Worrall’s World December 9th 2023. Our 17th Wedding Anniversary
This post has taken a long time for me to write. Nor has not been easy to write
I still have not quite worked out what to say. For those of you who may not have heard, my beloved Laurie, the love of my life, passed away suddenly in her sleep on August 12th 2021.
And my world was turned upside down!
I am so sorry if this is the first time you are hearing about this! I am so sorry that you were left out of the communications.
So it’s been a bit over two years now, and I have not yet truly come to terms with the situation.
How do I say goodbye to the one who had been a big part of my prayer life for more than 20 years? Someone who I had longed for, agonized for, cried for! For most of my adult life!
Someone who you had finally given up all hope in ever finding.
And then without warning. This person lands right in front of you in the most unexpected way!
Some of you dear readers may know a little of how Laurie and I met. Dad Jordan wrote a chapter about us in his book “The Last Thing I’d ever do!”. He got it mostly right too. I would encourage you to get hold of his book.
I have a bit of a different perspective on a few minor parts though. But it is an accurate telling of our story.
The part that didn’t get told, is the time frame of how long it took for us to become a couple.
For those who have no idea about our story, I will fill you in as briefly as I can.
For about 6 years starting in 1999, I had been attending YWAM Associates ‘inTouch” gatherings that were conducted at the Merroo Conference Centre in the Kurrajong Hills about 60km northwest of Sydney, Australia. Mom Donna and Dad Peter Jordan were leaders and an integral part of the gatherings. I had developed a fairly good friendship with them both.
I missed one year when I attended a YWAM Crossroads DTS in 2002.
I met Laurie the first time when she attended and led the children’s program for the 2005 ‘inTouch” gathering, held in early January. I had previously heard a few details about her life from her Mom & Dad over the years and she was occasionally part of my prayer life as a result.
Laurie and I had very little interaction during the 2005 event. We had at least one meal at the same table and from memory I think I sat opposite her. But the was the closest we were together. Physically anyway.
I emailed her a few times during 2005 regarding getting hold of some books or something like that. She filled me in on her challenges of moving YWAM Associates from British Columbia to Medicine Hat in Alberta, Canada.
Around September or October of 2005, Laurie posed the question “Have you ever thought of joining YWAM Associates ministry as staff?”. I had not thought much about that. So I prayed and sensed that I should pursue that avenue.
Circumstances intervened, and it was not until the 2006 version of the ‘inTouch” gathering again held in early January, that I felt a release that I was to move to Canada and join the ministry.
And during that gathering Laurie and I again, did not spend much time together. We had a meal at the same table and danced a few dances at the “Bush Dance”. But that was it. On the last day of the gathering, I sat down with Laurie and we briefly chatted about me coming to Canada.
When I returned to my home I set about tying up the loose ends of my life to get ready for a move to Canada. For what I thought that it would be a 2 year commitment or something similar.
I did start to contact Laurie a little more regularly though. My main goal was to get to know this person with whom I would be working. Nothing more than that. Maybe I was naive, but a relationship did not even enter my thoughts.
That was until February 14th 2006. St Valentine’s day!
Due to the time zone difference, St Valentine’s day in South Australia is 18 hours ahead of Medicine Hat, where Laurie was living. And when she did not receive a “Valentine” from me, she sent me an email with a picture of a puppy and the caption “So! Are you my Valentine?”.
I recall my mental reaction being something like “Wait! What? I didn’t know that was an option?”
From then on Laurie and I started to communicate two or three times a day. Mostly on MSN chat and a bit by email. A romance progressed rapidly to the point where, in the early hours of March 4th South Australian time (early afternoon of March 3rd in Medicine Hat) I proposed marriage to her on MSN chat.
She answered, yes, in all caps! I still have the printout of that conversation.
Many times after we were married, we witnessed the creative ways that men had proposed to their girlfriends. My proposal to Laurie should have been a meticulously planned event too. One she could cherish. Not a few words on a computer screen!
I apologised to Laurie many times for the way I proposed every time I saw those extravagant events. If I could go back and do everything again I would have redone my proposal once we were together in Canada! Laurie always said that she loved the way I proposed. I think she was protecting me and hiding her true feelings! Then, maybe not!
February 14th to March 4th. 18 days!
That is all it took for us to commit to a life time together.
We had not ever been on a real date!
We had not kissed.
The closest we were physically, was when we danced together at Merroo! And yet, we just knew that it was right! To this day, I am still amazed at the speed at which this all took place. And yet, at the time it felt normal to us. For me, it was the next logical question that needed to be asked.
You see. During those 18 days, Laurie and I had bared ourselves to each other. Not in the physical sense. Nothing kinky like that at all. I only had a dial-up internet connection at the time, so a video chat was not an option.
No!
We kept no secrets from each other. None at all! I think because we could not be physically with each other during that period, we over compensated with our honesty.
And of course we continued our deep conversations after March 4th
That honesty set the baseline for our marriage. I am so grateful for that!
Laurie died five months short of our 15th wedding anniversary. And four months short of her 60th birthday.
She became the love of my life on St Valentine’s day in 2006.
She still is!
Like I said at the start of this post. How do I say goodbye to the one who had been such a big part of my prayer life for more than 20 years?
Someone I had longed for, agonized for, cried for. For most of my adult life!
Someone I had finally given up all hope in ever finding.
Then God bought us together in a most unique way!
Laurie and I had never discussed that subject of one of us dying before the other. We thought, naively I suppose, that we would be taken Home to the Father together. Never once did we consider that one would be left.
I miss that deep soul connection that only comes from a marriage. I miss caring for someone. I miss falling asleep holding hands. I miss making her coffee just the way she liked it. The 1,001 little things that people in love do for each other!
Colours are not as bright as they once were.
I miss that!
I miss my best friend!
Pete
Eighteen Days
Just eighteen days, a breath in time,
Yet passion lit, a love sublime.
Two worlds collide, emerged as one,
A wonderful bond was just begun.
In quiet of dawn, as sunrays dance,
Two souls emerged, a fateful chance.
With fleeting time, by God’s decree,
A true love sparked, both wild and free.
Across the distance, our hearts remained,
Untouched by time, unscathed, unstrained.
Secrets unveiled, no words unspoken,
A bond was forged, to be unbroken.
Like artist’s brush on vivid canvas,
Our love paints hues of longing and solace.
Emotions flowed, gushed from the heart,
Evoking smiles and tearful depart.
With thirty years of patient waiting,
Our hearts entwined, our souls relating.
Only death could cut our sacred connection,
Each day a testament to love’s affection.
Midst Cypress Hills, on winter’s day,
Our love bloomed, as promises lay.
Words of “I do,” a vow everlasting,
In love’s embrace, our souls encompassing.
With hearts aflame, we took the stage,
A timeless dance, an eternal engage.
Through laughter, tears, and all life’s strife,
We found solace, in each other’s life.
But now one heart is with The Lord,
The other has to stay, forlorn
For one must stay, alone and sad
The other full of joy, and glad.
So if these words would spark a flame,
In hearts that yearn for love untamed.
For in these verses, a gentle plea.
Embrace the power of love’s decree.
And let these words lament and rhyme,
Those eighteen days that marked our time.
And forged that bond, so strong and great
That only death could part, and break.
In eighteen days, our love was found,
And though our paths no longer bound,
Our souls entwined, forever shine,
In heavenly realms, eternal, divine.
© 2023 Peter Worrall
(with a bit of help from AI)
Worrall’s World December 2023
Well it’s December 2023! Another year has passed.
Here in our little household some things are in a similar place to last year. And of course some things have changed.
One big change is, my little girl is now 15! Ruth turned 15 years old on November 21st. We again celebrated her birthday at a gymnastics club. She was surrounded by a group of friends. Including a girl from our church life group, a couple of her friends from HTF and other friends from school connections, plus two girls from our street that we met at the playground not far from home.
Ruth was privileged to be part of the “Night to Shine” event held in Medicine Hat in February. The “Night to Shine” event is an initiative put on by the Tim Tebow Foundation to honour people in the community with special needs and was hosted by two Medicine Hat Churches. Here are some images.
Ruth is again part of the “Hit the Floor” (HTF) dance studio. And she is again enrolled in a recreational HipHop dance class. The difference this year is that the studio has placed her with her age peers.
Previously Ruth had been matched with her intellectual peers. I was a bit concerned that Ruth may be left out of the “clique” because of her intellectual situation. Girls that age can be quite mean! I voiced my concerns to the studio staff. They assured me they are keeping an eye on the group and will ensure that any bullying is dealt with.
At the end of the last dance season Ruth participated in the end-of-season dance recital with the other dancers from her HipHop team. She had a great time again. The theme of the recital was “Eat, Sleep, Dance, Repeat”. You can see a video of her dance here: https://vimeo.com/891560477
HTF Dance Studio also gave her an encouragement award for her efforts. Part of the encouragement award was a scholarship for a 5 day summer “camp”. Again, Ruth had a great time. To top off the week, she was able to join the “Hit the Floor” float for the Medicine Hat Stampede Parade. I had a very tired girl after that week! Here are some images from the week.
Other activities over the summer break were a 5 day “camp” hosted by the Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport Association held at the Family Leisure Centre. For the rest of the time, Ruth and I went on lots of daddy/daughter dates at the Medicine Hat Mall. We swam regularly at a local pool. Visited some water parks. And just hung out the rest of the time!
Ruth is again enrolled in the special needs program at Herald School. She is now one of the senior students. And she is again showing maturity in the way she takes on the extra responsibilities. I think she kinda likes being the “big” girl in class. The program has more of a focus on an occupational education instead of an academic goals. The teachers and I area very happy and proud of Ruth’s achievements. In addition Ruth is still having ongoing speech therapy each week.
There are still challenges of being a single parent to an adolescent girl though. Laurie was very effective in smoothing out any conflict that rose between Ruth and I. I am learning to be patient in a whole new way. So I particularly need your prayer support in that area.
As for me, Peter, I am still very much involved with YWAM Associates, in an administrative role. The ongoing tasks of maintaining the Alberta and Federal governments reporting requirements. Managing the day to day tasks like the ministry website, the database and making sure all the bills get paid on time keeps me active. I have also done some basic maintenance on the “House Of Peace” condo.
I also help Mom Donna with her “Listening To God” ministry by handling all of the communication from folks who are looking to purchase resources. I also pack and post all the resources and manage the payments for that part too.
In addition I continue to serve Mom Donna with her computer needs and with some of her household maintenance and chores. As well as helping her with car maintenance.
Moving forward from here.
I plan to continue to serve YWAM Associates until I feel The Father tells me something different. The ministry is trying to work out how to best serve the YWAM Alumni with all the social networking tools available. We are making slow, but consistent progress.
We live totally by faith. A large portion if our income is from people like you. So if you feel led to support us financially, please make your cheque payable to “Youth With A Mission” and include a separate note with our name. By sending your support through this organization you are eligible to receive a tax receipt.
In Canada, please send your support to:
Project Funding Office,
PO Box 57100 RPO East Hastings,
Vancouver BC
CANADA V5K 5G6
If you prefer an online method of supporting us, try visiting the YWAM Project Funding webpage here: https://www.ywamcanada.org/donations.html
I appreciate your support more than I can put into words!
Your prayers are valuable to me!
Blessings
February 2020
2020
Firstly we want to sincerely thank everyone who has been part of our lives this past year. We thank you for your input into our lives. We especially thank those of you who invested your time and/or resources in our lives. We could not do this ministry without you.
Well, we knew that 2019 was going to be a bit tough for our little family. We expected that we would need to lean into the Lord and tap into His strength. The year was tougher than we could imagine.
The first few months went the way we expected.
Peter underwent two different radiation treatments for prostate cancer in January and February. The follow-up appointment and test results have been positive. Although the full outcome won’t be clear until March 2020 when the effects of the Androgen Depravation Therapy (ADT) will have completely left his body. We expected that.
Laurie’s surgery in March for repairs from a surgical procedure she received in 2009 went well. However, there were some complications following her surgery that required her to be in hospital longer than we expected. She again has swallowing difficulties as a result of the surgery. She has recently had some extreme pain in her lower back and hips. We are waiting to confirm the results with our family doctor. But the information so far suggests that she is developing Osteoarthritis in her lower spine and hips. We didn’t expect that.
And then in May, following a long battle with congestive heart failure, Laurie’s father and the co-founder of YWAM Associates and family patriarch passed to his reward. While it was not a complete surprise given his long battle. His passing has still left an enormous hole in our lives and the ministry. Laurie did not think that she could miss someone so much! Family and friends came from all points of the globe to celebrate his life. That was something we didn’t expect.
2019 Grade 5
Ruth seems to be having a good year with her education. She seems to be having a quite few “a-ha” moments. It’s really helping that she has some very skilled and experienced educational assistants in her class as well as another good teacher. She decided to give gymnastics another try. Previously, Salta Gymnastics here in Medicine Hat had a program for special needs children which suited us nicely. This time there was no such program available. But, after Laurie had some discussions with the staff at Salta. Ruth started on a program with a young coach with Ruth as her only student. Ruth’s Coach has suggested to us that she would like Ruth to participate in the 2022 Special Olympics that are to be held here is Medicine Hat. She is planning for Ruth to compete in the gymnastics floor routine event. We think that this is a good opportunity and are going to encourage Ruth.
Bella
We have adopted a new family member. Ruth has been asking on a few occasions for a pet. Dad & Mom told her that when she was completely finished with toilet training we would consider getting a dog. In 2019, Ruth achieved toilet training, so Mom & Dad had to step up! In June, we adopted a Pomeranian/ShiTzu pup. Ruth promptly named her Bella. So we are back to toilet training, which is a bit more challenging during winter.
Our role in the YWAM Associates ministry has not changed much this year. We still oversee the administrative part of the ministry and help manage the resources of Mom Donna’s “Listening To God” teaching ministry. Peter made the observation that we are like a bearing deep inside an engine. We go unnoticed most of the time, but the task we do keeps the machine running. And we are good with that!
The electronic magazine eTouch, that Dad Jordan sent out regularly is now not as regular. In fact we have not published an edition since October. The whole ministry is going to change. Many people are going to gather here in Medicine Hat in June 2020 to seek the Lord on the future direction of YWAM Associates.
We sense that The Lord is asking us to remain in this ministry. So for us, it will be more of the same. We plan to continue to serve YWAM Associates and Mom Jordan for as long as we feel that is where God is asking us to stay.
Our financial support has declined quite a bit, which has made us even more prudent in our lifestyle. But we know that God is in control and is taking care of us! God does continue to provide for us daily, and we are just so grateful to Him as we continue trusting Him, living one day at a time. We love and appreciate each one of you! Please let us know what your prayer needs are so we can be praying for you too.
Thank you so much for your prayers, love and support. We could not do what we do without you.
May God richly bless you in 2020.
With Love
Peter, Laurie & Ruth
We live totally by faith. If you would like to help us financially, please make your cheque payable to “Youth With A Mission” and include a separate note with our name. By sending your support through these organizations you are eligible to receive a tax receipt.
In Canada, please send your support to:
Project Funding Office,
PO Box 57100 RPO East Hastings,
Vancouver BC
CANADA V5K 5G6
If you prefer an online method of supporting us, try visiting the YWAM Project Funding webpage here: https://www.ywamcanada.org/donations.html
In USA, please send your support to:
Youth With A Mission
15850 Richardson Springs Road
Chico CA 95973
USA
January 2019
Well!
It has been suggested to us that we should never begin a newsletter with an apology. But we think in this case we need to ask your forgiveness for not staying connected with the very people who faithfully support us. Whether the type of support is material, spiritual or both, it is irrelevant to us. We appreciate it all and value it highly! So, we are very sorry for not keeping you in the loop as much as we should.
The last few years have been eventful to say the least. More on that later.
Our ministry is really a dual ministry that is sort of connected.
Laurie and Peter are still working full time with YWAM Associates.
Laurie watches over the financial needs of the YWAM Associates ministry. She also helps to keep the financial details of Mom Donna’s “Listening To God” ministry in order.
Meanwhile, Peter takes care of the communication with the various provincial and federal authorities that govern Canadian charities. In addition, Peter tries to keep the YWAM Associates website current and assists Dad Jordan each month with the formatting and delivery of the YWAM Associates electronic magazine “eTouch”. Peter also helps with the packaging and dispatching of Mom Donna’s “Listening To God” resources.
Laurie also helps to take care of Dad & Mom Jordan’s medical needs and Peter helps with their computer and “tech” needs.
Our little girl is growing up! As you can see from the photo on the left, she is turning into a young lady – well most of the time. Ruth turned 10 years old in November of 2018. At times she is still very much our little girl.
Ruth is currently in Grade 4 at Herald School here in Medicine Hat. She is on a modified curriculum that helps her with her academic and social needs. We cannot speak highly enough of the energetic, committed and caring Herald School community where, as they say “all the pieces fit”.
Both Laurie & Peter are facing some significant health challenges in 2019.
Some of you may recall that Laurie had a “Nissan Fundoplication” procedure done nearly 10 years ago. Short description is that the surgeon wrapped the top of her stomach around her esophagus to try and stop the terrible reflux she was suffering. The outcome was not all that successful.
Anyway, she has been having more issues with it as well as some other medical issues and as a result of a some ultrasounds and an endoscopy they have found that she has 2 incisional hernias in her stomach wall. Those are a result of a major surgery years ago to remove her colon. In addition, the top of her stomach is poking through her diaphragm. It’s called a “paraesophageal” hiatus hernia. We have seen the surgeon who did her Fundoplication surgery and the surgery to repair the paraesophageal hernia is set for March 7th.
Peter was diagnosed about 4 years ago with a low grade prostate cancer and has been managing it with what is called “active observation”. However, in late 2017 Peter underwent a biopsy and the result of that was a change in the treatment. He was put on a Androgen Depravation Therapy (ADT) treatment in November of 2018. And, on January 7th, begins a three week course of external beam radiation, followed in mid February by a high dose radiation Brachytherapy procedure.The prognosis for Peter is quite good.
Dad Jordan has had a bit of a rough time in the last few months from a medical point of view as well. On October 8th he was admitted to the Medicine Hat Hospital with renal failure. He spent 5 weeks in hospital and has since made a partial recovery. Dad developed a bed sore while in hospital and has been receiving treatment from the HomeCare nursing staff. He is in good sprits but is still quite frail.
We plan to continue to serve YWAM Associates and Dad & Mom Jordan for as long as we feel that is where God is asking us to stay.
God does continue to provide for us daily, and we are just so grateful to Him as we continue trusting Him, living one day at a time. We love and appreciate each one of you! Please let us know what your prayer needs are so we can be praying for you too.
Thank you so much for your prayers, love and support. We could not do what we do without you.
May God richly bless you in the coming year of 2019.
With Love
Peter, Laurie & Ruth
We live totally by faith. If you would like to help us financially, please make your cheque payable to “Youth With A Mission” and include a separate note with our name. By sending your support through these organizations you are eligible to receive a tax receipt.
In Canada, please send your support to:
Project Funding Office,
PO Box 57100 RPO East Hastings,
Vancouver BC
CANADA V5K 5G6
If you prefer an online method of supporting us, try visiting the YWAM Project Funding webpage here: https://www.ywamcanada.org/donations.html
In USA, please send your support to:
Youth With A Mission
15850 Richardson Springs Road
Chico CA 95973
USA
Spring 2014
Dear Family and Friends,
We do not really like starting a letter like this . . .
But we are really sorry you have not heard from us for such a long time!
As some of you may know, Laurie has been unwell for the last 3 years–with different injuries including cancer and whiplash (twice). But she is slowly recovering and getting more energy back every day. PTL!
Peter has had to step up as chief cook and bottle washer–he has been so fantastic and supportive.
We also just love being parents—Ruthie has been such a joy and blessing to us—and to anyone who meets her! Ruth is in her second year of pre-school and loving it. In an attempt to help relieve sleep apnea, she had her tonsils and adenoids taken out in March. During that same operation she had ear tubes put in as well. She has been diagnosed with some hearing problems that the medical community here in Alberta are working with us to try and resolve.
God continues to provide for us daily and we have just been taking one day at a time.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 (The Message)
God does continue to provide for us daily and we are just so grateful to Him as we live one day at a time. We love and appreciate each one of you! Please let us know what your prayer needs are so we can be praying for you
Thank you so much for your prayers, love and support. We could not do what we do without you.
We live totally by faith. If you would like to help us financially please make your cheque or money order payable to “Youth With A Mission” and include a separate note with our name. By sending your support through these organizations you are eligible to receive a tax receipt.
In USA, please send your support to:
Youth With A Mission
15850 Richardson Springs Road
Chico CA
95973 USA
In Canada, please send your support to:
Project Funding Office,
PO Box 57100 RPO
East Hastings,
Vancouver,
BC V5K 5G6
Awww duh!
Awww duh!
That’s Ruth-speak for it’s all finished!
We had a followup visit with the oncologist in Lethbridge on August 13th. During that appointment he stated that everything look really good, and from what he could see on Laurie’s most recent mammogram she is cancer free.
Praise The Lord!!
Thank you to everyone for holding us up in prayer the way you have.
While we were in Lethbridge we used the same same senior citizens facility we had stayed at during Laurie’s radiation treatment. The residents remembered Ruth from our last stay and she again brought a ray of sunshine into their lives. An aide who had not been there on our last visit commented that she had not seen a reaction from the residents like the one she saw when Ruthie walked into the dining room. Ruth did kinda attract attention to herself by letting out a loud HEY! The aide said that when Ruth did that, the faces of everyone in the room just beamed, even the “grumpy ones” she said. We only stayed there for one night, but were able to connect with some friends we made during our last visit.
When we returned home from the radiation treatment in late April, the Oncologist at the clinic in Lethbridge warned us that the side effects of the radiation treatment would continue to intensify for 2 weeks after the last treatment. He wasn’t kidding! Much of the treatment site developed blisters and was very painful. Laurie was slathering on copious amounts of a moisturizing lotion to try an ease some of the pain, but it didn’t seem to make a much difference. The radiation site is still tender and looks like there has been a severe sunburn.
Laurie is still working through some heavy fatigue. She is slightly better than she was but still no where near where she was 2½ years ago. We are not sure if the fatigue is a result from the radiation treatment or still a legacy from the “chronic fatigue syndrome” that we have had to contend with for the last 2½ years. We are trying to go for light walks every chance we get. The summer heat really hits Laurie hard so we avoid walking when the temperature gets around 30 degrees C. We have been trying to extend the walks a bit each time too.
We were very happy with the school that Ruth attended. The Herald School has a focus on special needs students and Ruth did well. There were a few goals that Ruth did not quite achieve, but we think she will catch up in the next couple of years. While we were in Lethbridge her teacher and the assistants really did miss her as did her class mates too. One weekend near the end of the school year she was invited to a birthday party of a school friend, the first one she had attended for someone other than family. Now that we have done everything we can for Laurie’s situation we will try to get caught up on the the testing on Ruth’s eyes and hearing. We will be heading to Calgary soon for more testing on Ruth’s ears, eyes and teeth and a sleep study to find out if sleep apnea is an issue.
In between all this, we both continue to work with YWAM Associates International, in addition to serving as personal assistants for Dad & Mom Jordan.
We are so thankful for your prayers and support over the years. We would not be where we are today without you, our friends & family.
And now here is a video and a few photos of us (Ruth in particular).
Ruth and one of her friends from Lethbridge
Ruth helping to entertain in Lethbridge
Trying on daddies socks
Samoan Girl
Ruth imitating Dad
Reading with Grandpa and Grandma
Private chat with Mummy
Private chat with Leilani
On the phone again!
Just singing in my doll crib
What are you looking at?
A cheerio snack with kitty
Past the halfway mark!
Today (Tuesday April 16th) Laurie completed treatment #9 of 16.
She is starting to feel some of the side effects that the staff told her about, pain, discolouration and tightness at the treatment site . There is no feeling at all when the treatment is in process by the sound of it. She has become accustomed to the machine so the claustrophobia has diminished somewhat. The people in the clinic really are good though. They have to deal with some patients who are at all different stages of cancer and as a result at many different stages of their emotion too. One of the more comforting sights that confronts Laurie every treatment is a symbol of the cross right above the machine. She looses sight of it as the machine does it’s rotations around her body but she always searches for it. Embedded in the cross are cameras and laser guides that are a functional part of the radiation machine, but it is still comforting to see it there.
We are renting a room in a senior citizens facility that is directly across the road from the hospital. The people who operate the facility very generously offer a few rooms for rent to folks in our circumstance. It very convenient for us as it’s a 5 minute walk for us to go for Laurie’s treatment. The staff here at Sunrise Village are very accommodating and are just plain nice people. The residents and staff here have fallen in love with Ruth too. We have our meals with the residents in the dining room. Every time we walk in to the dining room for a meal Ruthie does a walk around to every table and shakes hands with almost everyone in the room including the staff. It’s become quite a routine for us now and it seems the residents love it! Quite often Ruth will end up with a couple of dollars too! One old gentleman gets quite emotional when Ruth gives him a smile. It’s very sweet to see. More than once we have had a traffic jam of walking frames around our table after the meal. It so touching how a little girl can bring such light into their lives.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and words of encouragement. We do read them and value your thoughts and words highly.
Ruthie getting a ride from Jean
Two down – fourteen to go
Well here we are at the end of the first week of the radiation therapy, well 2 treatments anyway.
The people in the Jack Ady clinic here in Lethbridge are really good. Laurie is a little intimidated by the process and gets a bit claustrophobic during the treatments. She is by herself in a big room with a huge machine humming all around her. But the staff here are good at putting her at ease. So far there have been no noticeable side effects. We have been told to expect the side effects the get worse as we get further along with the treatments.
Ruth and Pete are just hanging out trying to be supportive.
We will keep you “in the loop” as best as we can. Thanks for your prayers and care, we appreciate it so much!
Love
Pete, Laurie n Ruthie
Worrall’s World ~ March 1st
Hi again everyone!
We thought that we should keep you updated with Laurie’s situation. As we mentioned in our last post, we had our first appointment with a Oncologist on Wed the 27th. It’s the first time we have actually spoken with a cancer specialist since they discovered the mass in October of last year.
We will try to pass on the information we heard from the Oncologist. Sitting with him was a bit like trying to get a glass of water from a fire hydrant with all the information that came at us, but we will try to pass on the information as best as we can.
The Oncologist classified the mass as a Tubular/ductal carcinoma and he rated Laurie at stage – IB. The reason he said it was stage IB was because the cancer had traveled to the lymph node. He also said that it was rare for a mass of 6 mm to have traveled to the lymph node and because of that he wanted to get some of his colleagues in Calgary to review our situation. He is also sending a sample to Calgary to be retested, and the results from both his peer review and the extra testing could indicate if chemotherapy will be needed.
He did say though that he did not feel that chemotherapy would be the best course of action. His reasons for that were that chemotherapy is very hard on the body and the reduction in the likelihood of reoccurrence did not outweigh the damage done by the side effects of the chemotherapy.
So the course of therapy he is recommending is a 2 year course of a drug called Tamoxifen followed by a 3 year course with another medication that we are yet to hear about. This type of breast cancer is fuelled by estrogen, and as Tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker it should reduce the chance of the cancer reoccurring by about 10-12%. Untreated, the probability of reoccurrence is about 25%.Tamoxifen also lowers the risk of breast cancer in the opposite breast. Of course there are side effects with this treatment as well. The most common side effects are similar to menopause symptoms. There are some rare side effects that can be quite serious.
The other part of the plan is that Laurie will have to undergo a course of radiation therapy. That could be as short a 3 weeks or as long as 5 weeks. We would have to travel to Lethbridge for that therapy. There is one treatment every day during that period and with a 2 hour drive from Medicine Hat to Lethbridge we plan to stay in Lethbridge for the duration of the therapy. We have heard that there is a very comfortable and affordable guest house not far from the Lethbridge cancer clinic, so we hope to be able to stay there.
We would appreciate your prayers as we run headlong into another tough journey.
Blessings
Pete, Laurie & Ruth
BTW here are a few more photos of Ruth being Ruth to cheer you up.
Is this how it goes?
I’m ready for my first day!
Just me & my uke
On Skype here!
The Ruth Report ~ February 2013
“The real problem is not why some pious, humble,
believing people suffer, but why some do not.”
C.S. Lewis
Well!
Let’s hope that we are not setting a pattern here. A new post in February 2010, the next new one in February of 2011, and now this in February of 2013. At this rate our next post should be in January or February of 2016. We won’t let that happen.
To all those people who have faithfully kept checking our blog for a new post, thank you! And to all of you who support us, both prayer or otherwise, thank you. Please forgive us for not remaining in contact with in the way we should, and the way you deserve!
It was never our intent to keep running (if that is what you can call it) this blog in this way. But in our defense, the last 2 years are a period that we are happy to have behind us.
Mom & me going to school
However, this is the “Ruth Report” so we will give you a glimpse into Ruthie’s life first, and fill you in on a few other details later on.
Our Ruth is now a school girl. She is enrolled in a pre-school development program that is geared to her special needs at the “Herald School” here in Medicine Hat. She started attending in September of 2012 and is loving the experience. She attends for about 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. At the end of the week she is very tired, so we think that she goes non-stop from the time we drop her off to when we pick her up. She is very popular among her classmates and many people from around the school not involved in her class are captivated by her. Her walking is still a little unsteady but has improved in leaps and bounds since starting school. We think the realization that she could have a lot more fun by walking has been a big encouragement for her to walk. The education system here in Alberta provides funding for Ruth to have a full time teacher’s assistant with her. Tamara is Ruth’s helper and is a wonderful person for Ruth.
Ruth seems to have a gift of music too. She sings quite a bit, and we don’t remember a child her age with a feel for rhythm like Ruth. Peter has posted some videos of Ruth “in action”. If you want to watch, click on these links http://vimeo.com/51968985 and http://vimeo.com/30689070 and http://vimeo.com/60302670
Getting ready for my ear operation
We found out though, as a result of some testing done in mid 2012 that she does not hear very well. Her hearing in her left ear is not too bad but her right ear does not hear very well at all. We took her to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary in September 2012 where she had an operation to have tubes put in her eardrums in an attempt to improve her hearing. She came through the surgery OK, ( Mom & Dad were a bit worse for wear). We were to go back in early 2013 to have more testing done but circumstances have prevented us doing that just yet.
We also discovered in mid 2012 that her eyesight is not 20/20 either. Ruth has mild astigmatism and now has some really cute glasses. She wears them mostly at school at the moment. Again, we had planned to return to Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary in early 2013 to have her eyes checked again, but, those circumstances just keep getting in the way.
About those circumstances!
In January of 2011 Laurie caught what seemed to be some sort of ‘flu’ like virus. It knocked her off her feet for about a week, and when she recovered from it she was left with a with a debilitating loss of energy. We both thought that it was just a legacy from the flu bug and that Laurie would bounce back.
We were both wrong!
By the middle of the 2011 she was trying to cope with low energy levels to the extent that something as simple as a shower left her so exhausted that walking down stairs was a huge effort, and it took her 45 minutes to recover from the shower. A specialist doctor did a whole range of tests including testing for sleep apnea (which came back negative), and identified the problem in mid 2011 as “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”. After a few months of regular trips to see him the specialist doctor was not able to pin down the cause of the fatigue and by the end of 2011, the medical community here in Medicine Hat seemed to have given up trying to find a solution. We were left with a feeling that this was something we would just have to manage for the rest of our lives.
In January of 2012 Dad & Mom Jordan contacted a long time friend who has a medical practice in Oregon, USA and asked if he would be able to help us. He is one of those rare doctors who doesn’t fear alternate medical tests and therapies. After looking over Laurie’s medical records he suggested that Laurie get tested for low cortisol levels. He helped us with the test and the results from that indicated that Laurie did indeed have low adrenal gland output. So we presented our GP here in Medicine Hat with the test results, but unfortunately our GP did not accept the results as valid. Fortunately, our friend in Oregon was able to help here too and provided us with the medication we needed. Laurie started on a course of medication and by September of 2012 was starting to get back a bit more energy.
Then in mid October 2012, Laurie had her annual mammogram.
The radiologist found a mass in Laurie’s right breast that he thought was suspicious. He sent the results to our family doctor. Our family doctor then referred us to a surgeon here in Medicine Hat. Laurie had a biopsy on the mass in mid November. They took out the whole mass at the same time, it was quite small (6 mm/.23 inches). We were informed in early December that the mass was cancerous.
So on January 3rd, they did a “sentinel node biopsy” on her lymph nodes in her right armpit to find out if the cancer has spread. During the biopsy, they took out 3 lymph nodes and have discovered small traces of cancer cells in one of the nodes. The surgeon didn’t try to speculate what that means in terms of further treatment. He called it a “micrometastases” I think and said that it was less than half a mm (.0193 inches).
Since then, Laurie has had a whole battery of tests including a bone scan and a CT scan. We have an appointment with a visiting oncologist here in Medicine Hat on February 27th. From there we will find out if the rest of the year will unfold.
We are both still working full time in missions with Dad & Mom Jordan.
Blessings Pete, Laurie & Ruth
Dad & I going to school
Tamara helping me with show & tell
I ready for winter!
Trying on my new tuque from Auntie Rebekah
Just me & my ukulele
Worrall's World 