Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mothers Day

Sorry for not posting in a while. I have had a lot on my mind and not really sure what to write. I am still unsure what to say, but I know some of you are anxiously awaiting my next post. First of all, thank so much to those that have blessed us in recent days. We have been blessed way beyond comprehension. We have been blessed with your prayers, financial gifts, visits, calls, food, cleaning of our house, and much more. I cannot express enough gratitude, but you have really blown our socks off!
I am happy I got to spend Mother's day with my grandma and my precious baby boy. However, I really missed Evan and Mike today. Because of this trail, my life will forever be changed and I am thankful for every moment and try not to dwell on the negative things. Carter has had two REALLY good days. I have heard many people say babies rebound quickly, but I never thought he would amaze me like he has. No one would know this baby had surgery just 5 short day ago. He has been playing and giggling like a very healthy boy. Carter got to take a real bath today which I think was more exciting for me than him. His incision looks great, and is healing very well.
When Carter had his bone scan on Friday he had to be sedated and during the sedation his stats started to drop. This obviously really freaked me out and has made me very nervous about the next 2 tests and sedation. Please pray with me that these tests will go smoothly and the sedation will not have a negative affect on him. I have been trying not to worry or be scared of all that is going on, but I think that would be nonhuman if I wasn't (and I would be lying if I said I wasn't worrying). I know the Lord is in charge and going to take care of Carter, but as a mother I want to be in control. I know God is teaching me a lot through all of this, but its hard to learn when you just want to mother and take care of your baby.
Here is the schedule of events taking place this week, please pray for these things:
Monday I have to give Carter drops to protect his thyroid from the injection he has to get.
Tuesday we go to the hospital and Carter will get an IV and then a injection of nuclear medicine.
Wednesday he will get an MIBG scan at noon. (This is what the nuclear medicine is for)
Thursday he will get a MRI at 8 a.m.
I will return to Bolivar either Thursday or Friday, but probably Friday.
On both Wednesday and Thursday I have to starve him and he will get sedated both times. Thursday will be the 5th time I have starved Carter and I am afraid he is going to start catching on. When he finally gets to eat he eats as if I won't feed him again for a long time. Please pray this doesn't phase him and he will do just fine.
I am so grateful for all of our friends and family. You have all been so wonderful during this time.
I know God does not give us more than we can handle and I have questioned him A LOT in the past week, but i know He has carried us through this time of trial and can't wait for Him to get the victory when it is all over.
Thanks for all your prayers.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gina---
I just don't know where to begin. I cry everytime I read your updates. I can't imagine what you are going through nor do I ever want to experience it. I look at my kids and think Why...why Carter, why such a young child, why him, why now. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and if there is anything I can do, I'm a phone call away! Love and hugs--your cousin, Krissy

Anonymous said...

Gina
My heart goes out to you. It is so hard to sit and watch your child going through procedure after procedure and not being in control. As a control freak myself, it drove me crazy! But letting go, as hard as it may be, can be a weight off of your shoulders. Faith is hard sometimes, isn't it? You, Mr. Mike, Evan and Carter are in my thoughts and prayers.
Katie Duncan

Anonymous said...

Mike and Gina,

We are praying for your family. Ps.121:1-2 I will lift my eyes until the hills from whence cometh my help, my help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth.

Jonathan&Shannon
Scroggins

Anonymous said...

I know it must be hard to write, but it is so comforting for those of us who are praying for your family. We know exactly how to pray. When this is all over you'll look back and see just how God has carried you through. You couldn't do it on your own. We love you and feel that what we're doing back here is so minimal. We will lift you up in prayer for the next few days and know that you will be home Friday with good news. Again, know we love you and your family. Larry and Joy

Anonymous said...

Dear Gina, you and your precious baby are in my prayers every day. I am so sorry for all that you are going through, but I have faith that God will stay right there beside Carter through every test, every procedure and every Drs. appointment. We don't know why babies get sick or why bad things happen to good people, but we have God's promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us...He will carry you through this journey, and someday, you will be able to understand why you had to go through this trial. I love you and will continue to pray until Carter is all well. Cammie

Anonymous said...

Gina,
I just read your blog from Sunday. I'm so glad Carter is doing so well! That is such a praise! I have never been where you are, but I'd say that you have a right to be mad, but also you are giving God the glory and that is the correct way to be "mad"! You are becoming stronger and stronger in the Lord and that is such a good thing! When we go through tough times it makes us much closer to God and dependant on Him, I have experienced that and I know that is how it works! As always, we are praying for all of you. Mother's Day is a hard time to not be with all your kids! I have experienced that, and it is not fun! But we get over it and move on to the next thing. We love you guys and will be seeing you soon! God bless! Kathy & Roy

Rev. Spike said...

Thank you for keeping us up to speed. It definitely helps us to know how to pray for you!

Glad you had a good mother's day. It is easy for circumstances such as these to cast a shadow on the most joyous occasion. Just remember that there is no "right" way to feel about things right now. You will have ups and downs, days that you will feel nothing and days when you have indescribable feelings. God made you with emotions, they are not your enemy, but the Enemy may use them to "kick you when you're down".

God's strength is indeed made perfect in our weakness. May He be revealed in your life in this time.

JP

Anonymous said...

Man oh man, I know what you feel when those stats drop. I have watched that monitor so much I think it was making me sick. Jenni doesn’t pay much attention to it compared to me and she has been able to handle things much better. Which number dropped? Was it his oxygen saturation, heart rate or blood pressure? I don’t know if this will make you feel better but the settings for the beeps on the machines are very conservative. For example, when we first had Granton in the hospital his monitor would start beeping when Granton’s oxygen saturation dropped to 88. Now this is a comforting number. I remember the first time Granton dropped into the 50’s. I was wondering if that was it. Kids are so much tougher than we think. Granton actually spent a few days where we were just trying all we could to keep him above 68. After all that, his blood gases weren’t as bad as we had feared. The same goes for his blood pressure and heart rate. I know this is easier hear than it is to see. We will be praying for you.

Daniel Bayless

Anonymous said...

Praying for all the tests to go very well this week and give you great results - hang in there and just take one day at a time. Lean on Our Lord and He will make your paths straight - prayers continue for your gorgeous Carter
God Bless
Samm and Deqlan
www.deqlanhiggins.blogspot.com

rosie said...

GINA, YOU ARE SO MUCH IN MY PRAYERS AND CARTER. I HAVE MISSED YOU BOTH SO MUCH. I WILL BE SO GLAD WHEN I CAN SEE YOU BOTH AGAIN.GOD IS WITH YOU BOTH IN THIS, DON'T GIVE UP ON HIM, YES I QUISTION ABOUT THINGS MYSELF, AND IT SEEMS LIKE HE DOES'NT ANSEAR BUT HE DOES IN HIS OWN TIME,MY LOVE TO U BOTH.

Anonymous said...

Whew! We prayed for a good weekend, and especially a good Mother's Day, for you guys! Thank you so much for the update! We will continue to pray for you, but the specifics for each day really help. Stay strong and hug him tight!

The Franciscos

Anonymous said...

Gina,
I've been wanting to leave you a message since I first heard about Carter but any words I could say are so insufficient. Please just know that you, Mike, Carter and Evan are in our prayers daily. I know how tough you can be when you need to so hang in there - count your blessings even when they seem few and far between and never feel guilty for any emotion you are feeling. God knows and understands and so do those who love you. Take care!
Becky Peters, Alan, Joannah and Tyler