Hello!
I know it's been awhile, but this is the first chance I've had since I've been in the "box" to send an e-mail.
The stem cell transplant took place on Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving!) I was in awe as I watched the nearly colorless, almost wispy looking stem cells drip down through my IV. It is incredible to think of the healing that these seemingly insignificant drops can do in my body.
A flock of doctors had gathered at my window to watch the procedure – some taking photos and one taking a video. I had my I-pod playing Donny's, "This is the Moment!" It was a festive atmosphere! Jimmy and Jau Fang had brought a huge birthday cake to share. (They must have done a lot of searching to find such a cake here in Chengdu!) Lon had brought more flowers to put on my windowsill outside the "box." The docs and nurses sang "Happy Birthday." All in all the process took about 45 minutes. Now we wait for the stem cells to do their magic!
I've been told to expect another 30 days in the "box" after stem cell transplantation. Yet, they've also told me that everything depends on my body. If I can recovery rapidly I can get out of here sooner. Oh, I am praying for things to be quick! The Lord has blessed us with so many miracles already, but I keep asking for just one more!!
I have felt the tender mercies of the Lord and He is teaching me so many things. For instance, this miracle in my life took place on Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving means nothing here – it is just another day. I did not choose this day – it was determined by my docs. The Lord, in His goodness, chose to let this be a day of special significance to me in more ways than one! Also, one of the greatest lessons I have felt is that of charity – the pure love of Christ. This lesson has been taught to me by all of you who have loved and served our family so unselfishly. How can I express my gratitude to you who have done so much? I will forever be grateful for your Christ-like love and service.
I also want to express my love and gratitude for Lon and his love and devotion. He lifts me up and blesses my life. He tells me I'm beautiful even though I've seen myself in the mirror! He has been a great strength to me through all of this.
Well, I love you all!
Sheryl
Friday, November 23, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
2 Days Left
Nov 20, 2007
9th day of Chemo- 1 to go
Well- Sheryl started losing her hair 2 days ago. Also, her face looks like she just had her wisdom teeth pulled - but talking to her you would never know she even has a problem. She has written so much in her journal that I have to keep replacing her pens. She has truly created a sacred environment in her 7 X 8 room. Her room with the 1 glass wall is extremely quiet other than when the sweet nurses come and check in on the 2 IV's or wanting to learn some English.
Sheryl spends all day long and even into the night in her scriptures- journal- and praying. I so desperately want to hold her and go for walks with her- but I have to be patience because she will be in the box for another 30 days and then in the hospital for observation for another 30 days.
Her red blood count yesterday was 3.0 goal is 3.0 to 1.5
White blood is 1.5 goal is 0.5
So Wednesday back home, November 22, (Thanksgiving day here) she will be reborn physically. I challenge any and all to make that a day of rebirth spiritually and celebrate God's mercy and love to all of us.
We feel so blessed at the wonderful season- a season of Thanksgiving!!! For we are all truly blessed in the trials that we are faced with.
Well I need to go find some Chinese food for Sheryl for lunch. The only food she seems to eat or want is Chinese!!!! Ha Ha (No other options)
We love you all,
The Chengdu connection: Lon & Sheryl
9th day of Chemo- 1 to go
Well- Sheryl started losing her hair 2 days ago. Also, her face looks like she just had her wisdom teeth pulled - but talking to her you would never know she even has a problem. She has written so much in her journal that I have to keep replacing her pens. She has truly created a sacred environment in her 7 X 8 room. Her room with the 1 glass wall is extremely quiet other than when the sweet nurses come and check in on the 2 IV's or wanting to learn some English.
Sheryl spends all day long and even into the night in her scriptures- journal- and praying. I so desperately want to hold her and go for walks with her- but I have to be patience because she will be in the box for another 30 days and then in the hospital for observation for another 30 days.
Her red blood count yesterday was 3.0 goal is 3.0 to 1.5
White blood is 1.5 goal is 0.5
So Wednesday back home, November 22, (Thanksgiving day here) she will be reborn physically. I challenge any and all to make that a day of rebirth spiritually and celebrate God's mercy and love to all of us.
We feel so blessed at the wonderful season- a season of Thanksgiving!!! For we are all truly blessed in the trials that we are faced with.
Well I need to go find some Chinese food for Sheryl for lunch. The only food she seems to eat or want is Chinese!!!! Ha Ha (No other options)
We love you all,
The Chengdu connection: Lon & Sheryl
Friday, November 16, 2007
Out To Dinner
My wonderful friends and family: Friday night Nov 16, 2007
Sheryl is 6 days now in the box by herself - that is 6 days of Chemo with 4 more days to go.
Well it is Friday night and Sheryl and I were discussing whether to go to California Pizza Kitchen, Cheese Cake Factory, or to Happy Sumo's? We considered many other places too, but decided to dine in. I have a lovely dinning room table. 24 x 18 That is 24" by 18"- we have had as many as 5 eating around it. 2 chairs in the room but quite a bit of bed space- so anyone else wanting to join us, we have the room!!! We however had the best surprise ever yesterday. When I was young men's president 21 years ago there was this wonderful YM I had in Priest quorum- Whitney Clayton. Well it must of been a good experience because he flew over yesterday from Shanghai (where he is living with his beautiful wife Jane and their 2 1/2 children.) Jane had made the best soups ever. Homemade soups with some homemade wheat bread and cookies. Whitney had brought a package FedX from our children with pictures!!! Yea- and posters that Travis and Weston made for their mom. They are not just posters - but life size clones of themselves that now hang at the foot of Sheryl's bed. SO every night now Weston and Travis tuck Sheryl in and guard her bed from any bad guys. Pictures of the family now hang on another wall that are life savers. I stole some of Sheryl's pictures because I needed my children around me too. The Doctors and nurses love looking at these pictures. They just keep saying "Beautiful"!!! Over Sheryl's head are pictures of the Savior- about 20. Thank you Greg Olson. The nurses paid me the highest complement ever- they told Sheryl that I looked like Jesus. (We are suppose take upon us His countenance.) So maybe I have!
Ok, for all you homemakers out there- does the "Laundry" mean anything to you? It has a whole new meaning for me now. Londry.
Lon dry- yes I have mastered my name. I walk into my little shower with my clothes on, get them wet and use the soup 1st on my clothes, 2nd on Sheryl's PJs, and lastly on my body. I then wrap the clothes up into my towel and take them to my room where I then hang them up on the 3 IV hooks that hang over the beds in my room. Thus the "dry" part!!! Yea for IV hooks- I was doing it once a week but it was tooooooo long of a project and I would always get soaked- these are safety tips for you campers or those that go back in time to the 1800's. So no worries anymore- I just walk in and get it done. Now I am always caught up. Feel free to use any of my ideas if you think they might be helpful. (At least my water is warm- Sheryl has a little pan to bathe - and it is freezing.)
Dallin must be learning something in seminary because when I told him mom's room was 8 X 8- he said that is just like Noah's Ark. (He's got to be studying the OT this year.) I told Dallin- no - I am on Noah's ark- mom is like one of the animals that is locked up in one of the cages on Noah's ark. I think he doesn't totally get it. Will someone take a tape measure out for my children to help them understand that Noah's Ark was a little bigger than that!!!!! Then Dallin says, "Dad, what do you do all day?" I told him PRAY a lot- study the scriptures, read church books, and write in my journal." He then says, "Sounds like seminary to me." Bishop- you might want to work with that boy, or anyone else that feels you can get thru to him!!!!
Sheryl's Doc is so pleased with her health and progress. Thanksgiving day will be her new birthday and we will probably be eating Chinese- I feel like we are in a foreign country. It will be the Thanksgiving never to be forgotten. It will be the day I will feel more gratitude to my Savior than I have felt before. We feel so blessed once again to watch these miracles happen daily.
Jason asked me tell him all about the 2nd coming- I love when my children ask me questions. I know there's hope for Dallin.
Well Brandon goes in for his foot surgery tomorrow- thanks Aunt Suzi for helping. Thank you all again for all of your love and support. We are true and strong. The Lord has truly blessed us thru this trial.
Your brother in the Gospel.
Lon A. Wardrop
Sheryl is 6 days now in the box by herself - that is 6 days of Chemo with 4 more days to go.
Well it is Friday night and Sheryl and I were discussing whether to go to California Pizza Kitchen, Cheese Cake Factory, or to Happy Sumo's? We considered many other places too, but decided to dine in. I have a lovely dinning room table. 24 x 18 That is 24" by 18"- we have had as many as 5 eating around it. 2 chairs in the room but quite a bit of bed space- so anyone else wanting to join us, we have the room!!! We however had the best surprise ever yesterday. When I was young men's president 21 years ago there was this wonderful YM I had in Priest quorum- Whitney Clayton. Well it must of been a good experience because he flew over yesterday from Shanghai (where he is living with his beautiful wife Jane and their 2 1/2 children.) Jane had made the best soups ever. Homemade soups with some homemade wheat bread and cookies. Whitney had brought a package FedX from our children with pictures!!! Yea- and posters that Travis and Weston made for their mom. They are not just posters - but life size clones of themselves that now hang at the foot of Sheryl's bed. SO every night now Weston and Travis tuck Sheryl in and guard her bed from any bad guys. Pictures of the family now hang on another wall that are life savers. I stole some of Sheryl's pictures because I needed my children around me too. The Doctors and nurses love looking at these pictures. They just keep saying "Beautiful"!!! Over Sheryl's head are pictures of the Savior- about 20. Thank you Greg Olson. The nurses paid me the highest complement ever- they told Sheryl that I looked like Jesus. (We are suppose take upon us His countenance.) So maybe I have!
Ok, for all you homemakers out there- does the "Laundry" mean anything to you? It has a whole new meaning for me now. Londry.
Lon dry- yes I have mastered my name. I walk into my little shower with my clothes on, get them wet and use the soup 1st on my clothes, 2nd on Sheryl's PJs, and lastly on my body. I then wrap the clothes up into my towel and take them to my room where I then hang them up on the 3 IV hooks that hang over the beds in my room. Thus the "dry" part!!! Yea for IV hooks- I was doing it once a week but it was tooooooo long of a project and I would always get soaked- these are safety tips for you campers or those that go back in time to the 1800's. So no worries anymore- I just walk in and get it done. Now I am always caught up. Feel free to use any of my ideas if you think they might be helpful. (At least my water is warm- Sheryl has a little pan to bathe - and it is freezing.)
Dallin must be learning something in seminary because when I told him mom's room was 8 X 8- he said that is just like Noah's Ark. (He's got to be studying the OT this year.) I told Dallin- no - I am on Noah's ark- mom is like one of the animals that is locked up in one of the cages on Noah's ark. I think he doesn't totally get it. Will someone take a tape measure out for my children to help them understand that Noah's Ark was a little bigger than that!!!!! Then Dallin says, "Dad, what do you do all day?" I told him PRAY a lot- study the scriptures, read church books, and write in my journal." He then says, "Sounds like seminary to me." Bishop- you might want to work with that boy, or anyone else that feels you can get thru to him!!!!
Sheryl's Doc is so pleased with her health and progress. Thanksgiving day will be her new birthday and we will probably be eating Chinese- I feel like we are in a foreign country. It will be the Thanksgiving never to be forgotten. It will be the day I will feel more gratitude to my Savior than I have felt before. We feel so blessed once again to watch these miracles happen daily.
Jason asked me tell him all about the 2nd coming- I love when my children ask me questions. I know there's hope for Dallin.
Well Brandon goes in for his foot surgery tomorrow- thanks Aunt Suzi for helping. Thank you all again for all of your love and support. We are true and strong. The Lord has truly blessed us thru this trial.
Your brother in the Gospel.
Lon A. Wardrop
Monday, November 12, 2007
In the Box
Dear friends and family:
I have let Sheryl do most of the updating--frankly because she is a lot better at it--but we are not comparing. What a brave and valiant young lady this daughter -mother- sister- wife and friend she is. I have been in tears more this past couple of weeks than I have in my entire life. It is rare that I am so often on the surface with my emotions but the love I have felt (we have felt) melts our very heart strings. I am not crying over Sheryl when she has a tube the size of my little finger go into her leg 4". No anesthetic- nothing but courage and faith from Sheryl and all of our beloved friends and family. To see her going through chemo does not bring me to tears. To watch her head being shaved does not bring me to tears. The emails melt my heart--thank you all, for it is our lifeline to the world.
My whole married life I have told Sheryl that she is so beautiful that she would even being bald. (No joke she is!!!) But she is so vain that she had to prove it to me. I told her that I could be on a deserted island with just her and I would be completely happy and the luckiest guy out there. So- here we are in Chengdu (our deserted island) and once again I have never been happier. I am so grateful for this time in our lives to climb Mount Sinai. Sheryl will be in to box about 40 days. 10 days of chemo and another 30 days of recovery. November 22, 2007 will be Sheryl’s new birthday. That will be the day they will put the stem cells back into her body. The doctor came into my room last night at about midnight so excited. They had gathered more than 100% of the stem cells they were looking for. He said that our God must be looking after us because the process of collecting the stem cells sometimes takes 2 days but there best was 5 hours. Sheryl was done in 2 hours. He knew a miracle had taken place twice in one day. SO he woke me up like a little child would on Christmas morning.
Our lives will never be the same. Here our son Jason is very ill on his mission- in bed for at least 2 more weeks (down to 140lbs) at 6'1" tall. Brandon is going in for another surgery this next week on his foot. Weston with the flu- but unlike Job our friends and family are with us. Sheryl's and my 40 days in the wilderness (they don't let me leave my room either) has begun. Many of you, I know, also have trials. These are the times when all you can do is turn to a Father who never abandons you- a Brother that will never leave you unless you don't want Him around - They will lift you - direct you- and comfort you. I have felt His presences- Sheryl has had an Apostolic blessing from Elder Nelson- who keeps asking about her- President Hinckley prayed for her in the Temple and Sheryl has had many sacred experiences, that only one that is truly pure in heart can have. How can a disease that is so crippling and so life threatening be the greatest blessing of all to have the wonderful spiritual experiences that we are having here. I would not wish this on anyone- yet it is ours and ours alone to work through. It is a tuff way to get to know God- but one well worth the travel.
We could never be able to do it without all of your support. When you have done it unto one of the least of these - you have done it unto me. We will never be able to repay all of your love and service. Thank you from the depths of our soul for whatever you have done on behalf of our family.
God lives and knows His children. Whatever difficulty we may face if we turn to Him- He will lift us up as He has our family. I feel so blessed for all of my trials- our family’s trials and it is God who I put my faith and trust.
Thank you all so much for your prayers- your service and your wonderful examples of LOVE.
Shi Shi (Chinese for thank you)
All my love that I have, your faithful friend, brother, Uncle, Son, Father, Lon
P.S. I am teaching English to all the Doctors 30 minutes each morning. Today I taught them two words. Hurting and pain- so there are about 15 Docs in there and I went around the room having them experience those words. They now understand those words really well. I told them when Sheryl is hurting or in pain they can help her more quickly.
I have let Sheryl do most of the updating--frankly because she is a lot better at it--but we are not comparing. What a brave and valiant young lady this daughter -mother- sister- wife and friend she is. I have been in tears more this past couple of weeks than I have in my entire life. It is rare that I am so often on the surface with my emotions but the love I have felt (we have felt) melts our very heart strings. I am not crying over Sheryl when she has a tube the size of my little finger go into her leg 4". No anesthetic- nothing but courage and faith from Sheryl and all of our beloved friends and family. To see her going through chemo does not bring me to tears. To watch her head being shaved does not bring me to tears. The emails melt my heart--thank you all, for it is our lifeline to the world.
My whole married life I have told Sheryl that she is so beautiful that she would even being bald. (No joke she is!!!) But she is so vain that she had to prove it to me. I told her that I could be on a deserted island with just her and I would be completely happy and the luckiest guy out there. So- here we are in Chengdu (our deserted island) and once again I have never been happier. I am so grateful for this time in our lives to climb Mount Sinai. Sheryl will be in to box about 40 days. 10 days of chemo and another 30 days of recovery. November 22, 2007 will be Sheryl’s new birthday. That will be the day they will put the stem cells back into her body. The doctor came into my room last night at about midnight so excited. They had gathered more than 100% of the stem cells they were looking for. He said that our God must be looking after us because the process of collecting the stem cells sometimes takes 2 days but there best was 5 hours. Sheryl was done in 2 hours. He knew a miracle had taken place twice in one day. SO he woke me up like a little child would on Christmas morning.
Our lives will never be the same. Here our son Jason is very ill on his mission- in bed for at least 2 more weeks (down to 140lbs) at 6'1" tall. Brandon is going in for another surgery this next week on his foot. Weston with the flu- but unlike Job our friends and family are with us. Sheryl's and my 40 days in the wilderness (they don't let me leave my room either) has begun. Many of you, I know, also have trials. These are the times when all you can do is turn to a Father who never abandons you- a Brother that will never leave you unless you don't want Him around - They will lift you - direct you- and comfort you. I have felt His presences- Sheryl has had an Apostolic blessing from Elder Nelson- who keeps asking about her- President Hinckley prayed for her in the Temple and Sheryl has had many sacred experiences, that only one that is truly pure in heart can have. How can a disease that is so crippling and so life threatening be the greatest blessing of all to have the wonderful spiritual experiences that we are having here. I would not wish this on anyone- yet it is ours and ours alone to work through. It is a tuff way to get to know God- but one well worth the travel.
We could never be able to do it without all of your support. When you have done it unto one of the least of these - you have done it unto me. We will never be able to repay all of your love and service. Thank you from the depths of our soul for whatever you have done on behalf of our family.
God lives and knows His children. Whatever difficulty we may face if we turn to Him- He will lift us up as He has our family. I feel so blessed for all of my trials- our family’s trials and it is God who I put my faith and trust.
Thank you all so much for your prayers- your service and your wonderful examples of LOVE.
Shi Shi (Chinese for thank you)
All my love that I have, your faithful friend, brother, Uncle, Son, Father, Lon
P.S. I am teaching English to all the Doctors 30 minutes each morning. Today I taught them two words. Hurting and pain- so there are about 15 Docs in there and I went around the room having them experience those words. They now understand those words really well. I told them when Sheryl is hurting or in pain they can help her more quickly.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Things in Motion
November 10, 2007
After not leaving my hospital room for 12 days my head nurse came and told me that she would be taking Lon and me to lunch. We went to my favorite restaurant here - the one with the hot pots- kind of like fondue. It was kind of my "last supper" as all of the big stuff will begin happening on Sunday. Everything up until now has just been preparation. I also knew that they would be shaving my head later in the day. Of course, I figured they'd use clippers on me, but when the barber showed up it became evident that that wasn't his plan. He got a big bowl of warm water and soaped up my hair. Then, to my alarm, he began at the crown of my head working from the back to the front using a straight edge razor! In my mind I kept repeating the words, "Be strong and of a good courage...be strong and of a good courage." I think if I hadn't been thinking those words that I would've been freaking out. So, yes, I am now completely bald. When I looked in the mirror it was quite a shock. But I'm okay. Lon has been very sweet and supportive. In a show of support, he also shaved his head and his beard which he had been growing for the past 2 weeks. (I don't mean to be rude when I say that he doesn't look much different!) My sweet head nurse who knew that this would be an emotional thing for me had her husband stop by the hospital and bring me a huge bouquet of flowers!
So, like I said, Sunday is the big day when everything gets underway. The docs from Beijing will be here and the separation of the stem cells will take place. Chemo will start on Monday. I will go into "the box" (isolation) on Sunday. My most critical time will be starting Sunday and then for the next few weeks. I'm so grateful for all of your prayers - am I greedy to ask for more? Please know that your prayers and faith and fasting are getting me through this. I feel strength beyond my own and I know where it is coming from.
On another note, we received an e-mail from our son, Elder Jason Wardrop, who is serving a mission in Goiania, Brasil. He is very sick with dengue fever and bronchitis. We are very concerned. Could you please remember him in your prayers also? Just know that the Wardrop family will be forever grateful for every prayer uttered in our behalf. We love you all so much! Your friendship and love warm our hearts. Truly we are blessed with the most wonderful friends in the world!
Love,
~Sheryl
After not leaving my hospital room for 12 days my head nurse came and told me that she would be taking Lon and me to lunch. We went to my favorite restaurant here - the one with the hot pots- kind of like fondue. It was kind of my "last supper" as all of the big stuff will begin happening on Sunday. Everything up until now has just been preparation. I also knew that they would be shaving my head later in the day. Of course, I figured they'd use clippers on me, but when the barber showed up it became evident that that wasn't his plan. He got a big bowl of warm water and soaped up my hair. Then, to my alarm, he began at the crown of my head working from the back to the front using a straight edge razor! In my mind I kept repeating the words, "Be strong and of a good courage...be strong and of a good courage." I think if I hadn't been thinking those words that I would've been freaking out. So, yes, I am now completely bald. When I looked in the mirror it was quite a shock. But I'm okay. Lon has been very sweet and supportive. In a show of support, he also shaved his head and his beard which he had been growing for the past 2 weeks. (I don't mean to be rude when I say that he doesn't look much different!) My sweet head nurse who knew that this would be an emotional thing for me had her husband stop by the hospital and bring me a huge bouquet of flowers!
So, like I said, Sunday is the big day when everything gets underway. The docs from Beijing will be here and the separation of the stem cells will take place. Chemo will start on Monday. I will go into "the box" (isolation) on Sunday. My most critical time will be starting Sunday and then for the next few weeks. I'm so grateful for all of your prayers - am I greedy to ask for more? Please know that your prayers and faith and fasting are getting me through this. I feel strength beyond my own and I know where it is coming from.
On another note, we received an e-mail from our son, Elder Jason Wardrop, who is serving a mission in Goiania, Brasil. He is very sick with dengue fever and bronchitis. We are very concerned. Could you please remember him in your prayers also? Just know that the Wardrop family will be forever grateful for every prayer uttered in our behalf. We love you all so much! Your friendship and love warm our hearts. Truly we are blessed with the most wonderful friends in the world!
Love,
~Sheryl
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Elder Wardrop
November 4, 2007
Just a thought... if any of you want to write to Elder Jason Wardrop through missionties he would love to hear from you!
To use it go to www.missionties.com email user name is law1977@gmail.com password is wardrop
We have really enjoyed using this service. Your letter is mailed to him from Sao Paulo, Brasil and he will get it in 2-3 days. You can also send photos attached to your letter. Please feel free to use this service. I have paid a monthly fee for it and it shouldn't go unused!
Thanks!
~Sheryl
Just a thought... if any of you want to write to Elder Jason Wardrop through missionties he would love to hear from you!
To use it go to www.missionties.com email user name is law1977@gmail.com password is wardrop
We have really enjoyed using this service. Your letter is mailed to him from Sao Paulo, Brasil and he will get it in 2-3 days. You can also send photos attached to your letter. Please feel free to use this service. I have paid a monthly fee for it and it shouldn't go unused!
Thanks!
~Sheryl
Saturday, November 3, 2007
November 3, 2007
Well, it's Saturday which means that the main doctors and head nurse are off today. Yet, the head nurse still came to visit us twice with her husband and brought me flowers. Also, one of my main doctors came to see me with a friend who is a doc in Beijing.
Every nurse and doctor who comes to our room asks to see our family. We are so grateful to Jessica (Ricks) Bybee who took our family picture last June! These pictures have sure helped to keep our spirits up. We look at them all the time! All the docs and nurses are amazed at how large our family is! Here in China each couple may have only one child. If they have more than one child they will lose their jobs and be subject to fines throughout the child's life.
Our new friend, Jessica, (whom we met through Jimmy and Jau Fang) who lives in Hainan told us, "I am very happy because I have one daughter, but you are even happier because you have six children!" She says that she wishes she had had three children. She says that now that she is in her 40's she realizes that she could've found another job and that she could've paid the fines. She is an amazing person. Her father was killed in the cultural revolution. Her mother fled the city with Jessica and her 3 siblings. They took up residence in the countryside where her mother, as an unskilled laborer, worked 2 jobs to support the family. Her mother taught the children that they should get an education. Now Jessica and her siblings all have advanced degrees. Jessica actually got her MBA at Cal State Fullerton in California. When she came to the USA she did not speak English well. She studied every night until 2 or 3 am trying to learn English at the same time she was studying her MBA coursework. She has been so good to us – she says she likes to help us because so many people helped her when she went to the States. When we first arrived in Hainan it was raining very hard because a typhoon had just passed through. Jessica wrote me a note that said, "We always think life just likes the weather.. For you, it's raining now, but we believe that sunshine will come to you again, and you'll be moving forward. Get well soon. With love and Blessings, Jessica's family."
We feel so blessed with wonderful friends here in China and back home. I looked at the temple calendar and was so touched. I couldn't hold back the tears. Thank you so much! I will be forever grateful!
~Sheryl
Every nurse and doctor who comes to our room asks to see our family. We are so grateful to Jessica (Ricks) Bybee who took our family picture last June! These pictures have sure helped to keep our spirits up. We look at them all the time! All the docs and nurses are amazed at how large our family is! Here in China each couple may have only one child. If they have more than one child they will lose their jobs and be subject to fines throughout the child's life.
Our new friend, Jessica, (whom we met through Jimmy and Jau Fang) who lives in Hainan told us, "I am very happy because I have one daughter, but you are even happier because you have six children!" She says that she wishes she had had three children. She says that now that she is in her 40's she realizes that she could've found another job and that she could've paid the fines. She is an amazing person. Her father was killed in the cultural revolution. Her mother fled the city with Jessica and her 3 siblings. They took up residence in the countryside where her mother, as an unskilled laborer, worked 2 jobs to support the family. Her mother taught the children that they should get an education. Now Jessica and her siblings all have advanced degrees. Jessica actually got her MBA at Cal State Fullerton in California. When she came to the USA she did not speak English well. She studied every night until 2 or 3 am trying to learn English at the same time she was studying her MBA coursework. She has been so good to us – she says she likes to help us because so many people helped her when she went to the States. When we first arrived in Hainan it was raining very hard because a typhoon had just passed through. Jessica wrote me a note that said, "We always think life just likes the weather.. For you, it's raining now, but we believe that sunshine will come to you again, and you'll be moving forward. Get well soon. With love and Blessings, Jessica's family."
We feel so blessed with wonderful friends here in China and back home. I looked at the temple calendar and was so touched. I couldn't hold back the tears. Thank you so much! I will be forever grateful!
~Sheryl
Friday, November 2, 2007
Update from China
I know it's been awhile since I've updated the blog. It's just that things have been so slow and delayed that there hasn't been much to say. It has been frustrating, but we figure the Lord is trying to teach us patience!
First of all I want to express my gratitude to all of you for the way you are serving and blessing our family! Lon and I couldn't be here doing this without your help and prayers. We feel so blessed! Saying "thank you" doesn't seem to express the realm of feelings we have for the way you are all blessing our family so abundantly. We are so grateful for your prayers, your fasting, your temple attendance, your visits, the meals brought in to our family, the packages sent to our family, the help with school work, etc, etc... When we talk to our kids and hear reports of all that you all are doing we are so amazed and overwhelmed. I am so touched. Thank you all for your Christ-like service.
Basically for various reasons we have returned to Chengdu for treatment. We feel good about this. The only real downside is that I won't be in warm weather for my recovery, but that's okay. We feel very confident in Dr Shang and the staff here in Chengdu.
We arrived here on Monday night October 29th. The head nurse picked us up in a military car, again, arranged for by her husband. The head nurse is awesome! She really cracks the whip in this department. Even all the doctors (except Dr Shang) do exactly what she says. She is the heart and soul of this place. As strict as she is with everyone in the department, she is completely tender with me. She doesn't speak English very well, but everyday she tells me that she loves me. She treats me like she is my loving sister. She spends a lot of time in my room and still talks to me non-stop in Chinese as if I understand and might answer her at any moment! She can read English well. She picked up my little hymn book the other day and turned to the song "Abide with Me." She sat and read outloud the words to the song. I don't know if she understood what she was reading, but it was sweet.
So, after 5 weeks of waiting, my treatment has finally officially begun. On Tuesday, October 30th they began giving me IV's that are supposed to coax the stem cells out of my bone marrow so that they can collect the stem cells from my blood. Maybe today or tomorrow they will begin to collect my blood - which is a process that will take several days - maybe a week. (because of the scleroderma it is very hard to get my blood) So, we are happy that the treatment is finally underway.
The hardest part for me is that I desperately miss my family! It's been 5 weeks already and I certainly won't be returning any time soon. It all depends on my body and how I do with the treatment. It is now pretty certain that I won't be home before Christmas. Through all of this the only thing that has kept me from getting on a plane and coming home is knowing that my children are happy and well cared for. I have all of you to thank for this. Thank you for loving our kids and for helping them. We are so grateful!
I am also so grateful for Lon. He has been so wonderful and supportive through all of this. His humor keeps me going when I feel down. As you all know, he is pretty fun to have around. When people talk to us in non-stop Chinese he'll answer in English saying something funny like, " Yeah, you're right I did forget to floss my teeth this morning." or "I know, you think I'm buff." It's pretty funny because I never know what's going to come out of his mouth. So, even when we're having a hard day, we laugh a lot.
Now, that things are moving along we will do a better job of keeping you all posted.
We love you all so much!
~Sheryl
First of all I want to express my gratitude to all of you for the way you are serving and blessing our family! Lon and I couldn't be here doing this without your help and prayers. We feel so blessed! Saying "thank you" doesn't seem to express the realm of feelings we have for the way you are all blessing our family so abundantly. We are so grateful for your prayers, your fasting, your temple attendance, your visits, the meals brought in to our family, the packages sent to our family, the help with school work, etc, etc... When we talk to our kids and hear reports of all that you all are doing we are so amazed and overwhelmed. I am so touched. Thank you all for your Christ-like service.
Basically for various reasons we have returned to Chengdu for treatment. We feel good about this. The only real downside is that I won't be in warm weather for my recovery, but that's okay. We feel very confident in Dr Shang and the staff here in Chengdu.
We arrived here on Monday night October 29th. The head nurse picked us up in a military car, again, arranged for by her husband. The head nurse is awesome! She really cracks the whip in this department. Even all the doctors (except Dr Shang) do exactly what she says. She is the heart and soul of this place. As strict as she is with everyone in the department, she is completely tender with me. She doesn't speak English very well, but everyday she tells me that she loves me. She treats me like she is my loving sister. She spends a lot of time in my room and still talks to me non-stop in Chinese as if I understand and might answer her at any moment! She can read English well. She picked up my little hymn book the other day and turned to the song "Abide with Me." She sat and read outloud the words to the song. I don't know if she understood what she was reading, but it was sweet.
So, after 5 weeks of waiting, my treatment has finally officially begun. On Tuesday, October 30th they began giving me IV's that are supposed to coax the stem cells out of my bone marrow so that they can collect the stem cells from my blood. Maybe today or tomorrow they will begin to collect my blood - which is a process that will take several days - maybe a week. (because of the scleroderma it is very hard to get my blood) So, we are happy that the treatment is finally underway.
The hardest part for me is that I desperately miss my family! It's been 5 weeks already and I certainly won't be returning any time soon. It all depends on my body and how I do with the treatment. It is now pretty certain that I won't be home before Christmas. Through all of this the only thing that has kept me from getting on a plane and coming home is knowing that my children are happy and well cared for. I have all of you to thank for this. Thank you for loving our kids and for helping them. We are so grateful!
I am also so grateful for Lon. He has been so wonderful and supportive through all of this. His humor keeps me going when I feel down. As you all know, he is pretty fun to have around. When people talk to us in non-stop Chinese he'll answer in English saying something funny like, " Yeah, you're right I did forget to floss my teeth this morning." or "I know, you think I'm buff." It's pretty funny because I never know what's going to come out of his mouth. So, even when we're having a hard day, we laugh a lot.
Now, that things are moving along we will do a better job of keeping you all posted.
We love you all so much!
~Sheryl
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Google Calendar for Sheryl
We have created a google calendar for Sheryl and Lon. Our hope is that someone can be praying, fasting and going to church or the temple in their behalf everyday that Sheryl is doing her Stem Cell procedure. It is our hope that Sheryl and Lon will be comforted and strengthened each day as we sacrifice and concentrate our prayers in their behalf.
We would like someone to sign up everyday starting November 1st to November 30th. Try to pick a day without a name. If all the days are full then we would love to have multiple people on some days.
To sign on to the calendar, follow these steps:
1) go to google.com
2) click on the tab that says "MORE" (at the top) then scroll down to "CALENDAR" and select it.
3) under email type in: sherylinchina and the password is: inchengdu
note: if you are already signed into your own google or gmail account, you will need to log out and then log back in with the "sherylinchina" login
4) this will bring up the calendar and you just click on the date you would like to enter your name and type your name.
Please do not delete anything on this calendar.
Thank you!! Tami
We would like someone to sign up everyday starting November 1st to November 30th. Try to pick a day without a name. If all the days are full then we would love to have multiple people on some days.
To sign on to the calendar, follow these steps:
1) go to google.com
2) click on the tab that says "MORE" (at the top) then scroll down to "CALENDAR" and select it.
3) under email type in: sherylinchina and the password is: inchengdu
note: if you are already signed into your own google or gmail account, you will need to log out and then log back in with the "sherylinchina" login
4) this will bring up the calendar and you just click on the date you would like to enter your name and type your name.
Please do not delete anything on this calendar.
Thank you!! Tami
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Special Prayer for Sheryl
Family & Friends-
We have the wonderful opportunity to unite in prayer with the Prophet, First Presidency, and Quorum of the 12 Apostles. This Thursday at 11 AM MDT (October 25th), President Hinckley will be praying specifically for Sheryl and the Wardrop family. Please join us in prayer at this time. See the email message below from Sheryl's mom for more details.
Sheryl:
This has been an amazing, spiritual week here in Tonga. Some day I hope to record most of the highlights and send it to you. But...................
The major highlight came yesterday when Elder and Sister Russell M. Nelson came to Tonga for our Stake Conference. It is the Liahona Tonga Stake and we attend there. (We live on the campus of Liahona School and walk to Church.) Elder Condie came with them as well. After the evening Saturday night Conference, there was a small dinner. We were invited to attend. We sat with the Nelsons. He remembered us from Minnesota (where he stayed with us for 3 days), and Boise, and Kirtland. His beautiful new, young wife is outstanding.
We talked to them about some special experiences he had had in China some 17 years ago. He had spent a lot of time in Minnesota telling us about those experiences. He was surprised that I remembered the stories almost word for word. He brought us up to date on Dr. Chung whom he baptized at that time. As we talked about China, we told him about you, Sheryl. After a few minutes, Elder Nelson asked, "What is your daughter's name?" We spelled it to him as he wrote it down.
He then told us he would take her name to the First Presidency/12 Apostles prayer meeting in the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday at about 11:00 am. It would go on a special prayer roll and President Hinckley would read off her name and they would all pray for her.
Sister Nelson, who was holding my hand, said, "Now we know why we came to Tonga. We came to hear about Sheryl and to put her name on President Hinckley's prayer list. This is our dessert." We were all crying at that point.
This morning (Sunday) at Stake Conference, Elder Nelson gave our stake an Apostolic Blessing. He promised us that if any of us had illness in our families, they would receive the blessing of healing. After Conference, we ate lunch with the Nelsons, and Sister Nelson said she was watching my face during the blessing. She said she could see my reaction to the blessing of healing. And she hugged me again.
I know there have been times we have wondered if we should leave our mission and go to where we can be with you or with your children. You have told us every time that you want us to stay and serve - that you need a miracle and maybe if we serve faithfully, you will be blessed with a miracle.
We have been blessed so many times to know that this is where we are supposed to be at this time and place. The Lord knows where he wants us to be. We trust in the Lord that he wants us here.
I am suggesting that the entire Brown Family join with the First Presidency and the Twelve and kneel in prayer this Thursday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. (Salt Lake time) no matter where in the world we might be. For us in Tonga it will 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning. I have complete faith that our prayers will be heard and "God will remember Sheryl".
I can't remember if I told you that Princess Pilolavu of Tonga reminded me on Thursday that she is still praying for Sheryl.
We love you and Lon so much and know you are worthy and prepared for your miracle.
Love, Mom and Dad
We have the wonderful opportunity to unite in prayer with the Prophet, First Presidency, and Quorum of the 12 Apostles. This Thursday at 11 AM MDT (October 25th), President Hinckley will be praying specifically for Sheryl and the Wardrop family. Please join us in prayer at this time. See the email message below from Sheryl's mom for more details.
Sheryl:
This has been an amazing, spiritual week here in Tonga. Some day I hope to record most of the highlights and send it to you. But...................
The major highlight came yesterday when Elder and Sister Russell M. Nelson came to Tonga for our Stake Conference. It is the Liahona Tonga Stake and we attend there. (We live on the campus of Liahona School and walk to Church.) Elder Condie came with them as well. After the evening Saturday night Conference, there was a small dinner. We were invited to attend. We sat with the Nelsons. He remembered us from Minnesota (where he stayed with us for 3 days), and Boise, and Kirtland. His beautiful new, young wife is outstanding.
We talked to them about some special experiences he had had in China some 17 years ago. He had spent a lot of time in Minnesota telling us about those experiences. He was surprised that I remembered the stories almost word for word. He brought us up to date on Dr. Chung whom he baptized at that time. As we talked about China, we told him about you, Sheryl. After a few minutes, Elder Nelson asked, "What is your daughter's name?" We spelled it to him as he wrote it down.
He then told us he would take her name to the First Presidency/12 Apostles prayer meeting in the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday at about 11:00 am. It would go on a special prayer roll and President Hinckley would read off her name and they would all pray for her.
Sister Nelson, who was holding my hand, said, "Now we know why we came to Tonga. We came to hear about Sheryl and to put her name on President Hinckley's prayer list. This is our dessert." We were all crying at that point.
This morning (Sunday) at Stake Conference, Elder Nelson gave our stake an Apostolic Blessing. He promised us that if any of us had illness in our families, they would receive the blessing of healing. After Conference, we ate lunch with the Nelsons, and Sister Nelson said she was watching my face during the blessing. She said she could see my reaction to the blessing of healing. And she hugged me again.
I know there have been times we have wondered if we should leave our mission and go to where we can be with you or with your children. You have told us every time that you want us to stay and serve - that you need a miracle and maybe if we serve faithfully, you will be blessed with a miracle.
We have been blessed so many times to know that this is where we are supposed to be at this time and place. The Lord knows where he wants us to be. We trust in the Lord that he wants us here.
I am suggesting that the entire Brown Family join with the First Presidency and the Twelve and kneel in prayer this Thursday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. (Salt Lake time) no matter where in the world we might be. For us in Tonga it will 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning. I have complete faith that our prayers will be heard and "God will remember Sheryl".
I can't remember if I told you that Princess Pilolavu of Tonga reminded me on Thursday that she is still praying for Sheryl.
We love you and Lon so much and know you are worthy and prepared for your miracle.
Love, Mom and Dad
Monday, October 15, 2007
Message from Sheryl's Mom
Angel Sheryl:
I am so impressed with you and Lon. In spite of your health problems, you still able to laugh. It certainly makes sense that bad breath would mean breathing problems. We find similar language differences here and after a while, we realize that their way of saying something is actually superior to ours.
I looked up Hainan on Google. It looks gorgeous - just like Hawaii or Tahiti. I hope the rain stops soon so you can enjoy some time outside in the pure beauty of that island. I am happy that you are in a warm place. I know your condition is worse when you are cold. It looks like a great place to rest and get better. It looks like a place we would all like to visit.
We are so happy to know how loved and appreciated you are there. It is really a miracle that all the people, doctors, nurses, etc. love you and treat you like family. The Lord is certainly blessing you. We wish we could see Lon in action with the Chinese language. I can see why the people love him so much. It is great that you can all laugh together. How blessed you are to have such a wonderful, loving husband who is always having the "best day of his life". He will never allow you to get depressed or scared. Thanks Lon, we love you so very much.
We fasted for you this weekend and many of our dear friends here in Tonga fasted with us again. We trust in the Lord and know that he wants us here at this time.
We are praying all day, every day for you. I guess the transplant will start today. Please keep in touch with us.
All our love,
~Mom and Dad
I am so impressed with you and Lon. In spite of your health problems, you still able to laugh. It certainly makes sense that bad breath would mean breathing problems. We find similar language differences here and after a while, we realize that their way of saying something is actually superior to ours.
I looked up Hainan on Google. It looks gorgeous - just like Hawaii or Tahiti. I hope the rain stops soon so you can enjoy some time outside in the pure beauty of that island. I am happy that you are in a warm place. I know your condition is worse when you are cold. It looks like a great place to rest and get better. It looks like a place we would all like to visit.
We are so happy to know how loved and appreciated you are there. It is really a miracle that all the people, doctors, nurses, etc. love you and treat you like family. The Lord is certainly blessing you. We wish we could see Lon in action with the Chinese language. I can see why the people love him so much. It is great that you can all laugh together. How blessed you are to have such a wonderful, loving husband who is always having the "best day of his life". He will never allow you to get depressed or scared. Thanks Lon, we love you so very much.
We fasted for you this weekend and many of our dear friends here in Tonga fasted with us again. We trust in the Lord and know that he wants us here at this time.
We are praying all day, every day for you. I guess the transplant will start today. Please keep in touch with us.
All our love,
~Mom and Dad
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Note from the Murphys
Dear Brown & Wardrop families:
We are so proud and honored to be considered as family so we can laugh, cry, enjoy your stories, and feel of you strong and sweet spirits, as we worry and pray along with you and so many of your other friends. What a blessing to have your friends Jimmy Lu and his wife to be with you so your stay and treatments can be far less stressful while being in such a far away foreign land. It sounds like the Chinese will be humble and flock to the "Gospel" when the time is right, and their government allows it to happen. Your examples and love for them will be felt, and certainly will pave the way for many to accept and want to know why you are so special when that time comes. I hope you have thought to consider including the Barton family (especially Mike & Laurie Hurr) in your Blog, since they have so much love, respect, and contacts with the Mainland Chinese. I think your Dad an Mom are aware that Mike recently took a 2 or 3 year leave of absence as CEO from American Grain-Asia to serve as "Mission President" in Taiwan China. There contacts, as well as Jimmy Lu's may be helpfull.
With Love, The Murphys
We are so proud and honored to be considered as family so we can laugh, cry, enjoy your stories, and feel of you strong and sweet spirits, as we worry and pray along with you and so many of your other friends. What a blessing to have your friends Jimmy Lu and his wife to be with you so your stay and treatments can be far less stressful while being in such a far away foreign land. It sounds like the Chinese will be humble and flock to the "Gospel" when the time is right, and their government allows it to happen. Your examples and love for them will be felt, and certainly will pave the way for many to accept and want to know why you are so special when that time comes. I hope you have thought to consider including the Barton family (especially Mike & Laurie Hurr) in your Blog, since they have so much love, respect, and contacts with the Mainland Chinese. I think your Dad an Mom are aware that Mike recently took a 2 or 3 year leave of absence as CEO from American Grain-Asia to serve as "Mission President" in Taiwan China. There contacts, as well as Jimmy Lu's may be helpfull.
With Love, The Murphys
Friday, October 12, 2007
Note from the De Vissers
Lon and Sheryl,
It sounds like you have hooked up once again with Jimmy and Jau-Fang. I am glad that they are able to be of assistance and am grateful to have played a small roll in getting you initially together. I hope Jimmy and Jau-Fang are doing well. Tell them hi from me.
We are grateful to hear from you and to know that things are going so well. We love you guys and you are always in our prayers. !
Love,
The De Vissers (Matt and Jan)
It sounds like you have hooked up once again with Jimmy and Jau-Fang. I am glad that they are able to be of assistance and am grateful to have played a small roll in getting you initially together. I hope Jimmy and Jau-Fang are doing well. Tell them hi from me.
We are grateful to hear from you and to know that things are going so well. We love you guys and you are always in our prayers. !
Love,
The De Vissers (Matt and Jan)
Report from Hainan
Here we are in the "Hawaii" of China - Hainan! It's much warmer than Chengdu even though it's been raining VERY hard since we arrived. They tell us that 2 different typhoons have passed nearby. The only effect we are feeling here is the rain.
I am at the Haikou city hospital (not military - has the same high rating as the military hospital in Chengdu) The nurses and doctors here are really good to me. There are 2 nurses who have been specifically assigned to me who speak pretty good English. Their names are Jo and Tina (a lot of Chinese give themselves an American name- which is the case with Tina) Jo was actually transferred from a different department specifically to help me. She told me that she knew I was coming and that she was very nervous because she had been asked to be my nurse. But she said, "Now that I know you I am not nervous anymore because you are very kind." I don't know that I'm so kind. I just smile a lot and say thank you a lot!
Jimmy and Jau-Fang hosted a dinner for us our first night in Hainan to introduce us to some of their friends who live here. As we sat at dinner I couldn't help but get a little emotional. Here are all these people who we don't even know who are willing to be at our beck and call. They are all willing to help us however they can. A couple of them have already taken Lon to get a cell phone and to get a wireless card for the computer. They are willing to drive us anywhere or help us in anyway. I am so touched by their kindness.
I have been undergoing a lot of tests at the hospital. Dr Shang and the specialist from Beijing will be here tomorrow. They are eager to get going too. They are very concerned about my situation.
Here's one funny story about the language difficulty. One of the lower level doctors was asking me questions about my symptoms. She speaks English well, but we soon discovered that not all things translate directly. I thought it was strange that the first question she asked me was, "Do you have bad breath?" I answered, "No," thinking what has that got to do with scleroderma? From there I decided to just tell her my symptoms instead of her asking strange questions that didn't apply to my situation. When I got to the part of telling her that I have a hard time breathing, she asked again, "How long have you had bad breath?" Then Lon, Jimmy and I started cracking up. How better to translate that I have a hard time breathing than to say that I have bad breath?! Now, mom - don't worry - there is a language barrier but Jimmy has been with us most of the time to translate. We will be okay.
So, Lon has learned a few Chinese phrases that he says to everyone we see. They are:
Nehow - hello
Wo I knee - I love you
Wo me tol fu - God bless you
shi she - thank you
Now, when we see someone who knows us they immediately say, "Wo me tol fu!" Everyone gets a pretty good laugh out of Lon.
Well, we love you! Thank you for your kind e-mails. We surely feel loved!
~Lon and Sheryl
I am at the Haikou city hospital (not military - has the same high rating as the military hospital in Chengdu) The nurses and doctors here are really good to me. There are 2 nurses who have been specifically assigned to me who speak pretty good English. Their names are Jo and Tina (a lot of Chinese give themselves an American name- which is the case with Tina) Jo was actually transferred from a different department specifically to help me. She told me that she knew I was coming and that she was very nervous because she had been asked to be my nurse. But she said, "Now that I know you I am not nervous anymore because you are very kind." I don't know that I'm so kind. I just smile a lot and say thank you a lot!
Jimmy and Jau-Fang hosted a dinner for us our first night in Hainan to introduce us to some of their friends who live here. As we sat at dinner I couldn't help but get a little emotional. Here are all these people who we don't even know who are willing to be at our beck and call. They are all willing to help us however they can. A couple of them have already taken Lon to get a cell phone and to get a wireless card for the computer. They are willing to drive us anywhere or help us in anyway. I am so touched by their kindness.
I have been undergoing a lot of tests at the hospital. Dr Shang and the specialist from Beijing will be here tomorrow. They are eager to get going too. They are very concerned about my situation.
Here's one funny story about the language difficulty. One of the lower level doctors was asking me questions about my symptoms. She speaks English well, but we soon discovered that not all things translate directly. I thought it was strange that the first question she asked me was, "Do you have bad breath?" I answered, "No," thinking what has that got to do with scleroderma? From there I decided to just tell her my symptoms instead of her asking strange questions that didn't apply to my situation. When I got to the part of telling her that I have a hard time breathing, she asked again, "How long have you had bad breath?" Then Lon, Jimmy and I started cracking up. How better to translate that I have a hard time breathing than to say that I have bad breath?! Now, mom - don't worry - there is a language barrier but Jimmy has been with us most of the time to translate. We will be okay.
So, Lon has learned a few Chinese phrases that he says to everyone we see. They are:
Nehow - hello
Wo I knee - I love you
Wo me tol fu - God bless you
shi she - thank you
Now, when we see someone who knows us they immediately say, "Wo me tol fu!" Everyone gets a pretty good laugh out of Lon.
Well, we love you! Thank you for your kind e-mails. We surely feel loved!
~Lon and Sheryl
Greetings from the Poret Family
Hi Sheryl and Lon,
Man, you need to be careful what you say or we will all be moving to China. I'm so glad that the people have keyed into how stupendously wonderful you are and truly are treating like a "Queen Bee!" Corrie and Steve had your kids over for dinner this weekend and their are doing well. Steve was thrilled to be feeding a group of hungry boys and has offered to give Shayna and your friend (Ellie?) cooking lessons. Is he great, or what?
The fall weather here for the past few days has been beyond beautiful, a real Indian Summer. Have you been able to find General Conference talks yet? We miss you terribly and are praying and anxious for you. I woke up this morning trying to count how many hours it will be until you get started with your treatment, but somehow got caught in thinking about the time-space continum, time-travel, etc, and by the time I got done I couldn't figure out if I was in today, yesterday, or tomorrow!!!!!
I love you. Take care.
~Judy Poret and family
Man, you need to be careful what you say or we will all be moving to China. I'm so glad that the people have keyed into how stupendously wonderful you are and truly are treating like a "Queen Bee!" Corrie and Steve had your kids over for dinner this weekend and their are doing well. Steve was thrilled to be feeding a group of hungry boys and has offered to give Shayna and your friend (Ellie?) cooking lessons. Is he great, or what?
The fall weather here for the past few days has been beyond beautiful, a real Indian Summer. Have you been able to find General Conference talks yet? We miss you terribly and are praying and anxious for you. I woke up this morning trying to count how many hours it will be until you get started with your treatment, but somehow got caught in thinking about the time-space continum, time-travel, etc, and by the time I got done I couldn't figure out if I was in today, yesterday, or tomorrow!!!!!
I love you. Take care.
~Judy Poret and family
Thanks from the Marchants
Dear Lon and Sheryl,
Thank you so much for providing all of the info on your continuing journey. Please know that you are thought of daily and we appreciate your faith and strength. One of my favorite quotes from Pres. Hinckley is that "Faith is the wellspring of activity. It is the root of hope and trust. It is this simple faith that all of us so much need . . . May faith be as a candle to guide us in the night by its light. May it go before us as a cloud in the day." Thank you for your exemplary lives and the living of this great principle. God bless you, dear friends.
We love you!
~Eric and Marie Marchant
Thank you so much for providing all of the info on your continuing journey. Please know that you are thought of daily and we appreciate your faith and strength. One of my favorite quotes from Pres. Hinckley is that "Faith is the wellspring of activity. It is the root of hope and trust. It is this simple faith that all of us so much need . . . May faith be as a candle to guide us in the night by its light. May it go before us as a cloud in the day." Thank you for your exemplary lives and the living of this great principle. God bless you, dear friends.
We love you!
~Eric and Marie Marchant
Hainan
We are about to leave for Hainan. Hooray! I am so ready to get on with this! I've been a little antsy because I feel like I've been just sitting around for the last few days. But I know I should be more patient. It took some time to get all of the arrangements in place for the transfer. Jimmy flew to Hainan last weekend to make sure all is well with the accommodations, etc. Jimmy had them put in a "western" toilet for me! (He said that the first one they put in was so small it looked like it was for a kindergartner! They have since put in a bigger one!) Also, they have put in a water heater for my bathroom so I will have hot water whenever I want it! Crazy huh?
So, last night the head nurse and her husband hosted a dinner for us at one of the nicest restaurants in Chengdu. It was the best food we've had since coming to China. It was actually very similar to fondue. There was a bunch of meat, veggies, and noodles and you could cook whatever you wanted in your own personal pot of boiling soup. It was yummy! The head nurse hugged me and said, "We are sisters!" She told Lon, "You are my brother!" Her husband said, "We must have known each other before this lifetime in order for all of us to come together as we have here." They were both so kind and I was so touched.
Also, the head nurse said that they had decided to charge me only for the tests that had been done at the hospital in Chengdu. I was not charged for the room or the refrigerator and microwave, etc that they had brought in especially for me. She said instead of charging me that their department will just buy the fridge and microwave for the staff to use. So basically what they charged me in total was approximately $400 U.S. dollars! I couldn't believe it! They have been so good to us!
Love you all!
~Sheryl
So, last night the head nurse and her husband hosted a dinner for us at one of the nicest restaurants in Chengdu. It was the best food we've had since coming to China. It was actually very similar to fondue. There was a bunch of meat, veggies, and noodles and you could cook whatever you wanted in your own personal pot of boiling soup. It was yummy! The head nurse hugged me and said, "We are sisters!" She told Lon, "You are my brother!" Her husband said, "We must have known each other before this lifetime in order for all of us to come together as we have here." They were both so kind and I was so touched.
Also, the head nurse said that they had decided to charge me only for the tests that had been done at the hospital in Chengdu. I was not charged for the room or the refrigerator and microwave, etc that they had brought in especially for me. She said instead of charging me that their department will just buy the fridge and microwave for the staff to use. So basically what they charged me in total was approximately $400 U.S. dollars! I couldn't believe it! They have been so good to us!
Love you all!
~Sheryl
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Response from Sheryl's Dad
Lon and Sheryl:
Thank you for your wonderful letter and for your eternal perspective. You, Sheryl and your entire family are providing a beautiful example and spiritual instruction that will lift and inspire us, our family and literally everyone with whom you are acquainted. We are grateful for your courage and for your determination to get the only treatment that shows much promise of healing and we are most grateful that you have been able to make arrangements through Jimmy Lu to be treated in China. We are also grateful to all members of the family and your friends who are stepping forward to help care for your younger kids at home. We understand that Travis and Weston are enjoying there time with Packer, Holland and Cannon. We wish that we could be helpful to them and to Brandon and Dallin during this time of need.
We are very concerned that the disease has progressed to Sheryl's lungs, liver and kidneys and this underscores the necessity of getting the stem cell treatment ASAP. We really admire Sheryl for being able to find the peace that she described in her message titled: "Whisperings of the Spirit." I shared that letter with Elder Spencer J. Condie, our Area President and he is praying for her return to full health along with us and most everyone in Tonga. His general conference address last Saturday was focused on our faith in god, promises of the Lord, and the fact that God remembers his promises to His children. We suspect that he wrote that talk in response to our conversations with him and his sensitivity to Sheryl's situation. Sheryl is an exceptional Child of God and she has been blessed with peace while in the midst of some of the most difficult of all challenges. Our most earnest and sincere prayer is that she will also receive the blessing of healing.
I think the initial schedule to begin extracting the stem cells is tomorrow, October 10th and we will be praying for Sheryl, for you and for the doctors. I understand that there was an option of being treated in Hainan (Sp) in Southern China rather than Chengdu. What was the decision? Also, is it possible to reach you by telephone? If so, please forward a number. We're in New Zealand until Saturday the 13th (your Friday the 12th) and then we return to Tonga and will be there through the temple dedication on November 4th and we would like call before we leave for Tonga.
~Elder David M. Brown
Thank you for your wonderful letter and for your eternal perspective. You, Sheryl and your entire family are providing a beautiful example and spiritual instruction that will lift and inspire us, our family and literally everyone with whom you are acquainted. We are grateful for your courage and for your determination to get the only treatment that shows much promise of healing and we are most grateful that you have been able to make arrangements through Jimmy Lu to be treated in China. We are also grateful to all members of the family and your friends who are stepping forward to help care for your younger kids at home. We understand that Travis and Weston are enjoying there time with Packer, Holland and Cannon. We wish that we could be helpful to them and to Brandon and Dallin during this time of need.
We are very concerned that the disease has progressed to Sheryl's lungs, liver and kidneys and this underscores the necessity of getting the stem cell treatment ASAP. We really admire Sheryl for being able to find the peace that she described in her message titled: "Whisperings of the Spirit." I shared that letter with Elder Spencer J. Condie, our Area President and he is praying for her return to full health along with us and most everyone in Tonga. His general conference address last Saturday was focused on our faith in god, promises of the Lord, and the fact that God remembers his promises to His children. We suspect that he wrote that talk in response to our conversations with him and his sensitivity to Sheryl's situation. Sheryl is an exceptional Child of God and she has been blessed with peace while in the midst of some of the most difficult of all challenges. Our most earnest and sincere prayer is that she will also receive the blessing of healing.
I think the initial schedule to begin extracting the stem cells is tomorrow, October 10th and we will be praying for Sheryl, for you and for the doctors. I understand that there was an option of being treated in Hainan (Sp) in Southern China rather than Chengdu. What was the decision? Also, is it possible to reach you by telephone? If so, please forward a number. We're in New Zealand until Saturday the 13th (your Friday the 12th) and then we return to Tonga and will be there through the temple dedication on November 4th and we would like call before we leave for Tonga.
~Elder David M. Brown
Love from Vaun & Anya
Lon and Sheryl, thank you for the beautiful messages and for the information. We're praying like crazy over here. We love you so much and our hearts are there with you.
~Vaun and Anya
~Vaun and Anya
A Beautiful Gift
One of my favorite scriptures is found in Doctrine & Covenants section 46:8 "Seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given."
I have always believed that the gifts the Lord gives to us are to build and strengthen His kingdom. Some people are great listeners- others are great athletes- some are talented in music and others are patient.
Sheryl and I view this disease (scleroderma) as a blessing truly a gift. I feel that Sheryl is a servant of Heavenly Father who is worthy enough to be blessed with this trial- even a disease that will bring her close to death before her immune system is re-born. As the next several weeks approach we are so grateful for all of your prayers.
We would never trade Sheryl's gift. It has brought us many blessings. It has given us a greater desire to search out the Lord＊s will in our lives. It has given our children opportunities to be more kind and eager to serve. It has given us the blessing of knowing that we have neighbors & friends who go out of their way to serve us and give of their time. How could we ever want to trade all the love and the charity (pure love of Christ) that we have felt from this experience?
We are grateful for those who have attended the temple and for the fasting and prayer in our behalf. In Alma chapter 17 vs 1-3 it lays out 4 things you and I need to do to stay close to the Lord.
1. Search the scriptures diligently
2. Much Prayer - labor in the spirit (vs 5)
3. Fasting
4. Service
How many of us have experienced these acts of FAITH?
Vs #9 The Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, (and abide with them) Vs #10 And they were comforted
Vs #11 Patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me.
How could anyone take this away from the sons of Mosiah and Alma- or from me, you and especially Sheryl.
Many of you have wondered why we had to go to China to get treatment. Well, in the USA the only way you can get stem cell treatment is if you are on your death bed and I mean your death bed. It is a last effort to save a life. Having organ transplants (lungs, kidney, liver or even heart) is not death- bed in the USA, You have to have the transplants go bad and no other hope in sight to get this treatment.
Why then doesn't the USA do stem cell? It's dangerous (20% of people die from the procedure.)
Now scleroderma has 3 types 1. localized 2. limited 3. diffused
Localized does not attack your internal organs- it will make the skin go tight and make it hard to do things with your hands (a real bad case of rheumatoid arthritis) and your legs. (Knees down- elbows down)
Limited is also knees down and elbows down but it can get more aggressive and attack the internal organs and harden them so they don＊t function any more and then you have to do a transplant or pass on.
Diffused covers the whole body on the outside and becomes very aggressive on the inside.
In March of this year while we were at the Mayo clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona Sheryl was in between limited and diffused. (Neck up- arms and legs.) About a month ago it progressed to diffused. This affects all of her body. She has a hard time swallowing and just functioning in normal daily life. We had an echo done upon arriving in China and it shows that it is now in her lungs, kidney, and liver. It becomes a challenge to keep her warm- for Raynoud's (which is like frost bite on your fingers) becomes a daily challenge. Waiting and watching as her organs fail is not in my DNA.
We went through the summer enjoying the children and sending our oldest of 5 sons, Jason, off on his mission to Brazil. I made the decision with Sheryl that as soon as the kids were in school I would find a place to get stem cell treatment. We were blessed to have Jimmy and Jua-fang Lu help us out.
We are now moving to Hainan, China - an island in the south (like Hawaii). It is warm there. We first came to Chengdu because that is where the best of the best doctors is for her disease. He has a very high success rate with doing this procedure. He will be accompanying us to Hainan along with a specialist from Beijing who is an expert also in Stem Cell separation and has the latest and greatest machine for doing the separation.
This starts on the 13th. There is a 3- 5 day procedure with three doctors doing the separation of the stem cells from the blood. Sheryl then goes in for chemo therapy and will be isolated (in the Box). After chemo reduces her immune system to zero, the selected stem cells will be re-implanted. She will be in the box (isolation) for 3 weeks approximately.
She will lose a lot of weight and all of her hair. After leaving isolation she will be in the hospital for another 2 to 3 weeks to get enough strength to leave the hospital. At that point we will go to our friends' resort (in Hainan) for 3 more months so she can have her immune system built up enough to travel back home to Provo. The concern is that flying home on a commercial airliner will subject her to more germs than her immune system can handle. We'd like her home for Christmas, but cannot risk her flying home in a plane with plenty of germs circulating through the cabin. So about March we will make the trip back home to Utah and once again be a family. Yea!!!!
Our spirits are as high as ever. We have perfect faith that all will be well. "Perfect love casteth away all fear." I have no fear, none. Miracles are real. God does live. His Son gave His all in the garden. Ministering angels will be with both of us as we are at our lowest points. They will be with us in our hour of need and will be with you in your struggles in your hour and need.
"Ask, and you shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you." We love all of you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers, fasting, faith and service.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
With hope and faith,
~Lon A. Wardrop
I have always believed that the gifts the Lord gives to us are to build and strengthen His kingdom. Some people are great listeners- others are great athletes- some are talented in music and others are patient.
Sheryl and I view this disease (scleroderma) as a blessing truly a gift. I feel that Sheryl is a servant of Heavenly Father who is worthy enough to be blessed with this trial- even a disease that will bring her close to death before her immune system is re-born. As the next several weeks approach we are so grateful for all of your prayers.
We would never trade Sheryl's gift. It has brought us many blessings. It has given us a greater desire to search out the Lord＊s will in our lives. It has given our children opportunities to be more kind and eager to serve. It has given us the blessing of knowing that we have neighbors & friends who go out of their way to serve us and give of their time. How could we ever want to trade all the love and the charity (pure love of Christ) that we have felt from this experience?
We are grateful for those who have attended the temple and for the fasting and prayer in our behalf. In Alma chapter 17 vs 1-3 it lays out 4 things you and I need to do to stay close to the Lord.
1. Search the scriptures diligently
2. Much Prayer - labor in the spirit (vs 5)
3. Fasting
4. Service
How many of us have experienced these acts of FAITH?
Vs #9 The Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, (and abide with them) Vs #10 And they were comforted
Vs #11 Patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me.
How could anyone take this away from the sons of Mosiah and Alma- or from me, you and especially Sheryl.
Many of you have wondered why we had to go to China to get treatment. Well, in the USA the only way you can get stem cell treatment is if you are on your death bed and I mean your death bed. It is a last effort to save a life. Having organ transplants (lungs, kidney, liver or even heart) is not death- bed in the USA, You have to have the transplants go bad and no other hope in sight to get this treatment.
Why then doesn't the USA do stem cell? It's dangerous (20% of people die from the procedure.)
Now scleroderma has 3 types 1. localized 2. limited 3. diffused
Localized does not attack your internal organs- it will make the skin go tight and make it hard to do things with your hands (a real bad case of rheumatoid arthritis) and your legs. (Knees down- elbows down)
Limited is also knees down and elbows down but it can get more aggressive and attack the internal organs and harden them so they don＊t function any more and then you have to do a transplant or pass on.
Diffused covers the whole body on the outside and becomes very aggressive on the inside.
In March of this year while we were at the Mayo clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona Sheryl was in between limited and diffused. (Neck up- arms and legs.) About a month ago it progressed to diffused. This affects all of her body. She has a hard time swallowing and just functioning in normal daily life. We had an echo done upon arriving in China and it shows that it is now in her lungs, kidney, and liver. It becomes a challenge to keep her warm- for Raynoud's (which is like frost bite on your fingers) becomes a daily challenge. Waiting and watching as her organs fail is not in my DNA.
We went through the summer enjoying the children and sending our oldest of 5 sons, Jason, off on his mission to Brazil. I made the decision with Sheryl that as soon as the kids were in school I would find a place to get stem cell treatment. We were blessed to have Jimmy and Jua-fang Lu help us out.
We are now moving to Hainan, China - an island in the south (like Hawaii). It is warm there. We first came to Chengdu because that is where the best of the best doctors is for her disease. He has a very high success rate with doing this procedure. He will be accompanying us to Hainan along with a specialist from Beijing who is an expert also in Stem Cell separation and has the latest and greatest machine for doing the separation.
This starts on the 13th. There is a 3- 5 day procedure with three doctors doing the separation of the stem cells from the blood. Sheryl then goes in for chemo therapy and will be isolated (in the Box). After chemo reduces her immune system to zero, the selected stem cells will be re-implanted. She will be in the box (isolation) for 3 weeks approximately.
She will lose a lot of weight and all of her hair. After leaving isolation she will be in the hospital for another 2 to 3 weeks to get enough strength to leave the hospital. At that point we will go to our friends' resort (in Hainan) for 3 more months so she can have her immune system built up enough to travel back home to Provo. The concern is that flying home on a commercial airliner will subject her to more germs than her immune system can handle. We'd like her home for Christmas, but cannot risk her flying home in a plane with plenty of germs circulating through the cabin. So about March we will make the trip back home to Utah and once again be a family. Yea!!!!
Our spirits are as high as ever. We have perfect faith that all will be well. "Perfect love casteth away all fear." I have no fear, none. Miracles are real. God does live. His Son gave His all in the garden. Ministering angels will be with both of us as we are at our lowest points. They will be with us in our hour of need and will be with you in your struggles in your hour and need.
"Ask, and you shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you." We love all of you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers, fasting, faith and service.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
With hope and faith,
~Lon A. Wardrop
Comment from Sarah & Ty
We want to send all of our love to you Sheryl and Lon. Thank you for the email letting us know the Lord is directing your ways and we can all TRUST HIM. Your faith is outstanding and we feel blessed because of it. We love you so much and pray for your safety. All the blessings of the Lord to you this week as you start treatment. XOXO!!
~ Sarah & Ty
Love from the Marchant Family
Dearest Brown Family, Lon and Sheryl and family,
We think of you every single day. We miss you so much, but we have so much hope and faith for you. We were thrilled to be able to fast for you last Sunday. It was a very spiritual experience for our entire family. What an honor and a privilege to be able to be a part of that.
As we listened to General Conference this weekend, our hearts were touched as we were reminded of the great love our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. Of the great and incomprehensible love that our Savior, Jesus Christ, has for us.
We hope that you feel that love every day and know that they are with you. Please know of our great love for you and for the appreciation we have of your sincere and humble example. Of your willingness to submit your will to that of the Father and trust Him completely. Thank you for all that you mean to us.
We count your friendship as one of Heavenly Father's greatest blessings to us. Our prayers and thoughts are with you always. We are always just a phone call away, and we are willing to do anything to help in anyway.
All our Love.
~The Marchant Family
We think of you every single day. We miss you so much, but we have so much hope and faith for you. We were thrilled to be able to fast for you last Sunday. It was a very spiritual experience for our entire family. What an honor and a privilege to be able to be a part of that.
As we listened to General Conference this weekend, our hearts were touched as we were reminded of the great love our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. Of the great and incomprehensible love that our Savior, Jesus Christ, has for us.
We hope that you feel that love every day and know that they are with you. Please know of our great love for you and for the appreciation we have of your sincere and humble example. Of your willingness to submit your will to that of the Father and trust Him completely. Thank you for all that you mean to us.
We count your friendship as one of Heavenly Father's greatest blessings to us. Our prayers and thoughts are with you always. We are always just a phone call away, and we are willing to do anything to help in anyway.
All our Love.
~The Marchant Family
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Note from Sheryl to the little guys
Dear Travis, Weston, Packer, Holland, Cannon, and Harper,
Hello!
How are you wonderful kids doing? We love you so much! We hope you are going to have a fun weekend together. We just wanted to tell you that we were able to go see some Giant Panda's! They are so cute! You would've loved seeing them! We'll have to show you the pictures! Also, there are red panda's that look like racoons! It is very pretty here in China. You would like it.
The sky is overcast most of the time. The Chinese say that when the sun comes out all the dogs start barking because they're afraid. (They don't see the sun very often!)
Well, be nice to each other. Be sure to share and help each other out.
We love you!
Mom and Dad
Aunt Sheryl and Uncle Lon
Hello!
How are you wonderful kids doing? We love you so much! We hope you are going to have a fun weekend together. We just wanted to tell you that we were able to go see some Giant Panda's! They are so cute! You would've loved seeing them! We'll have to show you the pictures! Also, there are red panda's that look like racoons! It is very pretty here in China. You would like it.
The sky is overcast most of the time. The Chinese say that when the sun comes out all the dogs start barking because they're afraid. (They don't see the sun very often!)
Well, be nice to each other. Be sure to share and help each other out.
We love you!
Mom and Dad
Aunt Sheryl and Uncle Lon
Brad & Celeste Send Their Love
Sheryl and Lon
As we listened to conference today, our hearts and minds were continually reminded of both of you and the love of our Savior has for both of you. It is amazing how many lives have been touched and blessed by your sweet spirit and trusting faith. We are surely amazed that the Nurses and Doctors there in China can feel that there is something different and special about the two of you. We love both of you so much and pray for your continued safety. Lon, hang in there- you’re an amazing husband with great strength. One of Celeste’s favorite quotes is “alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” What a great example of that quote the two of you make.
~Brad & Celeste
As we listened to conference today, our hearts and minds were continually reminded of both of you and the love of our Savior has for both of you. It is amazing how many lives have been touched and blessed by your sweet spirit and trusting faith. We are surely amazed that the Nurses and Doctors there in China can feel that there is something different and special about the two of you. We love both of you so much and pray for your continued safety. Lon, hang in there- you’re an amazing husband with great strength. One of Celeste’s favorite quotes is “alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” What a great example of that quote the two of you make.
~Brad & Celeste
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