Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Standing beside you, Courtney! And you, Jay...
Warm love
Karen

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

You have my prayers.
karen z

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Courtney loves our HER2 family. I don't think she would mind that I post the latest journal entry from her caring bridge site. She had spam issues on the CB site earlier, so you now have to have a password to access it. So here is the entry written by her husband Jay this morning:

I'm sorry to start this post saying that Courtney has suffered some serious neurological issues over the past few days, culminating in a visit to the UCSF ER tonight – she was distant, not always cooperative, and struggling to absorb what was going on.

She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit today (Tues) at 4:00am.
Courtney was neurologically unresponsive for a few hours, but then woke up from this unresponsive state – an encouraging sign. However, she’s in tough shape and we don’t know exactly why. She’s now sedated and sleeping hard and so peacefully – tomorrow AM the medical team will determine if we can tackle the underlying problems.

Mon Jan 23 started out for me and Courtney at 4AM. Courtney just “woke up” and decided that we need to walk laps with her walker around the hallway of her parent’s house. We did this for like an hour, and then we ate a 1,000 calorie protein smoothie. She didn’t communicate why we were doing this exercise, and she was so weak, very wobbly, and verbally unresponsive to my questions – but I learned not to question the indomintable will and fight that my wife has.

As I write this it is Tues Jan 24 at 4:32 AM - and now Courtney faces the most immediate and serious fight for her life. And we need you all. The best way to express your support is to post kind words on CaringBridge, via letters, or emails. Reach out to your friends and be there for each other. Please no flowers or food right now – we’re not home to enjoy them. Please also understand that an intensive care unit does not allow visitors.

There is an incredible power when hundreds and thousands of people are holding you in their thoughts simultaneously. This is the time to let Courtney know how much you love her...

Please keep Courtney, Jay and all of her family members in your prayers. If you are new here, search for posts from CourtneyL and you will be inspired.

I HATE THIS DISEASE!!!

~Alice

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

So glad I logged in this morning, and thank you Maureen for updating us...I just got he note from Caring Bridge and signed her guestbook....hoping that she can feel the love and hope as we all lift her in prayer today.

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Courtney, you are in my prayers.

Amelia

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Thinking of you, sweet Courtney, and enfolding you in prayer. You too jay

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Hugs and prayers to dear Courtney, Jay and her entire family.

all the best
caya

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Just posted on caringbridge as well. May the Lord carry her through this latest setback.I also pray that he will soon find us a cure so all this suffering can end.
Ellie

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

My prayers and positive thoughts go out to Courtney and her family.

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Count me in the team Courtney a hug and a prayer group. What a scary experience for Jay and Courtney !!

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Woke up to this news today. I felt so powerless. Had a hard time getting up but then thought of Courtney and all her adventures and zest for
life. Said my prayers, hugged my children, and wondered when this stupid disease will stop ruining the lives of our very best.

Courtney & Jay, I'm spending my day in prayer for you.

Love,

Marcia

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

I am so saddened by this. My prayers are going out to Courtney and Jay. Wake up dear Girl, you so so loved.

I hate this disease!!!!

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Thinking good thoughts for you Courtney.

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Thinking of you Courtney. Sending hugs and strength. I hate this disease. Michka

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

My prayers and thoughts are with you Courtney and Jay

-Laura

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

This is so difficult to read, especially about a fighter like Courtney - just can't imagine how hard it must be for her and Jay. I can only get down on my knees and pray for her...

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Dear Lord...Please be with Courtney and Jay and their family and friends during this very difficult time. Please hear all the prayers being offered up for them, and please hold them close as they travel this difficult road. Please give them strength, hope and comfort.

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Sending you prayers, Courtney. I hope God will guide you through this difficult time. Praying for your recovery.

Thanks, Alice for posting Courtney's journal.

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Sending our prayers from Texas...

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Today's update on Courtney's caringbridge journal
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 1:25 AM, PST

Progress

Not much news to report – we are waiting on some test results from Courtney’s cerebral spinal fluid. One working theory is that she has an infection in her spinal fluid which is causing the neurological issues.
Courtney is hanging on strong. She's winning the hearts of everyone in the ICU, and has the best medical team in the world.

I want to relate an anecdote of how Courtney is fighting back. She hasn’t been very verbally responsive – she doesn’t reply to many questions, although she gives you the occasional terse “yeah.”

And so, the nurse asks Courtney: "Courtney, did you swallow your pill?" No reply from Courtney. Not even acknowledgement that a person is in the room.

Again, the nurse asks much louder "COURTNEY, DID you SWALLOW your PILL?"

To whit, my wife yells back "WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME?!?!?” I cried laughing. The nurse just smiled.
Today was a special and moving day with immediate family. I’m just wrapping some special evening hours – I offered to read Courtney all of the emails and CaringBridge posts that have been pouring in. With her cute “yeah” of approval, and using Pandora on the iPhone to play some mellow piano jazz, I proceeded to read Courtney your messages… OK, I only made it through 30% of your messages… we paused a lot so I can confirm that she was enjoying the stories (which received several “yeahs”), but I pledge to continue reading them to her every evening.
Since we haven’t determined the exact cause of the problem, we take each day at a time.

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Prayers from Florida, too--just figured out how to post on Caringbridge...thanks for keeping us informed. Ceesun

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

From Jay (there may be some clarity, hopefully today)....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012 2:54 AM, PST

Here’s short update to the Courtney-faithful.
We had a first wave of tests come back today showing no detectable cancer in her spinal fluid - so the leading theory is that she has an infection in the fluid that surrounds her brain. This remains very serious – there were no high fives or exclamation mark emails being sent out today, just some relief that we think we know what might be wrong. We began treating it with aggressive antibiotics within hours of Courtney admission to the hospital on Monday. The full medical team agrees that we need to see improvement in the coming days, so please, please keep her in your thoughts. As you go about your day today, please appreciate that today is a precious gift... only recently have I begun to appreciate each minute (literally) when things are going well.
Courtney had more periods of alertness today, including some more sweet time with immediate family, several soft and unbelievably tender ‘I love yous’, and was comfortably hugging several pillows as I left UCSF at 12:45 AM.

As a special note, our friend Will writes the following:

"A few of our friends are working on some projects to support Courtney. We could use some help getting the word out." Here's a site you can visit to see what they recommend: http://sites.google.com/site/4cl2012/

Best
Karen

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Just read caringbridge update.
Thank the Lord that Courtney HAS NOT got mets in CSF! She remain very poorly with the doctors still thinking she has an infection in the fluid surrounding her brain.
We need to continue our prayers for Courtney and Jay and hope they will soon be answered.

Ellie

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Rally Courtney! Rally! Jay's update on CaringBridge was a mixed bag, happy news that there was no cancer in Courtney's spinal fluid, but still very concerned because of the presumed infection in the fluid around her brain. Just as Jay requested, that we go about our day lifting Courtney up, I spent yesterday remembering so many in our Her2 group as I performed the day's many tasks. It seems we have so many facing crossroads in their treatment. Come on, God, show up in a BIG way for our Her2 gals this week!

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

You are in my thought's and prayer's..

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

Courtney, Thank goodness no cancer. The antibiotics should take care of the rest and you'll be out of the ICU and home soon. Thinking healing thoughts for your recovery. Joan

Re: Rally our prayers...Courtney needs us
 

So good that there is no cancer, but so scary that this infection is so bad. Certainly adding my prayers and thoughts and positive energy to all of yours...