, and still is. Plus she is crazy cute. Laura is living on through Mason, Lucas and Isabel, and the creativity, humor, joy, light, life, and love they each inherited from her. And she will live on through you, too, if you show the kindness and inspiration to help others fight the good fight with love with ferocious passion and deep PROFOUND hope. Preach the Gospel of Love. Dont use words. Peace and blessings on each of you and your families.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 01:14:27 +0000
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