An Update and Specific Requests For Prayer
HAPPY NEWS
Laura's eleventh grandchild was born on April 9, hours before she returned home from her latest round of chemo at OHSU. Four wonderful days were spent with him in her home, and Ed and Laura's house became became a very sleepy and peaceful post-chemo and postpartum recovery house. :)
NEED FOR PRAYER
On the fifth day after her return home - last Thursday - Laura developed a fever during a routine blood transfusion and was was readmitted onto the oncology floor at OHSU. The fever indicated infection, the infection was quickly located and managed. However, as her blood counts were nearing nadir (bottoming out at zero - a desired and expected result of chemotherapy), she was required to stay at the hospital until her counts would rise.
Nadir has lasted much longer this round than before. With the other rounds we have witnessed rapid recovery, with blood counts skyrocketing from zero to the thousands in a day or two. This time her neutrophil count has been sitting at zero for several days.
Until neutrophils reach 500, Laura will remain at OHSU. The desired range is 1000-1500, which will allow her a functioning immune system, but 500 will permit her to go home.
I first want to ask you to pray that her body will recover quickly, that she will be healthy and strong and able to go home.
Secondly I wish to ask that you will continue to pray with us for complete healing - that all upcoming tests will continue to show "first remission" - that no leukemic cells will be found because they simply no longer exist in her blood.
Thirdly, I want to ask you to pray for Laura's heart, mind, spirit. This round has taken a toll, and while she is positive and peaceful, she is also tired. This is not how she had envisioned spending her week (she had pictured herself holding a newborn in the cocoon of her home!) so please pray against the discouragement and disappointment that come knocking at times like these. She's working hard to remain joyful, and is practicing moment by moment resting in Jesus - and I am praying that hope and peace and life will abound in obvious measure.
And lastly, I want to ask you to keep that encouragement coming! The meals you bring to her house, the cards you send, the comments in her Facebook group, and the messages you leave here at Post Hope make an incredible difference. Thank you for being with her for the long haul, for seeing her through until this is over and well in the review mirror! Please make liberal use of the comment box after this post or the "encouragement tree" here at Post Hope (this link will take you there); please continue to leave a whole bunch of love over at Facebook!
Thank you so much for praying and caring. We feel immensely blessed. God is faithful and good and we are witnessing Him at every single step of this journey.
Comments (9)
Laura, My prayer for you is to stay positive and strong through this long nadir period. God is healing you very slowly. He is making sure your body is going to be alright in his eyes. God heals everything, but on his terms. Love you, Laura. Susan
Walking and Praying ✨
We are praying specifically for those counts to rise, and also that you will experience the Lord's faithfulness, new every morning, that you will feel his presence in this waiting time, and that complete healing is coming. Also, we are rejoicing with you about this new baby that you can enjoy, trusting the Lord that you will be snuggling with him soon in your own home.....JoAnn and George
We are praying for a BIG raise to your blood counts. It will happen! Keep up your strength and faith, Laurie...you got this :-) Love XXX, Mary and Doug
Laura, Congratulations on the birth of a new little grandson! What a wonderful gift! My heart and my prayers are with you and your family. Every time I read your posts, I am so encouraged when you speak about how God can be so near in difficult struggles in life. I have always admired your faith and your strength. I pray that you would allow others to be your strength right now as I know you have your wonderful family there for you. Even though I am not there physically, please know that I am praying for your complete recovery. God is faithful and you are loved!
Love and prayers flowing from Duncan, OK! While we pray for strength, peace, rest, healing, and perseverance, we want to let you all know that you are an encouragement to us as you allow us to walk alongside you in prayer! Thank you! Together in Christ, Rae Ward and family
Praying continually for the healing of your body that you may one again enjoy life to the fullest without hospitals and doctors. Long journeys require faith, patience and perseverance to get there. The Lord has His plan for each of us and we must submit to that. So happy for your new baby. What a blessing to look forward to on a daily basis. We have our 7 month old grandson and hope to visit him soon. Have only seen him once with all that has transpired. How blessed you are to have yours close.
Laura, Two steps forward always beats one step back. Blessings as you continue to do the "two step"! Ed Moore
Congrats Luara to you all on the birth of your latest grandchild. Continued prayers for those cell counts to go up! I know they will. God is good. Rest and take care.