Today, Lauren began his radiation treatments.  He came back in quite a bit of pain, caused from lying on a hard surface for so long with the serious wounds on his back side,  He is not sure he can make it through 19 more of these as he is scheduled to do, but we are praying that he can.  Please pray with us about that.

I continue to be impressed by the quality of care here in this unit of this hospital. Since we have been at UAB, we have dealt with about two dozen doctors (including residents) in several specialties as well as several interns and medical students. There are six doctors dedicated to palliative care, but they rotate among several locations and usually work in teams of two.

In addition to at least two doctors on any given day, our tiny little unit (twelve patients max) here has two nurses and four PCTs on each shift.  We also have access to physical therapy three days a week and respiration therapy as needed.  There are counselors, psychologists, and social workers available on call to help if requested.  The chaplain, Methodist pastor Melvin Rodgers, holds a worship service each Sunday, leads Bible studies as requested, is available for prayer with patients and families, and tries to visit  and offer comfort to all of his assigned patients and their loved ones.  To make life here more fun there are also music therapist who plays guitar and sings at the bed side once a week; weekly Bingo games on closed circuit television; volunteers who come by to visit and bring small treats, and a little black dog named Izzy, who is known as a pet therapist.

Lauren and I both appreciate all the prayer, cards, letters, and gifts.  They make us feel loved.  Lauren is making a scrapbook of the cards he receives.  If you are able to do so, please send him a card for this collection.  Please continue to pray, and know that we love you for it.