I saw Beth for a few minutes this morning.

She looked great. She is ready for treatment to begin today. She seemed in great spirit and is ready to fight.

Keep up the prayers!

Susan

Treatment.

Beth starts radiation and chemo tomorrow. As far as I know, Mike is going to take Beth to her radiation treatments and she is taking the chemo in pill format from home, at least initially.

Thank you, as always, for everything you are doing and want to do. The thing Beth and family needs most right now is our prayers.

Susan

Just a few things to update.

Beth is still doing well. Trying to regain some strength. Resting a lot. Still not wanting visitors. You might be able to speak to her on the phone if you call when she is awake. Please just give her, and the entire family, some time.

Regarding the food and meals, I know that right now they have a ton of fruit and desserts. The house is overflowing with flowers. If you want to bring over or send over something, please wait a bit to allow the family time to enjoy what is there now. Maybe a break until next week for the non-meal items (those on the care calendar)?

Beth seems to still be on track to begin treatment next week. As of right now, Mike and the family are going to be taking her for treatment. I will let you know as soon as Beth is wanting or needing drivers, treatment buddies, etc.

Please know that Mike, Beth, the boys and family appreciate everything everyone is doing and wants to do. They just really are trying to adjust to this new "normal".

Blessings.

Susan

Oncology appointment this morning.

In anticipation of beginning treatment next week.

Beth is resting a lot. She came up to bible study for an hour last night. I think it totally wiped her out.

Carolyn and George are spending lots of time with the family.

Mike is working some.

That's really all the news.

There isn't anything the family needs right now. They continue to ask for no visitors. Carolyn says thank you for the extra pounds she is now carrying as the desserts have been amazing :)

They continue to appreciate ALL of you. As do I.

Susan

Keep the cards and letters coming.

That is truly the best way to support Beth right now.

She is in the midst of doctor appointments and regaining her strength. I believe she starts radiation next week.

Thank you for continuing your prayers, love and support for Beth, Mike, Andrew, Stephen and William. I know that Carolyn and George, Beth's parents covet your prayers as well.

Susan

Beth was in church this morning!

She and Mike were there for the last half of the service. She really does look great. I think the outing was just what she needed to start regaining some "normalcy". She says she is coming to bible study tomorrow night, too.

Again, Mike and Beth are very appreciative of the meals and all of the love and support. I hope to spend some time with her tomorrow and start getting a feel for how we can best support her. What they need/want in addition to meals.

Y'all have been absolutely awesome...I can't begin to tell you what this means to Mike and Beth and the boys.

Susan

Beth is settling in.

She has been talking about going to church tomorrow.

She's anxious to get caught up on her Esther bible study.

She is resting a lot.

Not much to report...sorry!

Keep up the prayers, cards, letters, etc. They are very much appreciated.

Even I think I'm starting to sound like a broken record...

Susan

I spoke to Mike and had a text from Beth.

Beth walked around outside for a bit this afternoon. It was very tiring for her. She and Mike are still asking for no visitors. They know you are anxious to see her and hear more news. They are appreciative of all of the meals, cards, letters, calls, love and support. Beyond words at this point.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Beth is at home.

Just spoke to William. Beth is home and catching up on some much-needed sleep.

Beth is coming home from the Hospital today.

I know. It's hard to believe. She is up walking and doing everything for herself. It is amazing.

Not sure what time she'll be home. She hopes before lunch.

Beth is looking forward to settling back into her own home, her own bed, getting some rest and spending time with her Boys, including Mr. Baxter who has missed her dearly.

Beth's treatment will start in a week or so. In the meantime, she is supposed to rest, get her strength back up, etc.

Thank you for continuing to pray. It is definitely helping!

Susan

Beth is doing great!

Seriously, she really might be released tomorrow. Which I just can't fathom.

Mike would definitely like folks to not come up to the hospital or even to the house yet. I think he will allow us to set up a schedule of sorts soon and from that we can schedule visits and help. Maybe some on-call shifts to help with whatever tasks and notes that Mike leaves for us.

I'll work on that and continue talking to Mike and to Beth and her mom, as well.

I do want you to know that Mike and Beth are completely overwhelmed and in awe of the love and support and prayers for them and for the boys. And truly, they don't even know the half of it.

Yet.

I'll be sharing all of your e-mails and comments and the care calendar with them as soon as Beth is settled.

Thank you again, so very much!

Susan

Prayer, Cards, Letters and food.

Thank you so much for your excitement and joy and quick response to the news that Beth is on the mend and soon (so it appears) heading home.

The family would ask, however, that we not all rush up to the hospital to see Beth. Hard to believe she just had brain surgery yesterday and they are talking of releasing her tomorrow, but still...she will be tired, sleeping a lot, etc.

So...the best way to show the love right now is by praying still, and cards and letters and of course all of the food that everyone has signed up to bring. Seriously, the desserts have been amazing and the boys are loving them.

You all are incredible and I have to tell you that I am, like I told Sarah Ide this morning, flying by the seat of my pants here. I truly don't know what to tell y'all most of the time because I hardly know what to do myself.

Already, in just an hour, I have had so many offers of help regarding Chemo-buds and where to go for info and even some really cool offers that I will be posting about as soon as I get more info.

So, keep checking back here for updates, ideas, etc. I hope to talk with Beth's mom today about some scheduling things for next week and also to Beth to get a feel for what she will want (and more importantly NOT want) over the next couple of weeks.

Y'all are amazing. Thank you.

Susan

An update.

I had the following email from Beth's church deacon, Gary Alexander:

Just got back from the hospital. Beth has pulled through her brain surgery
with flying colors. She was released from the NeuroICU at around 9PM and
has been moved to room 356 where she is glad to be out of recovery and able
to bathe and brush her teeth. The sawbones think she will be able to come
home on Friday. Go figure. Brain surgery on Wednesday, home on Friday.
What is the world coming to.
Both Mike and Beth want to thank all those who have helped the family gain
5 lbs. each through the overwhelming support they have received. God bless you all.
On a final note. Beth will probably start Chemotherapy in three to four weeks. So, if anyone has any experience in being a Chemo-buddy, we could sure use your help.

Once we figure out life at home for the Bryan's, I'm sure there will be lots for us to do and we'll start letting you know.

If you do have any experience with Chemo, whether having gone through it yourself or supported someone while they were going through it, please drop me an email or call me so that we can talk.

Thank you again. Mike is just totally overwhelmed by the love and prayers they have received from you.

Susan

I just spoke with Mike

Beth is doing well in the ICU. They are not sure how long they are going to keep her there but are talking about weaning her off some of her iv's and getting her up to walk around a bit this afternoon.

I'll let you know when she moves to the step-down unit or maybe straight to a room.

Susan

Nothing new to report.

Beth is still in ICU.

The meals are a huge help. Your prayers even more so.

Susan

ICU.

Beth is in ICU tonight. Yay! That was the original plan. She will be in there at least overnight and, of course, will be moved to a room when she is ready.

Please keep Mike in your prayers, too. This just has to be exhausting for him.

Beth's parents, Carolyn and George are also spending a lot of time at the hospital and then some time with the boys.

While Beth is in ICU, her visitors are limited. I hesitate to go up myself because I don't want Mike, Carolyn or George to feel like they need to interact with me. I'll let you know when Beth is ready for visitors. I know that you all are anxious to see her and Mike. Please be patient. Beth will need lots of company while undergoing any treatment over the next couple of months, I'm guessing.

You all are amazing and your love and support has been such a blessing.

Susan

Beth is out of Surgery!

Her surgeon said she did great. Her vitals are good. She will be in recovery for a few hours and then moved to ICU where she will remain overnight. She will be moved to a room tomorrow sometime.

Thank you all so very much for praying for Beth and the family. I told Mike and Carolyn, Beth's mom, about the overwhelming support and concern and desires to help they have received from all of you. Carolyn, especially, was happy to hear about all of the meal support, lol.

I will be in touch regarding other avenues of support as soon as the plans come together. The family is taking one step at a time, as you can imagine.

Cards and letters for Beth can definitely be sent to the house.

Thank you again, you all are so wonderful.

Susan

Beth Update.

Beth's surgery is scheduled for this morning. I'll send out an update when she is out. And some regular updates, if I have any, throughout the day.

The family has requested no visitors today so that they can focus on Beth and the family. They very much appreciate your love and prayers and support. I'll let you know when and how is a good time for visitors.

Thank you so much for being there for them. I know it is frustrating to not have a lot of information and please just keep them all in your prayers today.

Susan

Update on Beth.

Thank you to all who came to the prayer service last night. I passed on your notes to Mike last night and he will get them to Beth.

Mike is asking for no visitors today. Beth is exhausted. The family is exhausted.

Once we get a feel for when Beth will come home after surgery, we'll pull together a schedule for other support such as walking Baxter, cleaning, errands, yard work, etc.

Again, thank you so very much for the huge response to Beth and the family.

Susan

Thanks, Jill, for sending this.

Psalm 41:1-3

¹ Happy is one who cares for the poor;
the LORD will save him in a day of adversity. ^(A)

² The LORD will keep him and preserve him;
he will be blessed in the land. ^(B)
You will not give him over to the desire of his enemies. ^(C)

³ The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed;
You will heal him on the bed where he lies.

Prayer.

All.

Beth's bible study group meets Monday evenings at 7:00 at South Run Baptist Church, 8712 Selger Drive. Tonight we are getting together for a 15-20 minute time of prayer for Beth and the family. If you would like to join us, meet us in the Sanctuary at 7:00 sharp. You are welcome to stay for the study afterwards.

Oh, it's a Women's Bible Study so...ladies only!

Susan

Mike is here!

Mike has landed at Dulles!!!

Thank you so much, Nancy, for meeting him there and getting him to the airport.

A few administrative details since I was anxious to get this up and going yesterday.

Become a follower of this blog by clicking on the "Followers" link in the right side bar.

I've set up the RSS feed link to the blog if you use readers or link notifications. If not, just check back here regularly for updates and to post your own comments.

This blog is also for you to leave comments and thoughts and prayers for Beth and the Bryan's. I will be printing out all of your thoughts and prayers and passing them on to Beth and Mike and the boys.

This blog is also for your ideas and for your help. Now that Mike is home it is our job to make sure his focus and energy can stay on Beth and Andrew, Stephen and William. There will be lots of opportunities for all of us to help. Bringing meals, donating $ for parking passes and helping with laundry and household chores are just a few of the things that I can think of. Anything that YOU think of, please post here or email me directly. I will soon be setting up a regular laundry/cleaning schedule. Baxter will need some regular walks.

Thank you so much for being so very willing to help.

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, you can always email me or phone me directly.

Susan

Mike is en route to Dulles.

He arrives early in the morning. A friend is picking him up at the airport and taking him to the hospital.

The boys are home. Beth's father, George will be spending the night with them tonight. Pastor Wayne is picking the boys up in the morning for breakfast and a ride to school.

The neurosurgeon will meet with Beth, Mike and Beth's parents tomorrow morning.

Thank you for your prayers for Beth, Mike, Andrew, Stephen and William.

Susan

Mike is in Dubai

Mike has landed in Dubai. I don't have a time table for his return to Springfield. Will keep you updated.

Beth's parents, Carolyn & George returned to Virginia today.

Please keep Beth, Mike, their children and parents and siblings in your prayers.