Saturday, September 28, 2013

My fighter: 3 days out


You would think that after being the hospital for an entire year that it would be easy to wait just a few more days.  Easier said than done!  I do have a lot of patience for this, but it's hard to see Caleb groggy and uncomfortable and not quite himself.  I'm ready for this boy to laugh and play and run around in a  Batman costume.  Caleb hasn't been talking a whole lot and I miss his little personality.  The physical therapist told me that is normal... she said for Caleb to have a conversation feels like it would for us to try to have a conversation while running.  It's just easier not to talk much right now after open-heart surgery.  That made me feel better.  I know he's partly quiet too because this is an unfamiliar environment and it's hard to explain to him that it's just temporary.  He has asked several times to "go back to his room".  I tell him we will soon.  And if he only knew where we were going after the Heart Center... he has no idea what awaits him. :)

Caleb did perk up considerably when he had physical therapy this morning for the first time since surgery.  He loved it and did everything they asked.  He even got out of bed and got to walk around his room, and he went beyond what they asked of him and tried to step up on a stool and get up in a chair.  Such a fighter!  We got a little kiddie chair for him and he sat in his little chair and watched Beauty and the Beast until we had to make him eventually get back in bed for a dressing change.  Getting to move around loosened him up and gave me a glimpse of his recovery.  He'll get there!


The team said Caleb will be able to go back up to the Heart Center by Monday, just 5 days after his transplant.  I know that will help his mood so much to be somewhere familiar, with his nurses he loves so much.  Right now his biggest issue is retaining some fluid.  I asked for prayer for Caleb to pee in my last blog and guess what?  An hour after I posted that, he finally peed!  And then last night he had gone a while without peeing again and we decided we were just going to keep praying. We stopped and prayed for a big diaper so he wouldn't have to get a catheter... and literally TWO MINUTES after we boldly asked God to help him get this fluid off, he filled his diaper!  As my dad said yesterday, now it's like God is just showing off.  The more I simply remember to boldly pray over every detail of Caleb's recovery, the more I see God answer.

Today we are continuing to pray for his excess fluid to leave his body (more diapers, God!) and we are also praying for him to eat.  Whether or not Caleb eats will probably be the biggest factor determining when he can go home.  He has been on IV nutrition for so long that eating is not a big part of his life.  We are praying BOLDLY that God would give him a huge appetite and he would blow us all away with what he can eat.  

Perseverance!  We can do this!  It is stressful in the ICU and I just wish Caleb could skip this recovery part.  But God has as much purpose for THESE days as He does for the days ahead, and as He did for the days behind us.  I'm praying that He would give me the ability to focus on TODAY.  Because He made today and it is a gift!





9 comments:

  1. Continuing to pray! And I hope you know the buzz that is going around! The pictures are being shared, the word has spread, everywhere I go SOMEONE has heard about little Caleb & your families stressful journey and your AMAZING faith throughout. You continue touch lives and are such a blessing!

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  2. Praying boldly with you, Sister!

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  3. What fantastic news! Will continue to pray for more pee and a great appetite for your precious boy - I see a family pizza party coming!

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  4. It is truly a miracle how quickly he is recovering! What a special little guy. Praying for lots of wet diapers. : )
    Caleb and I sleep alike. Legs crossed in the air and arm over the head. ;)

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  5. Caleb and your family have been in my prayers every morning and night since I first read about you on a post by Sandy Barlow many months ago. I hadn't checked your blog for a few days and am so very grateful to God for the news I found on it today!! Caleb got his new heart a day after what would have been my Dad's 100th birthday so I will probably always remember it. I have been blessed with 12 grandchildren and 4 1/3 great grandchildren and Caleb looks so much like my youngest grandson. Maybe that's why I've been so burdened for him, but regardless of the reason, I am so so thankful and will KEEP praying. (Anne in Farmland, IN)

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  6. pray for lots of wet diapers and a hungry tummy.....God is so good

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  7. Thank you so much for these wonderful updates, Katie! You and your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
    xo rachel

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  8. I heard of your family through a friend, our bible study group has been faithfully praying for your son, we are so rejoicing over his new heart and will continue to pray as he is on the road to recovery.

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  9. Great perspective, Katie. One day at a time. Each one is precious in its own way!

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