The Admiral’s Post
2892 Lone Valley Road
Campbellsville, KY 42718
To all our friends at 11:55 AM this Monday May 26,
our beloved son Shawn Michael has entered the house of
God. May God Bless all of you that has prayed and been
there for Alma and me.
Much Love,
The Brinley’s
To all our friends:
I don't think Alma and I could ever find the words to
describe the feelings we have for all of you; from the
prayers, cards, phone calls, e-mails and personal
visits while Shawn fought his cancer. We are truly
humbled by you that cared so much for Shawn's plight.
Alma and I will "always" have a hole in our hearts
where Shawn was our life. With Prayer, Shawn's great
love and fully trusting of God's plan, our love for
the Lord and just knowing how very much each and
everyone of you cared; makes our loss more bearable to
handle. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
Shawn's church family and ours (New Beginnings
Community Church), our family, our marina family, our
business family both H.C.L. Inc. and Green River
Marina and everyone we are blessed beyond measures.
Shawn was on more prayer lists by people from around
the world. I
would like for everyone to do the same for another of
our family that needs us. Harry and Jane Owen's son
Jake is battling cancer. All of them need our
prayers, cards and calls. So that they will know that
battle is not theirs to fight alone. The prayers to
our God can and will help.
Our prayers are with you.
Dennis and Alma
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May 26, 2008 at 04:00 PM EDT |
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I wanted to take this opportunity to thank each and
every one of you who have prayed for us during this
difficult time. Your support has meant the world to
the entire family. Without you all this journey
would have been to difficult to bear. On Saturday
May 17th many of you joined us in a celebration of
Shawn's 35 years on earth. This was a wonderful time
for everyone and Shawn loved it so much to have
everyone around. Sunday morning he began declining
and was taken to the Hospice ward at Norton
Hospital. We had many "parties" over the last week
as people stopped by to show their love for Shawn.
On Friday we celebrated 16 wonderful years of
marriage and renewed our vows. This was the last
time Shawn was really with us. On Saturday he began
to decline rapidly and by Sunday he was no longer
able to speak. Through many prayers and the
continued love showed by all Shawn was at peace.
Today, around 12:00 PM Shawn went home to be with
the Lord. He will be missed by all, loved by many
and with us in our hearts always. Thank you again
for all your prayers and support. With love in
Christ, Layni |
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May 14, 2008 at 08:27 AM EDT |
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I know it has been a long time since we last posted
and I am sorry. I've been trying to think of exactly
what to say. First I want to thank you all for your
continued prayer and support. Since we last posted
Shawn had begun to regain some strength.
Unfortunately, it was short lived and he landed in
Nortons Hospital a few weeks ago with an infection.
Because he has not been able to eat for months and
ha been relying on IV nutrition his body was weak,
His liver and kidneys had been processing the IV
nutrition for so long they are no longer able to
tolerate the extra burden. Even though he was
getting the IV nutrition he was not benefiting from
it because of the excess strain it put on his body.
We have had to stop all IV nutrition. His body was
severely malnourished. Thank heavens he had the
G-tube. We have him hooked up to a feeding pump to
s-l-o-w-l-y put nutrition through the tube and use
his gut to process his nutrition. It takes 24 hours
but we are getting 2000 calories a day. He has lost
a lot of ground and we do not know right now if we
will ever be able to do more chemo. We signed up for
Hospice before leaving the hospital last week and
they have been great. They have provided some much
needed professional help to lighten the burden of
constant care. They have many service to help the
kids prepare for what the future holds. Shawn is
completely out of pain thanks to them and while not
as strong is probably the most comfortable he has
been in a long time. He is able to talk with
visitors and family and enjoy everyone. None of us
knows what the future will bring and if he can
regain his strength we may be able to continue
treatment for the cancer, but right now that is on
hold. He does not want to have to go back to the
hospital again. We pray that he will stay with us
for as long as possible but not if that means he is
is constant pain or lying in a bed at the hospital
away from his family and friends. Please pray for
strength for us all, healing for Shawn, and the
peace to let go when the time is right. It is
completely in Gods hands now and I personally can't
think of any better hands to place it. Blessing and
thanks to you all. |
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January 27, 2008 |
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We are back home from a
outpatient lower GI and it showed promise, ie. tumor
shrinking. the pain I was in last week has mostly
gone away and getting to a regular routine. I still
can't thank you all enough for your prayers, they
are was fuel me through the day. Always so
encouraging and powerful. We all know the Lord
listens to prayer. thank you and keep me in your
prayers. |
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January 04, 2008 |
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Just a quick update to let you
guys know how Shawn is doing. We all had a lovely
holiday at home with the kids. We were supposed to
return to the cancer center on Monday but plans have
changed again. Shawn has aquired a staph infetion in
his port again and they are going to remove it on
Monday. He will have to go through a 14 day course
of antibiotics and be cleared by his doctor here
before we can schedule our return trip. He will be
getting a G-tube (feeding tube) placed at the same
time they remove his port. This will allow him to
use his stomach for nutrition and allow us to give
him more calories each day then the TPN can provide.
Hopefully he will gain back a little more weight.
Anyway, we are here for another 2-3 weeks.
It was nice to see everyone that stopped by over the
holidays. If you couldn't make it and would like to
visit give us a call. We would love to see you.
Hoping all is well with each of you and that the new
year brings you many blessings. Love to you all.
Layni |
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November 24, 2007 at 01:23 PM EST |
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We are back home now and I am finished with another
round of chemo. I don't feel nearly as bad as the
last two times, I am alert and in better health and
higher energy that the last time. I am grateful for
the prayers and blessings. Thank you all for the
support you give me it means the world to me.
my prayer,
dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all those who
pray for me daily. thank you for their faith and
support. I ask that you bless them and their
families for their work. let us all glorify you in
all we do in work and leisure. In Jesus name I pray |
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November 19, 2007 at 08:51 PM EST |
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I had a CT scan and a lot of
blood work. the results are very good all my cancer
markers are in normal range, before they were 1000
down to 200; 255 down to 25 ; and 300 down to 15 for
the markers. also the ct was hard for the doctor to
read since two different machines did the scan. the
scan didn't show much but the Dr. said that tumors
go like snowballs when I came the first time it was
like a solid January snow ball, now its like a snow
ball in march, there is not much left of it mostly
melted even inside when you try to pick it up it
turns to mush.
Thank everyone for their prayers, it has been a
blessing to all in the family. I love everyone and
am so thankful for everyone's faith and support. I
pray every day that each and everyone who prays for
me I pray for blessings for each of you. It is so
great to know that everyone loves me so much.
There is nothing more I could ask from anyone than
sincere prayer and praise the lord for bringing us
this far. God is the great healer and his hand is on
me because of all of you. I thank everyone again for
their prayers, and a special thanks to Kenny and
Debbie for their prayer and fasting today and to
NBCC for their 24 hour prayer and fasting. Last I
thank Bill C. for being a good and supportive
brother in Christ. I thank Everyone who has stopped
by it is so nice to get visitors when I am to tired
to get out, but still awake and alert.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please bring good to those who pray for me, many
blessing for each and every one who prays for me and
allow them precious time to spend with their
families direct and extended. Make each productive
in their lives and bring glory to God with every
thing they do. Let us all have fellowship together
and love in Christ. In Jesus name I pray these
things humbly |
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November 17, 2007 at 06:52 PM EST |
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Just a quick update before we
leave tomorrow. Shawn has been doing much better
this past week. He has gotten out of the house
everyday and has been drinking lots of boost. He has
tried everyday to eat something else besides boost
and toady he ate at two meals. Not a lot, but every
little bit helps. We had a small "Thanksgiving
Dinner" at my parents today and he ate a little
supper and a bite of pumpkin pie.
We will be heading out tomorrow morning for another
week at CTCA. So now is the time for us all to pull
together and PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for that miracle.
Monday at 1:30 Louisville time Shawn will be getting
his CT scan. If each one of us takes a moment to
pray either before or during his scan I know God
will hear us loud and clear. Their will be no
question what we are asking for and it is nothing
short of a miracle. One we all can shout from the
roof tops. Please take a moment on Monday and
intercede on Shawn's behalf. I know God hears each
of our prayers, but that doesn't mean we still can't
all shout at once.
Thank you all for your continued words of
encouragement and prayers. They mean so much to
Shawn and me. It is amazing to see how many people
care so much about us.
May God bless you all as greatly as I know he is
going to bless us. In Jesus name we all pray, Amen. |
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November 14, 2007 at 08:04 AM EST |
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feeling better getting many
extra calories from boost and veg juices feeling
much stronger and can get around very well. I will
go to work for a little while today and work a
little around the house. that's how good I feel.
thank everyone for all the prayers they have truly
strengthened me. |
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November 11, 2007 at 07:13 AM EST |
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Thank you all for your prayers
and fasting You cannot fathom my appreciation for
what you all have done at New Beginnings and
everyone else has do to intercede with the father
listening to every word I thank God for All of you.
I would never have believed that so much support and
love would come my way. I just am lifted by all the
love. |
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November 06, 2007 at 04:08
PM EST |
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I am feeling better and have
eaten a small meal and hope to eat a big bowl of
chili tonight. thank you all for your prayers. I
have been to work for a couple hours to see
everyone. sorry I couldn't get around to see more
people |
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October 29, 2007 at 09:56 PM
EDT |
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Just a quick note to thank you
all for your prayers. They are so beautiful. You
each mean so much to us. I don't think we could do
this without all your support and the added strength
your prayers provide. May God shower each of you
with blessing for the love you have shown to us.
P.S. Shawn is feeling a little better today. He
drank half of a smoothie, half a boost and some
Gatorade. It's not as much as I'd like but it's a
start! : ) |
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October 22, 2007 at
12:23 PM EDT |
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direct from the horses mouth.
thank all of you for your prayers and support I love
to hear from everyone it is great to hear from old
friends to new friends. I am feeling better and the
mouth sore are almost healed. I am thankful for all
of you and your prayers. I am strengthened by all
your support and thankful for your support and
offers of help by everyone. |
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October 19, 2007 at
03:12 PM EDT |
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We have returned home. Shawn is
feeling better and the sores are healing. His mouth
is still pretty swollen and he will have to regain
some strength though. He is talking again and he is
able to drink. He still is unable to eat solid foods
yet. Hopefully that will come soon. With his white
blood count back up they say it shouldn't take long
for the mouth to heal. He has been reading the
messages he has received since we got home trying to
get caught up. I know they all mean a lot to him. It
was the first thing he asked to do when we got home.
I know he will post himself as soon as he is feeling
up to it again. We have a week before we head back
to CTCA for another round. Please continue to pray
for us. Thank you all for your support. |
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October 15, 2007 at
04:22 PM EDT |
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I stopped by the house with Eli to pick up some
things and he had fallen asleep in the car. So,
while he sleeps soundly on the couch I thought I
would let you all know what is going on with Shawn.
Unfortunatly his white count was back down today and
so was his hemogolbin(sp?). They decided to give him
platelets and some blood today. When I left him they
were starting the transfusion and he was going to
take a nap. His mouth sores have stopped getting
worse. They say they will heal pretty quickly once
his white count is up. The blood should also make
him feel better pretty quickly. All in all he is
feeling a little better. He has been conversing
using paper and pen, since his mouth hurts to much
to talk. He is also watching some TV and even
eyeballed his lunch tray. He did't eat anything, but
there was intrest. Hopefully he will be home before
weeks end and eating me out of house and home. It
will be nice to have the family back together under
one roof again, at least for a while. That is really
all the new news for now so I will go for now.
Hoping all is well with each of you and may God
Bless all. Layni |
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October 14, 2007
at 02:58 PM EDT |
Well, since I last posted Shawn has ended up in the
hospital again. His mouth sores did not improve over
the last few days and his white count dropped low
enough to start a fever again. We took him to the
hospital Friday evening and they started him on
antibiotics just in case he has an infection. They
believe the fever is just a result of such low white
blood counts though, not an infection.
Unfortunately, his moth sores did continue to worsen
and he has been unable to eat since Thursday. They
started him on TPN (intravenous nutrition) and he
will continue that until we return to CTCA. They
also started him on medication to increase his
appetite. So, not only will he be receiving the TPN
but he will also have the munchies. Maybe we can get
a few pounds on him before we go back. They said his
white count was going back up this morning and that
should make him feel better soon. If we could just
get those sores to heal and the hiccups to go away I
know he would be more comfortable. We expect him to
be in the hospital most of this week. Please
continue to keep us in your prayers as this past
week has been especially stressful for us all.
When we return to CTCA at the end of the month Shawn
will be having a CT scan (10:40 AM Oct 29th) to see
how he is responding to treatments. Let us all PRAY
that there are no more tumors to be found. What a
miracle to proclaim that would be. Thank you all for
your support. |
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October 09, 2007 at
10:16 PM EDT
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Sorry it has taken so long to
update everyone again. Traveling home takes a lot
out of us (or is it getting used to the kids
again??). Anyway, we are home again for 3 more
weeks. The chemo started really getting to Shawn by
Saturday night and he was pretty nauseas all day
Sunday and Monday. He is doing much better this time
around than last time but it is still pretty rough.
He was able to down a few boost today. A major feet
considering how bad he felt this morning. Right now
he is just really tired and really sick of having
the hiccups. The doctors had to phone in an Rx for
them just so he could get some sleep. We are all
hoping tomorrow will be better. He developed mouth
sores last night so he will be on soft foods for a
few days untilk they start to clear. CTCA tells us
the next few days will be the hardest but that he
should start feeling better by the weekend. Pray
hard that he continues to improve his ability to eat
and that the thrush stays away. We want him chubby
when we take him back. Thank you all for your
support and prayers. I will try and update again in
a few days. God Bless.
October 05, 2007 at
11:13 AM EDT
Another update direct from
Shawn
I am always strenthened by your posts. I cannont
believe how many people are constantly praying for
me, some have left messages almost every day. I know
that you all are so truly concerned and your prays
are strong.
I am feeling much better today, yesterday I had
inter-arterial treatment to my liver and that always
make me a little tired but it also make me feel even
beter. I am eating mostly solid food now.
I am very thankkful for all my family, extended
family, friends, extended family friends, old
friends, Church friends, extended Church friends,
and Churches around the world.
I pray everday day for all of you because I know you
have needs also it is a privledge to advocate for
you all, may you all be protected and comforted by
the holy spirit, know the bible and have a
relationship with Jesus. Read you bible daily
love and blessings
Shawn
P.S. from Layni
Shawn is now eating as much or more than me. He is
really making the effort. Also after his
inter-arterial chemo yesterday his liver has shrunk
so much he can now take a deep breath for the first
time in months. Because of this he has also had
hiccups more in the last day than in all the years
I've known him. We are both doing well and he is
smiling almost constantly now, which does my heart
good. God Bless you all for all your support. |
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October 02, 2007 at
10:52 PM EDT |
This is the first update directly from Shawn. I am
feeling much better and am so thankful for everyone
that has left messages. I thank you all for your
prayers, they mean so much to me, more than you can
ever know. I want to thank everyone who has sent a
card or posted a message I enjoy hearing from each
and every one of you.
Earlier today I finished the 1st of my 5 treatments.
You never realize how much everyone cares for you
until something like this happens. I want to thank
every one who has made so many generous offers of
prepared meals, help with the family and much more.
Again, I want to thank you for everything and my
spirit is lifted with every note, message, and
encouragement that you all have given. I only wish
that I had enought time to respond individually to
each and every one of you.
I treasure your prayers and pray every day that each
of you would be blessed
Sincerely
Shawn Brinley |
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| September 26,
2007 at 12:33 PM EDT |
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Shawn came home from
the hospital last Friday and has been doing much
better. Especially since he finished the medicine
with benedryl in it. We are gearing up for our next
trip up to CTCA next week. Hopefully now that we
know how he reacts to the chemo we will be able to
manage the side effects better this time. We hope to
fine tune his medication this time as well to avoid
so much fatigue. Please keep us all in your prayers
and thank you all so much for your support. |
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| September 18,
2007 at 03:39 PM EDT |
| I had to take
Shawn to the hospital last night because he started
running a fever. They have him on antibiotics and
are waiting on the results of the blood cultures.
Right now is the time after chemo when his white
count is the lowest and the doctors think right now
the fever is just a result of a very low blood
count. They will be keeping him on the antibiotics
until the cultures come back though just in case. We
are still trying to clear up the thrush and it has
improved. His throat is still to sore to eat
anything but Boost drinks. They are continuing the
intravenous nutrition until he is eating well again
so we can get his strength back up for the next
round. I will update again as soon as I can. Please
keep him in your prayers. Thank you all. |
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September 16, 2007 at 11:28 AM EDT |
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Just a quick note to let you all know what is going
on here. This has been a long week. As a result of
the chemo Shawn got an extremely bad case of thrush.
This made it almost impossible for him to eat and we
have been dealing with this all week long. After
completing the medication from CTCA it had not
cleared so we saw the doctor here. He was given
additional medication and because he had been unable
to eat he was also put in IV nutrition until the
thrush clears. The thrush is beginning to clear and
he is trying and eat again today. We hope we can get
him back to eating a relatively normal diet again
soon. We have about 2 more weeks for him to rebuild
his strength before the next round of chemo. Please
continue to keep us in your prayers. It has been
wonderful and uplifting to visit our guest book and
see how many people are praying for us and taking
this journey with us. Your kind words and thoughts
are a great comfort to Shawn and I. I keep you all
in my prayers and thank God for you daily. |
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I spoke with Dennis
this morning Shawn has been home for several days
waiting to return in about 2 weeks for more cemo. He
will be flying every 21 days to the Cancer Center Of
America for 5 days of in-house cemo; this to
continue until March then they will
re-evaluate. Dennis said this morning (Saturday
September 15th) that Shawn is weak can't eat or
communicate well because of the mouth sores from
cemo. Please Pray that the sores will subside so
nutrients can continue. Dennis and Alma have
relocated to Indiana so that they can be by Shawn
and his family. Thanks For ALL Your support. |
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| September 11,
2007 at 08:34 PM EDT |
| We have made it
home and are trying to gain a new sense of normal.
It has been great seeing the kids and sleeping in
our own bed. Shawn has been dealing with some
unpleasant side effects of the chemo. He has been
very tired and sleeps most of the time. Due to these
side effects he is currently having a hard time
eating. The doctors say these should subside by the
weekend and he should begin to feel a little better
and regain his appetite. Thank you all for your
messages they are such a blessing to read. They
reminds us daily that we are not in this alone. Your
continued prayers are greatly appreciated. I will
update again soon. God bless you all. |
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| September 08,
2007 at 10:35 AM EDT |
| Shawn is
receiving his final chemo for this trip today. We
will be heading home tomorrow evening. Thank you all
so much for your support and prayers during this
difficult time. I will continue to update from home
so you all will know how he is doing. May God bless
you all. |
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| September 06,
2007 at 05:56 PM EDT |
I just had to
update again today because there has been such a
change since this morning. Prayers are being
answered!!! After receiving the chemo to the liver
today Shawn woke up and it is amazing how much
better he feels. He has begun eating again and says
he is no longer in pain. God is Good!! He has been
very chatty and seems his old self again. I know we
still have a long road ahead but we are greatly
encouraged. Thank you all again for your prayers.
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| September 06, 2007
at 01:39 PM EDT |
Shawn seems to be
tolerating the chemo well. He was quite awake and
talkative (for Shawn) this morning. He had a
catheter placed into the vein running to his liver
this morning and is receiving chemo directly to his
liver (once he has received his dose this will be
removed). This requires him to lay completely flat
without moving his legs for 5 hours. Boredom set in
fairly quickly so they gave him something to help
him sleep so he would not be so restless. This
method allows them to give a very large dose of
chemo to his liver while the rest of his body
receives a normal size dose. The hope is that this
will shrink the mass more quickly. Later this
afternoon he will be receiving his regular chemo
through his chemo port that was inserted yesterday.
We are praying that he continues to tolerate the
chemo and that he begins eating soon as he has
little or no appetite since Tuesday afternoon.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we
keep you in ours.
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| September 05, 2007
at 11:46 AM EDT |
I would like to
thank everyone for your continued prayers. It has
been such a blessing to hear from all of you and to
know how much you all care. Your prayers surround us
and carry us through this difficult time.
We met with his doctors yesterday and have decided
to receive treatment here at CTCA. They admitted him
last night for his first round of chemotherapy. He
will receive five doses over five days (he received
the first last night and will get #2 today). After
this round we will be returning home for three
weeks. This time his chemo will be given as an
inpatient but future treatments will be given as an
outpatient. We will be returning every three weeks
for up to 6 months depending on how he responds. Our
prayers now are that he tolerates and responds well
to the chemo and that they can increase the dose
next time (stronger dose = fewer doses). We are
looking forward to returning home to familiar
surrounding and our babies soon. We love you all.
God bless.
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| September 01, 2007 at 10:14 AM EDT |
| Shawn is doing better today. We adjusted his mediation a
little on Thursday and a little more on Friday and he is
feeling much better. He has regained a small appetite and is
no longer constantly drowsy. All his tests Friday went well
and we were back to our room earlier than expected. We are
settling in for the long weekend and expect a few visitors
as well. The children will be coming on Sunday and we can't
wait to see them. We will be meeting with his doctors on
Tuesday to get his treatment options and can't wait to
finally begin the road back to health. Please continue to
keep us in your prayers. We hope to see you all soon. |
