Ummm....

Did I say next week? I mean to say Monday, July 11th! Ok, so I got a little distracted but I promise, Monday is the day! STAY TUNED for the changes that are coming!  :-)

Transition

 

It's been a long time since my last blog post. Four months actually. Since then Forester has had another brain MRI and he continues to be cancer free! We're transitioning into a new phase of post treatment care.  Forester continues to get hearing tests and blood work and physical therapy but he is now also meeting with an Endocrinologist. Due to radiation to his brain and spine it is expected that he will not grow as he should and his hormone levels may not function properly.  We have already seen a drop in his height percentage as he used to be in the 60th percentile and has dropped to the 30th. Growth hormone shots may be in his future but not yet.

We've also seen some struggles in school this past year also due to radiation therapy slowing down his brain's processing center. Some of the struggles are also due to missing an entire year of school & trying to make it up within four months. There are some learning gaps that we need to make up for. Overall, he ended 3rd grade with A's and B's and we are extremely proud of him.  He worked hard for it. Unfortunately, school is not as fun as it used to be and we had quite a few homework battles at home. As our children transition out of their small private Christian school into public school next year, we're praying for: 1) the right school - as we are still undecided on where we will be living (in Charleston) in the fall. 2) Compassionate and passionate teachers & staff who are willing to work with Forester's needs. 3) A renewed love for school for Forester and peace at home when working on it.  We would love your prayers as well! Thank you.

Since this blog has been mainly focused on Forester's cancer journey, the posts have waned because life has returned to normal around here. Praise God for no news! So, I think I'll begin to transition back to blogging about "life as we know it", my internal thoughts and struggles...you know, awesome cancer-free boring stuff! I'm actually thinking this blog is about to have a new purpose but... we'll talk about that next week.  Anyway, I tell you all of this to give you permission to unsubscribe without guilt if you don't want to continue to receive my blog updates. My feelings won't be hurt, I promise. Just send an email to: bradburnfamily@gmail.com with "Unsubscribe" in the title.  But, I hope most of you will stay with me on this journey. I'll need your help in the challenges that lie ahead. More about that next week....

Two years ago today...

Can you believe it? Two years. It was 2 years ago today that our little 7 year old firstborn was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and our lives changed forever.  I didn't think my heart would survive to make it to this day much less consider it a day of celebration! But it is! Praise God, Forester James Bradburn is on the other side of his battle with cancer and is CANCER FREE! Once again I am reminded of God's goodness to us in the midst of the most devastating time in our lives. Not only did he pour out his peace upon us but he raised up the body of Christ from all over the world (literally) to pray for our child and be the hands and feet of Jesus. I am humbled and in awe at the thought of it. We are just a speck in the sea of people on this earth, but we are special to God and cared for by him! And so are you! Isn't that truly amazing?
Once again we thank you for praying for us, loving us and walking beside us. Today is a day to celebrate LIFE. Glory to God!

*if you're viewing this by email I uploaded a picture collage to the blog. Check it out! http://thebradburns.blogspot.com  :-)

Update on Ansley

Ansley is doing great!!  If you haven't checked her blog, you can scroll down our blog and a link to hers is listed on the right. Please continue to pray for this precious family. 

Thanks to Ansley's family and all that they are going through, I am once again reminded what Christmas is all about. It's about LIFE. The gift of life that God graciously gave to us through his son, Jesus Christ. We take life for granted! As Christmas Day quickly approaches, I am trying to remember that all the presents and food, parties and decorations, & desperate attempts at making memories for the kids, are gifts in itself.  These days are precious.  These moments are precious. I am so thankful for our healthy family of five. So, I hope that you, too, will enjoy this week. Be in the moment with your family. Get on the floor with your kids, play games and color, drive around a look at lights, sing Christmas songs, give hugs freely and say I love you.

Today is a gift!


Merry Christmas and many blessings,
Whitney

Praying for Ansley

Sweet 4 year old, Ansley, has been diagnosed with stage 3 anaplastic large cell (t cell) non-hodgkin lymphoma. Please do not google this as you will find statistics for adults & kids intertwined as well as very old information that is not trustworthy.  Lymphoma is very treatable in children and although Ansley will have a tougher road, there is still as 75% cure rate with her specific stage and type of cancer.  Praise God! She will have a year of chemo ahead of her which has already begun.  Please continue to pray for her and her family!  They have begun a blog with info, pictures and updates. If you would like to continue to keep up with Ansley and her family the website is:http://prayingforansley.blogspot.com  I'm sure this family covets as many prayers as they can get. May God bless you, Forester Friends and prayer warriors. You are a precious gift.

Update

Our little 4 year old friend has Lymphoma. Please continue to pray for her and her family.  I know they are still in shock and still trying to wrap their heads around the fact that their world has forever changed. 48 hours ago they thought they were dealing with simple belly pain, tonight they are dealing with pediatric cancer. Our family knows this grief and shock all too well.  I remember every moment of those first few weeks and they are definitely some of the most difficult they will face.  Please, please pray.

Thank you,

Whitney

Urgent Prayer Request

Friends of ours here in Charleston  just learned that their youngest (5th) child who is 4 1/2, may have Lymphoma.  They are currently waiting for biopsy results to determine whether or not this is cancer and if it is, what type of Lymphoma.  We are gathering all resources to ask for prayer. So many did this for us almost 2 years ago.  Thousands were lifting up our Forester!  It was the greatest blessing of our lives.  Will you do the same for this precious little girl and her family?  *I will share more about them if I get permission to do so.

God's bring your healing power and your perfect peace!


Thank you,
Whitney

Halloween Pix! :)

painting pumpkins with grandma

preparing for the craziness ahead...

Craziness! But so much fun with friends!

my Star Wars kiddos

Trick or Treat!

Joshua YODA! (minus the hot annoying mask)

Slade's 1st time to Trick or Treat

She likes it!!

Grandma is ALWAYS festive!

Staci with Yoda & Ewok. :-)