Oh, friends, we need your prayers. I was going to wait and post a prayer request after we got through Jonah's birthday week, but I can't wait that long because our need for prayer is urgent. For several days, Caleb has had a lot of swelling in his face and when we took him to the doctor, the initial guess was kidney problems. We were sent to St Vincents today to see his heart doctor first, followed by a kidney specialist. What they found is that his kidneys are fine, but his heart is not. His puffy face is caused by several problems going on with his heart and cardiovascular system and the problems are very serious. A heart catheterization has been scheduled for Thursday morning for Caleb and we will be spending the night there as the doctors determine the next steps. The doctor was sincerely concerned and said that this is not a matter of Caleb simply needing his next surgery sooner... the situation they found when doing his echocardiogram (ultrasound of his heart) is that the next surgery may not even help him. His heart has grown weaker. There are additional problems that didn't exist before, and previous problems have worsened. Today was the first day that Dr. Kumar put the idea of a heart transplant on the table and we have always known that is a last resort. But we have to have the heart cath first to see exactly what's going on. I knew things were serious when our cardiologist called Caleb's surgeon, and with another cardiologist, the three of them discussed what should happen next for a good 15 minutes before coming back into our room.
Of course we are trying our best not to let fear overcome us. As we drove home, it was difficult to know how we could get through the next 6 days. And tomorrow is Jonah's birthday party...
Tonight we are spending the evening at Daniel's parents house and have put a moratorium on "heart talk" until after Jonah's birthday party tomorrow. Please, if you are a person who prays, would you pray for us? We are keeping our feelings of desperation at bay and asking everyone we know to come around us and pray for healing for our little boy. We are determined to keep our eyes on Jesus, the only hope we've ever had, but our strength is limited. I will update again this weekend, thanks for your love and prayers.
I'm praying for little Caleb and for you, his parents. God bless you.
ReplyDeletePraying constantly!
ReplyDeleteI am Lisa DeSelms mama, have been praying for you all day. My life verse Joshua 1:9...Yes be bold and strong, banish fear and doubt, for remember the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. *I would also add whatever you go through! "
ReplyDeletePraying for God's healing touch on Caleb. You all are on my mind and in my heart. Know that you are being lifted up. We will storm the gates of heaven with you.
ReplyDeleteThe Nicholls are praying for Caleb.
ReplyDeletePraying for Caleb. Praying for the family also as well as wisdom for the doctors.
ReplyDeletePrayers covering your entire family!! Peace and comfort! Happy Birthday Jonas! May your party & day be one filled with Joy & family!
ReplyDeletePrayin for ur little boy
ReplyDeleteWords cannot express. Praying for you all. God is there, no matter where you are.
ReplyDeletePraying praying praying! God can do amazing things, I know you guys of all people know that! Its all in His hands and I believe in the power of prayer! We've got lots of people down here in Texas praying for you guys!!!! Love you!
ReplyDeleteThinking and praying a lot for you guys.
ReplyDeleteHeavenly Father, you have shown us perfect love through your one and only precious Son, Jesus Christ. Through him you are our blessed redeemer, comforter and amazing healer. We ask that you shower your amazing blessings onto the Kinnard Family. Help little Caleb to become strong so he can shine and share your love to the world as well, may Jonah have a blessed day of celebration with his loving family and may Katie and Daniel find strength, peace and comfort in your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name I pray.
ReplyDeletePraying for Caleb. Specifically for the catherization and the Lord to give the doctors wisdom. Praying also for the family as they need extra strength and comfort.
ReplyDeleteSending your family great love and peace tonight and through the next several days. You'll be in my thoughts and heart.
ReplyDeletePraying for Caleb and for you!
ReplyDeleteRead your blog when I woke up this morning in Rome. Praying over your family as you sleep. Haven't seen you in forever, but we've stayed updated through Heidi and Mike and continue to trust the Lord with you. Praying Philippians 4:4-7 for you. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, stand guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Love and prayers from across the Atlantic <3
ReplyDeletePrayers being sent for you all, healing for Caleb and strenght for the family.
ReplyDeleteHolding Caleb and your entire family up in prayers.
ReplyDeleteI am adding him to our church prayer list as well, we
have some awesome prayer warriors at Lewis Creek!
May God bless and comfort you!
My heart is breaking for you. I will begin praying for your family as well. I am blessed to have two healthy children but know that at any second things can change. God bless you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
ReplyDeletePraying Katie!
ReplyDeleteKatie, this is Debbi, Brandon's mom...as I read your blog and started to pray, all I could think of was your pain and little Caleb's sweet face. There's so much suffering in this world~sometimes, I'm not even sure how to pray. I just asked God, fervently, to spare Caleb. I don't have any wise words or timely Bible verses...I'm just hurting for your family and I will keep approaching the throne on Caleb's behalf. Love to all~
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to hear this. I will pray for healing and also for your strength and continued faith.
ReplyDeleteAngie Semler (friend of Tina)
Katie, there are no words.....just prayers. I will add Caleb to our church's prayer chain. Prayers for healing, strength and wisdom are going to the Lord. The Lord's arms surround you and may you feel comfort. Please tell Jonah to have a Very Happy Birthday and may you all have a Very Happy family day together. Prayers for your whole family, including Grandparents too.
ReplyDeleteKathy Allhands Searcy & family
My prayers are with the whole family & Please God lay your hands on Jonah. Our thoughts & prayers are with your whole family! May God be with the whole family! The Wilkinson Family
ReplyDeleteOh how our souls are touched by your heartache! Be assured that we are praying and will continue. Also, I will request prayer for little Caleb in the morning at the church here in Honolulu where we are serving. They are a small but praying congregation.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Wanda Byrd
We will be praying for Caleb & your family.I will put him on the Prayer List,also.God Bless Caleb & Your Family !!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the grief you are all feeling at this time! Our prayers are being sent to heal and make Caleb strong. The power of prayer is very strong, and have been proven to me. Stay strong and have faith, for God knows the way!
ReplyDeleteWe are praying dear ones and trusting all of you to the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteSusan and Keith Wimmer
Daniel and Katie,
ReplyDeleteI certainly will be praying for you and your little family. My great niece was born with the same condition. As I read through your blog from start to finish, there were many similarities. She was in Riley while my husband was in Methodist, so I visited her in the NICU several times. She also had a non-functioning kidney. She has done well and recently celebrated her 8th birthday and is a normal little girl.
May God's grace be upon you all and especially upon little Caleb as you face this next chapter.
Dale Pace (retired business teacher at NCCHS)
Prayers for your child's heart and for peace and trust for the hearts of the family and friends who love him. May your doctors be wise and your friends sensitive to ways they can support you both emotionally and practically. And may the Great Physician make is presence known.
ReplyDeleteSending up prayers for sweet Caleb. I found your blog on Facebook through a friend. My son was diagnosed with a CHD shortly after he was born in March. I have been on emotional roller coaster ever since. I don't want to sound creepy, but we went to high schools that neighbored each other and from what I see on your profile, you live in a town close to where I live. I know that "heart mommies" understand things a little better, so if you ever need to talk or vent, please look me up (you can get a hold of my on my blog that is attached to this comment). I will be following Caleb's progress and will be in continued prayer for him, you and your sweet family.
ReplyDeleteI read about your Caleb, my heart is breaking for your family! I am praying for him!
ReplyDeletePraying for your sweet Caleb. May you feel God's presence as you go through this whole process. May you see the hand of God move as He sustains Caleb. Lifting you up in prayer.
ReplyDeleteCOLE's Prayer Team
Sending love, hugs and continuing prayers for Caleb and your family.
ReplyDeleteJackie Fuller Lattanzio
COLES Prayer Team
Praying for you guys. Lord Jesus we flood you with our requests. We request that a miracle would be performed here. Jesus is the way truth and life. He is the great physician. Jesus loves you!
ReplyDelete