Final Blog

The journey has ended. Leroy K. McLaren left his earthly home to be with the Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, Tuesday evening, June 10, 2008. His death was peaceful and beautiful to witness as he took his last breath before entering the Lord's Kingdom. We are relieved to know that Leroy is healed and cancer free. As we start the grieving process to heal from our six month journey, we ask for your continued prayers. Please pray for comfort, peace, and understanding for the family, including Leroy's three grandchildren who are coping with the loss of their beloved Papa.

A memorial service is planned for Wednesday morning, June 18, at Central Christian Church in Mesa, Arizona. The church is located at 933 East Lindsay Road.

In lieu of flowers, all donations received by the McLaren family will be donated to Christian charities in Leroy's name.

If you are flying in town for the memorial service, please contact me if you are in need of transportation. We have also have hotel rates for any out of town guest or family.

Days Inn 480-981-8111
5531 E Main St
Mesa, AZ 85205

Single or Double Room $69.99 Friday and Saturday
Single or Double Room $59.99 Sunday thru Thursday

AAA rates are less. All Prices are before taxes, and there is no breakfast provided

Windemere 480-985-3600
5750 E Main St
Mesa, AZ 85205

Single or Double Room $89.00
AAA Single or Double Room $80.10

Prices are before taxes, and breakfast is provided at the Windemere.

The family would like to thank everyone for sharing this journey with us. Your support has meant a great deal to all of us. We will be forever blessed by your compassion and grace.

Stephanie

Tribute to 35 years

Last Saturday evening, March 31, Lois, Mike, Kristen Andy, and I attended an annual banquet for Weitz Construction to honor Leroy and his 35 years of service to the company. The following was tribute to Leroy was written and delivered by Mike Bontrager, President of Weitz Southwest Division.

“Leroy McLaren could not be with us this evening; however, his wife Lois and two of three sons, Andy and Mike are here tonight.

Leroy started with Midwest Concrete, a company Weitz owned. He transferred to Weitz in 1972.

Now Leroy is an estimator. Many have said, not just me, that he is the best there is. He worked for my dad from 1972 to 1980. My dad said I never saw someone take off on a job so fast with that kind of accuracy. And he talked the whole time. He quickly set himself apart as an expert.

Leroy moved to Phoenix in 1980 to help the Southwest Division. He was promoted to Chief Estimator in 1987, Vice President in 2000, and Senior Vice President in 2003. He also served as ASPE President and Vice President, and held a position on the ASPE national board of directors.

Leroy is a master of conceptual pricing. He can sit with a client, listen, look at a few napkin sketches, and price it within ten percent.

Back before computers, ten key calculators were used to sum up numbers. I realize I just lost three-fourths of the audience! Imagine bid day without a computer. Leroy was so fast on a ten key that he wore several of them out. Smoke would come out of them, due to his quick hand.

It is hard to count all the contributions Leroy has made in his thirty-five years, but here are a few:
He epitomized our core values.
His total commitment to add value to our clients
His respect for sub-contractors
If he heard someone was abusing a sub-contractor, you would hear about it.
He developed the estimating systems tools, policies for not just the Southwest Division, but for the entire company.
He was integral in growing the Southwest Division from a start-up operations to a major general contractor.
He is a teacher, helping many to learn the trade.
He is a continuous learner. Most people of his generation can do without computers, yet Leroy is an expert on a computer.
His memory for numbers is astonishing. I can go into his office and ask him the price range for almost anything and he could tell me the answer off the top of his head.

During project interviews, he tells clients how he remembers my high school graduation. He actually is the one who had to remind my father it was time to leave for the ceremony. I would counter that by saying the company is 150 years old and Leroy has been here since day one.

I really admire Leroy and I know I am not alone. He is the nicest person I know. I learned a lot working with him for twenty-two years.

I propose a toast. Please raise your glasses. Thank you Leroy for thirty-five years and all the memories…”

Although it was difficult to look at the picture that showed while Mike read Leroy’s tribute, it was wonderful to hear about Leroy from a work perspective. It is obvious the impact Leroy has made on the Weitz Construction Company and the people who work there. Thank you Mike for a great evening and for such a touching tribute to Leroy’s thirty-five years of service.

May Update

I wanted to pen a quick update on Leroy’s health for all of you. He has taken a few steps closer to the end of his journey. According to his nurse, Leroy has recently had higher temperatures and lower blood pressure. Hospice is now coming twice a week as Leroy is bedridden. We ask for prayers of comfort for everyone, especially Leroy and Lois. Pray for contentment in God’s timing as He is the only one who knows the number of days Leroy has to be with us. Thank you again for your continued support and prayers.
Stephanie

April 14,2008

Several people have asked that I continue to provide updates on how Leroy is feeling. Although there is little activity on a weekly basis, I will regularly let you know how Leroy is doing so that you can join in our journey with us. As I have stated before, Leroy has been amazing since he became ill and continues to be a solid rock for Jesus, our savior. We smile and laugh daily with Leroy as he continues to be the head of the household, even from his bed. We are amazed at what Leroy can hear from the bedroom, and we are convinced that the chemotherapy must have enhanced his hearing. He hears everything, and I mean everything! I must admit that when I was asked to continue to write the blog, I thought that there was little to say, but I was wrong. There is still a lot to tell everyone about this wonderful man. Although Leroy’s prognosis has not changed, he still has good days. We pray for God’s timing and that He will give us the strength to joyously share this journey, not only with each other, but with all of you. Thank you for your prayers and for keeping in touch with Lois, reminding her that she is not alone. We will never be able to adequately express how much we appreciate your support.

Stephanie

Hospice of the Valley

As I sit here searching for the right words I’m lead to scripture, to John 14:6 where Jesus said to Thomas “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus’ words have helped me process all that has happened the last couple of months and especially the decisions made over the past week concerning Leroy’s treatment.

On Friday, March, 21, 2008 Leroy decided to stop all treatments and to let nature take its course. Hospice of the Valley was called and on Monday morning a wonderful RN with Hospice came over explained what Hospice does, talked to Leroy and enrolled him that afternoon. Today, Leroy’s nurse and social worker were over to walk us through this process and to reassure Lois that someone will always be available to help her. The people who work for Hospice are simply amazing. They are full of compassion and really want to be there to help all of us through this difficult time.

Knowing Leroy’s heart has made me stronger and seeing his peace about these last decisions has directed me to have peace as well. I pray that we may all continue to experience the peace and comfort of God more and more during this time. Above all I pray that God’s sovereign grace will cover us all as Leroy journeys through his last weeks and days. May God be glorified in this journey, may we be able to touch the lives of those who enter Leroy’s home. May God be ever present in all that we do.

In all this we can have joy knowing that God has pre-ordained all of Leroy’s days and that Jesus will welcome Leroy to his eternal home at the end of this journey. All praise be to God the Father of our Christ Jesus.

Thank you again to all of you for your kindness, love, support and prayers. We will never be able to thank you enough for all that you have done for us. Thank you, thank you, and thank you .

Treatment update

Last week we received an update on treatment for Leroy. He will be doing additional radiation on his left femur. He also will be doing three more months of chemotherapy, three weeks on one week off. He has cut back his morphine and it has helped a little with his stomach issue. Although he is not currently in treatment now he is VERY tired. He seems to have NO energy at all. Please pray for energy as he will need some to start treatment again. He has test and measurements tomorrow early and unless he is feeling better he may not make it. Please again I ask for prayer that he will feel better along with some energy. Thank you so much for all of your prayers, we really appreciate the support.

Test Results

This is going to be the most difficult update I have had to write. Last Wednesday we received results from Leroy’s latest test. Let’s start with the good news. The cancer has not invaded the liver or other organs around the pancreas. This was wonderful news, but unfortunately the doctor then shared with us that Leroy’s pancreatic cancer has metastasized. For those of you who do not know what this means, the cancer has moved to the blood and gone to other parts of the body. In Leroy’s case it has gone to his bones and is concentrated in his left femur. The only way to conclusively determine that the spot on this femur is cancer is to biopsy the cancer. This is extremely painful and since all other indicators show cancer, the doctor will not be doing this test. This is heart breaking news since it places Leroy’s cancer in stage IV which means the disease is considered inoperable and terminal. What does this mean for now? Leroy will complete his initial round of chemotherapy and radiation tomorrow. Then he will wait for re-evaluation. His first appointment will be in four weeks since the chemotherapy and radiation continues to work for up to eight weeks after treatment.

So now that I have stunned some of you, I know you are asking how you can help. The best way to help both Leroy and Lois is to support the decisions that Leroy makes concerning his treatment. We ask that you pray for Leroy to feel better as chemotherapy and radiation have been very taxing on his body. You can encourage Leroy and Lois to make the best of the time they have left together. Most of all, you can pray for healing for everyone in the family. This has been very difficult for our family so praying for all of us would be very helpful. We trust that God will not give us a challenge that we cannot endure.

Leroy’s bible verse he has returned to often during all of this:
(Praises for the Lord’s mercies)
Psalm 103: 11-19

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities his children,

So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

And its place remembers it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting

On those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

18 To such as keep His covenant,

And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven,

And His kingdom rules over all.

blogging today

Just so everyone knows I will have an update for all of you today. Most likely I will post this afternoon.

Finding Joy

This journey has been both painful and amazing. You are most likely thinking what is she talking about. Yet, I am everyday thanking God for the journey He has put before us as a family, because it has drawn us all closer to God. I was reading through Job this week and was struck by Job’s un-sinking faith when he was suffering. Unbeknownst to Job, God was contesting with Satan therefore Job was suffering. He did not know this nor did anyone else so they struggled to explain the suffering. It was not until Job completely rested in nothing but faith in God’s goodness and the hope of His redemption that Job understood. God was vindicated by his trust is the message in the book of Job, and therefore is VERY powerful lesson. When there are no rational, theological explanations for disaster and pain, trust God. (Macarthur study Bible)

I have quietly sat back and watched everyone and everything that has transpired over the last couple of months and have truly been amazed of the glory that has been given freely to God. I have watched people volunteer time to help with the most mundane of tasks. Watched letter after letter of encouragement roll in from old and new friends. What has touched me more than any of these things is Leroy’s unwavering faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He would laugh if he knew I was sharing this story so I am choosing to share it with everyone.

…after Leroy’s endoscope ultrasound (while still under the influence of Ketamine) he was very funny, talking to anyone who would listen and yes sharing the gospel with everyone. So, “drunk” Leroy shares the gospel with youthful enthusiasm and joy. I love this story because it really shows Leroy’s heart and how it beats for the truth of Jesus Christ and His message of redemption and salvation through grace. Leroy you simply overwhelm me with your love for the Lord and your joyful heart even though your body is enduring so much pain.

As for Leroy’s weekly update, he could use your prayers for comfort as he has had a couple of bad nights and days. His stomach is having some complications ( if you know what I mean) and it is making him feel awful. He is not eating much because of this and we all dislike it when Leroy does not eat. No food, no weight gain. No weight gain equals less strength, and less strength makes it harder to fight the fatigue of chemo and radiation. He did get both tests completed, but we will not know anything until the middle of next week.

Thank you again for all of your prayers and support.
With great love,
Stephanie

Week Three

As we finish week three we defiantly need to be praising God for some answers to prayer. Leroy has had a better week, he is not need as much sleep, he is feeling better (no nausea) and he is eating. Praise God for some relief from the on going agony of radiation and chemo. As we look ahead to next week Leroy has test both Monday and Wednesday along with his chemo and radiation schedule, so hopefully he will not get sick or too worn out? Please pray for the test, along with Leroy’s health as he will be doing more than what he is accustom to doing weekly. He will be back and forth to the hospital at least three times on Wednesday due to the scheduling of appointments.

We also received some good news for Lois a wonderful friend as volunteered to take Leroy to his appointments twice and week which will give Lois a small break from driving everyday to Desert Banner for treatment.

Just so everyone knows please feel free to leave encouraging comments as I will be printing this blog out eventually so that Lois and Leroy can keep it after we have won the battle of pancreatic cancer. I know that both of them are reading the blog and are encouraged with kind words. Thank you again for your continuous prayer for Leroy, and the family we are truly humbled from the outpouring of love and support.

I will update again next week and will let everyone know how the tests go when we get the results.
With great love,
Stephanie McLaren

2/15/08

Well, hello to all. As we enter the third week of treatment for Leroy, I figured I should get this blog up and running so that everyone would know how he is doing daily. I may not post daily but I will try to post at least twice a week. I am co writing this blog with Kristen so some up dates might be from me, Stephanie, or from Kristen, Mike’s wife. Leroy has chemo once a week and radiation five times a week. As you can image this is very taxing on his body. He is tired after radiation and needs a lot of sleep these days. Then there is the chemo, nasty nasty chemo, it is making him sick to his stomach and is now lasting longer than a day. With that said he has lost A LOT of weight.
For now we ask for prayer for healing, strength and to be able to eat. Thank you all so much for your continued support and love. Thank you thank you thank you!