Wednesday, January 28, 2009

something from kit

I am so thankful today for the strength and clarity God has given me to post a huge thank you for your tireless prayers, love and support of myself and my family. We are simply living each moment God gives us in hope of a miracle healing and in assured peace of a long enduring relationship with God in Christ who gives us life. I am blessed to have my son and his wife as well as my daughter here with me. My family is such a wonderful comfort. My family always reads me your posts, e-mails, cards and letters. I am so loved...and I thank you so much for never giving up through prayer for one another. You are constantly in my prayers as well. I pray God would give me the strength and time to speak at church. That would be an awesome day...for now it is moment by moment...knowing that all our moments are in the loving hands of the one who gave it all for us and has the power of life in His hands. Robyn Iaea has graciously been putting "The Journey" notes into a booklet that will prayerfully be an encouragement to all of us. We will let you know when those booklets are ready. I was also excited to learn that last Sunday's message giving by Craig came with a promotion of the 'Loving God With All Your Mind' seminar notebooks and CD set which is a great tool for those that want some hard core empirical evidence for God's existence. This all makes me happy because I feel like God is still using my life for His good purposes.

I just wanted you to know that I am still very much alive, still here, still in love with God, still in love with you, still thinking about you and praying for you as I receive your love and prayers deep into my heart as well.

Continuing through His strength,
kit

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

thankfulness

Hi all. I'm over here with my dad and he wanted everyone to know that I (or my mom) read the blog comments to my dad and they make his heart happy. He cries the whole time...for happy :)
We are praying that he can get off some of the medications because they make him so drowsy. His pain is doing alright though...and he prefers drowsiness to pain. He only feels bad because he doesn't have much energy right now for calls, emails or visitors. I told him that you all love him and completely understand.
love,
The Lauers

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

today...my dad wants to say that he is so thankful for the amount of love, compassion and concern that has been stirred up within our family, friends, the church body, our community and beyond...because of what has been going on. It's amazing how God can mature us through pain and suffering.
Our church has been through a great deal of pain this last year.
It's amazing to watch us grow and mature...and to be able to express more love and compassion through our relationships. It really brings great glory to God and all that is good! That being said...let us encourage each other this day to continue in that good work.

My dad has not been in a lot of pain for the past couple of days. The pain meds have been working wonders :) We really pray that this continues. He also has more of an appetite now especially since his taste buds are coming back. He still has very little energy and we're hoping that will increase.

We are praying for you all as you are praying for us!

love,
The Lauer Ohana

Monday, January 19, 2009

2 Corinthians 4:7-16 (NIV)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

***

For the latest post of Shelly, Jan 17th, click HERE. If you have any encouraging Bible verse to share, please post them in the comment section. The Lauers are enjoying their time together as a family. Please continue to keep them in your prayers, as we know you are doing. Mahalo :)

Thursday, January 15, 2009

January 15 Update - Kit, Shelly, Mikey, Shae & Maisha are all on Maui :)

Thurs.
Mikey and Shae arrived back on Maui yesterday ... and it sure is good to have them home.
Kit went in to Kaiser to have his blood tested in the a.m. We still have not heard back from the doctor , but Kit seems like he is getting stronger and healthier to me.
On Tues., afternoon , the Hospice people came to assess Kit. The doctor on Oahu told us that Hospice could be a good support to us on Maui, so.. we called them and I am so glad that we did. The nurse helped make suggestions on the pain medicines..and last night... was a much better night because of the new medicines. Kit still wakes up frequently, and has to change clothes and sheets because of the night sweats, but there was only one time last night that the pain was really uncomfortable.... a big improvement for other nights. Kit is eating really well.. he has an appetite..and he must be gaining weight... although we don't have a scale , so I can not confirm that.
Now that I am home , with the kids here and all the things to do in my life , my attachment to the Blog is not the same.. I feel badly, because "the Blog" ( your postings) helped me get through those days at Kaiser..and I feel a little disloyal to you these past few days...because I have not been good about writing... I really want to emphasize how much your writings helped me and Kit. I want to thank you again for taking the time to write e-mails, write posts, sent cards etc... it made a huge difference in our days at Kaiser. I know that some of you did not write, but you were praying and even fasting for us... thank you so much. We could not have more wonderful friends and family in the whole world than YOU!!!! Love, Shelly and kit

Monday, January 12, 2009

Monday night and we are back on Maui.
I just read Kit the blog... and Becky, it was so nice to read your letter on the blog. It was very hard for us to say good bye to the second floor East , so.. we actually left very quietly. After spending almost 3 months ( total ) in Kaiser with all the nurses, doctors ,aids , etc. you get to know each other and you get attached to people.. and of course.. we had our favorites and Becky you were definately one of them. We could see Christ present in your nursing... you were so sweet and tender with us... we will miss you... thank you for your prayers especially. Becky did not just pray for us.. she would pray for all her patients before work.. the nursing profession is so admirable and Kit and I have so much respect for the men and women that do that job, it is such hard work.
After staying at the Petulla's condo one night, we flew back on Sunday afternoon. It was so great to get home to Kihei and of course, we had to visit Buddy on the way home, since he is layed up on the couch from his bike injury. It is so wonderful to be home with our family.
Kit is very tired and weak and unfortunately the sinus pain is back again. Sunday night was difficult. He wakes up often soaking wet, and he has to change clothes , sheets etc. So please pray for the pain.. even right now.. the pain medication is not working.. and it is a helpless feeling to watch someone that you love so much... suffer pain. Kit really loves everyone, but he is going to lay low for awhile, until he gets his strength up. He weighs about 130 lbs... but thank God, he is getting his appetite back.
Mikey and Shae come home on Wed.. We are anxiously waiting for them.
We love you so much and we appreciate all your help,support , prayers, concern, comments, cards, gifts and love... these past months.
Love,shelly and Kit

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Sat. Jan 10th

Kit has not taken any pain medicine for about 30 hours now.... that is such an awesome thing... because his sinus pain is going away. Praise God!!!! He had a tough night tho.. not because of the pain, but because he wakes up every couple hours... completely soaked.. and freezing... so... we strip everything off... get new sheets , nightgown... and start over again. I remember this happened the last time when Kit was recovering from the chemo...antibiotics.. etc.. He was always so cold and the hospital has the AC blasting in here... and so... the night was miserable....it sure is amazing how a little sunshine coming through the window can change things.

The doctor that we love... Dr. "Tiger Woods" Duong came in with good news today. Kit's blood work was very good...platelets up...neutraphils up... He wants Kit to have two units of red blood cells today.....which takes about 5 hours... and then.. he wants to see if we can go home this afternoon or tomorrow. Kit is ecstatic!! He can't wait to get to Larry and Charlotte's place... to open their storm blinds and look out on the whole Waikiki beach... their condo..on the 12 th floor.. has the most spectacular view in the world. It won't be cold there....and to stand there and watch all the action in the water is invigorating.. to the far left .. there are people surfing...then.. the outrigger canoes.. are going out and in.. in the am and pm. then.. there are the stand up paddlers, the snorkelers... swimmers.. then there are people sailing boats past them.. and then.. way out there are the big ships... it is so exciting to sit and look out over God's creation..Oahu is such a beautiful island... We are so thankful to have friends like the Petullas... they are so generous.. When we got our first house 33 years ago..Charlotte stitched the most beautiful" Home Sweet Home" picture that has moved with us from house to house ,all these years...Years ago.. we taught and coached their kids, who are all grown up now with their own kids...We are not sure exactly when we are coming home.. but we will be there soon.

You Are Mine

This song ministered to me, and I know it will do the same to you. From one "cry baby" to the next, make sure you have tissues next to you when you watch and listen to this:



For the latest update Fri, Jan 9 from Kit and Shelly, click HERE.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Jan 9 Update - Thankfulness

Fri. Jan. 9Th
Kit had a pretty good night last night. He just told me that he wanted me to let you know how thankful he is for so many things. The fact that his brother Buddy is okay after being run over by a truck with his bike and to see how many people just rallied and prayed for him..is a wonderful testimony to sowing in to the body of Christ. It is a comfort to Kit to know that so many people love his brother, the way that Kit does. Most of you know that Buddy and Kit started the Fri. night service together years ago and the worship teams today still flow with the same creativity and freedom that Buddy brought as a worship leader.
Kit is thankful that his son and daughter-in-law are coming to be with him from Oregon. They fly in on Wed. and Kit and I are so thankful to Mark and Jori Spencer because they set up the whole thing. Kit said," My heart is so thankful because I see our body of Christ is really putting in to action their faith... it is a very powerful testimony to those around us of how God's love can grab a hold of our lives and cause us to be much richer and fuller and touch more lives and cause our lives to be much more than we could ever imagine. I don't really know God's ultimate transition plan for me in to eternity in terms of the timing, I am physically very weak and tired, but my desire is to serve the Lord if he should choose to give me the energy and health to do so. I am very thankful for the ministry that God has given to me and my hearts desire is to continue to be able to expand upon the truth and knowledge that God has imparted to me. I still want to teach and help others enhance their relationship with God and to help them prepare for those difficult times in life that come upon us . We have God,we have His great gift , the life of Christ..and we have one another....and this is more than enough for a lifetime of thankfulness."
Kit fell back to sleep, so... I am continuing on... We just got the information about Kit's blood work and his white blood cells are 3.900 (18 % are neutraphils) so... things are looking up...the red blood cells and platelets are about the same, so... we are not sure if the red blood cells will be transfused today or not. The doctor is taking one of the anti biotics away and now he will only be on 3.
Last night, when Kit was asleep, and I was in my little cot ,near his bed, there was a knock on the door and we had a visitor. Laura Bagby's dad, Ron, was there to visit us, after he was up visiting his wife... What a wonderful visit we had.. out in the hallway.. He is such a loving person...no wonder Laura is the way she is... He offered to have me come and eat out his house etc... The body of Christ is HUGE and so honoring to our Lord .
I know this is long... we love you guys.... shelly and kit

Laughter Is A Good Medicine / My Hope Is In You

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart
and good news health to the bones.
Proverbs 15:30 (NIV)

A cheerful heart is good medicine
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

I am so glad to read about Kit's good day yesterday. And I know that all of us are praying for this good news to continue. A couple of Proverbs came up to mind while I was reading the posts and comments yesterday so I thought I would post them up here. Thank you for all who are commenting. Keep your stories and sharing coming. They are a good medicine :)

Liza


P.S. Here's a great post to read at
Laced With Grace (click it to go there and read)

******
Here's your song for today: My Hope Is In You:




Thursday, January 8, 2009

Jan 8 Update and the Story About Poop :)

Thurs. evening ... just a quick note... Kit is sleeping after eating a little dinner tonight. He is very tired and rests a lot. But... today was a pretty good day... not too much pain. We praying for the blood counts to go up tomorrow.

When I read Lisa's e-mail ... I had to write... explaining my niece's nickname. When my brother and I were in jr . high... my sister , Carol, had a little baby girl... her name was Kathie... We loved her so much, and when Mike and I would walk home from school , we would go to my sister's house to see our little precious niece. I gave her that nickname then..Poop! I don't think it had anything to do with pooping diapers... it was just a cute name to me..because she was so adorable... and I love it when she signs her name Poop... because it brings back loving memories of a wonderful time in our family's life..

Well.. I am going to shut this computer off. I love you and appreciate your comments.... shelly

Jan 8 Update and the Football Pools

Jan.8
Last night was a good night , except that we were worried about Buddy. ( Buddy, Kit's younger brother was ran over by a truck on his bicyle yesterday on So. Kihei rd and taken by ambulance to the hospital, released and then later admitted because he feinted in the shower) We would pray, each time we woke up during the night that Buddy was sleeping soundly and that he did not have any brain damage. We called him at Maui Memorial this a.m., and Craig Englert answered his phone. Kit , Buddy and Craig talked for awhile and there was a lot of joking going on... which is a good sign. Buddy is being released today.. with a fractured fibula and he needs to take it easy. We are SO thankful that Buddy is okay.
Kit is in 2 football pools ..one with the Lauer Family and one with Pete Nichols... he is in first place in both... Kit is a very competitive person... even when he is extremely weak...sick .. and in pain... he is determined that I send his picks in for the week. For awhile , Buddy was in first place in the Lauer family pool, but a couple of weeks ago, Kit went ahead...This a.m, on the phone ,Kit was joking with Buddy about Buddy being so depressed about Kit taking the lead in the family football pool that he got in an accident and ambulanced to the hospital just to get some attention or something to that effect.. they are just 2 silly boys still.... ( and "Poop",( my neice) you are so right about how these two brothers love each other.)
Thank you for your prayers about good dreams etc... Kit was not troubled in the night, like the night before... and the best news is that he does not have to have any transfusions today. The platelets and red blood cells are holding... and the white blood cells went up a little and there were some neutraphils.. so.. that is good news.. If the counts continue going up.. that would be awesome... but we just have to wait and see how the days ahead go.
Kit has a very small appetite... but he did eat a little for dinner and breakfast.. He is down to 140 ... his skin is peeling everywhere and his hair is falling out on his head... but everywhere else...it is staying.. He wishes that he would have shaved down... arms and chest before coming in, because pulling off the tape from the Iv's etc..is very painful.
I am going to sign off for now... I read all the e-mails and blog comments to Kit..... they give him so much joy... thank you for loving us the way that you do.
oxxoxoox,shelly

Update on Buddy

Hi All. This is Maisha. Latest is that they don't think Buddy had a seizure (I didn't personally witness any of it). I think he just fainted and sometimes you jerk when you faint. His CT scan was normal which is the most important thing. He still shouldn't have been sent home, and it's good he went back into the hospital because he actually did have a fractured bone in his leg. I saw him at the hospital tonight, and he's gonna be ok :-)

I also talked to my dad tonight and he seemed in good sprits. I got to pray with him and I prayed that he wouldn't have any negative images popping into his brain...but only butterflies and puppies :) Praying that tomorrow will bring good results in the blood test!
Thank you everyone for being such a support to my mom and my family...thank you Liza for helping us with the blog!!!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Jan. 7 8:10p.m.
I am typing a quick good-night from Kit to you.
"Shelly sits by my bedside and brings me joy and hope and a sense of God's presence and encouragement ,all....because she is reading your posted comments on the blog and your e-mails to me. They are like precious treasures that keep me close to you and they let me know that I am a part of your life , as you are a part of mine.
The beauty of this is that for those of us who are in Christ, we have this relationship forever .... it is amazing how God's love and his compassion just shines through you guys... it really does!!! It gives testimony to the whole world around us to the genuiness of God's great love!!!"
We just got a call from Maisha telling us that Buddy had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital tonight because he had feinted in the shower, Michael heard him fall and ran in and put him on the bed, where he had a seizure. Right now he is at the hospital and the doctors are checking him out completely. He had been in a serious bike accident today.. and his leg was driven over by a truck, but until now... we did not know that his helmet had been split open as well, during his fall. He went by ambulance this a.m. as well to emergency. Please lift Buddy up in prayer... We pray that he has no brain damage and that he does not have any more seizures... the hospital is keeping him there tonight... and we are praying for good news in the a.m.
love,Kit and shelly
Wed. Jan. 7th... Well...things are about the same...as far as the blood results... The neutraphils have not shown up yet... in the blood tests, but maybe tomorrow. No need for a platelet transfusion today. Last night , Kit had to have a new IV put in , because the other one came out after the red blood cell transfusion and they wheeled him down to the room where they insert IV's and afterwards, we even walked back to our room. Kit borrowed the shaver from that department and shaved his white beard off... Because of the transfusion , the nurses were behind in administering Kit's various antibiotics and anti-fungal medicines, so he was dealing with that all night. Those drugs are what cause Kit to have hallucinations.. but last night... they were troublesome. Dogs mauling him, wrestlers trying to wrestle him in his bed...in the condition he is in...etc... not the typical butterfies ,beautfiul streams and lakes....that he would hallucinate about before.. but... he got through the night. He is struggling with the pain in the sinus area still.
We received a call from Becky this a.m.that Buddy was in the emergency, because of a bike accident... so.. we are praying that he is okay... Becky said that there were no broken bones... but we do not know details yet...
Mikey called last night from Oregon and he really wants to come home and be with his dad. He has decided to not go to school this quarter and continue on later. He and Shae prayed about it and they will come as soon as they can. Mark and Jori Spencer have so graciously offered to buy their ticket, and I am thankful for them doing that.
We have the nicest doctors and nurses over here. I feel their caring hearts and concern. They are supporting Kit in trying to get home.
Your comments and e-mails are supporting me and Kit to the max... This morning Maisha called and said... "You sound like you have a cold.". and I said no... I have just been reading the blog.. and I cry through each comment posted... Kit loves hearing me read them to him.... even though I cry while reading them.
We love you guys so much.. shelly and kit

********

Shelly, sorry to add up to your post (this was supposed to be in the comment, but I really wanted to post this song for you and Kit, and I didn't want to start a new post because I want everyone to see your update right away) I thought of just giving you the link, but I think it's better to actually embed this in the blog.

Kit, I first heard this song from you. May this gives you peace, hope and comfort. Love, Liza

Encouraging Bible Verses...

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.

Any other encouraging Bible verses you want to add? Add them in the comment section. Mahalo :)

If you are looking for the latest update, scroll down or click here (don't miss Shelly story on Kit) and here.


A lot of encouraging comments here :) (Shelly, make sure you regularly check the comments here because it's still growing :)

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Kit We Love

3:20p.m.
Kit is having his red blood transfusion right now... and something so funny just happened...that I had to put it on the blog... the walls in this place are really thin and we have had alot of different people sleeping in the next room. Some people are very quiet and some are quite noisey...there are nights when we can painfully hear patients throwing up in the night ... and Kit will pray out loud for them...." Jesus , please be with that woman "
etc.. He really has a heart of compassion for them because he has been where the people are... well.. a few minutes ago.. the patient next door.. was making all these loud noises... from the bathroom... and Becky , one of the sweetest nurses that Kaiser has.. a full on Christian who prays openly in our room for Kit... was asking the man if he was okay... and he made some very rude and loud remarks back to her... and I could not believe Kit... he has been laying there.... almost lifeless... with no energy... having a difficult time to sit up even... and he starts to get up... and he says.." Is that guy talking to Becky like that?"... and I said yes... and he said ..." I'm going over there and talking to that guy..."..and I told him to sit down.... and he said..," No one should talk to Becky like that.... " the whole thing made me laugh... because he came alive to defend his special nurse... and that is what I love about Kit. bye for now...

January 6 Update

Jan. 6 ,
Liza is so true how your blogs are keeping us connected to our loved ones and I read them to Kit... and he is moved by all of you and what you say... you are encouraging us big time!!!!
Last night , was a tough night. Kit really wants to be home on Maui... last night he told me that he has had the most fulfilling life... so blessed...so loved... and that he is ready to go be with the Lord. He was just praying out loud to the Lord, thanking Him for everything , his full and rich life... his loving family and friends...and asking Him to bring him Home( to Heaven) . He was in alot of pain... but eventually fell asleep and today is a new day.
He does not have an appetite. He had one bite of eggs and drank some Ensure... and that is it. The blood work came back today... and Kit needs another red blood cell transfusion. The oncologist just came in and convinced Kit that he needs to stay here on Oahu for awhile longer to keep getting antibiotics and to not give up yet. Even though , his white blood cells are still at 0 , only a few neutraphils... his doctor believes that Kit might still be responding to the chemo and that his body is slow making the new blood cells. The platelets are holding from the transfusion yesterday. So... we are not coming home right yet.... tonight... when everyone is out of the hallway... we are going to try and take a walk... the doctor really recommended that he do that... to change the scenery..Maybe after the red blood cells... he will have the energy to do that... Right now... he just lays in bed and sleeps... his sleep is not too restful because his brain is working over time... and he just keeps talking about things... He just said something about "the secret garden" ... maybe that book... we read to the Maisha years ago... I don't know... it is funny the things that he says...
I had a great experience this a.m. Out in front of Kaiser there is a little stand where they sell good coffee and sometimes, I go get a cup in the a.m. Well, today I did and the lady in front of me was buying Earl Grey tea.. she was an older tiny petite japanese woman... who was wearing this adorable vintage hat... (she had had chemo ) ...she reminded me of an old Bonjo... with her unique style.... I asked her what doctor she was seeing... and then I ran back to Kit's room and got this box of Earl Grey tea... that an angel from Maui...Robyn Iaea had sent to Kit with other goodies...yesterday.... Kit is not much of a tea drinker..nor am I.... but these tea bags that Robyn sent ... were too adorable to waste on people that are not tea drinkers. They were packaged in little triangular shaped boxes.. hanging from a string with a leaf on the end... They were so cute and I knew this lady would love them..so.. I wrote her a note and brought them to her and she was so happy and thankful.. SO.. Robyn .. thank you for letting me bless someone with that gift for Kit.
I think that Kit is starting to lose his thick hair( ha..) I see hair on his pillow.. He has not shaved... because the electric shaver that I bought him was junk and his placelets are too low to shave with a blade.. so... he is growing a white beard ...
CW... I think that was the person... I am trying to think of anything to say.... to keep you informed.
I love reading your comments.. all of them... you just don't
know how your words minister to Kit and me. You are such wonderful family and friends.. that have made our life so rich...thank you for reaching out to Kit...and me. ... and our family. love,shelly

Pleasant Words Are Healing To The Bones ...

"Pleasant Words Are Healing To The Bones ..."

I had this verse on my head for a couple of days now, so finally I Googled the words to find out if this is really in the Bible and where exactly it is written. Well here's what I found:

It is on Proverbs 16:24:

New American Standard Bible (©1995)

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Pleasant words are [like] honey from a honeycomb- sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.

King James Bible
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.


The comments being spoken (and written) here are healing to the bones. Keep them coming. It does not matter if you have commented previously, feel free to comment once a day if you can.

To those who do not know how - learn how. It's easier than you think it is.

To those who are just coming in and didn't know what we are doing, we are "talking story" about Kit while continually praying for him and while waiting for updates. Share in the comment any stories of you and Kit (and Lauer family) - how you met him, how he blessed you life, funny stories will do also :)

NOW, I am not imposing unnecessary guilt to those who are not really into blogging or not really comfortable leaving comments (I thought I should clarify that). That's ok, you may encourage on other ways. Shelly and Maisha are in Facebook, or you can e-mail them (kit@maui.net). Whatever means, as long as you keep on encouraging in this time of waiting for a miracle to come.

If you want to the read latest update so far, click HERE.

Love from your blogging crazy friend,
Liza

P.S. Aside from "healing the bones" we are keeping Shelly entertained by our comments while she's there with Kit in the hospital


Monday, January 5, 2009

January 5 Update

Jan.5. We have been at the hospital for 3 weeks today.
Kit had a pretty good night...he is not constipated now... I know for Maisha that is too much information..ha.. but being in the hospital gets down to those sorts of topics.. Kit has been sleeping alot.. and not eating. He does not have an appetite. His platelets are very low..3,000 and he is having a transfusion today. His white blood cells are coming up very slowly.. I wish that I could report more news... but this is a time of waiting ... to see if Kit's body can fight the infection that is in his sinus' and maybe other places in his body. The pain medicine helps him alot... his teeth ,jaws, nose ,temple area, and his face in general ..are what really hurt when the medication wears out... I am so thankful for the pain medication....it would be unbearable to sit and watch someone suffer ....if they did not have pain medication. What would even be worse ...would be to watch someone suffer and to know that they had not received the Lord as their Savior.
Kit really wants to come home to Maui.
I can't tell you how your blogging helps me get through these hours. I love you guys...
shelly

Sunday, January 4, 2009

January 4 Update

Jan 4th. Oh Liza that was so sweet of you to hijack Kit's blog. Just thinking of your wedding makes me laugh. I will never forget that day...Everything was so well co-ordinated...so... planned ahead of time by you and your family. HOWEVER...Bradley failed to tell Marla and Me that we were in the wedding and suppose to being wearing a shade of PINK... and when someone came and told me at the last minute... when I was wearing some black small patterned shabby little dress that I was suppose to be walking down the isle... I could have died.. I don't think that I even had lipstick on etc...But that was a beautiful wedding with all the things in it ...Philippine tradition to the max... and you were so gorgeous that day.. with your hair up.... and your loving family all there to share the day.. Of course.. Bradley was so handsome in his barong...and Kit and Dickie too...wearing them too... makes me smile..What an honor to be asked to be in your wedding. I know that you had chosen McManus ' and us to be like godparents to you.... and I have always felt like such a failure to you guys, as god parents. I had big plans ... but just never carried them out...
Liza, thank you again for being such an encourager...
Love,shelly

Now... about Kit...He is sleeping now... and he is getting another red blood cell transfusion right now. Last night he slept pretty good and he did not have a temperature.. that we knew of.. He is getting 4 different antibiotics and anti fungal medicines... almost around the clock. The pain medications make him constipated.... which is a problem... when you can't eat fresh fruit and vegetables when you are nutrapenic (weak immune system because of leukemia). He can't walk around in the hallway... because he has no white blood cells to fight infection..so... pray that things will start moving... ha..
We are just waiting now... for the infections to get nailed down..and for Kit's bone marrow to start producing his own white blood cells . He has to have a new IV put in... every 4 days, because he is not a candidate for a picc line because his immune system is so weak. The person is putting a new one in right now as I write.
Your prayers.. your comments... they are so uplifting to us. Some of you.. I don't know(but I feel close to you anyway) ... but Kit knows you .. I just cry when I read what you write because God is so good to us by blessing us with you all.. standing by our side.. while we are over here. Praying for us...begging God for a miracle... thank you.. so much.
love, Shelly

***
A post to write stories about you and Kit - click HERE and share in the comment section :)
Liza

Our Family of Hope ...

Aloha! This is Liza hijacking "The Journey" blog :) (Hi Kit and Shelly! love you!)

If you came here to see what's the latest news on Kit, click here. Maybe they will update us again later, but for now I want to take the pressure off of them to update this blog. I want US to update this blog for them by US sharing the many blessings we receive from God as a result of Kit's ministry, and the whole Lauer family's loving kindness to all of us.

Soooo..... while we are continually praying for Kit and the whole Lauer family, I encourage you to leave a comment on this post sharing about Kit and you. For example- how did you meet Kit and how that friendship enriched your life? any particular incident that Kit's teaching or action blessed you? Share them here on the comment section. Make it concise (see my example, I wrote the first comment). I know it's hard to keep it short because there are so many, but choose just one and share briefly. Is this is good idea? I think it is because I know Kit and Shelly will be encouraged to read all the comments. If this is not a good idea, then this post can be easily deleted (no worries). OK, are you ready to share? fire away!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Jan 3 Update

Jan. 3

I wanted to take this time to speak heart to heart to you about all that is happening. As most of you know, we finished the chemo course, took the bone marrow test and none of the cancer went in to remission. This is very disheartening to us , as well as to you ,I know. We have been battling this leukemia for 9 months now and many of you have supported us( literally... carried us through this ordeal), but with the blood counts dropping all Summer and into the Fall, we finally had to come to Oahu because my body could not fight this bad sinus infection and the cancer cells were back in my blood stream in dangerously high numbers. We made the decision at that time to excellerate a third chemo treatment, knowing there was only a small chance of remission.

Now, if you could just continue praying for me and my family that would be wonderful. It would do two really powerful things. , it would knock one more time Hard on Heaven's gates...... it would ask one more time for a miracle. It would require a complete demonstration of God's true power and glory if he healed me.

Secondly, it would continue the process within all of us to learn to cope with adversity and to increase the realization of the value of true loving relationships.


Kit is dictating this letter to me... and his mind is getting really foggy right now... so we are going to continue this later. WE love you guys and we really appreciate all your support through these months.

The doctors are trying to isolate the bacteria , microbe, or fungi that is causing Kit's infection. Please pray that his own blood would start to produce the nutraphils that could help fight infection. The doctors know that Kit wants to come home to Maui and that is our goal.

Love,Kit and Shelly

Friday, January 2, 2009

Bone marrow test results

I see that my parents have not written on the blog yet...so, I wanted you all to know that we found out the results tonight and they were not good.  My dad's bone marrow is still about 80% packed full of cancer  cells (last time after chemo #2 they were about 60%).  My mom or dad may write more later if they feel up to it.  
I think right now Kit needs prayer for battling all of the infections going on in his body.  He needs some good white blood cells! He wants to get heathy enough to come back home.
All our love,
The Lauers

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Jan 1st
Well... it has been a tough 24 hours... Kit is having high fevers, chills, nausea and with all the medicines they are giving him, he is not thinking clearly. Right now , they are giving him 2 units of red blood cells and his platelets are low again..even though they gave him platelets yesterday.
I know that you are praying to our Lord for Kit to get through this.... and I can not tell you what reading the comments does to encourgage me...even though , Kit is not ready to read the blog yet... I am praying that tomorrow he will start feeling better. This is the day(day 14) that the chemo has done the most that it can to his marrow ..... his immune system is very weak and unable to fight all these infections. His sinus' are still sore. He is peeling like a lizzard from the rashes that he gets all over his body( allergic reaction to the medications).
I am sorry that I don't answer my phone..it is really difficult to talk on the phone most of the time.
I really appreciate your prayers.... I love all of you so much and so does Kit. We have been so blessed to have you in our lives.
Love,shelly