We are coming up on 15 months since the onset of dad's brain tumor story. What a miraculous place to be. Please pray for us all as we feel increasingly nervous with each new month of what will happen next and when will the tides turn. For the time being we are riding this terrifying and joyous wave of a "stable tumor."  Mom and I were able to see the newest MRI images yesterday and confirm the stability of the lesion in dad's brain. The spot changed a smidge, but only by 1/2 a millimeter, so they confidently said that for the time he is still in the "stable" category, which they find to be miraculous and rare.  The doctor we saw yesterday feels like it is, in fact, the clinical trial that is keeping the tumor at bay.

Who knows, but we do know that every good and perfect gift is from above!  

In other news, dad has been able to successfully wean down to 1 mg/ day of his steroid. This is a praise! We will plan to stay on the 1 mg for a month and then re-assess. We are also looking at slowly lowering his seizure meds. He is taking the maximum dosage of Zonogran each day and we hope to cut it down this month by 100mg. Stay tuned. We have been seizure free for quite a while so we are hopeful. This meds have so many side effects of their own... primarily giving dad a zombie effect of just always being so tired and kind of "whatever" kind of attitude that includes lots of eye rolls. LOL. This was not typical for dad before all of this. He makes us laugh so much though and we find joy in that and his new humor and lack of filter on his thoughts and words. 

A few last things to be praying for: 

- Dad to have no seizures and no tumor growth this month as we lower his meds. 

- Mom as she continues the course of care-taking as well as trying to maintain the farm in these summer months. Pray for her to have wisdom each day and the ability to let things go that can be let go. Mom pressures herself to do everything all the time. Everything. Everything. So please pray and encourage her in taking care of HERSELF more than these temporary things all around her! And encourage us and remind us children to help her when we have moments that we are able! Ha! 

- John David (my middle brother) and his wife Cierra are literally at the hospital as I type this having their FIFTH baby!! Pray for them as they adjust to being a family of 7! He is a Bible teacher at Briarwood High School, so thankfully he is now off for the summer and will be able to be home with all these children for a couple months! 

- Trey (older brother) as he continues to run dad's business - DC Warehouse and navigate all the heavy tasks and decisions that come with that! Pray for wisdom and provision for him. 

- Nothing specific for Taylor (baby brother) or I (Elizabeth) -- but just that we keep our eyes lifted up &  hearts set on eternity.  And for us as we navigate the summer schedule with balancing working full time and kids being out of school. 

Thank you again for all the prayers and love! 

Dad is still going to UAB on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10- 12:30, so if anyone wants to help by taking him, we are still letting other friends do this when they can. He is allowed to continue this trial as long as the tumor is considered stable. At the point it "progresses" he will no longer be allowed to take part in the study. So...knowing this now, we are SUPER thankful he is still in it!! 

To God be the glory,  The Bragans