Hearing Implant Working & Baby Finn has Arrived!!!!

Here are the most recent updates for the Miracle Boy Liam and his family: On April 23, 2012 Finn Winston Kenrick. 7lbs 8 oz. 20 3\4 inches was born!!! Everything went very well and he is adjusting to home well! Sandy is recovering good too with the C-section. Please continue to keep her in your prayers as she cannot lift anything for the next 6 weeks! Thankfully Sandy's Mom is staying with the family until she is better and all healed. On April 30, 2012 We are officially parents of a 3 year old! Happy birthday to my sweet little Liam...love you soooo much buddy! Thanking God for you especially a ton today...please pray friends for Liam today...pray for his hearing appointment Wednesday when they turn on the implant...pray that he has a super day today and that it is extra special for him. May 2, 2012 Thank you all for praying! Liam heard his first sound today in 4 months PRAISE GOD! It is at very low volume right now so he won't be able to distinguish the 'noises' yet but he can definately hear...we come back to Sioux Falls again in 2weeks to turn up even more and fine tune things. We are very optomistic that the implants are going to work but time will tell. Home sweet home...even though Sioux Falls now seems like a 'home-away-from-home' I always prefer our home in Rapid! Thank you everyone for your prayers for our family--here is a more detailed update as promised from Liam's appt on Wed.... -Here is how the appointment went on Wednesday...they took us into a small room (me Liam and Casey..Finn and Grandma waited inthe waiting room). They had no toys or snacks for Liam...they wanted our deaf/blind 3 year old to sit still for quite a long period of time while they programmed the outer part of his implant. We did bring toys and snacks-thanks goodness. Liam was horribly crabby at first but then got better. When the Cochlea Rep. and audiologist finally started to slowly turn the volume up on the implant Liam got very quiet (he was feeling a book while sitting on Casey's lap)...he started to move his eyes towards the direction of his implant. We were all like "was that a sign that he heard something?" well, they turned up the implants a little more an Liam whipped his head towards the side of his implant and took the implant off...That was the sign we were looking for:) Liam heard his first 'sound' in 4 months!!! Praise GOD!!! They said that was a great sign, a lot of kiddos don't make that good of a 'sign' they heard sound. when they programmed the implant for his ear and put them back on Liam, he said my ear hurts my ear hurts (it was too noisy for him) so they quickly turned it down with a remote control that controls his implant..and then he said "I'm fine now! I'm fine!" sooo....we are working on turning up his implants to the highest level the audiologist allows us this time. May 15th we go back and they retune the implant to let the volume go even higher. then we come back another 2 weeks after that and we then fine tune the implants to sounds. Long story short...Liam can not hear us talking to him and doesn't understand what the sounds he is hearing are. that will come later and potentially with a lot of therapy...but he is right on target to where they want him...Doesn't look like we will need a repeat surgery praise God!! Prayer Targets: -Liam adjusts well to keeping the outside part of his implant on. -Liam adjusts well to hearing sound. -Liam picks up on the language as soon as possible!! -For wisdom for the audiologist and therapists. -We have started to have some behavior problems with Liam..he has been screaming a lot when he is frusterated and/or doesn't get his way...a lot of it is communication issues. We have some plans in place to help work with that but please pray for Liam to understand, for us to communicate with him better a guide him, and also we need tons and tons of paitience. Thank you all for your prayers and kind words! We will continue to keep you all posted! Thank you again Jesus for this amaZing opportunity for Liam!!

Prayers Needed For Liam's Surgery Tomorrow at 6am!!!!

Night Post: Liam barely napped on the way to Sioux Falls yet it was still a pleasant trip-we only made one stop even. Thank u for your prayers for t5hat part of this journey. The big day is tomorrow...soooooo thankful for this opportunity and really am praying praying praying they work so our swet boy can hear us talking to him....I can't wait until I can tell him "Liam, it's mommy...and I love you so much!" Please God let this surgery work so this can happen! We check in at 6 am surgery will be around 730am and last a couple of hours. He should be outpatient. Just a reminder that even after the cochlear implant is put in we still have to wait a few weeks for them to heal b4 they turn them on to see if they work. Thank you all for covering us in prayer! God is good!

Liam in the Newspaper!!!!

Liam Kenrick already got one miracle. Now he needs another.

Sandy and Casey Kenrick of Rapid City believe their son’s survival from bacterial meningitis is nothing short of God’s work, even though the disease left their 2-year-old son deaf and blind.

Sometime in the next two weeks, Liam will receive a cochlear implant, a device that can sometimes restore hearing to deaf patients.

The Kenricks hold out hope that the device will work for their son, but Sandy admits that the odds are not in his favor. “Unless a miracle happens, it probably won’t return,” she said. “We need another miracle.”

Despite the challenges Liam faces, the couple have made a conscious choice to remain positive and rejoice that they still have their son – a reality doctors did not think possible. “It’s crazy to feel so blessed in a circumstance like this,” said Casey, a Pennington County Sheriff’s Deputy. “We still feel God’s not done with him yet.”

Liam came down with what looked to be a simple stomach bug on Jan. 3, the day he would have returned to day care after Christmas break. Sandy, pregnant with the couple’s second child, said her son unexpectedly vomited. Then he developed the “shakes.” Eventually, he seemed to feel better.

Sandy called Liam’s pediatrician, who suspected he might have influenza.

Other than a high fever, Liam acted fairly normal throughout the night. But by the next day, he started to act “like he really didn’t feel well,” Sandy said.

He complained of a headache, was feverish and uncomfortable.

Casey took him to the doctor, asking to have him “tested.” Sandy wishes now she would have been more specific. A blood test may have shown that something bacterial was brewing in Liam’s blood. Instead, he was tested for strep throat and bladder infection. Both were normal.

After a second night of illness, Liam’s symptoms took a dramatic turn for the worse. He became “lifeless,” lying on the couch, starring at the ceiling with little emotion.

Frightened, the couple rushed him back to the doctor, who now referred them directly to the emergency department at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Liam’s doctor there ordered a blood test. While waiting for the results, he was admitted to the hospital. As his condition worsened, he began to “talk gibberish” in a high-pitched voice, Casey said. His back and neck stiffened. He thrashed in his bed.

His physician, suspecting bacterial meningitis, made the decision to begin treatment with two kinds of antibiotics. That decision probably saved his life, Sandy said.

Bacterial meningitis occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and migrates to the brain and spinal cord. It can also occur when it invades the brain directly after a skull fracture, ear or sinus infection.

The bacterial meningitis causes devastating swelling of the brain. About 500 people die of bacterial meningitis each year, sometimes killing patients within hours of initial symptoms.

Liam had been vaccinated against meningitis in his regular immunizations, Sandy said. Why or how he got it remains a mystery.

But three days after his initial symptoms, Liam was placed into a medically induced coma, placed on a breathing machine and flown to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls. “Once we got to Sanford, he was going downhill fast,” Casey said.

Within a day of arriving in Sioux Falls, a spinal tap showed that the antibiotics had killed the bacteria, but the damage was done and continuing. The swelling of Liam’s brain was causing brain damage.

As the doctors worked to stabilize Liam, they offered the Kenricks a bleak diagnosis. If the swelling continued, it could press on his brain stem and cause brain death. If he lived, they believed Liam would be unable to breathe on his own, walk or talk.

The couple was given the option of removing Liam’s breathing tube and allowing him to die peacefully.

“It was probably one of the worst nights of my life,” Sandy said. “But during that whole meeting, I kept thinking, ‘wait, wait, wait.’”

So the family did, with the doctor’s support. They waited.

“We had our faith, so I think we had a different look at it,” Casey said.

At first, Liam showed no reaction to touch, pain or interaction. He remained on the breathing tube for 12 days. When his throat swelled after the tube was removed, doctors were forced to replace it. Sandy said eventually, the tube was removed for good but, due to strokes caused by the swelling, Liam couldn’t move his right side and his left eye was damaged. For nearly a week, he screamed at the mere touch, a side effect of medication withdrawals and damage to his brain. “It was awful,” said Sandy.

Slowly, despite the ups and downs, Liam’s distress subsided.

On Feb. 8, doctors moved Liam from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility. They confirmed to the Kenricks what the couple already suspected -- their son was profoundly deaf and blind. He also faced the possibility of mental disabilities.

But the couple said they watched their son’s personality and intellect return as he slowly recovered, especially once he stopped taking pain medication. “He just got better and better and said more and more words,” Sandy said.

They watched him give his rehabilitation therapist “five” and then “knuckles,” the hand greeting he learned before the illness. He slowly regained his language, telling anyone who asked too much of him “No” and “Stop.”

As he learned to walk with help, he gave his rehab therapists directions. “He is still the same kid,” Casey said. “I really think a miracle took place. Everything they said really shouldn’t have happened. We really think God did a miracle. There’s no medical explanation for him doing as good as he is.”

Liam and his parents returned home to Rapid City on March 23. Though he can’t see or hear, Liam knew he was home. He couldn’t wait to play with his Christmas toys, a plastic workbench in particular.

Liam doesn’t seem particularly bothered by his lack of vision or hearing, his mother said. Sometimes he asks his parents why they aren’t talking to him or ask them to “turn on the lights.”

“It breaks my heart but it doesn’t appear to faze him,” said Sandy.

Liam will be fitted for a cochlear implant within the next two weeks. Casey and Sandy hope and pray it will work.

The family is also busy preparing for the birth of their new baby. While Casey has returned to work as much as possible, he has run out of paid days off. Sandy hasn’t been able to return to her teaching job at Wilson Elementary.

They can’t deny the challenges they face, both financially and emotional, but neither is willing to complain.

“I hate that this happened to him,” Sandy said. “But we have Liam. He’s here. It’s going to be a very long road, but we’re choosing joy over the alternative.”

Adds Casey, “We’re looking at the blessings in all this. God truly gave us our son back. He’s going to be fine … I just have this feeling we’re still not at the end of this story.”

Contact Lynn Taylor Rick at 394-8414 or lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com.


Read more: http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/couple-see-miracle-in-son-s-recovery/article_eded3dba-7b8c-11e1-b91c-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz1qq5T0sti

DIAPER DRIVE FOR THE KENRICK FAMILY IN RAPID CITY!!!! APRIL 14, 2012

Celebrating God's miracle and blessing the Kenrick Family with a year of diapers and baby essentials for Liam (size 6) and the new baby (size 1-4). Stop by Fischer Furniture parking lot where we will be collecting bundles of blessings.


WHEN:

Saturday, April 14, 2012. 10:30am until 2:30pm in MDT



Fischer Furniture


1830 West Main St., Rapid City, SD 57702

THANK YOU JESUS FOR BRINGING LIAM HOME!!!

Mar. 20

Night Post:
-Pretty good day today:
Therapies, speech appt at the castle again (Liam likes those appointments more and more:), gave Liam a haircut today-finally! He needed a haircut before all this happened so it was long overdue...he looks very handsome:) I will try to put another pic up tommorow so you can see it. Thankful for all the progress Liam is making, so thankful. Thankful that he is still talking, even more everyday. Same goofy, chatty, strongwilled yet sweet boy. Thankful we get to take him home in a few days-doesn't seem real! We have a lot going on once we get home as well. 3 therapy appointments a week and who knows what other doctor appts yet.

Prayer Targets:
-Big tests tomorrow for sodium and cortizol levels. Starting at 8:00 am at the castle. Please pray for comfort for Liam as they will be drawing a lot of blood...Liam does not give blood easily and veins are hard to find:( Please pray that the best 'blood draw person' does it! Please pray for the results to show that everything is COMPLETELY NORMAL!!! It will be at least 3 hours worth of appts in the AM.

-Continued prayer for the swallow therapies and the test on Friday...for him to pass with flying colors.

-Continued prayer for wisdom for us for a possible cochlear implants...clear answer.

-For wisdom for all of us to learn how to communicate well with Liam.


-Best for last: Please pray for a complete healing for his little eyes and ears. Eyes to see and Ears to hear. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN!!

Thank you for praying:)

Mar. 21
Liam update:
2 more days!!!!!!!!!! (not like we're counting!)


Today was a busy day with specialists, appointments at the castle both in the morning and afternoon, therapies, chasing a two year old around a hospital room...wow;)

Cortizol and Diabetes Insipidus appt:

Liam's sodium levels are good and stable...no more need for regular weekly blood draws (Praise the Lord). Cortizol levels are finally back to normal on his own--the results of the cortizol stress test showed that (long story short) he may still need some additional help from steriods if he were to get sick (regular sick with a flu or something like that) but otherwise he is good. He will be retested for this around 6 more months.

Here is the good part of the appointment (behavior-wise) thank you for your prayers for this:
Liam is pretty happy now when we go on appointments...easier to keep entertained and happy. He is a hard 'poke' for blood draws. They can rarely ever get blood from veins on him. So after checking both arms they finally did a finger poke to get 3 vials of blood:( Liam was not a happy camper. However, when they took his blood an hour later (a part of the stress blood test) they had called a 'Child Life lady' and explained the situation to her about Liam and wanted to see if she could help comfort him (they felt bad he was so upset the first time). She was amazing...gave tips to the nurses and the lady taking his blood, and she kept Liam entertained while they took his blood and he barely even whimpered...she gave him signals as to what was coming next and had fun toys that were appropriate for him. Very pleased and thankful. Side note: it is soooo neat that everytime we go to the 'castle' we see people that had worked with Liam while he was there...they all just have a permanant smile on their faces when they see him. Even people that saw him just a few weeks earlier. We just say (in more words or less) "Look what the Lord has done!"

Prayer Targets:
-Transition home: we have appointments almost everyday next week and a ton of phone calls to make
-Safety for all family traveling.
-Wisdom for a possible Cochlear implant surgery...we talk to the doctor on Monday to see if Liam is a good canidate for sure. There is a possiblity if he is he could have the surgery as soon as 2 to 3 weeks! We need prayer and guidance.
-Pray for everything to go smoothly with the birth of our new little guy, for the timing and everything to work out with a possible surgery for Liam (I will have to have a csection again so things will get a little tricky since I can't really lift anything for at least 6 weeks after-yikes) should be end of April sometime.
-Continued comfort and peace for Liam
-PRAYERS FOR A COMPLETE HEALING FOR OUR SWEET LITTLE MAN: EYES TO SEE EARS TO HEAR

Been doing a lot of reflecting over the last couple of days as it gets nearer for us to go home. I think of the first horrible night in the hospital in Rapid, getting airlifted to Sioux Falls and having NO idea what we were in for. Then the scary nightmare days in the PICU at Sanfords, the joyus day of being moved to the regular PEDS floor and then eventually to here at the Childrens Care Hospital for rehab. Still can't believe that our sweet little boy is blind and deaf but we have seen God work miracles already and we believe he is not done with Liam. Thankful he is alive. we have seen God move in our lives and the lives of others through all this. We have met many many many people who have loved on us, and encouraged us, supported us, and prayed for us. We are still very humbled and thankful throughout this all. Thank you all for continuing to believe with us! We love you.

Mar. 22

Liam post:
Oh man...we are actually going home tomorrow:) Another busy day of chasing after Liam, appointments, meetings, packing and therapies.

Liam's deaf/blind specialist met with us again today, she spoils Liam rotten and he loves playing with her. She brought a lady in who is going to help us learn sign language back home via skype and sometimes in person. She also has experience working with deaf/blind kiddos. We are planning on teaching Liam sign whether the implants work or not. We feel very blessed to have their help! Tomorrow, Liam has his last speech therapy at the castle at 8:00 am and then the swallow test at 9:00. We then have a 'checkout' therapy meeting around 11:00 and then we get to go home!

The next week will be very busy as well with appointments and we are going to try to keep things as quiet as possible at home for the next couple weeks. We were told by the specialist that it is very important for deaf/blind kiddos to have an established routine. We are trying to get Liam used to just Casey and I and his house and work on routines before he has many visitors...We love you all and are so appreciative of all your support through all of this. We have been so blessed with amazing friends and families (new friends included!), I just am still so amazed by the generosity that has been poured out on our family. We will never forget it and are forever thankful for all of you and your prayers.

*PS: we are packing up the room right now...oh my goodness...who knew you could collect this much stuff in 3 months.

One of the last things Liam said to me when he was sick in the hospital at Rapid, before things got really bad and he couldn't talk anymore was, "I want to go home." Still breaks my heart everytime I think of it...But THANK YOU JESUS, finally little man, we are going home!

Prayer Targets
-Please pray for Liam's swallow test tomorrow morning at 9:00am.
-Please pray for an uneventful,safe, happy 5 hour ride home. (maybe for Liam to even take a really good nap;)
-Wisdom with timing for implants (if we should do them or can do them-we find out Monday if we can), timing for my csection to work with a possible implant surgery, God's perfect timing for everything.
-Continued miracles and healing for little Liam:)

Thank you Jesus we get to go home!

Mar. 25

Night Post:
Liam's first full day back at home:) we are starting to figure things out...

yesterday notes: (sorry I was soooo exhausted yesterday I couldn't do a post)
Liam slept for the first couple of hours of the trip home...we stopped only once and then I sat in the back and played toys with him the rest of the way home and had snacks (we bought him a few new toys the night before to keep him busy on the trip since the DVD player no longer will do the trick) he did great until about the last half hour was a little grumpy but not too bad. Once at home, he was excited to play with his own toys. He wasn't exactly in the best mood yesterday afternoon but that was a lot to happen in one day. when it was time to go to bed we walked him to his room and let him feel his crib...he said "we're in my room!" Yesterday was very bittersweet for me. It was wonderful to have Liam home, we were very thankful to have him home and remember his life here. I tried not to dwell on the 'bitter' part too long...the fact nothing will be the same. Casey and I are going to focus on the good and choose to have joy (he had to remind me of that this morning but we do, we choose joy).

Today's notes:
Liam slept horrible last night...he must've caught a cold and was all congested. However we prayed for him to feel better and he really seemed to feel better once he woke up. We had a great day with Liam today, he even said "I'm home now". He ate better today, we started trying to have him drink more thin liquids (he's not used to them yet) he's loving playing with all his toys. We are working on getting him used to the living room and where everything is located. Still amazed by the words that come out of his mouth, instead of losing language he seems to be remembering more and more...he never quits talking (just like before). Which brings me to a prayer target: Pray for his hearing--whether another miracle healing or for a possible cochlear implant surgery in the near future. We don't want him to lose all of this wonderful language, because, without auditory input it eventually will. Please pray and believe with us friends!

Prayer Targets:
-Continue to pray for Liam's eyes and ears
-Please pray for Liam to adjust and for Casey and I to know how to make this happen...Please pray for us to learn all we can to help our deaf/blind little man.
-Please pray for wisdom for a possible upcoming surgery and for if we have this surgery that is goes perfectly and he can hear.
-Please pray for God's perfect timing for this new baby we will be having soon and that everything goes perfectly and we deliver another healthy little boy.
-Please pray for strength for my body emotionaly and physically, especially these next few months. I'm feeling very 'round' and tired these days;)

Thank you Jesus we are home, together, all of us:)

Mar. 25

Night Post:
Well, thank you everyone who has been praying extra hard for you because we felt God moving...we had a great day with Liam today. He seems to get better and feel more comfortable every minute we spend at home.

Some good points from the day:
-we ate every meal together at the table and it was enjoyable.
-Liam had few tantrums...the few 'moments' he did have were typical 2 year old tantrums, for example when I told him no more 'big cookies' (animal crackers) since it was close to dinner.
-We took our first walk outside around the neighborhood after dinner...a favorite pasttime and am sooo happy that he enjoyed it.
-We took some videos to put on the website I am forming for family/friends/therapists that will be working/playing with Liam...the videos show different routines we do with Liam throughout the day and how we do them and sign to him.
-We are just continually amazed how he knows what everything is! he knew his Buzz, his tool bench, his potatoe head, blocks, puzzles, etc...he even helped me clean up when he dumped his toys from a box becuase he knew that he couldn't have another one until that one was picked up (one of my old rules we worked hard on b4 and sooo happy he remembers that one too haha).
-He is starting to become familiar with the living room (been working on that so he can move around more independently) He is starting to get more brave with his mobility. We still have to hold his hands but he is trying more to take a few steps here and there on his own, and crawl on his own to find stuff.

Prayer Targets:
-I just have this strange feeling that God is not done with miracles for our Liam...whatever form they may come in. I am continuing to ask you all to pray with us for Liam to hear and see again. We serve a BIG God!
-Please pray for doors to be wide open if we are supposed to go with the cochlear implants...if so, pray that they work wonders. (close doors if we aren't supposed to do the surgery...we should find out tomorrow or Tuesday).
-Please continue to pray for comfort and happiness for Liam and for Casey and I to keep on seeing the good and focusing on what we DO have.
-Please pray for Liam's first therapy appt. tomorrow. Pray that they just love him as much as his therapists in Sioux Falls did!
-Pray for this new little baby that is will be arriving sometime next month..pray for strength for Casey and I-for patience and joy even though it's going to be hard for awhile adjusting and a lot of work. Pray for the transition to go smoothly as possible.

Here's a verse for tonight (Thanks Vally)
Matthew 11:5-6 NIV
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."

Mar. 26

Night Post:

quick review of the day--then I need to go to bed because some little guy thinks he needs to wake up early!

Liam went to his first therapy at Childrens Care here in Rapid. The therapists there seemed great and already knew how to interact with Liam or asked a lot of questions if they were unsure...so far impressed. They seemed to really like him already and he was already making them laugh...they too were amazed how smart and perceptive he is and how well he talks (sorry, little momma braging moment...but really I am just soooooo thankful that he is!) We will be going to therapies 3 days a week until he doesn't need it anymore...

update on the implants...only talked to the doctors nurse today but it looks like we are a 'go' for at least the right ear...we will find out more about dates as soon as the get preapproval from insurance...please be praying that if this is what we are supposed to do that they implants work wonders!

Here is a funny (and slightly frusterating Liam quote of the day) to leave you with:
because Liam is still 'practicing' drinking thin liquids I only allow him to drink a sip or two at a time by just making him pause between sips not guzzle it down like he wants to. Soooo he gets very annoyed with me and says something like "don't take it from me!" or "I'm mad at you". So I sign for him to be nice (it's more of a cue not a real sign but he knows I'm 'scolding' him) and he in return says "Don't say that word"....oh boy. Mr.Liam what are we going to do with you?:)

Prayer targets:
-Pray for his little eyes and ears...Pray for God to open them and heal them. Restore what was broken.
-Pray for cochlear implant surgery to go amazing (if for some reason we shouldn't for God to either heal his ears before or slam the door shut).
-Patience for Casey and I, understanding for Liam, wisdom to help teach us all to communicate.

Thank you Jesus for being with us every step of the way. With out YOU Jesus, I would've crumbled a long time ago.

ONLINE BABY GIFTS & DIAPER SHOWER FOR SANDY

Please join us in blessing this family as their second son is going to be arriving in just a few weeks! We have set up a list for them on Target. com and have the link below. The gift can be sent directly to them home and will be a huge blessing to them. You can also purchase gift cards from the site too if you would prefer to do that. Thank you for your continued prayers for their family and blessing them!!!

TARGET LINK TO PURCHASE GIFT:

GO TO TARGET.COM
THEN GO TO TARGET LISTS
THEN TYPE IN SANDY KENRICK

THERE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PULL UP THEIR LIST AND SELECT ITEMS TO BLESS THEM WITH.

Liam Updates and Praising God

Picture above is on the way to a doctor appointment:)

Mar. 11

Liam update: another pretty god day (few rough grumpy moments for Liam but pretty good). So thankful for all the "Liam" personality coming back everyday...he talks more and more everyday! The part that made me laugh the most was when the physical therapist was walking with him and he said to her "hold hands! Let's go this way lady!!" And he started turning the opposite direction:) He asks for drinks and snacks now...he asks to go to the park (a plastic castle with a slide out in the hallway:) he asks to go home...soon buddy soon...we get to take you home. Prayer Targets: for Liam to continue to say more words...for him to continue to improve in great strides , with his mobility. Please pray for peace for Liam and comfort and understanding. BELIEVE WITH US AND PRAY FOR A MIRACLE OF COMPLETE RESTORATION....EYES TO SEE EARS TO HEAR! Please pray for wisdom and crystal clear answers about a possible cochlear implant....for God to open and/or shut doors where needed. Thank u Jesus for a fun day with my sweet boy.

Mar. 12

Night Post: feel like I have a lot to say tonight (surprise surprise haha) before I give the update I just wanted to thank all my friends and family who have , without ceasing, been praying for us, supporting us, encouraging us, spreading the word to pray....sooo very thankful for you all and pray tht God may richly bless you! Update: Liam had another nice day. He got to swim for PT today and absolutely loved it...he even said he didn't want to get out when it was time to leave. He knew we were swimming as soon as his therapist gave him an innertube he grabbed it and said "we're goimg swimming!? I want to bring this with!" For speech she has been practicing drinking thin liquids with him...swallow test tomorrow! The audiologist is going to try a sound box with Liam tomorrow while he has his hearing aides in. We meet with the deaf coordiantor and the deaf blind specialist again tomorrow....I talked with Liam's Rapid City Deaf specialist today...she sounds awesome and sounds very excited to work with Liam...she said Liam has a whole team of people ready and excited to work with him:) this makes me happy. Liam got to play at the playground for afternoon pt...he loved tht as well..it was a busy day for our little man. I have a reg. OB appt Wed. Liam's cat scan Friday....busy week! Liam quote of the day...he said his name today...those of you who know Liam well will laugh...he said "it's Limas". Yes, he still calls himself Lima. Prayer Targets: Swallow test tomorrow morning @9:30, cat scan Friday (he will have to be sedated)for everything to go smoothly and safely, pray for wisdom for Liam's new team of teachers/therapists and for them to just love him like his therapists here do, wisdom for Casey and I, safety for family traveling, and best for last...please pray and believe with us for eyes to see and ears to hear...complete restoration! Thank you Jesus for this day. Thank you for hope.

Mar. 13

Night Post:
Feeling very thankful today for my son's life:)

Updates:
-Swallow test: failed:( He is back to drinking thickened liquids for now. Liam's speech therapist has an intense plan for the next week and a half...between her working with him and then we have an hour appt. a day at Sanfords where they put some type of electroids on his throat while the feed him to strengthen the swallowing 'muscles'. We will try retesting not this Friday but next again. (that was supposed to be the day we were going to be discharged but now I'm not sure if that will still be the day---whatever it takes I guess:)

-Hearing box test-no reaction to sound using hearing aides-not surprised here since we knew that we weren't seeing any reactions to sound using the hearing aides on our own but now it can be documented for eligibility for implants.

-We met with the deaf/blind specialist and a deaf caseworker (the one who works with Liam's caseworker in Rapid)....learned some more about implants and also some more techniques to communicate with Liam with signing. Everyone here that meets Liam is extremely impressed with Liam's speech and cognitive abilites.
-We now have an appt everyday of the week except for weekends. Please pray for patience for us because Liam is really not that fun to take to appts...it wears us out. Please pray for Liam to find comfort in new situations.
Catscan still on Friday-pray everything go smoothly and that we are okay with the results no matter what. Pray for wisdom for us if he turns out to be elligable for implants.
Liam quote of the day: I was sitting on my knees and Liam wanted to stand on my legs...so I let him climb on me and he said "take a picture!"...that's my boy:) oh and by the way...Liam isn't a lion anymore..he's a dinosaur.

Thank you Jesus for this day...Thank you for my family...really, we have so much to be thankful for (and hopeful!)

Please continue to pray for a complete healing for our little man...please pray he continues to find joy in life.

Mar. 14
Liam update....my nice lengthy post got deleted...I wil do a morning post tomorrow when I'm back on my computer...quick version: Liam had an awesome day...had some great learning and fun moments with the deaf/blind specialist...electrode appt went well...Liam took 8 steps on his own with no help...stood alone for 10 seconds....we can't stop him he always wants to walk holding our hands now,crawl, or pul himself up on everything...we also have our chatterbox back...he rarely stops talking now:) pls continue to pray, hope, and believe for our Liam....thank you Jesus for all the work you are doing in our Liam!! More details about today in the later morning tomorrw

Mar. 15
Night post: seriously annoyed....I just deleted my post again for tonight ugh. if I get a chance I will add more details tomorrow) Prayer request for tomorrow early morning....cat scan at 8:30 am. Liam can't drink or eat b4 and this has potential for a pretty good tantrum....please pray for us all...today was a good day hope I will have time to fill u all in with details tomorrow

Mar. 16

Night post: whew! I am wiped out...Liam is the one to blame for that:) he is one busy , active little man. But that's how any 2 year old (almost 3!) should be so I am glad I am worn out;) We have had a few really good happy Liam days in a row...we are learning to communicate with him more and he is learning from routines and thriving in them. I know we have a long road ahead of us but I am hopeful....and trying to still take it one day at a time and not worry and give it to God...We have an official dicharge date....one week from today!! Very ready for that...so is Liam. He often asks to go home..and of course wants to bring his new toys with..haha. Please continue to pray for God to heal him...eyes to see ears to hear...it will take a miracle. (We need to keep "knocking" and keep on "asking"). Please remember to thank God for all the healing he has done so far...he truly is already a miracle baby...we just love tht boy. Thank you Jesus!

Mar. 17

Weekends around here are pretty relaxed..no real appts, fill in therapies only one time each...Liam can take a nap as long as he wants-kinda a nice break. Liam was happy today-wanting to walk lots. When he wants to go walk somewhere he says "hold hands!" like, c'mon, let's go! Can't wait to get that little man home so he can get the courage to walk without us. Today was also an emotional day and we could use a lot of prayer. For one, Liam kept saying often "I can't see." or "it's dark in here" or "turn on the lights". At one point he said, "momma, I can't see" and it broke my heart...I still tear up just thinking of it. I know God can heal his eyes...I wonder everyday why he hasn't. But I keep being reminded in the Word to keep asking, keep praying, keep believing. And I will-till the day I die (hoping it doesn't take that long but I am going to stay faithful!) Later today, I heard from my hubby-His grandfather died today. Please pray for Casey as well. He has a lot on his shoulders. Please pray especially for my mother in law as well-this is very hard for her.

Prayer Targets:
-Liam's eyes and ears--We need a miracle.
-Understanding for Liam-and comfort
-Wisdom for us to communicate and be there for Liam during all of this.
-For Liam's swallow therapies to work miracles! Swallow test on Friday (discharge day!!)
-For Casey and his parents during this time of his Grandfathers passing.
-Safety for everyone traveling (and health!)
-For some good news--we just need it.
-For God to continue to call people to pray (with urgency!) for our sweet little man.
-For the transition home...
-We also have a huge test Monday or Tuesday--not sure the exact name of it but I'll explain more later--it has to do with his cortizol levels. It requires Liam to be an inpatient at Sanfords...not sure what that means either time wise but be praying for comfort for Liam, peace, and also for me (depending on when Casey gets here it might be just me with him)

Thankful for much, need prayer for much.

Thank you friends for continuing to pray, pray, pray. Thank you Jesus for never leaving us.

Mar. 18

Liam update:
Sorry this won't be a long-detailed post today I am wiped out and sore...this 8 month pregnant body isn't in shape to chase around a 2 year old deaf/blind kiddo...he just wants to go go go and I am either holding his hands everywhere he goes or making sure he doesn't fall down when he's walking along furniture (they have hard floors in his room here) or bumping his head crawling...he already has a few little bruises on his forehead from today alone! I have to say I had a few just awesome 'mommy' moments with My Liam that truly reminded me how happy I am to have him very much ALIVE, very much with his little personality. Yes, it is extrememly painful to me that he is deaf and blind...and sometimes I catch myself thinking about what he is going to miss out on in the future...but I can't do that. For one, I don't know what the future holds and for two, the Bible says ... "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34" Thank you for all of you who have been dilgently praying for us...

Prayer Targets:
-I have an 8:00 in the morning speach appt for Liam at the Sanford Castle and then they are going to try to do that cortizol test right after...I need a lot of prayer for patience for me, comfort for Liam, and for everything to go smoothly.
-Test results from cat scan should be in tomorrow or Tuesday, pray that we are okay with whatever the outcome.
-Please pray that this intense therapy at the castle works and Liam can swallow thin liquids safely.
-Please pray for traveling family members
-Transition back home to go smoothly

Thank you friends. Thank you Jesus.

Mar. 19

Night Post:
Just me and Liam today for most the day...It's hard to even have time to eat when you're by yourself, and I am thankful for the help, but for today it was nice to spend some quality time with my boy. Today he felt my stomach, and he said "you have a baby in your belly" then he added, "I have a belly too. So does Daddy". :) He is starting to understand a few of the signs we have been working on and a lot of the routines have been helping.

I still have a few pity parties here and there but please pray for me to focus on ALL WE DO HAVE and for us to put our hope in Jesus.

No real news on the cat scan, the doctor is out for the week, yeah, annoying. But we do know that there is some good news on the cat scan as far as being a possible canidate for cochlear implants...please be praying for wisdom for us and for us to accept whatever news we do get. We will update you as soon as we know more.

That cortizol test will be on Wed. now. So Casey will be able to be with-please pray that it all goes how it should. Swallow test will be on Friday-discharge day! Please be praying for Liam to pass it with flying colors. We are still continuing one hour intense therapy at the Castle everyday. It's been good practice for us for taking Liam places. He likes getting into the car and being in his 'seat'.

Liam is getting better at walking only holding one hand now (he still prefers two: he says, "let's walk, hold hands!") Seriously...he very rarely stops 'going'. ;)

Thank you for praying for all of our appointments and testing this week. Please continue to 'ask' and 'believe' for a complete healing for our little Liam.

Thanks again! Thank you Jesus for today.