This morning I walked over to the hospital from the Ronald McDonald House by myself while Daniel and Jonah spent the morning playing and spending some quality time together. It was good to go outside and talk to God on my way over. I can definitely feel His presence with me these last few days, reminding me how much He loves me and that He hasn't left me. Man, that's a good thing because I need Him so much right now. God is really keeping the depression at bay and helping me take this one day (or one hour) at a time. Good friends (and good parents) sure help. Wow, I love the people in my life. I don't know what I would do without them!
Caleb is reminding me this week that he is in fact a really sick kid, even though I forget sometimes after a string of good, boring days. The last few days Caleb's appetite has really decreased. They started counting his calories because he wasn't gaining weight, and as the week has gone on, he's been eating less and less and today even posted a slight weight loss. We talked with the doctors today and they're hoping it's just Caleb being a typical toddler and being picky. But if he doesn't start eating again by tomorrow night, they're going to increase his milirinone, which is the powerful drug he has in a continuous IV drip. It is literally contracting his heart. Being on milirinone is the reason he qualifies for the highest category on the transplant list; it's a big-time drug. What bothers me is that Caleb's already on such a high dose that there's not much room to increase. They're getting close to the maximum dosage, which makes me uncomfortable because we'll have no buffer zone after that. Plus, he needs to be gaining weight right now so he's strong enough for his transplant. Today when the doctors were a little concerned, it was like a gut punch. I forget sometimes just how sick he is and how badly he needs a new heart. But it's spurring me to pray hard for Caleb today and I wanted to invite you to do the same.
We need to pray:
1- That Caleb's appetite would come back and he would gain weight again.
2- That God would provide a heart for Caleb SOON! Let's pray that Caleb gets a heart THIS WEEKEND!
3-That Daniel and I would have control of our minds and not give in to fear.
Pray, pray, pray when you think of Caleb today. Prayer makes a real difference in the Kingdom of God so help us by speaking Caleb's requests to our Father!
Getting a new heart is bittersweet, some other child had to die for your child to live. However,in our case, my son Brady died, we knew it was the right thing to donate his organs that were viable. I pray for Caleb to get his heart, and for the family who will miss the child who died to save yours. I don't mean to sound bad, and I understand how reading this may make you feel, but it is a true heroic act for the donors family to make that decision, and an act of grace and willingness to accept their generosity. God Bless! Terry Reese, mother of Brady Reese, LVAD recipient,but passed away 02/11/2012 after the surgery of complications. Donated his kidneys, arteries, veins, tissue....
ReplyDeleteTerry, May God bless you for your incredibly difficult decision to give life to others. Thank you for your heroic act in the midst of your pain. It is indeed bittersweet. It is a wonderful thing to have the hope of Christ in the midst of our pain. May God grant you supernatural peace until you can be with your Brady again. My own mother died from cancer when I was 4 years old. This was her favorite verse...Weeping endures for the night - but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5. Grace and peace to you! - Tisha Sledd
DeletePraying for you Katie and Dan.
ReplyDeleteWe ask Jesus to be in Caleb's heart keeping it strong and recreating it. We pray for appetite to return. We pray for supernatural peace and rest. We ask in faith KNOWING that He hears us!
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ! AMEN
Tisha S.
King Jesus, thank You so much that You have never left Caleb's side or any of his family members. Thank You that You know exactly what's going on. I don't have the words to say, yet I know You know what my heart is saying. Thank You for always being in control. Jesus, this is the song that's coming to mind right now...
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/Ha3JbND1Sqg
It's called "I Give Myself Away" and it's about giving ourselves away to be used by You, Jesus, and how our lives are in Your hands. As Caleb and his family are giving themselves in encouraging each other, in prayer, in support, etc., I know they want to continue to be used by You--in whatever way You see fit. Help them continue to give themselves completely to You, as You are leading them through this difficult time. King Jesus, You own the cattle on a thousand hills, as well as everything else You created. We can't fathom that. And You said that You'll supply all our needs according to Your riches in Glory. Wow, Lord, that's incredible. Continue giving Caleb and his family exactly what they need and when...even when it's simply time with You or more grace to continue trusting You, to continue fighting, or to rest in You. Thanks, Jesus. I know You'll give Caleb a new heart...Your way, Your time. And You do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Amen.
(Rachael, a friend of Thomas's)
i am going too keep caleb in my prayer and just getting trusting in god and he will answer your prayers and i hope that you guys have a merry christmas and a happy newyears
ReplyDeleteYou are all in my prayers continuously Katie. May God be near you and keep you in His Peace.
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ReplyDeleteHey Katie, Mikie and I are praying for all of you we were are t-shirts and where ever we go people ask WHO IS CALEB ? AND WE GET A CHANCE TO TELL THEM ABOUT HIM AND WILL THEY PRAY WE WERE IN RICHMOND SUNDAY AND COOK AT RESTURNT ASK AND SAID HE WOULD PRAY ALONG WITH HIS CHURCH YESTERDAY WE WERE AT THE DOCTORS OFFICE AND A PERSON ASK AND MIKIE GOT THE CHANCE TO TELL CALEBS STORY AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD BE PRAYING ALSO,,,, LOVE YOU ALL MIKEANDMIKIE