H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y L A U R I E ! ! ! ! !
We will have the actual party when Laurie is awake and can enjoy visiting with family and friends.
Laurie had an uneventful night. They lowered her oxygen to 30% and took her off of sedation in the morning. The only medication she is receiving by drip is the blood pressure medicine which helps to control her heart rate.
They are going to attempt to insert a PIC line again, this time in radiology. Hopefully this time the procedure will be successful. She may also do another CT scan to check her progress.
Amy visited with Laurie in the morning. Nina, Julie, and Marie also came by to read to Laurie. They brought a big birthday cake and a prayer chain. We hung the chain on the door in the back of Laurie's room. Brad brought greeting cards that had been send to the house to read to her. He also brought emails from Laurie's brothers, Mark and J.C. These will be read to her throughout the day by visitors.
The doctors talked to us after the CT scan and the news was devastating. Laurie had suffered many strokes over the last 48 hours and over 80% of her brain was affected. It was explained that the affected areas of her brain were starting to swell which could cause cardiac arrest. Even if there was no swelling Laurie would never be conscious enough to know of our presence. They told us she probably had no more than 24 hours. Laurie requested to be an organ donor, so they are keeping her on life support at this time.
We appreciate all of the visitors that came to pray for the Laurie and the family and give us their support. Thanks also to the callers and texters that sent there love and support. Laurie was touched by so many people and she has touched so many others. I thank her for giving me over 28 years of love and companionship, and four beautiful children, whom she will now watch over from above. We are also blessed to be a part of the Mac Rae family and for the love of her parents, brothers, sister-in-laws, nephews, nieces, and friends on the west coast. We will always love you and be part of your family.
21 comments:
Hi Laurie -- Today is our birthday! Ever since we first met in 1974 in Boulder, it's been so much fun to share the same birthday with you. I'll be waiting for you, my dear friend, to get back into good health and then we can celebrate so much more than just our birthdays.
I am praying for you daily, Laurie, and that your recovery will move along very quickly. Stay strong and trust in God that He will carry you through this.
I miss you and I love you! Happy Birthday, Wende
PSALM 139: 13-18
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
Happy Birthday Laurie
Christ's Peace
Jim Hurley
Happy Birthday, Laurie! I love you and miss you so very much. You and your family are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. love, Donna
Whata blessing it was to read and see you today. I am so full of gratitude that i was able to read scripture, hold you hand and sing happy Birthday. I love you and your whole gang. I will be there for them. Love you bunches. Maria
Laurie, I miss your sweet smile and energy....hugs, kisses, and many prayers for you and your family. You are loved so greatly....Betsy W.
Laurie - I don't know you but I know of you through your child. You raised a wonderful family; full of love, wit and compassion. As a parent myself, that is the greatest achievement we can give to God and the world. My wishes for you are peace, in knowing that you have done a great job, serenity, in knowing that all is well and right by God, and joy, in knowing that God's Will will heal all wounds.
With all our love to you and your family.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
WE will see you again Miss Laurie. Until then.....you warmth and smile will be missed.
Dear Sis: We wish we were there with you today to help celebrate your "belly button" birthday! We would sing over you and pray and read from God's word. Mostly, we would tell you we love you and miss you! We know you are in the cup of God's hand and that He loves you with an everlasting love!!! The MacRae's
Mommy-
I love you so much. you put up a huge fight and tried your hardest. You're the strongest person i know and my HERO. I love you so much.
-Wende
Laurie,
You & your family are in my heart and prayers. We miss your beautiful smile.
Cindy J.
Laurie,
You will be missed by everyone. Your family is in our hearts and prayers. I am honored to have been your friend and watch our girls grow up together. I will never forget the field trips at Mt. View and all the years of cheerleading. You gave your heart and spirit to so many people around you. Be at peace now with God. We will miss you. Love maggie and caitlin
Brad & Family
I am so at lost of words to say. Laurie is a beautiful person even though I never met her. And, she is now going to give to others - really big - a new life for them. And from what I've read in this blog, a brand new life for herself. We are all trying to get to that wonderful place where we can be one with God. You know in Wichita, KS we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers -- please, let us know if we can do anything for you. God Bless! The Angels must be really Singing Loud. (Elsie)
My heartfelt condolences Jess! I love you girl. If there is ANYTHING you or your family need please let me know.
My God wrap His arms around your family and help you to find peace.
Bridgett
Brad and Family - you have our deepest condolences. We will all miss Laurie and will cherish what little time we had together. Our hearts go out to all of you. May you all stay strong and know that we praying for you. Andy & Judy
To the Baden's family, I am so sorry to read this sad news you are all a lovely family. Laurie gave you 4 lovely and healthly children shea was always there during good times and bad times.
Rest asure she will be ALWAYS be there.
Love you all,
The Freeman's
Dear Baden family,
I have never met you, but "know" you through a friend. We are praying for you and yours in a mighty way. May you be encouraged and have hope through these words in a devotional from the book, "Daily Strength for Daily Needs".
Isaiah 58:10,11 - IF thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday; and the LORD shall guide thee continually.
"O LORD, Who art our Guide even unto death, grant us, I pray Thee, grace to follow Thee whithersoever
Thou goest. In little daily duties to which Thou callest us, bow down our wills to simple obedience, patience under pain or provocation, strict truthfulness of word and manner, humility, kindness; in great acts of duty or perfection, if Thou shouldest call us to them, uplift us to self-sacrifice, heroic courage, laying down of life for Thy truth's sake, or for a brother. AMEN." C.G. Rossetti
Love & prayers in Christ's name from a "Friend of the Heart"
For those of you near or far that could not be at the hospital last night, I leave you this vision:
A family so tightly woven, one by one came to their father and then to their mother’s side. The hopes that had been so prevalent the day before were now gone. There were tears, cleansing tears of sadness, anger, frustration, disbelief and fear. Several days ago, when I knew Laurie could still hear us, we talked and I saw her tears too.
Not only were Laurie’s children there but many other young adults who shared in this journey with their friends, many of whom spent most evenings at the hospital playing games, supporting, loving and holding each other. What a beautiful sight it was to see the next generation taking time to realize the importance of friendship.
Slowly more people came, friends Laurie had met on her journey in recovery. Men, comforting Brad, and reminding us to take one day at a time, and that none of us are alone. That is the beauty of our program, we don’t have to live life alone, we have to live life on life’s terms, but never alone. It was such an honor to meet Nina, Laurie’s mentor and friend, who Laurie loved so much.
Laurie’s room continued to fill with people, many birthday cards were on the table, a prayer chain hung close by. In such sadness there was calm, and soft voices spoke. The power of the prayers for Laurie and the family could be felt, there was a distinct presence.
The power of prayer is so strong. A friend and I prayed over her, and Nina read to her.
The 15 or 18 people in the room held hands, formed a circle around Laurie and prayer was lead by Jim, we finished with all saying the Lord’s prayer. It was awesome. We are so blessed to live in a country where we can do this. We were also lucky to have some of the best medical staff who didn’t shoo us away. I hope you can picture the ICU room filled with people, filled with love, and filled with God.
Laurie was good at bringing people together, and we will have another chance on Feb. 3,
when we gather together to celebrate her. Those near and far, those who could be there and those who could not, I am grateful to know of you through your blogs.
Although our paths may never cross again, we will always carry Laurie’s spirit that once brought us together. What a gift.
Laurette
Laurie,
What a blessing you have been to us, especially Nicole. I am so honored that I had a chance to get to know you and that Nicole and Katie have eachother. You have touched or lives and we will always remember your cheerful smile, love of animals and great spirit. You raised such and wonderful family and would be so proud of them for their strength and courage. We know that you will continue to watch over us from above and we will always be there for Katie and the family. You will be missed. Love Lee and family
Laurie, All of us who will miss you take comfort in knowing that you will continue to live on in the lives of your beautiful children every single day. As you watch over them now you must be so proud of your family. They will have the same courage that you have shown them throughout your life. You have taught them well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. Love, Cindy Tom and Sarah
Laurie, Happy Birthday, I am so sorry that I was not at the hospital for your birthday! Love Susan
My Dear Laurie,
You gave so much of yourself to so many. You have touched many, many lives with your sincerity, cheer, love and compassion. And even now, you share yourself with others giving them hope and life.
I will miss you, my friend. Carol G.
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