My name is Laurie M. Gagne , an everyday ordinary person just like you. I live in a small hamlet in upstate, New York with my husband Dan and our two dogs, Deja and Bambi. Our only son's name is Jason M. Gagne. His son is the newest addition to the family, Jason Michael Gerald Charte-Gagne.
Since coming to Christ, I have spent much time doing all I can for others in need.
Prior to the life-threatening illness I suffered, I worked with the Greenwich Emergency Relief Committee helping to feed and cloth families in need. I also worked as a Red Cross Fire Disaster Representative in my area, helping fire disaster victims with clothing, and shelter. At the home fellowship my family attended for many years I continued to encourage others with a card ministry, this ministry reached out to others through the written word's I added to the cards of greeting and encouragement I sent out by mail for the fellowship. I deeply believe that the written word can touch many lives.
I am the former owner of Rising Star Daycare, a licensed home based business I ran for 10 years. I loved working with the kids. I was saddened when I had to close my daycare because of illness. An AVM hemorrhage in the left cerebral area of my brain caused me to be hospitalized in January 1996. The first hospital I was in was a small community hospital close to our home. I died there and was revived by the doctors. At the New York City Hospital I was transferred to, the doctors found a brain aneurysm while working on the AVM hemorrhage. The aneurysm has been coiled. I then endured a number of trips to the hospital in New York City for Embollization Therapy, to plug the bleeding veins in my brain.
After all of that I underwent a craniotomy, (brain surgery), on July 2, 1996, lying face down on an operating table for about eleven hours while doctors cut and drilled open the back of my head to remove the offending AVM, arteriovenous malformations.
I have survived this illness with the grace of God even though the odds (less than 5%) said no, God said yes!
My husband Dan and I prayed each month before returning to the hospital in New York City for my Embollization Therapy treatments and found many opportunities to reach out to others during those visits, being a light in a dark place. Upon returning home after surviving the craniotomy came the constant nausea for seven months with no one able to explain why I was so sick to my stomach all the time and after much prayer the constant nausea just went away.
I was also suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It was a terrible time emotionally for my whole family. Too many changes in my life in a short period of time caused depression and thoughts of suicide. Once again God stepped in and a phone call from our Pastor, prompted by my husband, saved my life the day I decided to end my life. I knew something was very wrong with me but didn't know what it was. My husband and I went to Christian counseling with a wonderful Christian counselor who helped us put the pieces of our family back together. Having survived all
of this God has kept me moving forward in spite of any difficulties I may face.
While recovering from this traumatic illness I became a care-giver for my mother who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and then with lung cancer. My mother passed away
on November 15, 2000. My friend Debbie's husband had a heart transplant after my mothers illness and death and God used me as a source of support for her family. Then a motorcycle accident threatened to take the life of
another friend, who was like a brother to my husband and I. Again God used my husband and I as a source of support for the affected family.
I am one of many miracles God can and does do even in today's times. I am a true testament that life can continue after a serious illness, not the way it was before, but better.
I enjoy life daily, just waking up in the morning is a gift. My husband and I especially enjoy road trips on our
Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Dan and I have enjoyed riding a motorcycle together since we met in 1976. My illness kept us from that enjoyment both physically and financially. During my recovery we had to sell our motorcycle because we needed the money. We were both heartbroken. Then a number of years after my illness a good friend gave us a motorcycle. It was such a huge blessing. It was a regaining of lost ground, a freedom found.
My husband came up with a ten year plan. He said in ten years we would own a "Harley". Turns out it was ten days and we paid cash for our "Harley"! We now have a gorgeous chopper blue, silver pearl 2005 Electra Glide Classic Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Part of this blessing is that we meet many people who are open to us because of the Harley. Bikers are a whole group of Gods children who
share the same joy of riding the open road on a motorcycle that Dan and I do. We may be the only ones they come in contact with that love Christ.
I am determined to continue help others overcome the obstacles in their lives to the very best of my ability. The booklets I write will help anyone with practical steps they can apply to daily life.
I have recently contributed to Patti Carte's new book, "To
those we hold so dear Letters To Our Beloved Pets". It was a fun project for me to write but difficult because I miss my buddy Max a lot. He was a special cocker spaniel.
I am now self-publishing the inspirational non-fiction that I write in booklet form, at an affordable price. You can find and purchase the booklets I write at www.heartsafieldministry.com/writing.html, I was inspired to write these booklets after overcoming the serious illness that threatened to take my life. I want you to know what I know. I want you to overcome the obstacles in your life also. God helped me, He can help you too!
In the future I plan to write more booklets and publish an inspirational children's book. God Bless You On Your Journey Through Life!
