Latest Report

Heard from Nebraska today. I will try my best to summarize all the info:

• overall tests came back good...nothing needs to be changed at this time.

• his small bowel series did report an area of narrowing/stricture - but this is most likely helping him, not hurting him. The reason is because the narrowing is slowing his transit time down, so food/fluids are getting "caught up" in this area. (slowing things down and making it easier for his intestine to absorb.) This "back up" is also not causing him issues with bacterial overgrowth. They said he may run into problems with it down the road - the stricture could lead to dilation and the need for a bowel lengthening surgery, or it may not do anything. As Caed gets bigger, so will his intestine....not so much in length but in diameter. They told us about another patient they have that is Caed's age that has had a "functional obstruction" for a few years, but is thriving and has not needed surgery. The good thing about Caed's bowel is that it was "normal" prior to the volvulus....it was already able to absorb nutrients.....unlike most patients who have intestines that have never been used.

• Vitamin levels are improving.

• His bacterial overgrowth was very minimal - nothing that needs to be treated with antibiotics.

• come back in 6 months (Oct.) - possible need for another scope, but this time they would do it just for bac. overgrowth (not biopsies), and will attempt it without anesthesia by placing the scope through his g-tube site. (aspirating some fluid from his bowel and then taking the scope out)

So.....in one sense, we have much to praise God for! Overall, everything looked great! They continue to be amazed at how well Caed looks. But, in another, this report was just one more reminder of how this will never be over! My heart is so heavy tonight. He has come so far and made such huge strides. Even today (while I was taking Caleb to our pediatrician), the dr. commented on how wonderful Caed looked and how "no one would ever know he was "sick." It's so true! He looks, acts, everything.....like a normal little 5 yr. old. And yet, getting reports back like this and being told more surgery could be a possibility....or that he currently has a stricture.....OH, how I just wish this were only a bad dream! Don't hear me wrong. We have SO MUCH to be thankful for. I absolutely know that and also know that Caed's future has not be foreseen by any medical professional. We have NO idea what his future holds or doesn't hold. The Lord could mercifully and miraculously heal his body completely. With no medical explanation. I believe that! I do!! It's just my sinful nature rearing it's ugly head and seeds of fear and doubt taking root. I can't go there. I can't worry about something that hasn't even happened yet. Satan is taking this "good report" from the doctors and turning it into something awful for me. I am not going to allow it.

SO.........THANK YOU God for Your healing hand in Caed's life. Thank you that he "won a dance competition" at AWANAS tonight and was so excited to show me his "golden trophy!" Thank you for Sugar Free snow cones and the simple fact that he can enjoy eating them! Thank you for my little "rocketman" t-ball player and the strength and athletic ability he is able to use! Thank you for his contagious laugh, hilarious sense of humor, and the way he lights up a room!

....but most of all.....THANK YOU for sparing his life, for bringing him this far, and allowing me to be his Mommy! You are GOOD!!!!!!!!


sharing his favorite snow cone (#51 - Sugar Free Strawberry)

He's moved up to his new "bigger" bike..........hasn't slowed down a bit - in fact he's probably faster now.