Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Mon. 4/14 - update

Last night was a very long night. Todd stayed with Caed down in ICU until 3am, and then I took over. They held our "corner apartment" upstairs, so we were able to take turns sleeping up there. Caed did ok. He has been out of it most of the day. When he does wake up, a painful look comes across his face. I know he is in lots of pain!! Dr. Goldthorn said the G & J tubes can be very painful at first. Not to mention just the incision pain again. He also got another blood transfusion today. We finally were able to move back up to our regular room around 6 this evening. Caed was ready! One of the first things he tried to say this morning was, "I want to go to my real room." It's so familiar up here to him and has now become our new "home." His GI dr. talked with me today about some "possibilities" that might be in our future. He said there was a 'small gut clinic' ??? in Nebraska that was VERY good, and they would want us to try this before a possible transplant. However...that is just something to think about if we ended up needing it. He also discussed a little about possible "post-traumatic stress" for Caed. He knows some specialists and will talk with them if that need arises as well. He also reiterated again that Caed's situation is very rare, and that it is just going to TAKE TIME. They have told us that babies that have this similar problem can be in the hospital for 6-9 months! They do not for see this for Caed, but....definitely time being a huge factor. I guess it's hard for us living in this day and time and being so accustomed to "Quick Fixes." That is just not the case here. It has nothing to do with our location or doctors!!! God put us HERE for a reason, He planned out exactly what drs. He wanted us to have, and we trust wholeheartedly that they are the best for him! We feel SO blessed to have the ones we have. We have heard over and over from many different people that there is not a better pediatric surgeon in all of Texas! One of our GI drs. goes to my parents' church and is an incredible Godly man. He has even asked for prayer for our Caed at church! Thank you God that you put just the right drs../nurses/etc...in place. You are IN CONTROL in every tiny detail!!

As I sat with Caed all day (watching him sleep), the Lord spoke to me. I will share one of the things he opened my eyes to: Yesterday, when Todd and I were with Caed in the OR holding room waiting for them to take him back, we had a really sweet time with him. He was joking and being silly. I was laying beside him up on the gurney, and all of a sudden it was time! I had to get down. Immediately he knew...and began crying. He held out his arms crying for us as they wheeled him away. As a parent, it was one of the hardest moments we've been through. We kept telling him it was going to be ok. To this little boy, all he knows is that his parents have abandoned him, he's being taken away by strangers, and pain will most likely be involved! How MUCH did we want to just take him in our arms and NOT let anyone touch him. However, we knew that he would have to endure some tough pain in order to get well. Is that not like God and us? He loves us SO much (far greater than we love our own children!), and yet He knows He must allow pain and suffering in our lives for us to "get well." He doesn't like seeing His children hurt, but knows it is necessary in order for us to grow and become more like Him. During the times we feel abandoned by God and are crying out for Him to save us from pain, we need to remember He is allowing it because if His GREAT LOVE for us!!

Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all! (2 Corinthians 4:17)

5 comments:

Stacey said...

Todd and Lori...

Just saw your update. We will be officially moving to Lubbock this Friday. Come Monday, we should be somewhat recovered. I'll stop by with Randy and see you guys sometime soon after that.

If there is anything at all that you need after I get there, I'd love to help you out in some concrete way. Like, seriously, if you just want a cup of Starbucks or a whopper, give me a call and I'll bring it to you!

I've been praying for Caed like crazy. Thanks you for the blog updates! I check them faithfully every day. I'm glad to hear that he is out of PICU and back in his room.

Please let us know how we can help you guys! Randy wants to do whatever he can but hasn't known what to do and definitely didn't want to be in the way! So, please don't hesitate to call us! In the meantime, we'll just keep prayin'!

We love you guys...

Anonymous said...

Checking in at 2:10 am @ home.

Just as we have been waiting and praying all day, thank you Lori for the update on the surgery. Yes, we are so greatful for the team of doctors God has provided for Caed.

Fear and anquish may be at every turn but He is our refuge and strength. There now is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who are called according to His purpose. God has sent His all consuming fire!

Thank you Lord for your initimacy with Lori and Todd. We praise you for speaking to them. You are a great and mighty God. We will praise you with every breath.

Lord, at this precious time, speak even more to Lori and Todd. Direct their path, not going to the left or the right, but toward that narrow road given only by you. Shine your bright light, as neon, powerful in every way!

With that, we lean on your every Word. We trust in the knowledge you have provided. Speak also to little Caed. Assure him and touch him to heal quickly and miraculously.

Again, thank you for adopting us into your family. That we not be ashamed but can shine and be radically different from the world.

For the joy of the Lord is our strength and stronghold. Neh. 8:10. Joy in the Lord produces strength in our spirit and in our emotions. We give it all to you! Amen.

Praying continually,
Nancy, Randy, Hillary and Matt

Closing out @ 2:55 am. Just in time for you Addie!

Anonymous said...

Todd, Lori, and Caed
it is addie checking in at 3am. in this time there is nothing we can do but pray and praise. pray for healing, for strength. and for no more suffering. praise him that he is in control. you guys have been through so much and are going through more and more everyday. sometimes it is hard for us to understand but as you guys have been away it has really opened my eyes to see god more and more. so i just wanted to thank you so much you have truly helped me. i love you guys so much luv addie

Anonymous said...

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us...In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordances with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose...If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?... Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:18, 26-28, 31-32, 34, 37

Father God, I cannot imagine the anxiety that could be flooding Todd and Lori watching their son go through these days of pain - and hearing from the Drs. that a lot could be in store for Caed and for them. Father, I pray for peace - peace and rest in You. Thank You that not only are we assured that many people are praying for Caed, but that Your Word says that Your Son is at Your right hand praying for him and the family, and Your Spirit is praying also. WOW! Thank You, Father, for knowing about all of this before time ever was. We pray for healing for Caed with no residual effects now or in the future. And we continue to ask for strength, peace, mercy, patience, and the grace to make it through each moment of the day.

It is in Jesus' name that we pray, Amen!

Your friend in Christ in Albuquerque - Debbie

Bridge said...

Continue to find you strength, rest, and PEACE in the arms of the Father who sees all things!

i read in my quiet time this story that compares our lives to a movie and God is the director. You know how some movies go on and on and on and theres the good things and the bad things and you are SO totally confused as to how it is ever going to end?

well that is exactly like life.... except that we have the award winning director directing it. He sees the end and knows what is going to happen and it's going to be perfect!

you guys are a blessing during this time... i wish there was more i could do but know that i pray continuously throughout the day... I love you all!

blessed by you!