Forester's Medical Bills

Throughout this last year we have been SO blessed by your amazing generosity to us. So many care packages, gift cards, AMAZING fundraisers, and financial gifts. Thank you just doesn't do justice to how we feel. Because of you, we are not drowning in a sea of debt right now and that is a miracle in itself! In spite of this, our medical bills continue to come in and we continue to be challenged by this financial burden. And, we regularly encounter people who ask us what we need & how they can help us financially. So, we have added a Donate button on the top right of our website. If you feel led to contribute to Forester's medical bills (even if it's just $5.00!) please click on that button and it will take you directly to Paypal and Forester's fund. We thank you so much for your care and willingness to fight this cancer battle with us.  We are not alone and you are a part of our mighty army that is winning this war.  To God be the Glory!


We love you,
The Bradburns

April Update

I've been working on a new post for quite sometime now and I believe I have "bitten off more than I can chew" as they say.  Lately we seem to be surrounded by a lot of difficult situations...my grandmother's health is declining, we lost one of Pete's best friends to cancer 2 weeks ago, some of our closest friends are dealing with a very fragile pregnancy with twins - one twin with Downs Syndrome & possibly other complications. Frankly, too many people I know have CaringBridge websites! Are you picking up what I'm puttin' down?  YUCK.  And again it begs the question WHY? So, I started a post about what I have learned in the last year or so about asking God that question.  It's not a small thing to try and put into words and I'm currently stuck due to my lack of communication skills and feeling completely inadequate to tackle such a question. But,  I'll keep working on it.  Meanwhile, it's been a month since I've updated you on Forester and I know it's overdue.

The last month has gone quite well.  We are back into the normal routine of school and homework, church and play, and even some normal weekend activities like golf with Daddy & Pop & Uncle Steve, and kicking the soccer ball in the backyard. Forester continues to go to physical therapy once a week to work on improving his balance and regain strength in his legs. He met all of his goals in physical therapy last month and was so proud to show me.  Things such as, 15 jumping jacks, & running on the treadmill! His therapist is very good and we are so pleased with the progress he is making.  We continue to see some side effects of his chemo like; random nausea/vomiting, fatigue, emotional ups and downs, depressed blood counts & loss of appetite.  These are minimal compared to what we were dealing with a few months ago but can still be stressful at times.  Our biggest concern at the moment is Forester's weight.  He's about 10lbs under weight and looks pretty skinny.  He just isn't eating much at all and still has what I describe as being like 1st trimester pregnancy morning sickness symptoms.  Something may sound good until he sees it and then he rejects it. Certain foods will sound good for a week or so and then he doesn't want it all at anymore. He'll take 2 bites of something and that's it. I know it must be so tough for him.  But, it can also be so frustrating for Pete and myself. Especially for me when I spend time cooking what he wants (in addition to what I've already made for dinner) and then he doesn't eat it.  Please pray for patience for us where food is concerned. 

At Forester's check up on Thursday his blood counts were really good - almost normal! Everything we heard was positive except he was put back on Megace, an appetite stimulant.  Pray that it increases his appetite and that he eats and gains weight! Again, in comparison to our worries a few months ago this is nothing and we are so thankful that this is our greatest concern at the moment. We are also so thankful that we are in the last 2 months of chemo! Is that a light I see at the end of this tunnel?? God is so good and YOU and your prayers have made all the difference. We are so thankful for you - that you care and that you pray. It is overwhelming and completely humbling.  Thank you and don't stop. :-)

Love, love, love,

Whitney

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PETE!

Cancer can bring out the best and worst in people. It's really true. I've seen both sides. And, I have to say in the midst of the most trying year of our lives, my husband, Pete, has come through shining and he truly is the BEST!  Today is his birthday and I just want to celebrate him.  Though, I would never wish cancer on my child and I would take it away in a second if I could, I am thankful that I've been able to see more of who Pete is. (see how God can take even the hardest circumstances and use it for his good?!) To say that Pete stepped up is an understatement. His compassion and patience, his calmness and humor, his love for God and trust in Jesus have kept us all together.  He is a Godly husband and father, a hard worker and wonderful provider.  I am so blessed to call him my husband.  I love you, babe.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Prayers for Layla Grace's Family

 


Some of you already know this but the little girl, Layla Grace, who I referenced in my post a few weeks ago, passed away yesterday morning.  Unfortunately, her mom and dad spent the last two weeks watching Layla die and very slow and painful death.  So, while we all grieve with this family because of their loss, we can also rejoice in the fact that Layla is "playing with the angels" as her mom said.  She is no longer in pain, she is no longer stuck in a body overtaken by cancer.  She is free.  She is whole and she is in the most wonderful place - our minds cannot even fathom it!  But, Layla has 2 older sisters. One who is 9 and one who is 3.  Please pray for this family as they begin a whole new journey on a very lonely road called loss. No one ever wants to travel that road.  Especially when it's the loss of your 2 year old daughter.

If you've read this blog, you know I believe in prayer.  I believe our prayers make a difference.  I believe it's one of the greatest gifts we can give someone else at anytime we choose! Because, I believe God hears.  I believe He listens.  And, I believe he loves.  He cares deeply for His children - which includes me and you.  He hurts when we hurt and wants to comfort us.  So, I'm asking.  Would you please pray for this family? It only takes a moment and I truly believe your prayers can bring God's peace and comfort to them.

Some of you may ask: if God is God, if God loves us & desires to comfort us, & hurts when we hurt, why would he let poor Layla die of cancer? I am not a theologian and I'm almost afraid to even "go there" for fear of the judgement of those who are, but I will.  Just not now. I have Bible study in a few moments and don't have the time right now!  But, I will.  Because I, too, have asked this question. I'll be happy to share what I've learned.  Stay tuned...

Please pray.

All my thanks and love,
Whitney

Cleaning house around here

I'm in the process of taking over the bradburnfamily@gmail.com account that is referenced on the sidebar of this blog.  When Forester was diagnosed last year some dear friends of mine set up this account and got things going.  As time has gone on this account was neglected. So, my sincere apologies if you requested to subscribe to this blog, or sent us a message or made a request and it was never tended to. I started trying to go through each email to figure out who had been added or replied to but there are over 500 emails & it's just too big a task.  SO, if you wouldn't mind, if you were one of those who did not receive a response will you please email again?  I have all my accounts going into one mailbox now and I promise I will get it and respond! If you would like blog updates to come to your email inbox, just send and email to bradburnfamily@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject.  Thank you!

~Whitney

Always good to hear good news

Official MRI results: "Looks beautiful".  :-)

We're enjoying a gorgeous day here in Charleston.  Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

MRI Follow Up

I'm in a rush today, (seriously, how do people like MckMama find TIME to blog everyday??) but I wanted to quickly post about the MRI.  It was a long wait and it even felt like the actual procedure took longer this time.  Poor Forester didn't wake from the anesthesia very well. Usually, he's back to his normal self rather quickly.  Yesterday, he was crying, panicked, somewhat hysterical & disoriented.  His blood pressure shot up and things started turning red on the moniter and beeping which totally freaked me out.  But after 45 min or so, Forester calmed down, things got back to normal and we were able to come home.  He was groggy the rest of the day and didn't sleep that great last night but seems fine today.  Thank you for your prayers.  It's never fun to have your child sedated.

Also, our "inside man" took at look at Forester's scans last night and said everything looks good.  So, he'll be cleared to move forward with his 10th month of chemo.  May should be his last treatment month. It's just around the corner!  :-)

MRI

I'm at the hospital right now and Forester is currently sedated while getting a routine MRI. Please pray.  MRI's always make me nervous.
Thanks,
Whitney