Carrie's Gonna Ride...

I did it! I signed up for the 50 mile ride in Obliteride. My hands are shakin' 'cause it's a big, fat deal. But it's not quite as scary as facing the monster called cancer. And, it is SO great to me to be part of the research that is currently saving lives and will continue to save lives. 

And the thing is... helping solve the mystery of cancer helps EVERYONE. Most everyone I know has been affected by cancer in one way or another. Imagine how great it would be if it just wasn't even out there anymore...

I'm ridin' for Laura...and my husband, Harvey...and all the cousins and aunts and uncles and friends who have had cancer during my lifetime. I'm ridin' 'cause I believe that Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has made a REAL difference in Harvey's life and in our family's life, too. I'm ridin' 'cause I am sick and tired of finding out that someone else has gotten cancer or because we've lost someone because of cancer. 

It is time to put cancer in its place!

Cancer touches all of us - half of all men and one third of all women in the U.S. will get cancer in their lifetime. These figures are shocking, but, I believe we can change the stats by funding lifesaving research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

All of us participating in Obliteride will come together August 9-11, 2013 to tell cancer we're not gonna take it anymore. And here's where I need your help. I've made a big commitment to make a statement against cancer. And I hope you'll make a statement, too. With 100% of every dollar donated going directly to cancer research at Fred Hutch, we can make a direct impact on research to save lives faster. I hope you'll donate as much as you can because you believe in me, what I'm doing and that together, we can defeat cancer.
 

If you'd like to support me in this ride and if you believe that it's time to kick cancer in the butt click here to make a donation and make a difference....   100% of all money donated goes directly to research. 

(Please find out if your company has a matching gift program. The process is simple and quickly doubles your generous donation and gets me closer to reaching my goal. Once you make a donation, contact your HR rep or your employer's matching gift rep to submit the paperwork to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Please make sure that the matching gift includes my name AND Obliteride, so Fred Hutch knows who should receive credit for the matching gift. Thanks so much!)

Laura went back to work on Monday. The doctor called yesterday to let her know that they found mold in her lungs. (Evidently it's not uncommon for people to have mold in their lungs, but since she already has the two viruses there, too, it compounds things.) So, she was given a prescription for some medicine and we are hoping that BOTH of her viruses and the mold in her lungs will go away.

Still believing that it's time for Laura to feel absolutely wonderful and still asking God to do just that.

Please pray with me.

Laura was discharged from the hospital today...and then she drove THREE HOURS to get home. And, thankfully, Mrs. Cannon is cookin' her somethin' good for dinner. (Thanks, Mrs. Cannon! ♥)

She has two viruses, RSV and peri influenza.  So her resistance is low. Because of that, she was told that she shouldn't go back to work until Monday. Please pray that she heals well and is ready for work on Monday.

The doctors listened to her lungs and said she doesn't have a lot of lung capacity, but she was able to go home without oxygen.

If she can get rid of the viruses, then her breathing, etc. will get better.

I love my sister. I want her to be well and to be able to just plain ol' enjoy life.

Please pray that God will heal her and will make it so that she can do just that.

Thank you for standing beside her and for loving her (and all of us).

We love you.

Today

Mary just called and said they haven't gotten all the air out of Laura's lungs yet so they want to keep her overnight again tonight. Mary said that the doctors didn't seem to be too concerned about it.

Please pray that they can get all the air out and that she can go home soon. And, please continue to pray for healing.

Thank you.

Bronchoscopy

 

Little update from Mary's texts...

The procedure was delayed a little bit, but they finished at about 3:30-ish. We won't know anything for 3 days or so. She's okay but was still groggy when I received the text that she was in recovery. She was told that she needed to rest for the remainder of the day.

I just now (4:40p.m. Eastern) received a text saying that she would be staying overnight at the hospital. 

Turns out that sometimes during the procedure air gets in the lungs. So now they are inserting a tube in her lungs to pull the air out. They'll keep it in for 12 hours (I think). They said it's not uncommon, but they're gonna keep her in to make sure the air has been removed.  She also has a really bad headache (which we think is a caffeine headache) so she's drinkin' a Coke to help with that.

Please pray that she rests well and that whatever they discovered can be treated or, even better, that it's nothing to worry about.

Very thankful that Mary was able to be with her today. 

And, very thankful that you are all pullin' for Laura.

We love you.

Comin' up on Monday

On Monday, Laura's gonna have a bronchoscopy -- which will give a clearer picture of what's happening in her lungs. She is currently coughing a lot, gets winded easily and they noticed last time that the spot that had been on her lungs is getting bigger. The spot was one they found when she had breast cancer and they determined at the time that it was scar tissue. 

Please pray with me that the spot is not an issue. Please pray that what they discover will lead them to a way to make her feel better. I truly believe that it is about time that she just plain ol' feels GOOD. ALL OVER. ALL THE TIME. FOR A LONG TIME. PERIOD. THE END.

Amen.

Well, looks like Laura DOES have graft vs. host in her lungs. The doctor said that she will have it in her lungs forever. Same with the GvH in her eyes. Which I think stinks, but Laura's hangin' tough.

The good thing about her appointment was that some of her numbers went down so they decreased the steroid that she's on. And, hopefully, that will help with her steroid-induced diabetes.

She doesn't have any banked time off so when she goes to the doctor, she has to go without pay that day. She tries to book multiple appointments on the same day, but that can be tricky.

Please continue to pray for healing. Pray for continued improvements in all areas.

Thank you.

Please pray

Laura was out of school for the fall quarter. She started back in January.

Right now she has bronchitis and is on antibiotics to get better.

I don't know what all y'all know, but she has graft vs. host disease in her eyes and her joints and possibly in her lungs (though we don't know that for sure.)

She had lost LOTS of weight and continues to do so.

She has steroid-induced diabetes -- which is exacerbated by the antibiotics for the various things happening in her body.

It is my belief that she has had enough! Good stinkin' grief!!! Can she PLEASE have an extended period of feeling good and having lots of happy things?!

Please pray that the bronchitis will get better. Please pray that all of the crappy stuff will get better...

Here's where I start to get angry-ish. Good GRIEF!!!! Have mercy!

Tomorrow is her birthday. Join me in thanking God for a wonderful sister, friend and mother... She has made a difference in the world and I'm praying for an amazingly wonderful year.

Love you, Laura!!!