Sometimes I Write

Life has been a little crazy here at the Nowell Hacienda. There’s been too much to say and not enough motivation to say it. Some days are like that, aren’t they? First things first. I received another Turner update:

I haven’t updated your recently on Brandon’s status mostly because there hadn’t been much change. This past week, though, has been an answer to all the prayers going up on his behalf. He is talking!!! That’s right, he is talking. It may be a whisper at times; and, sometime he has to repeat himself several times to be understood. But, he is talking. The doctors changed one of his medications (removed him from it) a week ago last Friday. We almost immediately began to see a change in him. He began making noises like he was trying to talk. He also began following instructions in therapy much better. Then on Thursday, the speech therapist called Kathie all excited that Brandon was talking. When Kathie got to the hospital, he met her with the question, “What did you do today?” Needless to say, we have been excited and praising God. Brandon still has a long recovery process ahead of him and he may never recover fully. But, we can now communicate with him. We have been trying to assess what he remembers and how much he really understands. For him it is still July. His memory of us, his grandparents and old friends seems to be intact. However, there are some gaps in his short-term memory and he will become confused when too many questions are asked in a row.

I have attached a picture of Brandon to show how well he is doing. The strange look on his face is him trying to smile. Only the right side of his mouth works when he tries to smile; but, he is working on. Keep praying for Brandon. Kathie and I know the recovery he is experiencing is the direct result of God hearing prayers and applying his healing to Brandon. We continue to put Brandon in God’s care and know God cares for him. Thank you so much for your prayers. As Brandon improves, we will send further updates on his progress.

Thank you again for all of the prayers for our friends, the Turner family. I am so thankful I can count on my friends to pray for the needs of others. Bless you all! With that being said, I have another request for you. My Aunt Sharon was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer last week. One of her breasts is completely full of cancer, and the other may be treatable. She was scheduled to have a mastectomy today, but failed the stress tests on her heart on Tuesday. She has had two kidney transplants in the past few years and though she has an iron will, her body isn’t strong. There is a fear that whatever treatment she has to receive will severely damage her kidney, which has been working well. She is having a repeat stress test tomorrow, please pray for her…I’m not sure how…but God knows. I don’t want it to come down to a decision between letting the cancer kill her or the possibility of the surgery killing her. My mom and her other sisters and brothers are really hurting through all of this. Please pray for strength for all of them, especially my Uncle Randy and my cousins Scott and Shannon. Breast cancer isn’t always fatal, but this is a situation where it could be.

Thank you again for your prayers!