family | Waypoints

Friday, November 11, 2011

Today’s treatment went fine, with Grace not feeling sick, just very tired, a side effect of the plasma pheresis, which is also called “plasma exchange.” Been at Children’s most of the day. She is holding up well, sweet attitude as always.

We are meeting families who’s children have dealt with major health issues for years, such as a girl named “Precious,” who comes from Tuscaloosa three times a week for 4 hour dialysis treatments. Health is certainly a blessing we have taken for granted.

Hoping for a restful weekend for Grace. Next treatment will be Monday. Thank you for praying with us for effective and safe treatment.

82 vials and rising, if you are keeping up.

Beautiful day!

Lynn

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

Update, Saturday, March 26

Well…the journey continues! It really has been quite a path that we are walking down that has taken us to countless doctors, 3 CT scans, 1 angio CT scan, 3 MRI’s, 2 IVIG treatments, 1 visual nerve brain scan, 2 rounds of chemo, multiple (lost count) doses of different kinds of steroids, 51 viles of blood drawn for test and analysis, consultations and visits to leading neurologists of all kinds and this week promises to bring new opportunities of fun and excitement!

As the last few days have progressed we do seem to see some slight improvements with Grace’s condition due to (we think) that effectiveness of the last IVIG. We pray that the coming days will bring us better results. In the next week we have an appointment at Children’s to see several neurologists. We are waiting to hear from Kirkland Clinic for an appointment to have a PET Scan.

With all this we still don’t have a cause, cure or definite diagnosis of what is happening to Grace. We do however have much to be thankful for.
• A family that is incredibly supportive of one another.
• Friends that send cards, bring food, ask about Grace all around town, pray daily for healing, send emails and generally support us!
• A church and staff that displays love in an overwhelming way.
• Children’s Hospital that has an incredible staff and a team of doctors that are determined to find a cure for Grace.
• Even BCBS is pulling for sweet Grace!
• Sweet friends (and school teachers) of Grace that continue to care for her.
• Unbelievable intercessory prayers from around the country.
• God’s grace that comforts us and gives us confidence as we face the future!
How can you pray this week?
• For healing and the doctors’ wisdom as they consult with one another.
• That I (Buddy) don’t get put on a jury this week…yes I have been summoned for jury duty!
• That we make it to April 15 so Lynn will be finished with tax season!
• That Grace will stay strong and positive.

Thanks for your love and support,

Buddy

Update, Wednesday, March 2

We are at Children’s Hospital awaiting a second treatment of rituximab for Grace. We are blessed to have such a great resource so close to home. Plans are to go home tomorrow.

We are praying for wisdom, insight for Dr. Ness, Dr. Presley, strength and healing for Grace. Thank you for praying with us.

Physical Therapy has suggested we borrow a “recumbant stationary bicycle” so Grace can exercise at home. Anybody have one? If you have one we can borrow for a bit, call Whitney Rother, Buddy’s assistant, at 228-1020. 🙂

Love and thanks for your constant encouragement,
Lynn

“Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge.” Psalm 16:1

Update, Wednesday Afternoon, February 16

Quick update: We are home from a short but intense hospital stay where Grace was given a treatment of rituximab, a type of chemotherapy. No serious adverse reaction to the treatment, just the expected side effects, which she is dealing with now. Plans are to have a second treatment in two weeks. She is also starting a stronger steroid.

Thanks keeping up and praying for Grace,
Lynn

Update, Wednesday, February 16

Our trip to Springfield Illinois a blessing as it was very beneficial for a potential diagnosis for Grace’s condition. On Friday, Grace had a very thorough evaluation that was documented for future research and also had her third spinal tab…which now for some reason they refer as a “lumbar puncture.” That term just seems more aggressive! Certain test were performed that had to be done within an hour of the collection of the fluids. These test indicated that Grace has 7 times the normal amount of “b cells” (Beta Cells) which could be causing her condition. Other test are still being conducted that we will hear about in the coming weeks that may give us a “cause” as well as potential treatments.
We are grateful to have such great neurologist from Birmingham to Illinois and other places around the country who are working to restore Grace’s health.

Yesterday, Grace was admitted to Children’s Hospital in Bham to begin another treatment that we pray will eliminate the “b cells” in her system. At this time we are not sure how long our hospital stay will be, but we do not anticipate being there very long. We continue to be overwhelmed by the prayers, love and support that so many friends, and new friends, are expressing to us.

It is our prayer that the Great Physician will use whatever means He desires to heal Grace!

Thank you for praying!
Buddy

Satan, Sunday and Salvation

Yesterday was an incredible day at First Baptist Church! The weather was kind of stinky, but God was really at work. We finally got past hell and moved onto our families last night! In case you are wondering …no…there should not be a correlation between “hell” and your “family!” I think we were all encouraged by the fact that satan (yeah, I know, it should be capitalized but I just don’t want to give the ole liar any recognition) has been defeated on the cross and we can live in Victory as followers of Christ! I am fully convinced that when I’m in Heaven God will show me the many times that people interceded for me and the girls on our behalf. Their prayers of protection and strength changed the course of history. So I encourage you to pray for one another this week!

Sunday night was incredible. It is great to be a part of a church that cares for and addresses the issues that are facing our families. We are going to see another generation saved for Christ because of this church being real and addressing the very real – and uncomfortable – subjects that threaten our children. The stuff kids are facing today will affect the next generation and their families 40 years from now. We can prevent further destruction as we pull our heads out of the sand and get extraordinarily focused on growing up soldiers of the faith.

I cannot wait until next Sunday! It’s going to be awesome. I know you’ll come and that you’ll bring a friend! Keep praying the name of Jesus!

This is Big!

As Barney Fife would say…”This is big!” School has started back and now families have an opportunity to get back to some sort of schedule. We can choose to focus on the important aspects of life. That’s big!

The school year slams us into a routine that is welcomed by many after a long, hot and crazy summer. It’s a great time to check out your life and see how things are going.

This Sunday will be big for churches! This is a great opportunity for small group leaders to contact their members and encourage them to get back into the “habit” of going to church. We don’t want our walk with Christ to be a bad habit…but we do want our fellowship with Him to be habitual! It is a great time for students and neighbors to invite people to come join them in church.

I read a statistic today that indicated that 89% would be willing to listen if someone wanted to tell them about their relationship with Christ. That’s big! Church this weekend is going to be big! We should have a great time together.

I hope you will be there…and bring a friend!

Lessons from a Chicken

Last Sunday, I told one of the worship services about the new addition to our family…a chick! Now, it’s not another female club member to the Champion “sorority house.” It is a baby chicken! She is now about 4 weeks old and has a few little feathers but is mainly still fuzzy and yellow.

Tuesday night I was working outside and Lynn came out of the barn and told me the chick was missing and Sadie (our black lab…yes, a female) just left the barn with something in her mouth. I ran around the front of the barn and yelled (not in a nice tone of voice) for Sadie. She soon came with her nose to the ground. It is always amazing to me that her body language matches what she has done! When she came to me I opened her mouth to look for any remnants that were to be found – nothing. For the next few minutes Sadie’s back feet walked on the ground while I pulled her by the collar to her kennel.

As I got close to the kennel I heard the “chirping” of little “Penny” (yes, chicks have to have names at our house)! Soon we found Penny walking around in the woods with not a bump or bruise to be found. Sadie had grabbed Penny out of the gage, carried her across the yard to her kennel and never consumed or even bit down on her new fuzzy friend. She even dropped her and came to me instead of enjoying her new morsel and then obeying me. I was amazed!

Why can’t I be that kind and tender with my mouth? When I hear God’s voice, why can’t I quickly turn and obey to avoid the results of my…mountain dew and Reese’s cup?

Lemonading Life

The typical experience of this life is really just a bunch of lemons! While driving down the road this week, I realized that God really does take those lemons of life and turn them into sweet lemonade. Sometimes I get so frustrated dealing with the “lemons” that I miss the fact that God has blessed me in unbelievable ways. It is overwhelming to “count my blessings and name them one by one!” Here they are: I hope they encourage you!

· A wife…indescribable;

· 3 daughters…how much fun they are;

· Many great churches that I have been a part of;

· A great heritage in my family;

· Hunting and beach opportunities that have been poured into my lap;

· A great team to work with at FBCT;

· People who trust your struggling leadership;

· Vision from God that I can’t keep up with;

· Flying airplanes…now that’s a blast;

· A pastor of a great church that 1000’s could lead better than I;

· A passion to work and provide for my girls;

· Abilities that only God can get the credit for;

· A great home that only God could provide;

· Good health, but if I die, I go straight to Heaven;

· Great friends who really do care;

· Opportunities to impact lives that blow me away;

· Fishing;

· All the “toys” that I can’t keep running;

· And did I mention an incredible wife?

Have you made your own list lately? Why does God bless someone like me? I don’t know but it sure is fun and I thank Him for it! I think I’ll go get some lemonade!