What a difference a day makes!

When Whitney & I visited Forester last night, he slept and only woke up enough to cry because of his pain. He looked like himself but was so, so sleepy. He didn't really communicate or answer Pete & Whitney when they spoke to him.

But today... WOW! He ate an entire hamburger and some applesauce (and of course, some chocolate donut holes), played in the playroom, and briefly answered questions. Tonight, Whitney is holding him and reading to him. The Lord has answered our prayers in amazing ways!!! How awesome is He!!!

I have yet to delete Whitney's text message from 8:54am on Tuesday February 24th that reads, "There is a tumor." I just can't bring myself to delete it. Now, a mere 4 days later, Forester has had surgery to remove that cancerous brain tumor, has left PICU and may soon leave the hospital. What a miracle! Truly.

As we all rejoice with the Bradburns, let us remember that Forester still has a long way to go. The surgery that rid his body of the tumor also shocked his little body. His neck hurts. He faces 8 months of radiation and chemotherapy and he has no idea. Everything has happened so quickly that Whitney & Pete haven't even had time to grieve. Micah has had a blast with friends and grandparents over the last few days, but he has to come home sometime too. Sweet little Slade has been such a trooper. When Forester leaves the hosptial and life slows down, the reality of Forester's diagnosis and his new life will hit their family all over again.

The Bradburns will need our prayers more than ever! Please continue to rally around them and love and support them as you have so graciously done these last 4 days. Most importantly, please pray! As we have all seen so clearly, God is good and powerful and unbelievably loving! His people are pretty unbelievable too! I've been blown away by all of you, and I know Pete & Whitney have been too.

Thanks to some very special friends of the Bradburns here in Charleston I will soon post detailed information about how you can help in concrete and practical ways over the next 10 months or so. Please check back soon. Oh, I'm working on a CaringBridge website too. Thanks to all of you who suggested it.

May God bless you all!
Much love,
April

It gets even better!!!!!!!!

Pete just called. Forester might come home tomorrow afternoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISE THE LORD! He cannot come home on morphine, so please pray that he doesn't need any today and that he gains strength minute by minute.

The oncologist met with Pete this morning who confirmed Forester definitely has medulloblastoma. However, they sent samples to the world authority on medulloblastoma at Johns Hopkins to determine whether or not it's a specific sub-type of medulloblastoma. They should receive his report Monday or Tuesday. This information will help the doctors give him the exact treatment he needs.

I'll keep you posted.

Hallelujah!!!
Whitney just said, "Jesus is rockin my socks!" I love this girl! :o)
April

Good morning!

Because Forester slept 85-90% of the day yesterday and had not spoken much, the doctors planned another CT scan for today to check for fluid and swelling. Pete just called, though, to let Whitney know that Forester will NOT have the scan because he has been sitting up and talking. In fact, he sent Pop (Whitney's Dad) out to find some chocolate donut holes. Apparently, Pop is taking too long. :o) Forester even stood up for a few minutes. His last IV will be removed today too. Praise the Lord!

I'll work on a longer post now to let you know about our visit last night but thought you all needed an update ASAP.

Love,
April

A Quick Update

When I spoke to Whitney around noon today, she shared great news! Forester had eaten, had watched a little Scooby Doo, and had even read a birthday party invitation - out loud, with no slurred speech and with no hesitation! Praise God for new mercies every day!

Please remain in prayer for Whitney. The reality and enormity of Forester's illness is hitting her anew over and over again. Although we may not know exactly what she and Pete and their family are thinking, feeling and experiencing, the Lord does. Please pray that His strength & power is perfected in their weakness. Please pray that they feel His arms wrapped around them every second of the day.

I will see Whitney and Forester in a little while and will post more later.

April

A gift for the Bradburns

Oops - I lied. One more post tonight...

One of the Bradburn's dear friends in Charleston had a wonderful idea! We have begun collecting and compiling Bible verses for a scripture "book" for Whitney and Pete to refer to during this journey with Forester. Please share with us specific verses as you feel led by the Holy Spirit, and we will reference both the verse(s) and your name(s) in this special book. If you would like to contribute, please email your verse(s) and name(s) to bradburnfamily@gmail.com by Monday, March 2. Thank you so much for your help with this, and most of all, thank you for your prayers!!!

April
(Thanks Lauren!)

The CT scan is clear!

Thank you for your prayers! The CT scan is clear!!! Praise God! Please pray now for wisdom for Forester's doctors and nurses re: the proper pain medications for him and how to keep him comfortable without causing too much sedation. Although he is quite groggy, he has been able to communicate when he is in pain. He even asked to watch tv once today, although propping him up in bed caused him pain. Poor baby. :o(

Forester's surgeon explained that it's normal for his condition to seem worse the first few days after surgery. Because he didn't really seem sick before surgery, though, this has been especially hard for Whitney and Pete. He had basketball practice a few days ago, and now he's lying helpless in a hospital bed after brain surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. Whitney especially asked for prayer against anxiety, as this is her automatic response to illness. As I'm sure you can imagine, seeing her baby this way has caused her serious anxiety. Please pray for supernatural peace for Whitney and for her to physically feel the Lord carrying her through this time.

Finally, please pray for communicative and compassionate doctors and nurses and for restful and restorative sleep for Forester and his entire family.

Unless something comes up late tonight or first thing tomorrow morning, I will not post again until tomorrow afternoon. Don't worry! I'm headed to Charleston first thing in the morning! I cannot wait! Once there, I will give you a first hand update on my beloved Bradburns.

Love,
April

A New Prayer Request

I just received a text from Whitney:

"Forester is very groggy, so they are going to do a CT scan to see if there is fluid build-up. He hasn't had morphine since 10am."

They are taking him for the CT scan now. Please pray!!!

April

One more thing...

Please remember to be praying against all possible side effects & complications from the surgery. Forester is talking a little and is trying to eat (without getting sick), but it's still too early to know about side effects.

Thanks!!!
April