Ugh Part 3
Laura was admitted to the hospital this morning. She’s not in crisis yet which is good. Her throat hurts so bad that she isn’t swallowing hardly anything. She lost 3 pounds since yesterday morning because she ate nothing. Even drinking a liquid is too hard for her. They thought she was getting too dehydrated. She couldn’t also take her pills which is really important since she takes 20 a day. So they admitted her to give her fluids, platelettes and medication through IV.
Fortunately we were able to have 15 minutes of a Mother’s Day as a family before we went to the hospital. On the way home I got a flat tire and ended up changing my tire in the cold and rain. Fortunately my neighbor was around to help me finish the job. I was just frozen at one point staring at the tire and had to kind of smack my face. I’m hitting a wall again. It doesn’t take much these days. I think we’re all worn out physically and emotionally and any task seems gargantuan.
The doctor said Laura’s blood counts are supposed to go up by the end of the week so we’re hoping she only has to be in for a week. Pray that she would feel God’s presence in a special way while she’s in the hospital. Pray for strength for me and the boys. This weekend has been rough again for all of us. Thank you as always for all of your support.
Love,
Brad
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I am praying for you all, Brad. Thanks for being so good with these updates. It helps to know specifically how to pray and to keep in touch with what your needs are. Love, Michelle
Dear Brad, in this very special day of Pentecost(Whitsunday), we pray for you, Laura and the kids with renewed strength. In Him, from Geneva, Laurent
Poop!! A flat tire…I have a very vivid mental picture of this rainy, soggy day with you trying to fend off the elements. So sorry that you had to mess with wheels and hoists in the midst of everything else! I do so appreciate your honesty, Brad, as it somehow gives me the permission I need to enter into the difficult places place of wrestling with God over tough questions. Thanks for taking the time to keep us all informed so that we know how to best pray for you, and it turn, how to reflect on our own situations. It is sacrifice of time to keep this blog up so well…thanks for doing it. You will continue to be in my prayers. You and the family are loved much!
Elisabeth
Hi Grammers,
I echo what Elisabeth said above. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to get a glimpse into your intimate, and sometimes maddening, walk with God. In fact, when I read about the flat tire, I just uttered: “Seriously, God. What is THAT? Why?” In my little mind, that just seems totally unnecessary. Those are the moments when I would think you just want to sit in your car and fall asleep and hope somehow the tire will mysteriously fix itself b/c you can’t do one more thing! Ugh is right! Will check in with you soon to see if I can stay with Laura.
Love y’all (that’s Peyton rubbing off on me)
Lynn
UUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!! I AGREE!!!! How ridiculous and maddening! Enough is enough! I’m going to pray for mercy and protection and strength and a return of your wonderful sense of humor to see you all through. It’s only by His amazing grace that you will be able to get to the other side of these struggles! Lots of love and prayers are being sent your way!
Mary Anne
Dear Brad,
Thank you so much for the updates you put on this blog. I guess I consider it all the more amazing given how exhausted all of you are. I know that as I’ve read the last few entries, I’ve felt weary just thinking about your days. I especially appreciate your comments about the times when you open up and share your pain and sadness and people don’t know what to say. I think that none of us knows what to say because there are no “great things” to say at these times. God’s word speaks to suffering, perservering, God’s comfort and encouragement, and pain and a host of issues; yet, each circumstance is different and none of us really understands the depth of the challenges our loved ones feel when they are going through something as difficult as your family is facing now. I guess in a weird way suffering is like an evil Baskin Robbins - a multitude of flavors that nobody wants to taste. Thank you for letting us know its ok to not have the perfect words to comfort you, and that an awkward “I love you, is there anything I can do or is it ok just to be here with you?” is better than no words at all.
Faith for me now is trusting that the prayers all of us are praying make a difference even when your days are difficult. Believing that God is good even when our precious friend can’t even drink water because her throat is too sore from the treatments that battle to save her life. I hear your struggles and I think I understand more than ever why my mom repeated over and over “one day at a time” when she battled cancer over 7 years - because trying to envision the struggles of an entire week or month in the future was too much too handle.
Brad and Laura - keep letting us know what you need each day as you know what to ask for. Keep helping us pray specifically and give specifically as we can. Awkward or not, we love you and Laura and Noah and Micah, whether your lip is stiff or you’re a mess.
One day at a time.
Scott
Hi Laura and Brad:
It was so good to see Brad just for a second at Kyle and Cindy’s wedding! Glimpses of him and the boys help me envision you, Laura, although my health has been so uneven this winter I haven’t dared come around you.
I was trying to think of something encouraging to say, but I think the Emch’s said it all, and so well! I just ditto it and add this old poem that helps me:
Let nothing disturb thee,
Nothing affright thee;
All things are passing,
God changeth never.
Patient endurance attaineth to all things–
Whom God possesseth in nothing is wanting;
Alone, God sufficeth.
May you both sense God’s sufficiency this hour. Rest in His arms.
Love, Linda
Grammers,
Just want you to know we’re thinking of and praying for you.
Thinking about all of “extra” suffering that you guys have had in addition to the cancer, I can’t help but think and believe that Satan is SOOO mad about the way that your family is living out the gospel through this, and he’s just trying to get you to throw in the towel. To that I say, proclaim the Gospel that much more! Praying, praying, praying, guys.
We love you.
Trish