Diagnosis: Brain Cancer

(August 2002)

 

Here are the facts…  Bonnie Laughlin was diagnosed with a brain tumor on August 2nd and underwent a needle biopsy of the tumor at Mayo Clinic on August 20th  which shows that she had a Level 2 (mostly) - 3 (slightly) astrocytoma on her right brain.  It is inoperable (non-removable) due to the fact that it is infused (intermixed) with a large portion of healthy brain tissue.  Surgical removal would certainly be “incomplete and… would run an appreciable probability of permanent neurological injury.”  In other words, the “cure” would be worse than the disease. 

 

September 2009 – Psalm 117:2 says, “For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.”  The child of God who has come to know God’s Salvation and the faithfulness found in Jesus Christ lives a life that says, “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.  I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.” (Psalm 40:10)  The Lord has enabled Bonnie to respond to the treatments administered to her by the brain cancer team of Colorado University Hospital. 

 

In April of 2009 Bonnie had an MRI done in Denver at Colorado University Hospital.  After being on the chemo drug Temodar for one year and four months, Dr. Damek had chosen to take Bonnie off chemo.  The MRIs show continued improvement in our battle against the brain cancer, astrocytoma.  Bonnie has been off Chemo treatments for four months. 

 

Bonnie had another MRI in Denver on September 09, 2009.  According to Dr. Damek, our battle with brain cancer still improves and for this we do “Praise the Lord!”  Bonnie is still off of chemo and is expected to remain off for the next four months.

 

Our Present Battle:  Bonnie’s battle against one of the most dangerous brain cancers in the medical world has brought forth serious afflictions.  The one we face now is this.  Because of the location of the brain cancer and the results of radiation and chemo treatments, Bonnie’s motivational desires have been reduced to a low that places her physical health in potential danger if continued.  Bonnie’s metabolism has slowed down leaving her physically weak (especially on her left side) and moving slow.  Radiation and chemo treatments are over - their negative side effects no longer have a hold.  Now we can enjoy the benefits of their success in holding this cancer at bay.  Dr. Damek told us that the battle of restoring Bonnie’s motivational desires to a healthy scale will be difficult, but can be accomplished with the help of family and friends.

 

Solution:    This battle will be fought through prayer, faith in the Word of God, and His promises given to us because of Jesus Christ.  These passages of Scriptures are illuminated in my heart. 1.) “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

2.) "If you love Me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth.  The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”  (John 14:15-18)  3.) “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”  (1 Peter 4:11)

 

Prayer Request: Pray that Bonnie will sense His pleasure as she begins the hard work of exercising, for it is He who she desires to please.  This will give her true strength, enabling her to enjoy seeing her children participating in school and achieving their goals.  With your continued prayers, Bonnie can and will be even more effective in her part of “The Great Commission.”     

 

In His Service,

Preacher/Teacher Terry L. Laughlin 

Unashamedly Believing, Preaching and Teaching God’s Word

603 Sunset Dr.

Norton, Kansas 67654 

Phone (785) 877-2567 

e-mail – crossroads@ruraltel.net  

 

 

November 6, 2008 – Bonnie and Terry just returned home from seeing Dr. Damek.  Once again, the Lord has chosen to answer, “Yes,” to the prayers of those who have taken time to intercede on Bonnie’s behalf.  The cancer drug, “Temodar” is doing its job; cancer cells are still being destroyed.  The tumor has gotten smaller, and Bonnie has gained strength on her left side.  Over the last three months, Bonnie has gained strength overall; she requires a lot less naps during the day; she is able to do more around the home and is helping our boys with their school work.  She has also been able to make it to most of their extra school activities, such as football games and vocal concerts.  Bonnie is enjoying being more of a helpmate to her husband and has been able to increase her music ministry at the church.  At the suggestion of Dr. Damek, the Laughlin’s are looking into getting, “Wii” the popular video game.  There are physical therapy departments using this game to get their patients physically active in the comfort and safety of their homes.  The boys are, naturally, very excited about the good news and the possibility of getting one the currently most popular game tools for mom and them to share. 

 

Pray that the Lord will enable Bonnie to see her sons, Caleb and Josiah, graduate from Norton High School and her son, Jared, graduate from College of the Ozarks in May 2011.  We serve a great and loving God, whom for the sake of Christ, can do all things.  He does all things well!   

 

 

August 15, 2008 – Bonnie and Terry have returned home from seeing Dr. Damek and after looking at the results of the MRI it appears that the tumor has become smaller.  At the present time the Lord through medical treatment is "killing tumor cells (Dr. Damek)." For this we praise the Lord!!!!  Bonnie is taking chemotherapy once per month and by the grace of the Lord is handling it very well. She is tired, but doing well.

            Pray that Bonnie will seek the Lord for His strength to begin and stick with rehabilitation and not give in to the flesh, or listen to a world's few or to the lies of Satan. She needs a special grace from the Lord to get her on and keep her on a strengthening program.  It is so easy for all of us to not do our part.

            Thanking the Lord for your prayers and on going support as Bonnie and Terry face this very difficult trial.  By the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ they will finish well.

  

March 28, 2008- Bonnie had a blood test done on Tuesday, March 18.  The results were very good.  Bonnie also had a test done to check her liver and kidney functions.   Her chemo treatments have not had a negative result on her blood work nor liver and kidney functions.  She is tired and sleeps most of the time.  She is able to enjoy her immediate and church families.  Jared (her second son) was home from college for spring break and was able to spend a lot of time with Bonnie.  She is able to focus on her relationship with the Lord and enjoy quality Christian music and teaching (Focus on the Family, teaching from Times Square Church, and her church).  Bonnie is now on her second round of Chemo treatments (running from March 27 – 31, 2008).  Chemo treatments this round are having a more aggressive affect on Bonnie. Bonnie’s next trip to Denver for an MRI will be in late April of 2008. 

 

March 13, 2008 / Keeping the Proper Perspective:

Bonnie writes - “My tumor was initially biopsied at a Level 2+ or 3 "anaplastic astrocytoma" I understand this to be a "toddler" (or maybe a teenager) glioblastoma multiforme.  This tumor (unless God works a miracle) will someday, as God allows this affliction, turn to a level 4 (glioblastoma multiforme) the highest and most vicious level of this particular brain tumor.  It IS eventually 100% fatal.  

  Even if the Temodar slows or temporarily shrinks the tumor, current medical knowledge says it WILL come back and at a higher level (4 probably).  At that point, my prognosis will be in the months, not years.  (That may even be the case now, there is no way of telling.)  I don't want to undergo another biopsy and it wouldn't make any difference as far as treatment whether it is still a 3 or whether it has upped to a 4, so I'm not going through that again.

  Keep praying for us, not just for healing but that we will all bear this well and with a good testimony for the Lord.”

                                                                              Living in the Firm Grip of His Grace,

                                                                              Bonnie 

 

March 11, 2008 – Bonnie started physical therapy at the Norton County Hospital.  Physical Therapy will be twice a week and will continue until her doctor gives new instructions.    

 

To date, March 7, 2008 – Bonnie is home doing well, understanding and responding appropriately to the Lord’s will for her in this cancer trial.  She is spending much time with her immediate family enjoying Christian films, music and taking one day at a time.  Bonnie writes, “I would appreciate ALL the prayers lifted up for me and my family as I can get.  The Lord has kept me in good health the past 5-1/2 years since the initial diagnosis of this tumor, well past what the normal prognosis would be.  We praise Him for that!”

 

To Date March 5, 2008:

Prayer Responses:

Prayer Warriors for Bonnie and this Church:

From World Challenge, Inc. – “Pastor Terry, you can be assured that your wife will be prayed for by this ministry.  Also, an e-mail will be sent on to Pastor David and Gwen Wilkerson. They, too, will lift your wife up in prayer. Keep in touch by updating us via e-mail; and we will continue to stand in agreement with you for God's healing touch in her body and the church’s ongoing ministry.  May the Lord be with you both in a special way today.”

From Focus on the Family

Pastor John Banner

Manager of Pastoral Care - “We will certainly be praying for Bonnie and her struggle with cancer, and we pray that God would wrap all of you in His love and grace.  I will attempt to direct some others to you to be prayer partners with you and the church you oversee in these days.  We hope you stay in touch with us.”

From Pastor Ronald Scheimo - “I would like to say ‘Thank you to all who have spent time in prayer for Sylvia and me these last few weeks.  We are still in great need of prayer.  Know that Sylvia and I are praying for Bonnie and the church daily.’” 

From TFC Connection / Dan Klinger – “We’ll definitely be praying.” 

EMF Pastors - We have had e-mails from these EMF Pastors:

John Zimmerman, John Oldfield, Joe Beach, Clyde Jones and Mike Schneider. 

From Local Churches – We have heard from Church of God / Living Hope Fellowship / Norton Christian Church.

From Pastor David and Gwen Wilkerson:

Dear Brother and Sister Laughlin,

    We appreciate you calling and letting us know about your battle with cancer. As Gwen and I and the staff continue to stand with you in earnest prayer, be encouraged in knowing God is aware of your every need and He has promised He will never leave us nor forsake us.

   Although there are times in life when we seem overcome by the burdens of this world, know that we have a loving, heavenly Father that has promised He wouldn't allow you to carry any load that you can't bear. Remember, as we cast all of our cares upon Him, we can be assured that all things will "work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28.

As we trust Him and the integrity of His Word, we can rest in knowing He is in control. Our prayers are with you today.

                                                                                           David Wilkerson

There have been many other prayers offered by Christians and Churches as well which did not get documented for various reasons. 

 

Chemo Treatments: February 27 - March 2, 2008 - Bonnie got through her first treatments very well.  She did miss church because she was not feeling well.  For the next year she will not be able to be out in public much and she must avoid small closed in meetings with small groups of people.  She can have some exposure to people in a large area or outside situations.  However, she must not hug or shake hands with people due to the risk of catching viruses that could cause her to become ill.  For the next year Bonnie will, for the most part, become a home bound person.    

 

February 21, 2008:

Bonnie and Terry went out to Denver on Thursday, the 21st to see their chemo doctor (Denise Damek).  Dr. Damek put Bonnie through a series of physical and mental tests for her evaluation.  The physical tests show an obvious difference in strength and coordination between the right and left. sides of Bonnie’s body.  Bonnie will be starting physical therapy at the first of March 2008 to strengthen her left side.

 

Bonnie will be taking a chemo drug, “Temodar.”  It is a relatively mild chemotherapy drug, taken in capsule form, that has the advantage of fewer side effects than many and that can cross the blood brain barrier when many cannot.  Not much hair loss is expected from the chemo.  The doctor said she's had a few patients with only a mild thinning of their hair, so that's good.  She is on a 28 day cycle, on Days 1-5 of each 28 day cycle, she will take an anti-nausea drug about 45 minutes before bed then take the Temodar caps right before getting into bed.  The most common adverse reactions are nausea and tiredness; the worst is the rare, and obviously dangerous, extremely low white blood cell count that would need a possible transfusion.  Dr. Damek said that she has only had to do that once in 10 years of using this drug.  Dr. Damek even said she had very few that experienced vomiting, IF they took the anti-nausea drug and chemo drugs as directed.  After those 5 days, Bonnie will have blood tests run on days 21 and 28 before starting over with Days 1 - 5 of taking the drug.  Two full 28-day cycles of this can be overseen by doctor Maurer and blood tests faxed to Dr. Damek so she can advise of any changes in the drug dosage to be given in the next cycle of five "on drug" days.  Bonnie should only have to go back to Denver for MRI scans and reevaluation every 3 months. The current plan is probably 12 of these 28 day cycles running from February 2008 – January 2009.   

 

January 2008 -   

After having a MRI and Spectroscope on Tuesday, January 29, it was confirmed by Dr. Gaspar that Bonnie’s brain cancer is now recurrent.  There are some new spots that showed up: one that was moderate sized and a few smaller ones.  A multi-disciplinary team of cancer doctors has informed the family that Bonnie should start chemotherapy treatments as soon as possible. 

 

 

March 2, 2003 – Bonnie felt led of the Lord to go forward and have the spiritual leaders of the church prayer for her – The Lord touched her and she enjoyed good health, for the most part.  She was easily tired, but was able to enjoy her family and friends at the church for many years.  From August 2002 – March 2003 Bonnie and Terry had received phone calls, e-mail, letters and cards from all over the world, amounting to thousands of people praying for them.  For this we do praise the Lord.   

 

September 2002 – Radiation treatments at Colorado University Hospital, Cancer Pavilion from September 16 – October 31, 2002.  The family left every Monday and stayed with Bonnie’s sister, Beverly, throughout the week and returned home every Friday night.