Sunday, May 6, 2012
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!!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
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!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
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
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
WHEN:
Saturday, April 14, 2012. 10:30am until 2:30pm in MDT
Fischer Furniture
1830 West Main St., Rapid City, SD 57702
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
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.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
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.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
FUNDRAISER FOR KENRICKS- "31 Gift Party"
Amber Eaton ( One of the Kenrick's friends) is hosting a 31 Gifts party for the Kenrick's with a big portion of the proceeds going to the family. Here is the information so people who read it can shop to support the family!
The info is Go to http://www.mythirtyone.com/yvetteediger
Go to My Events, Amber's 31 Party, and order!
Thank you!!
http://www.mythirtyone.com/yvetteediger
www.mythirtyone.com.
The info is Go to http://www.mythirtyone.com/yvetteediger
Go to My Events, Amber's 31 Party, and order!
Thank you!!
http://www.mythirtyone.com/yvetteediger
www.mythirtyone.com.
God is Stronger and We need HIM!
Mar. 5
Night Post:
Tons of things to be thankful for today!! :)
As most of you know today Liam's food tube was removed--wahoooooooo and praise God! All of the nurses therapists have been stopping by to see Liam and all his progress...they seem almost as excitedas we do that the tube was out--everyone was all smiles here (they are sooo good to us here).
-Liam can take all his meds orally now (apple juice and a dixie cup works wonders:)
-I got to feed Liam dinner for the first time this evening and he ate like a champ!
-I could lay Liam down for his nap and bedtime today and not have to watch him like a hawk...didn't have to worry about him pulling the tube out or him getting wrapped up in it. I thinkwe both will get better sleep tonight!!
-MORE AWESOME NEWS-Liam's speech therapist tried regualar liquids with Liam today: water out of his sippy cup. He did not cough! Back to the swallow test we go this week...wahhooo again! if the test goes well then he will not need to drink thickened liquids anymore.
-More words and sentences today from Mr. Liam...please PRAY LIKE CRAZY for his hearing to return so he does not loose all his wonderful words! Here are some fun Liam quotes from today, "you're holding me. I'm a boy. Kadence is a girl". Kadence is one of Liam's good friends from Rapid. Liam used to love to tell mewho was a boy and who was a girl-apparently he still does:) "Say bless you,I sneezed" "Fight bad guys. I'm a hero." haha
-Liam has been enjoying walking (just holds onto our hands) he has been trying to get up and stand on his own, he has been working on going from laying to sitting more, still trying to crawl a lot (of course not when the therapists WANT him to-then he won't, little stinker), he also crawls over to me, tries to climb up to me to sit on my lap (melt my heart:) I love and feel so honored to see God literally healing my son before our very eyes! Please keep praying friends!
Going to bed with a very happy and peaceful heart:)
Prayer requests:
-Please give thanks for all God has done and pray boldly for a COMPLETE HEALING for our little Liam--we give
you the glory Jesus:)
-Pray for Liam's eye appt tomorrow (we need a miracle!) and ear appt on Friday (another miracle needed!) With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible.
-Please pray for Liam to continue to eat and drink well as this is technically just a trial with the feeding tube--so far he's doing great!!
-Please pray for safety and health for my family.
-Swallow test and hearing aides sometime this week.
-Wisdom for Casey and I for decisions we may have to make---we want all of our decisions to be what God wants us to do.
He went to the cross burdened with our sins so that we might die to sin and live an upright life. For by his wounds you have been healed. (1Peter2:24)
Mar. 6
Night Post: Officially 2 months today since Liam was flown out to Sioux Falls
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Thankfuls:
Thankful for another day.
Thankful that God spared our son.
Thankful that my hubby is on his way here:)
Thankful that this pregnancy has been going so well.
Updates:
Eye Appt-pretty much what I thought about his sight-he doesn't have any. The eyes are fine just not the nerves that connect to the -they are damaged. Liam needs a miracle. Even though I knew this already...it's just hard to hear this from a doctor...it hurts.
Liam had a very cranky afternoon..one of the therapists woke him up from his nap (usually I try to wake him up slowly taking about 15 minutes)...but I thought--why not give it a try. bad idea..he was sooo grumpy for almost the rest of the day. He did eat and drink pretty well again today.
Liam had to be moved out of his hospital crib into our pack and play. He is now pulling himself up onto everything..yet another good problem to have:) Not too much longer now and we will have a hard time stopping this boy:)
Swallow test moved to Thursday now...he did cough a few times on the water when the speech therapist was practicing drinking with him. He still could drink ok other times but she wants to make sure we don't waste our time going over there to just have to do it again later. We may even try next week...we'll see how tomorrow goes.
Today was a little hard especially after the amazing day yesterday. I should probably be expecting it since this whole ordeal has been a roller coaster ride. But we are choosing to be thankful, even when it hurts and is hard. We are choosing to trust in God even when the future seems so uncertain. This verse keeps popping into my head, and I feel like God is saying it not just to Casey and I but it's for Liam too:
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Prayer Targets:
**Thank you for holding us up in prayer--especially on the days where we are so tired and weak**
-Please pray for a complete miracle for our Liam. Complete restoration. For his eyes to see, and his ears to hear.
Mar. 7
Night Post:
Liam was a happy boy today (for the most part:)...lots of new words coming out...love to hear them but just praying that his hearing come back soon, that the hearing aides help in the meantime (they should be here any day now) I just hate the idea of him losing all these words---plus he's so stinkin' funny-has a great sense of humor for a two year old:) I am very thankful for my son. I was thinking back to when all this started and how scary things were and how we didn't even know if our son would live. I am thankful he's alive, I am thankful God spared him. I am thankful his personality is shining through. I am thankful his walking is coming along so well. We are working on getting him to try to take steps unassisted (with no braces:)...he's been standing on his own for seconds at a time...they are working on what kind of assistance he will need for safety/balance since he can't see---a streamline/lightweight walker and then a 'training cane' is what they are discussing with the blind-deaf specialist. Liam is pulling himself up onto everything now and moving moving moving! we are now very busy busy busy:) He still is eating and drinking great. The new swallow test will now be this coming Tuesday...to give him more practice drinking thin liquids.
Funny Liam quote of the day: Liam was crawling on all fours on his mat "ROAR! I said ROAR! I'm a lion! ROAR"
Please pray for a complete restoration for our Liam. Please Pray and believe that God will heal his eyes and let his ears hear!! With man this is impossible-with GOD all things are possible.
Please pray for the hearing appt on Friday.
Please pray for safety and health of all our family here and traveling.
Thank you Jesus for today.
Mar. 8
Night post: thankful for my husband...for my Liam, for my baby tht will be born soon... thankful for a God that sent his son, a son who died for us. prayer requests for today: Liam's hearing aides don't seem to do anything sooo the big hearing appt is tomorrow. Please pray for wisdom, peace, and comfort for Casey and I...pls pray for Liam to wake up from his nap tomorrow happy for the appt. Jesus, we need you.
Mar. 9
Night Post: thankful that God is with us through this mess. Thankful for a husband who has been just amazing during these past two horrible months...thankful he is helping and reminding me to stay positive and look at the good...not all tht was lost...easier said than done but trying. His reminder to me tonight "Remember...faith a small as a mustard seed". Hearing appt: very long appt for pretty much nothing. Hard to keep a deaf/blind child happy for long in a new situation like tht. Basically we have a cat scan set for Friday to determine Liams eligibility for implants...pls pray for a peace for us and a clear answer as wht we should do for Liam...Pray Jesus just heals him....faith as small as a mustard seed...thank you Jesus for another day.
Mar. 10
Night Post:
well, today was a pretty happy day for Liam. He ate well (still loves it:), he was happy during PT, he likes walking more and more each day-we just hold his hands and he can walk, he crawls more and pulls himself up on stuff more, he climbs onto the 'adult' bed in the room. He's still talking up a storm. Please pray pray pray for a miracle...Please continue to pray for a complete restoration. It may seem impossible...but the BIBLE says "With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible". God can heal deaf ears. God can make blind eyes see. Thankful Liam can still be happy during most of this...he still likes to play. He still wears out his momma by the end of the day:)
-During Liam's nap today I went with my mom and brother to Barnes and Noble (Papa stayed with Liam) and bought him some fun touch and feel/interactive books and a cool puzzle that has doors that you unlock. As I let Liam play with the wooden puzzle he would say "thanks" everytime I helped him 'open a door':) As I write this post, papa and Grandma are playing with Liam as he is riding a little push bike thing and saying "beep beep" as he pushes his self accross the room on it.
Liam quote of the day:
Liam ate extremely well today for lunch so I let him have some reeces pieces for a treat. After lunch was done I had Uncle Billy hold him so Liam could finish his sippy, Liam then said in the sweetest voice "I want some more chocolates!" Of course I had to give him more 'chocolates' to reinforce that speech:)
Prayer Targets:
-I, personally, have had a few rough days. "I know I'm not strong enough to be all I'm supposed to be". So here is where I ask God to be "strong enough' for me. (Listen to that Matthew West Song Casey put on my profile) I had a few days of feeling sorry for myself, feeling sorry for Liam, gave up on any hope left for a healing for Liam, I felt crushed and defeated and tired. Just being honest-I finally hit rock bottom. This whole situation stinks, but really--what does moping around do to help Liam? I knew in my heart that this was another attack (haven't we had enough?!) . "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I am disapointed that I let myself get to that point but I am determined to put these few days behind me and to put my faith, my trust, and my hope in Jesus. I am determined to let HIM be my strength. I am asking you all to pray for that for My husband and I.
-Please Pray, with a renewed urgency, for a complete restoration for our son.
-2nd Swallow test on Tuesday
-Cat scan on Friday for cochlear implant elligiblity
Night Post:
Tons of things to be thankful for today!! :)
As most of you know today Liam's food tube was removed--wahoooooooo and praise God! All of the nurses therapists have been stopping by to see Liam and all his progress...they seem almost as excitedas we do that the tube was out--everyone was all smiles here (they are sooo good to us here).
-Liam can take all his meds orally now (apple juice and a dixie cup works wonders:)
-I got to feed Liam dinner for the first time this evening and he ate like a champ!
-I could lay Liam down for his nap and bedtime today and not have to watch him like a hawk...didn't have to worry about him pulling the tube out or him getting wrapped up in it. I thinkwe both will get better sleep tonight!!
-MORE AWESOME NEWS-Liam's speech therapist tried regualar liquids with Liam today: water out of his sippy cup. He did not cough! Back to the swallow test we go this week...wahhooo again! if the test goes well then he will not need to drink thickened liquids anymore.
-More words and sentences today from Mr. Liam...please PRAY LIKE CRAZY for his hearing to return so he does not loose all his wonderful words! Here are some fun Liam quotes from today, "you're holding me. I'm a boy. Kadence is a girl". Kadence is one of Liam's good friends from Rapid. Liam used to love to tell mewho was a boy and who was a girl-apparently he still does:) "Say bless you,I sneezed" "Fight bad guys. I'm a hero." haha
-Liam has been enjoying walking (just holds onto our hands) he has been trying to get up and stand on his own, he has been working on going from laying to sitting more, still trying to crawl a lot (of course not when the therapists WANT him to-then he won't, little stinker), he also crawls over to me, tries to climb up to me to sit on my lap (melt my heart:) I love and feel so honored to see God literally healing my son before our very eyes! Please keep praying friends!
Going to bed with a very happy and peaceful heart:)
Prayer requests:
-Please give thanks for all God has done and pray boldly for a COMPLETE HEALING for our little Liam--we give
you the glory Jesus:)
-Pray for Liam's eye appt tomorrow (we need a miracle!) and ear appt on Friday (another miracle needed!) With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible.
-Please pray for Liam to continue to eat and drink well as this is technically just a trial with the feeding tube--so far he's doing great!!
-Please pray for safety and health for my family.
-Swallow test and hearing aides sometime this week.
-Wisdom for Casey and I for decisions we may have to make---we want all of our decisions to be what God wants us to do.
He went to the cross burdened with our sins so that we might die to sin and live an upright life. For by his wounds you have been healed. (1Peter2:24)
Mar. 6
Night Post: Officially 2 months today since Liam was flown out to Sioux Falls
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Thankfuls:
Thankful for another day.
Thankful that God spared our son.
Thankful that my hubby is on his way here:)
Thankful that this pregnancy has been going so well.
Updates:
Eye Appt-pretty much what I thought about his sight-he doesn't have any. The eyes are fine just not the nerves that connect to the -they are damaged. Liam needs a miracle. Even though I knew this already...it's just hard to hear this from a doctor...it hurts.
Liam had a very cranky afternoon..one of the therapists woke him up from his nap (usually I try to wake him up slowly taking about 15 minutes)...but I thought--why not give it a try. bad idea..he was sooo grumpy for almost the rest of the day. He did eat and drink pretty well again today.
Liam had to be moved out of his hospital crib into our pack and play. He is now pulling himself up onto everything..yet another good problem to have:) Not too much longer now and we will have a hard time stopping this boy:)
Swallow test moved to Thursday now...he did cough a few times on the water when the speech therapist was practicing drinking with him. He still could drink ok other times but she wants to make sure we don't waste our time going over there to just have to do it again later. We may even try next week...we'll see how tomorrow goes.
Today was a little hard especially after the amazing day yesterday. I should probably be expecting it since this whole ordeal has been a roller coaster ride. But we are choosing to be thankful, even when it hurts and is hard. We are choosing to trust in God even when the future seems so uncertain. This verse keeps popping into my head, and I feel like God is saying it not just to Casey and I but it's for Liam too:
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Prayer Targets:
**Thank you for holding us up in prayer--especially on the days where we are so tired and weak**
-Please pray for a complete miracle for our Liam. Complete restoration. For his eyes to see, and his ears to hear.
Mar. 7
Night Post:
Liam was a happy boy today (for the most part:)...lots of new words coming out...love to hear them but just praying that his hearing come back soon, that the hearing aides help in the meantime (they should be here any day now) I just hate the idea of him losing all these words---plus he's so stinkin' funny-has a great sense of humor for a two year old:) I am very thankful for my son. I was thinking back to when all this started and how scary things were and how we didn't even know if our son would live. I am thankful he's alive, I am thankful God spared him. I am thankful his personality is shining through. I am thankful his walking is coming along so well. We are working on getting him to try to take steps unassisted (with no braces:)...he's been standing on his own for seconds at a time...they are working on what kind of assistance he will need for safety/balance since he can't see---a streamline/lightweight walker and then a 'training cane' is what they are discussing with the blind-deaf specialist. Liam is pulling himself up onto everything now and moving moving moving! we are now very busy busy busy:) He still is eating and drinking great. The new swallow test will now be this coming Tuesday...to give him more practice drinking thin liquids.
Funny Liam quote of the day: Liam was crawling on all fours on his mat "ROAR! I said ROAR! I'm a lion! ROAR"
Please pray for a complete restoration for our Liam. Please Pray and believe that God will heal his eyes and let his ears hear!! With man this is impossible-with GOD all things are possible.
Please pray for the hearing appt on Friday.
Please pray for safety and health of all our family here and traveling.
Thank you Jesus for today.
Mar. 8
Night post: thankful for my husband...for my Liam, for my baby tht will be born soon... thankful for a God that sent his son, a son who died for us. prayer requests for today: Liam's hearing aides don't seem to do anything sooo the big hearing appt is tomorrow. Please pray for wisdom, peace, and comfort for Casey and I...pls pray for Liam to wake up from his nap tomorrow happy for the appt. Jesus, we need you.
Mar. 9
Night Post: thankful that God is with us through this mess. Thankful for a husband who has been just amazing during these past two horrible months...thankful he is helping and reminding me to stay positive and look at the good...not all tht was lost...easier said than done but trying. His reminder to me tonight "Remember...faith a small as a mustard seed". Hearing appt: very long appt for pretty much nothing. Hard to keep a deaf/blind child happy for long in a new situation like tht. Basically we have a cat scan set for Friday to determine Liams eligibility for implants...pls pray for a peace for us and a clear answer as wht we should do for Liam...Pray Jesus just heals him....faith as small as a mustard seed...thank you Jesus for another day.
Mar. 10
Night Post:
well, today was a pretty happy day for Liam. He ate well (still loves it:), he was happy during PT, he likes walking more and more each day-we just hold his hands and he can walk, he crawls more and pulls himself up on stuff more, he climbs onto the 'adult' bed in the room. He's still talking up a storm. Please pray pray pray for a miracle...Please continue to pray for a complete restoration. It may seem impossible...but the BIBLE says "With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible". God can heal deaf ears. God can make blind eyes see. Thankful Liam can still be happy during most of this...he still likes to play. He still wears out his momma by the end of the day:)
-During Liam's nap today I went with my mom and brother to Barnes and Noble (Papa stayed with Liam) and bought him some fun touch and feel/interactive books and a cool puzzle that has doors that you unlock. As I let Liam play with the wooden puzzle he would say "thanks" everytime I helped him 'open a door':) As I write this post, papa and Grandma are playing with Liam as he is riding a little push bike thing and saying "beep beep" as he pushes his self accross the room on it.
Liam quote of the day:
Liam ate extremely well today for lunch so I let him have some reeces pieces for a treat. After lunch was done I had Uncle Billy hold him so Liam could finish his sippy, Liam then said in the sweetest voice "I want some more chocolates!" Of course I had to give him more 'chocolates' to reinforce that speech:)
Prayer Targets:
-I, personally, have had a few rough days. "I know I'm not strong enough to be all I'm supposed to be". So here is where I ask God to be "strong enough' for me. (Listen to that Matthew West Song Casey put on my profile) I had a few days of feeling sorry for myself, feeling sorry for Liam, gave up on any hope left for a healing for Liam, I felt crushed and defeated and tired. Just being honest-I finally hit rock bottom. This whole situation stinks, but really--what does moping around do to help Liam? I knew in my heart that this was another attack (haven't we had enough?!) . "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I am disapointed that I let myself get to that point but I am determined to put these few days behind me and to put my faith, my trust, and my hope in Jesus. I am determined to let HIM be my strength. I am asking you all to pray for that for My husband and I.
-Please Pray, with a renewed urgency, for a complete restoration for our son.
-2nd Swallow test on Tuesday
-Cat scan on Friday for cochlear implant elligiblity
Monday, March 5, 2012
Feeding Tube is OUT & Updates!!!!
Picture above is Liam eating for the first time without the feeding tube!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!
Mar. 1
Night Post:
Psalm 5:1-3
Listen to my words, LORD,
consider my sighing
Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly. "
Thankfuls:
-Liam slept well again:)
-Happy happy day for Liam today--love it.
-Liam is now walking with just people holding both his hands.
-Liam does not cry through any therapy now (just a few tears here and there)
-Liam got fitted for his hearing aides and they are rush ordered and should be here early next week-praying praying praying they help.
-Liam ate and DRANK today and still no throwing up...He ate a half a grilled cheese for lunch today and a whole piece of banana bread and cheetos for snack/dinner this afternoon. He of course wants to feed himself. Next week we will be trying to get him to eat even more---wahooo!
-Casey had to head back home today and so he picked up Liam to hug him goodbye and Liam said "Dad". Very sweet moment...he knows his daddy!
-Liam just seems to be figuring stuff out...he is very perceptive despite his hearing and sight loss...this is very good to see! We are working hard on creating as much of a routine as we can and signals and signs for him.
Prayer Targets:
-Safety for my hubby while he is away and also for friends and family traveling to visit/help out.
-For us all to continue to grow closer to God through all of this and continue to seek him. For God to continue to call his people to pray!
-For Liam to continue to grow during his therapy sessions and enjoy them.
-Please stand and believe with us that God can and will restore our sweet little man. "Look what the Lord has done!"
-Please pray for another good nights sleep for Liam and another happy day tommorow..pray that he is good and hungry and will try new foods!! (Project Get That Annoying Tube Out:)
We can't thank you all enough for continuing to lift our family up in prayers...may God bless you all!!
Thank you Jesus. We give you the glory for ALL these miracles happening in Liam's Life!
Mar. 2
Night Post:
Thankful:
-Liam had a great morning...just happy. Slept well the night before.
-Ate pretty well today:) (he ate a cinnamon roll, drank a lot, ate some chicken nuggets and part of a fish stick yogurt and cheetos-still working on trying a variety of food) Keep eating buddy and we can work on getting that stupid tube out!
Notes:
I went to our weekly Friday meeting with all of Liam's therapists and case workers. Everyone is extremely pleased with Liam's progress. Our estimated time here is now 3 more weeks. We have a lot of big things happening next week. Liam's first vision test (keep praying for a miracle) on Tuesday and a huge ear appointment on Friday (about 4 hours long)...they worked hard to get an appt this next week to 'get the ball rolling'. He trials his hearing aides (should be here by Tues. or Wed of next week). There is a lot of talk about cochlear implants...there is a small window of when we can do this for Liam (if we choose to) because of the effects of Menegitis. He would be a good canidate since he was born with hearing and still has some speech. They will be checking this kind of stuff at our Friday meeting. Please pray for wisdom for us as this will be a big decision for Casey and I to make. Please pray for God to make it completely obvious what we are supposed to do. Please pray for a complete healing of his ears.
Prayer Targets:
-EYES TO SEE AND EARS TO HEAR!!
-Wisdom for Casey and I
-For Liam to continue to eat more and more and get that tube out
-For all the hearing stuff next week.
-Safety for all family/friends traveling back and forth to be with us
Thank you Jesus. We have so much to be thankful for.
So on a more positive note....Liam had another great day. He is eating well and in a good mood!
Next week we have some big prayer requests coming up. Liam will have an eye test, pray we have another miracle.....Liam will be getting hearing aides also pray those work for him and he can hear his mommy's voice!
God has blessed us even in a horrible situation. I have my son, I begged God to save him and he has. I can not get caught up in how I wanted our life to go, or the things I wanted to do. I need to always remain caught up in the blessings. Phil 4:8 tells us to focus on the good things, not the bad. I choose to thank God everyday for how awesome my life is in the middle of everything. So I am going to try and say something I am thankful for everyday.....today I am going to cheat and say 2 things.
I have a wife that is good to me even though I am not always good to her. She supports me and is a wonderful mother.
Liam, He truly has changed me as a person. I have never felt this kind of love for anyone. I cannot imagine my life without him. He makes me smile everytime I think about him.
Keep praying people.....God aint done.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Phil 4:
Mar. 3
Night Post:
Philippians 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Thankfuls:
-Liam ate AMAZING today...his happiest time by far is eating time:) Breakfast: he ate half a pancake, a few pieces of toast, and juice...Lunch: 2 1/2 chicken nuggets, some tater tots, water (thickened still), pudding. For dinner: almost a cup of mac and cheese, a little broccoli, half a rice crispy bar, 4 oz of water, 4oz of OJ, and 4oz of apple juice...WAHOOOOOOO!!! Here is a plan that the speech therapist will suggests to the head therapy doctor (forgot her official title) and the dietician (then to finaly be approved by Liam's peditrician)...Monday turn off the feedings while keeping the tube in-just to see how it goes...Wednesday, if all goes well, goodbye tube! just a tenative schedule please PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY
-Liam keeps saying new words each day...still the cutest one to me is when he fake sneezes for the speech therapist to get her to laugh...
-Liam went from laying down to sitting on his OWN today and played with his toys for about a minute before he started to realize he was sitting on his own:)
Just love that boy.
-Thankful for our other little boy that is growing like crazy (along with my belly) and kicking kicking kicking me all day long-love him already. A little less than 8 weeks left-yikes.
-Thankful for my hubby--love him so much
-Thankful for supportive and loving friends and family
Prayer Requests:
With this "thanksgiving" Lord we present these requests to You:
-Please restore Liam's hearing so that he may hear Your word and his Bible stories everynight...so that he may hear all those around him that love him.
-Please restore Liam's sight so he may see his Mommy and Daddy and new baby brother.
-Please give Casey and I wisdom, clear answers, and peace about our family's future.
-Please let everything go smoothly with the feeding tube tenative schedule.
Thank you Jesus.
Mar. 4
Night Post:
Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Verses that many of us know by heart...verse 4 especially has played through my head the past two months...Thankful for HIS Word.
Updates/Thankfuls:
*We have a MOVER on our hands! Liam has officialy crawled on his own. Started with an 'army crawl' then he got up on his hands and knees and started crawling. He can't do it very long yet-has to keep building those muscles. He keeps trying to go from laying to sitting. Needless to say we are kept a lot busier now with this little man...making sure his not banging into stuff and not getting wrapped up in that stupid food tube. A busy little 2 year old is a good 'problem' to have:)
*Cutest thing ever: Liam and I were playing on his mat and he was laying down like normal and started to try to sit up and get on my lap...he then said "hold me" he did this a couple of times this evening...loving all these little blessings!
*Liam ate a ton again today!! yea Liam
Prayer Targets-
-Please pray for all the big things happening this week: tube to come out, eye appt, hearing/ENT appt, and hearing aides. Please Lord, give us all strength and wisdom.
-Please pray for us to all be healthy...pray for my husbands cold to go away so he can come tomorrow
-Continue to pray for Liam's eyes to see and ears to hear. Believe! We have a BIG GOD:)
"Look what the Lord has done!"
Thank you Jesus
Mar. 5
Liam update COULDN'T WAIT UNTIL TONIGHT:)
FEEDING TUBE IS OUT!!!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
THANK YOU JESUS FOR SOME SIGNS OF MORE HEALING!!!
Feb. 26
Night Post:
Thankful things:
-Liam drank from a sippy cup all 3 times we fed him today (we did it twice on our own since he only gets therapies in the morning on weekends).
-He fed himself cherios, cheetoh puff things, bananas, and pancakes. He loves to eat now...excited to see what his weekday therapists think they will be sooo excited (and jealous that they missed this weekend!)
-Liam sat (with some assistance for balance) between the two therapists on his mat and played with toys and jabbered away...usually this makes him scream.
-More words today from Mr. Liam: "so funny" "Mine" "ok" "thanks" "all done" there were a few more that I can't remember off the top of my head.
-When he almost drank all his water (thickened water) from his sippy cup, he shook it to see if there was anything left, then he tried to take the lid off to drink it without the sippy part on it (he used to do this before and used to 'get in trouble' for it:) more of our Liam coming out)
-In the bath he played with one of his squirt whale toys...he used to put it on his stomach and try to make a 'farting' noise--then he would laugh. That's exactly what he tried to do today.
Prayer Request:
-As good as those things were...today was also a terrible day...he would have moments of being happy and playing-and then the rest of the time was screaming, crying, or fussing. He only slept till three in the morning last night and only took about an 1 1/2 nap this morning...please pray for a restful nights sleep for him tonight. He seemed to be having withdrawl symptoms and also gas (upset tummy).
-Liam is having symptoms of a cold. Please pray against that. If he gets sick he has to go back on prednisone until he is better (long story about the medicine history behind that).
-Liam is extremely frusterated the more'awake' he is becoming. He is trying to move and realizing he can't--which is going to be a great motiviator for therapy but is soo hard to watch and I wish he didn't have to go through this. Plus, he can't see or hear.
-PLEASE PRAY FOR A MIRACLE FOR HIS EYES AND EARS. WE KNOW OUR GOD CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE.
It was a little hard to stay 'focused' today with all the fussing going on in Liam's room today. I am trying to do the same today as yesterday and focus on all the good things God has done for us. Believing that he can heal our boy and that he is not done yet! Thank you Jesus for this day.
Feb. 27
Night Post:
Thank you for all of you who prayed for us for Liam's rough day today...
Posted this verse b4 but seems fitting to use it again tonight:
Isaiah 35:4-6
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Thankfuls:
-My hubby just made it back here safely:) Love having my family all together!
-Liam finally took a good afternoon nap
-They are decreasing Liam's calories tomorrow and increasing the ammount of time they turn it off in the morning...this will allow Liam to feel 'hunger' and he gets to eat as much as his little heart desires! wahooo! Please pray that he eats enough calories since this is just a trial (3 days or so trial).
-This is the cutest thing: Liam was laying on his mat playing next to me. He slapped my hand and said "five" and then he made his hand in a fist and knocked it onto my hand and said "Knuckles"...we did this back and forth for a while and it made him smile (and me too!) Keep praying friends..!!
Prayer Targets:
-Today was a rough one...He did not sleep last night hardly at all and threw up during the night as well. Threw up a little again in the morning during his feeding. The doctor is guessing that the throwing up was the changes in his tube feedings (formula stuff)...they increased the speeed and the ammt and sometimes that makes kiddos sick. and the crying/aggitation/no sleep to the withdrawls. Praying that that is all it is and that it will get better.
-Liam will be having another hearing test tomorrow (as long as he takes his afternoon nap-they want him sleeping) Please pray for some good signs on the test (a miracle?) and pray that he will nap tomorrow.
-Please pray for a good nights sleep for Liam.
-Please pray for him to feel better and have no withdrawls
-Pray that he will eat enough these next few days for them to decrease his tube feedings even more!
-Continue to believe with us and pray for a complete healing for our little Liam.
Thank you Jesus for another day.
Feb. 28
Night Post:
Thankful: Liam did not seem to show hardly any signs today of withdrawls.
Feeding summary:
Woke up this morning, feeling like I should expect something good. Liam had a good nights sleep (Praise God!) when I got to Liam's room in the morning Liam was playing with his Daddy:) No more aggitation. We found out the doctor ordered his calories to be cut in half...so that is awesome-allows him to be hungry. Then Speech came to feed him. Here's the bad part...Liam threw up again. He threw up again at his lunch feeding too. I instantly felt defeated and depressed and discouraged ...we finally got to where Liam wants to eat and they reduced his calories and now he's throwing up. By his dinner 'meal' they didn't let him have any thickened liquids to see if that might be what is making him throw up...he ate a little and didn't throw up for that. Please continue to pray, we need to figure out what is making Liam gag and throw up (possible things: thickened liquids, the tube in his throat, hightened gag reflext, solid foods causing gag reflex...)
I had my regular OB checkup appt. (everything's fine with baby #2 btw:) Casey stayed back to be there for the hearing test...after the appt. I stayed in the car because I was so discouraged from the mornings feedings and didn't want to go back into the room and hear more bad news (how is that for unfocused!?) I did do a lot of praying and wanted to not be negative when I went back into Liam's room. God is good and truly does give peace especially in some of our darkest moments, moments when we feel like we can't go on. Through all of this...I firmly believe that God has continually been telling us to "wait, trust, believe, and I am willing" I'm holding onto that and even when it's hard (like today was!) I choose to trust. Still in my car, Casey calls to tell me about the hearing test.
Hearing Test:
They only tested one ear today (he was sleeping on Casey) and they found improved hearing compared to the hearing test that they administered at Sanfords (which showed he had no hearing). It is only for low tones at a very loud setting but it's something, something that wasn't there before. They will continue more testing and trial different hearing aids to see if they may help. We don't know anything more than that. Pray friends...I believe we are seeing more signs of God miraculously healing our son. Pray pray pray believe believe believe!
Thankful:
Awesome happy day with Liam.
Baby #2 is healthy and getting huge (as well as my belly!)
Liam's hearing improved,even though small, it improved
Prayer Targets:
Liam to eat without throwing up.
Healing for his ears and eyes
sleep for tonight
another happy day for Liam tomorrow!
For us to keep our eyes on Jesus and not our situation
Thank you Jesus for another day.
Sorry this is a long post...:)
Feb. 29
Night Post: Thankful: *Laim had a pretty good day...he slept decent last night and was happy to content for most of the day.*Liam ate better today...they didnt let him have much of the thickened liquids to see if tht was wht was making him throw up...and there was NO throwing up today*Liam sat an his mat for 40 seconds, playing with toys, without help or support*He sat on a bench\step stool for 20ish seconds without support* he is standing with very minimal support *hearing test showed improvement in the right ear as well...still very impaired but improved. going to get fitted for hearing aides asap*he is starting to suck his thumb again Prayer Targets: *Liam to be able to eat and drink (tht tube is driving him crazy!) *Ears to show more and more and more improvements *Eyes to see *continued comfort and peace for Liam *complete healing *safety for friends and family traveling *healthy last 2 months of my pregnancy ***Thank you Jesus for today and answering prayers!!***
Psalms 146....So they told me my son was going to die.....they told me he was going to never move......they told me he would never breathe on his own......They told me we should unhook him and let him die......welllllllll.......good thing I dont put my trust in men, I put it in God!
So I am going to give the short list of awesomeness I have seen in 2 days!
-Liam took 71 steps, with minimal assistance.
-Liam took 8-10 steps with his walker with no help.
-Liam is eating well.
-Liam seems to be over the withdrawals.
-Liam was giving me knuckles and saying knuckles.
So I have had a great few days with my family. Remember if you out your trust and faith in the Lord, it pays off friends. He will not fail you, every man will. There is not a man or woman that will not let you down, lie, cheat, hurt, or steal from you. God is the only one that never let us down and he has been with us through this trial and is continuing to provide.
One last thing......The "Doctors" tested my boy, said he was deaf and would never hear......well they retested him and there is an improvement. He still has a serious hearing loss but it might be able to be corrected with hearing aids. God is good people.....he is moving keep praying!
Night Post:
Thankful things:
-Liam drank from a sippy cup all 3 times we fed him today (we did it twice on our own since he only gets therapies in the morning on weekends).
-He fed himself cherios, cheetoh puff things, bananas, and pancakes. He loves to eat now...excited to see what his weekday therapists think they will be sooo excited (and jealous that they missed this weekend!)
-Liam sat (with some assistance for balance) between the two therapists on his mat and played with toys and jabbered away...usually this makes him scream.
-More words today from Mr. Liam: "so funny" "Mine" "ok" "thanks" "all done" there were a few more that I can't remember off the top of my head.
-When he almost drank all his water (thickened water) from his sippy cup, he shook it to see if there was anything left, then he tried to take the lid off to drink it without the sippy part on it (he used to do this before and used to 'get in trouble' for it:) more of our Liam coming out)
-In the bath he played with one of his squirt whale toys...he used to put it on his stomach and try to make a 'farting' noise--then he would laugh. That's exactly what he tried to do today.
Prayer Request:
-As good as those things were...today was also a terrible day...he would have moments of being happy and playing-and then the rest of the time was screaming, crying, or fussing. He only slept till three in the morning last night and only took about an 1 1/2 nap this morning...please pray for a restful nights sleep for him tonight. He seemed to be having withdrawl symptoms and also gas (upset tummy).
-Liam is having symptoms of a cold. Please pray against that. If he gets sick he has to go back on prednisone until he is better (long story about the medicine history behind that).
-Liam is extremely frusterated the more'awake' he is becoming. He is trying to move and realizing he can't--which is going to be a great motiviator for therapy but is soo hard to watch and I wish he didn't have to go through this. Plus, he can't see or hear.
-PLEASE PRAY FOR A MIRACLE FOR HIS EYES AND EARS. WE KNOW OUR GOD CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE.
It was a little hard to stay 'focused' today with all the fussing going on in Liam's room today. I am trying to do the same today as yesterday and focus on all the good things God has done for us. Believing that he can heal our boy and that he is not done yet! Thank you Jesus for this day.
Feb. 27
Night Post:
Thank you for all of you who prayed for us for Liam's rough day today...
Posted this verse b4 but seems fitting to use it again tonight:
Isaiah 35:4-6
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Thankfuls:
-My hubby just made it back here safely:) Love having my family all together!
-Liam finally took a good afternoon nap
-They are decreasing Liam's calories tomorrow and increasing the ammount of time they turn it off in the morning...this will allow Liam to feel 'hunger' and he gets to eat as much as his little heart desires! wahooo! Please pray that he eats enough calories since this is just a trial (3 days or so trial).
-This is the cutest thing: Liam was laying on his mat playing next to me. He slapped my hand and said "five" and then he made his hand in a fist and knocked it onto my hand and said "Knuckles"...we did this back and forth for a while and it made him smile (and me too!) Keep praying friends..!!
Prayer Targets:
-Today was a rough one...He did not sleep last night hardly at all and threw up during the night as well. Threw up a little again in the morning during his feeding. The doctor is guessing that the throwing up was the changes in his tube feedings (formula stuff)...they increased the speeed and the ammt and sometimes that makes kiddos sick. and the crying/aggitation/no sleep to the withdrawls. Praying that that is all it is and that it will get better.
-Liam will be having another hearing test tomorrow (as long as he takes his afternoon nap-they want him sleeping) Please pray for some good signs on the test (a miracle?) and pray that he will nap tomorrow.
-Please pray for a good nights sleep for Liam.
-Please pray for him to feel better and have no withdrawls
-Pray that he will eat enough these next few days for them to decrease his tube feedings even more!
-Continue to believe with us and pray for a complete healing for our little Liam.
Thank you Jesus for another day.
Feb. 28
Night Post:
Thankful: Liam did not seem to show hardly any signs today of withdrawls.
Feeding summary:
Woke up this morning, feeling like I should expect something good. Liam had a good nights sleep (Praise God!) when I got to Liam's room in the morning Liam was playing with his Daddy:) No more aggitation. We found out the doctor ordered his calories to be cut in half...so that is awesome-allows him to be hungry. Then Speech came to feed him. Here's the bad part...Liam threw up again. He threw up again at his lunch feeding too. I instantly felt defeated and depressed and discouraged ...we finally got to where Liam wants to eat and they reduced his calories and now he's throwing up. By his dinner 'meal' they didn't let him have any thickened liquids to see if that might be what is making him throw up...he ate a little and didn't throw up for that. Please continue to pray, we need to figure out what is making Liam gag and throw up (possible things: thickened liquids, the tube in his throat, hightened gag reflext, solid foods causing gag reflex...)
I had my regular OB checkup appt. (everything's fine with baby #2 btw:) Casey stayed back to be there for the hearing test...after the appt. I stayed in the car because I was so discouraged from the mornings feedings and didn't want to go back into the room and hear more bad news (how is that for unfocused!?) I did do a lot of praying and wanted to not be negative when I went back into Liam's room. God is good and truly does give peace especially in some of our darkest moments, moments when we feel like we can't go on. Through all of this...I firmly believe that God has continually been telling us to "wait, trust, believe, and I am willing" I'm holding onto that and even when it's hard (like today was!) I choose to trust. Still in my car, Casey calls to tell me about the hearing test.
Hearing Test:
They only tested one ear today (he was sleeping on Casey) and they found improved hearing compared to the hearing test that they administered at Sanfords (which showed he had no hearing). It is only for low tones at a very loud setting but it's something, something that wasn't there before. They will continue more testing and trial different hearing aids to see if they may help. We don't know anything more than that. Pray friends...I believe we are seeing more signs of God miraculously healing our son. Pray pray pray believe believe believe!
Thankful:
Awesome happy day with Liam.
Baby #2 is healthy and getting huge (as well as my belly!)
Liam's hearing improved,even though small, it improved
Prayer Targets:
Liam to eat without throwing up.
Healing for his ears and eyes
sleep for tonight
another happy day for Liam tomorrow!
For us to keep our eyes on Jesus and not our situation
Thank you Jesus for another day.
Sorry this is a long post...:)
Feb. 29
Night Post: Thankful: *Laim had a pretty good day...he slept decent last night and was happy to content for most of the day.*Liam ate better today...they didnt let him have much of the thickened liquids to see if tht was wht was making him throw up...and there was NO throwing up today*Liam sat an his mat for 40 seconds, playing with toys, without help or support*He sat on a bench\step stool for 20ish seconds without support* he is standing with very minimal support *hearing test showed improvement in the right ear as well...still very impaired but improved. going to get fitted for hearing aides asap*he is starting to suck his thumb again Prayer Targets: *Liam to be able to eat and drink (tht tube is driving him crazy!) *Ears to show more and more and more improvements *Eyes to see *continued comfort and peace for Liam *complete healing *safety for friends and family traveling *healthy last 2 months of my pregnancy ***Thank you Jesus for today and answering prayers!!***
Psalms 146....So they told me my son was going to die.....they told me he was going to never move......they told me he would never breathe on his own......They told me we should unhook him and let him die......welllllllll.......good thing I dont put my trust in men, I put it in God!
So I am going to give the short list of awesomeness I have seen in 2 days!
-Liam took 71 steps, with minimal assistance.
-Liam took 8-10 steps with his walker with no help.
-Liam is eating well.
-Liam seems to be over the withdrawals.
-Liam was giving me knuckles and saying knuckles.
So I have had a great few days with my family. Remember if you out your trust and faith in the Lord, it pays off friends. He will not fail you, every man will. There is not a man or woman that will not let you down, lie, cheat, hurt, or steal from you. God is the only one that never let us down and he has been with us through this trial and is continuing to provide.
One last thing......The "Doctors" tested my boy, said he was deaf and would never hear......well they retested him and there is an improvement. He still has a serious hearing loss but it might be able to be corrected with hearing aids. God is good people.....he is moving keep praying!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
THANKFUL
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Here's a quote from my devotional today "A grateful heart protects you from negative thinking. Thankfulness enables you to see the abundance I {Jesus} shower upon you daily" (from devotional: Jesus Calling)
Somedays it is easier to be thankful than others...but the word says to be thankful in ALL circumstances...not just when everything is great. Here are some things I am very thankful for..things that help me focus on good...not the circumstance:
-Liam slept awesome last night. Thankful.
-Today, Liam picked up cheerios-on HIS OWN- from his highchair tray and ate them. Thankful.
-Today, Liam picked up his sippy cup, and drank from it, ON HIS OWN..until it was almost gone. He did this morning and evening. Thankful.
-Today, Liam grabbed his spoon and let me put yogurt on it, and he brought it to his mouth and ate it ON HIS OWN...he ate almost half of it. Thankful.
-My son is alive. Thankful.
-I have a husband that loves me and I am in love with him. Thankful.
-We have a little boy to be born in a couple months...whom we love already. Thankful.
-I have family and friends and people who don't even know us...support us like crazy with prayer. Thankful.
-I have a savior who died for me and who loves for me and cares for me (and for everyone:) VERY THANKFUL.
Prayer Targets:
-Despite all the amazing things we saw Liam do today...he had TERRIBLE withdrawls all day today from his patch being taken off last night...He was irriatable, did NOT nap all day, very grumpy. But we saw such good things with the patch off...so we are praying that his behavior was just withdrawls and not the nuerostorming (that is why he was wearing the patch to begin with). Please pray for withdrawl symptoms to be GONE so that he can sleep well tonight and have a great day tomorrow!
-Please pray and believe with us for a COMPLETE RESTORATION for our Liam..we give you the glory Jesus for all you've done so far and are still doing! Thankful.
-Please pray for continued health for our family.
Here's a quote from my devotional today "A grateful heart protects you from negative thinking. Thankfulness enables you to see the abundance I {Jesus} shower upon you daily" (from devotional: Jesus Calling)
Somedays it is easier to be thankful than others...but the word says to be thankful in ALL circumstances...not just when everything is great. Here are some things I am very thankful for..things that help me focus on good...not the circumstance:
-Liam slept awesome last night. Thankful.
-Today, Liam picked up cheerios-on HIS OWN- from his highchair tray and ate them. Thankful.
-Today, Liam picked up his sippy cup, and drank from it, ON HIS OWN..until it was almost gone. He did this morning and evening. Thankful.
-Today, Liam grabbed his spoon and let me put yogurt on it, and he brought it to his mouth and ate it ON HIS OWN...he ate almost half of it. Thankful.
-My son is alive. Thankful.
-I have a husband that loves me and I am in love with him. Thankful.
-We have a little boy to be born in a couple months...whom we love already. Thankful.
-I have family and friends and people who don't even know us...support us like crazy with prayer. Thankful.
-I have a savior who died for me and who loves for me and cares for me (and for everyone:) VERY THANKFUL.
Prayer Targets:
-Despite all the amazing things we saw Liam do today...he had TERRIBLE withdrawls all day today from his patch being taken off last night...He was irriatable, did NOT nap all day, very grumpy. But we saw such good things with the patch off...so we are praying that his behavior was just withdrawls and not the nuerostorming (that is why he was wearing the patch to begin with). Please pray for withdrawl symptoms to be GONE so that he can sleep well tonight and have a great day tomorrow!
-Please pray and believe with us for a COMPLETE RESTORATION for our Liam..we give you the glory Jesus for all you've done so far and are still doing! Thankful.
-Please pray for continued health for our family.
Friday, February 24, 2012
A Great Day of Cheerios:)
Night Post:
Epheisians 3:16-21 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
updates:
Liam didn't sleep well last night (tummy hurt?) and a bit of a crabby morning...but there were some good points!
-God continues to give us peace that only HE can give through something like this and a peace that HE is going to take care of and heal our Liam
-Liam ate a whole ton of cheerios today...yes, solid food cheerios:) You should've seen how excited the therapists were for this (and of course his mom and dad:) He drank 3 ounces of juice from a sippy cup. Go baby go!! Get that tube out
-Liam is officially off all sedative medications...he only has his seizure med left and his sodium med.
-the deaf/blind specialist gave us some good insight on tips to help communicate with Liam and how to create structured routines for him (those of you that know me know that this is right up my alley!:) I get this strong sense that she is a Christian as she said she is praying for him to be healed. She was pretty impressed with the abilities he showed while she watched all his afternoon therapies.
Overwhelmed (and overjoyed:) of the ammount of being being called to pray for our family...we keep getting encouraged with stories from our friends, family, and people we don't even know who love and are praying for our sweet little boy. God's is doing great things and great things to come...I feel it. I believe it.
Prayer Targets:
-Complete healing.
-Eyes to see Ears to hear
-Keep making huge strides in eating
-continued peace and comfort for Liam
-Therapies to go well
-For Liam to get plenty of rest tonight
-safety for all family traveling
"Remember the wonders HE has done!" Psalm 105:5
Epheisians 3:16-21 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
updates:
Liam didn't sleep well last night (tummy hurt?) and a bit of a crabby morning...but there were some good points!
-God continues to give us peace that only HE can give through something like this and a peace that HE is going to take care of and heal our Liam
-Liam ate a whole ton of cheerios today...yes, solid food cheerios:) You should've seen how excited the therapists were for this (and of course his mom and dad:) He drank 3 ounces of juice from a sippy cup. Go baby go!! Get that tube out
-Liam is officially off all sedative medications...he only has his seizure med left and his sodium med.
-the deaf/blind specialist gave us some good insight on tips to help communicate with Liam and how to create structured routines for him (those of you that know me know that this is right up my alley!:) I get this strong sense that she is a Christian as she said she is praying for him to be healed. She was pretty impressed with the abilities he showed while she watched all his afternoon therapies.
Overwhelmed (and overjoyed:) of the ammount of being being called to pray for our family...we keep getting encouraged with stories from our friends, family, and people we don't even know who love and are praying for our sweet little boy. God's is doing great things and great things to come...I feel it. I believe it.
Prayer Targets:
-Complete healing.
-Eyes to see Ears to hear
-Keep making huge strides in eating
-continued peace and comfort for Liam
-Therapies to go well
-For Liam to get plenty of rest tonight
-safety for all family traveling
"Remember the wonders HE has done!" Psalm 105:5
Thursday, February 23, 2012
48 Days
Night Post:
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
We have been in Sioux Falls 48 days now. We are still choosing to believe. We are still clinging to HIS promises and HIS word...we are still praying without ceasing for God to heal our little boy...
Liam had an AWESOME morning. For one, Liam slept through the night finally! Before I came back to the hospital from the RMDhouse (Casey stays with Liam), I prayed for a breakthrough in therapy and for just something good to happen today. I walk into Liam's room and I see Liam sitting on Casey's lap and they were "reading" a touch and feel book together. Liam was feeling on the pages and helping turn the pages. This alone made my heart happy:) Then all his morning therapies went awesome.
Speech Therapy: Liam took a couple of sips from a sippy cup! Of which he could hold on his own. He also ate his first solid food (baby step but huuuuuge deal) he ate a few small pieces of oatmeal bread. Chewed it very well! soooo exciting. He got some kind of food on his face when she was feeding him and it made Liam upset so she gave him the wash cloth and he wiped his own mouth off:)
PT: Liam continued to take good steps
OT: She always helps dress him in the morning to get Liam to help get dressed and undressed. He usually HATES taking his shirt on and off since we've been here..Like screaming hates it. well today she helped take his arms out of the sleeves and he grabbed the shirt with both hands and tried taking it off himself--like it was no big deal! yea Liam:)
Prayer requests:
-Please pray for people to continue to pray for Liam and to come to Jesus.
-Please pray for more huge gains in therapy. We need him sitting on his own without screaming. We need him to eat more of a variety of foods before they will even consider decreasing his feedings. We need that as a next step to get the tube out! Pray for him to drink a lot and eat a lot. Please pray that he will actually enjoy walking too...I think we are getting closer to that one. We are moving his feedings to a highchair tomorrow (verses the chair he used before)...please pray that he will be more independent in eating and of course motivated (they have to 'trick' him into thinking he's doing stuff on his own because if you try to force him to hold a spoon or sippy cup on his own he throws a fit and will refuse)
-Blind/deaf specialists comes in tomorrow
Liam is blind and deaf. This is such a scary time for him and is so hard to watch everyday him struggle so much. No 2year old should ever have to go through this-especially not my baby. It may seem impossible for him to be healed...but good thing we believe and serve a God where anything is possible.
Thank you Jesus for being with us every step of the way...we don't understand all that is happening to us-and to be honest don't like it. But we are trusting you and your word, we are believing for a complete healing, and we know you have a plan for us and we know you can and are using this for good! Use us!
Psalms 73. Sometimes I think trying to do the right thing and be close to God is a waste of time. Other ppl that arent are fine kids are good and there is no problems. Well there is prize for us beyond what this world has to offer.....gotta keep my chin up remember why I'm here.
Today Liam did awesome in therapy! He got his first solid food and chewed it up like a champ! He also used a sippy cup without assistance!
He still needs prayer for his eyes, ears and his crabbiness! But we are believing he will recover and we know Jesus is with him! Keep praying
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
We have been in Sioux Falls 48 days now. We are still choosing to believe. We are still clinging to HIS promises and HIS word...we are still praying without ceasing for God to heal our little boy...
Liam had an AWESOME morning. For one, Liam slept through the night finally! Before I came back to the hospital from the RMDhouse (Casey stays with Liam), I prayed for a breakthrough in therapy and for just something good to happen today. I walk into Liam's room and I see Liam sitting on Casey's lap and they were "reading" a touch and feel book together. Liam was feeling on the pages and helping turn the pages. This alone made my heart happy:) Then all his morning therapies went awesome.
Speech Therapy: Liam took a couple of sips from a sippy cup! Of which he could hold on his own. He also ate his first solid food (baby step but huuuuuge deal) he ate a few small pieces of oatmeal bread. Chewed it very well! soooo exciting. He got some kind of food on his face when she was feeding him and it made Liam upset so she gave him the wash cloth and he wiped his own mouth off:)
PT: Liam continued to take good steps
OT: She always helps dress him in the morning to get Liam to help get dressed and undressed. He usually HATES taking his shirt on and off since we've been here..Like screaming hates it. well today she helped take his arms out of the sleeves and he grabbed the shirt with both hands and tried taking it off himself--like it was no big deal! yea Liam:)
Prayer requests:
-Please pray for people to continue to pray for Liam and to come to Jesus.
-Please pray for more huge gains in therapy. We need him sitting on his own without screaming. We need him to eat more of a variety of foods before they will even consider decreasing his feedings. We need that as a next step to get the tube out! Pray for him to drink a lot and eat a lot. Please pray that he will actually enjoy walking too...I think we are getting closer to that one. We are moving his feedings to a highchair tomorrow (verses the chair he used before)...please pray that he will be more independent in eating and of course motivated (they have to 'trick' him into thinking he's doing stuff on his own because if you try to force him to hold a spoon or sippy cup on his own he throws a fit and will refuse)
-Blind/deaf specialists comes in tomorrow
Liam is blind and deaf. This is such a scary time for him and is so hard to watch everyday him struggle so much. No 2year old should ever have to go through this-especially not my baby. It may seem impossible for him to be healed...but good thing we believe and serve a God where anything is possible.
Thank you Jesus for being with us every step of the way...we don't understand all that is happening to us-and to be honest don't like it. But we are trusting you and your word, we are believing for a complete healing, and we know you have a plan for us and we know you can and are using this for good! Use us!
Psalms 73. Sometimes I think trying to do the right thing and be close to God is a waste of time. Other ppl that arent are fine kids are good and there is no problems. Well there is prize for us beyond what this world has to offer.....gotta keep my chin up remember why I'm here.
Today Liam did awesome in therapy! He got his first solid food and chewed it up like a champ! He also used a sippy cup without assistance!
He still needs prayer for his eyes, ears and his crabbiness! But we are believing he will recover and we know Jesus is with him! Keep praying
NEW MOST RECENT UPDATES
Feb. 19
Matthew 14:29-31 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
At the beginning, when we were in the ICU, these verses helped me a lot. How quickly I forget, as the "wind" gets stronger and it gets harder to go on, I take my eyes off of Jesus and I sink, and sink fast. Jesus help me to focus on you and your words and your promises...'catch me by the hand' and forgive me for my doubt. Please be strong for me when I am weak
Night Update:
I'm back:) A few days of feeling sorry for us and being depressed are over...the devil has taken enough--we can't give him our hope and faith and will--I refuse to. I know I can speak for my husband as well on this one. Pray with us in faith friends, for God to do the impossible. If we believe in HIS word then we know God is our healer, our comfort, our ALL. I certainly didn't choose this for our life, but I am choosing to trust in GOD no matter what happens. Thank you for those of you who have been praying for Casey and I specifically for doubt that we let creep in...I know I felt your prayers...God answered them. "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; HE drew me out of deep waters." Psalm 18:16 (thanks Amber for always 'versing' me when I need it most:)
Liam has not been sleeping well at night and then wanting to sleep all day. Today the therapists needed to meet with Liam 1 hour total each (3 hours). I made sure he was up for everyone of them and am happy to announce that he survived and was up for all 3 different hours:) I let him take his regular 3 hour afternoon nap and a couple of short cat naps...so here's to hoping/praying for a good night sleep for him tonight!!!
Good news for the day (I'm going to make sure I post at least one of these a night from now on:) Liam finally took a small drinks of juice from a cup--this is a big deal and the first time since this whole thing happened! Praising God for that...
Prayer requests: Sleep for Liam tonight, for Liam to continue to EAT EAT EAT and DRINK DRINK DRINK and get that annoying tube out of him!! Please pray for him to not cry through physical therapy and to maybe even enjoy it...and of course the miracle we are crying out for many many many times a day "Lord...PLEASE restore our son to perfect health in the name of Jesus...Allow his eyes to see and his ears to hear...please! We give you all the glory and again thank you for all you have done so far and all that you are going to do!!"
Feb. 20
Night Post: Praises: my hubby made it back safe (icy/snowy roads) and we get to all be together for a few days...I love that man and am thankful for him:) Liam completed all his therapies (grumpy during them but at least awake). Liam slept steady till 4 in the morning...that doesnt sound good but is progress! fun part-during his bath Liam took the wash cloth and tried to wash his hair and leg like he used to-more signs of 'Liam' showing through. *b4 bed we got to hang out together as a family...Liam seemed very content. When we put him in his crib he usually goes right to sleep..well tonight Liam felt our hands and faces and could tell us apart...he was happy and trying to chat...words that were clear "momma" "no" "dad" "go away (casey was tickling him..haha)" and we both thought he said "put it on" when he took off my bracelet and was trying to put it on him. So thankful for signs tht keep popping up that Liam's personality is trying to come out...and he remembers us:) *thankful for confirmation of healing from prayers and words that were given to us in a time tht we needed to hear ... prayer requests: safe travels for family, for Liam's brain to keep healing, for more joyful moments, for liam to not get so upset during PT, for him to eat,and of course please believe and pray with us for a complete healing and reatoration! Love you Jesus...Lord, please continue to call your people to prayer!!
Feb. 21
*Night Post*
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
-Peace today...a peace only God can give in a place/situation like this. God is with us, he has a plan-"a plan to prosper us and not to harm us a plan to give us hope and a future" God's not done with our boy...he has a plan for that sweet lil man and I for one am very excited to see how that plan unfolds:)
-another pretty good day for Liam...trying more foods (didn't say he liked them but he is trying them:) he pretty much likes fruits.
-taking awesome steps with the therapists today...they have been trying new strategies to help him feel more safe while walking (kinda scary for him since he can't see or hear) and it seemed to help today...he cried the whole time but not panicky crying or screaming mad crying. At one time he took 22 solid steps in a row! (he puts his hands on her shoulders and she walks backwards on her knees and holds him up a little by his chest) She said yesterday he was walking 25% on his own and today she said he was walking more than 50% on his own:) Go baby Go!
-Liam will be meeting with a deaf and blind specialist possibly tomorrow or the next day to work with him alongside of the therapists. I have heard she is very excited to meet and work with Liam...I am too--to help make this time easier for him (until of course his healing is complete:)
Prayer Requests:
-continued faith and belief for Liam's restoration
-eyes to see and ears to hear
-Complete healing for his brain
-comfort for Liam during all this...
-health and safety for our family
-Pray against doubt, fear, and worry
Thank you Jesus for being with my family. Thank you for drawing people closer to you through all this! Please use this situation for your Glory!
Feb. 22
Night post: Thankful stuff~ thankful for peace today...peace only God can give..without it I seriously would be a complete disaster and mess. Thankful for the good report from Liam's 'sodium' doct appt today...God is good. Thankful for the oatmeal Liam ate for breakfast ...he ate pretty good in general today. thankful Liam took steps today (with some help being held up) without hardly crying at all today!! *they are going to get Liam a walker type thing soon...not saying he can't walk on his own someday but since he seems to need the security of having someone right there because of his sight/hearing loss, it should be a good transition...*Blind and deaf specialist comes Friday and Monday to observe therapists to help come up with plans and to assist-so excited for this. **Prayer targets** -for Liam to eat a variety of food asap-for Liam to not freak out while working on sitting-for health for our family- for a happy positive day tomorrow-and the best for last: a complete restoration for our lil Liam:) God please use us and this situation to bring people to you! Thank you Jesus for calling your people to prayer! we love you.
From Liam's Daddy:
i know i have been off here for a few days....Liam had a great day today in therapy. he ate alot and was generally in a good mood! Liam started his day off sleeping with daddy for a few hrs in the am...he then woke up laughing and we played for awhile before they fed him!
James 5:7-20. I prayed today and asked for a word from him. I know I probably read these verses recently but I was told to read James 5 specifically. Well guess what God told me to be patient as the farmer is waiting for his crops..... So I am going to be patient no matter how much my heartbreaks no matter how painful and hard this is I have decided to be patient. I can't change anything except through the power of Christ. Keep praying.
Matthew 14:29-31 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
At the beginning, when we were in the ICU, these verses helped me a lot. How quickly I forget, as the "wind" gets stronger and it gets harder to go on, I take my eyes off of Jesus and I sink, and sink fast. Jesus help me to focus on you and your words and your promises...'catch me by the hand' and forgive me for my doubt. Please be strong for me when I am weak
Night Update:
I'm back:) A few days of feeling sorry for us and being depressed are over...the devil has taken enough--we can't give him our hope and faith and will--I refuse to. I know I can speak for my husband as well on this one. Pray with us in faith friends, for God to do the impossible. If we believe in HIS word then we know God is our healer, our comfort, our ALL. I certainly didn't choose this for our life, but I am choosing to trust in GOD no matter what happens. Thank you for those of you who have been praying for Casey and I specifically for doubt that we let creep in...I know I felt your prayers...God answered them. "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; HE drew me out of deep waters." Psalm 18:16 (thanks Amber for always 'versing' me when I need it most:)
Liam has not been sleeping well at night and then wanting to sleep all day. Today the therapists needed to meet with Liam 1 hour total each (3 hours). I made sure he was up for everyone of them and am happy to announce that he survived and was up for all 3 different hours:) I let him take his regular 3 hour afternoon nap and a couple of short cat naps...so here's to hoping/praying for a good night sleep for him tonight!!!
Good news for the day (I'm going to make sure I post at least one of these a night from now on:) Liam finally took a small drinks of juice from a cup--this is a big deal and the first time since this whole thing happened! Praising God for that...
Prayer requests: Sleep for Liam tonight, for Liam to continue to EAT EAT EAT and DRINK DRINK DRINK and get that annoying tube out of him!! Please pray for him to not cry through physical therapy and to maybe even enjoy it...and of course the miracle we are crying out for many many many times a day "Lord...PLEASE restore our son to perfect health in the name of Jesus...Allow his eyes to see and his ears to hear...please! We give you all the glory and again thank you for all you have done so far and all that you are going to do!!"
Feb. 20
Night Post: Praises: my hubby made it back safe (icy/snowy roads) and we get to all be together for a few days...I love that man and am thankful for him:) Liam completed all his therapies (grumpy during them but at least awake). Liam slept steady till 4 in the morning...that doesnt sound good but is progress! fun part-during his bath Liam took the wash cloth and tried to wash his hair and leg like he used to-more signs of 'Liam' showing through. *b4 bed we got to hang out together as a family...Liam seemed very content. When we put him in his crib he usually goes right to sleep..well tonight Liam felt our hands and faces and could tell us apart...he was happy and trying to chat...words that were clear "momma" "no" "dad" "go away (casey was tickling him..haha)" and we both thought he said "put it on" when he took off my bracelet and was trying to put it on him. So thankful for signs tht keep popping up that Liam's personality is trying to come out...and he remembers us:) *thankful for confirmation of healing from prayers and words that were given to us in a time tht we needed to hear ... prayer requests: safe travels for family, for Liam's brain to keep healing, for more joyful moments, for liam to not get so upset during PT, for him to eat,and of course please believe and pray with us for a complete healing and reatoration! Love you Jesus...Lord, please continue to call your people to prayer!!
Feb. 21
*Night Post*
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
-Peace today...a peace only God can give in a place/situation like this. God is with us, he has a plan-"a plan to prosper us and not to harm us a plan to give us hope and a future" God's not done with our boy...he has a plan for that sweet lil man and I for one am very excited to see how that plan unfolds:)
-another pretty good day for Liam...trying more foods (didn't say he liked them but he is trying them:) he pretty much likes fruits.
-taking awesome steps with the therapists today...they have been trying new strategies to help him feel more safe while walking (kinda scary for him since he can't see or hear) and it seemed to help today...he cried the whole time but not panicky crying or screaming mad crying. At one time he took 22 solid steps in a row! (he puts his hands on her shoulders and she walks backwards on her knees and holds him up a little by his chest) She said yesterday he was walking 25% on his own and today she said he was walking more than 50% on his own:) Go baby Go!
-Liam will be meeting with a deaf and blind specialist possibly tomorrow or the next day to work with him alongside of the therapists. I have heard she is very excited to meet and work with Liam...I am too--to help make this time easier for him (until of course his healing is complete:)
Prayer Requests:
-continued faith and belief for Liam's restoration
-eyes to see and ears to hear
-Complete healing for his brain
-comfort for Liam during all this...
-health and safety for our family
-Pray against doubt, fear, and worry
Thank you Jesus for being with my family. Thank you for drawing people closer to you through all this! Please use this situation for your Glory!
Feb. 22
Night post: Thankful stuff~ thankful for peace today...peace only God can give..without it I seriously would be a complete disaster and mess. Thankful for the good report from Liam's 'sodium' doct appt today...God is good. Thankful for the oatmeal Liam ate for breakfast ...he ate pretty good in general today. thankful Liam took steps today (with some help being held up) without hardly crying at all today!! *they are going to get Liam a walker type thing soon...not saying he can't walk on his own someday but since he seems to need the security of having someone right there because of his sight/hearing loss, it should be a good transition...*Blind and deaf specialist comes Friday and Monday to observe therapists to help come up with plans and to assist-so excited for this. **Prayer targets** -for Liam to eat a variety of food asap-for Liam to not freak out while working on sitting-for health for our family- for a happy positive day tomorrow-and the best for last: a complete restoration for our lil Liam:) God please use us and this situation to bring people to you! Thank you Jesus for calling your people to prayer! we love you.
From Liam's Daddy:
i know i have been off here for a few days....Liam had a great day today in therapy. he ate alot and was generally in a good mood! Liam started his day off sleeping with daddy for a few hrs in the am...he then woke up laughing and we played for awhile before they fed him!
James 5:7-20. I prayed today and asked for a word from him. I know I probably read these verses recently but I was told to read James 5 specifically. Well guess what God told me to be patient as the farmer is waiting for his crops..... So I am going to be patient no matter how much my heartbreaks no matter how painful and hard this is I have decided to be patient. I can't change anything except through the power of Christ. Keep praying.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Stay Strong
Updates on Liam from his parents:
"Summon your Power O God, show us your strength as you have done before."
Psalm 68:28
Philippians 4:6-7 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Night Post:
-Another sleepy day...we continue to chart his sleep patterns and they may be giving him some sleep meds at night to get Liam back to sleeping through the night and being up most the day besides his nap.
-Liam did pretty good at his therapies today...He was only met with once by each therapist today since it was the weekend.
-Tomorrow Liam will be hit hard with therapies...we will see how that goes...hoping (praying)for a good therapy day!
-they made Liam 'walk' a lot today
Prayer Targets:
-Please BELIEVE with us and pray pray pray pray for a complete healing for our boy...God is our only hope. Pray for a miracle for his eyes, ears, and mind!!!
-Pray for all his therapies tomorrow...that he will be awake and ready to go. (and not cry so much...it breaks my heart even though i know he needs it)
-Please pray that he sleeps well tonight so he is well rested
-please pray that he enjoys eating and will eat a ton tomorrow during speech so we can get that tube out of his nose!!!!!!!!
--Please thank God with us that he spared our son:)
Matthew 14:29-31 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
At the beginning, when we were in the ICU, these verses helped me a lot. How quickly I forget, as the "wind" gets stronger and it gets harder to go on, I take my eyes off of Jesus and I sink, and sink fast. Jesus help me to focus on you and your words and your promises...'catch me by the hand' and forgive me for my doubt. Please be strong for me when I am weak
James 5:7-20. I prayed today and asked for a word from him. I know I probably read these verses recently but I was told to read James 5 specifically. Well guess what God told me to be patient as the farmer is waiting for his crops..... So I am going to be patient no matter how much my heartbreaks no matter how painful and hard this is I have decided to be patient. I can't change anything except through the power of Christ. Keep praying.
"Summon your Power O God, show us your strength as you have done before."
Psalm 68:28
Philippians 4:6-7 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Night Post:
-Another sleepy day...we continue to chart his sleep patterns and they may be giving him some sleep meds at night to get Liam back to sleeping through the night and being up most the day besides his nap.
-Liam did pretty good at his therapies today...He was only met with once by each therapist today since it was the weekend.
-Tomorrow Liam will be hit hard with therapies...we will see how that goes...hoping (praying)for a good therapy day!
-they made Liam 'walk' a lot today
Prayer Targets:
-Please BELIEVE with us and pray pray pray pray for a complete healing for our boy...God is our only hope. Pray for a miracle for his eyes, ears, and mind!!!
-Pray for all his therapies tomorrow...that he will be awake and ready to go. (and not cry so much...it breaks my heart even though i know he needs it)
-Please pray that he sleeps well tonight so he is well rested
-please pray that he enjoys eating and will eat a ton tomorrow during speech so we can get that tube out of his nose!!!!!!!!
--Please thank God with us that he spared our son:)
Matthew 14:29-31 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
At the beginning, when we were in the ICU, these verses helped me a lot. How quickly I forget, as the "wind" gets stronger and it gets harder to go on, I take my eyes off of Jesus and I sink, and sink fast. Jesus help me to focus on you and your words and your promises...'catch me by the hand' and forgive me for my doubt. Please be strong for me when I am weak
James 5:7-20. I prayed today and asked for a word from him. I know I probably read these verses recently but I was told to read James 5 specifically. Well guess what God told me to be patient as the farmer is waiting for his crops..... So I am going to be patient no matter how much my heartbreaks no matter how painful and hard this is I have decided to be patient. I can't change anything except through the power of Christ. Keep praying.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
ALL RAPID CITY TEAM LIAM- HELP NEEDED
We are trying to get meals set up for Casey while he is in Rapid City having to work, as Sandy and Liam are still in Sioux Falls getting therapy. Please contact me and let me know if you can and I can let you know the available dates. He is needing meals on Fridays, Saturdays, Sunday. This family needs us to continue to pray and support them.
Please email me if you can at mattambertaranto@yahoo.com
THANK YOU!!!!
Please email me if you can at mattambertaranto@yahoo.com
THANK YOU!!!!
Continuing to Believe and Pray for Liam
3/16/12 Night Post:
"This place is trying to break my belief, my faith is bigger than all I can see. What I need is redemption, what I need is for you to put me back on my feet..." lyrics from a song my hubby reccomended me to listen tonight as he heads back to Sioux Falls
Before I give the Liam updates here is a verse for tonight:
Mark 11:22-24 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Doubt has been trying so hard to creep in the more I am here and the more I see Liam struggle. What I take from this verse, if we truly believe the Word is the inspired words of God, then we need to truly believe that God is not done with Liam and not only is God capable of healing Liam's eyes and ears but He IS going to heal them. ...the WORD says, "Whatever you ASK for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." I'm choosing to believe that, and asking the Holy Spirit to help me where I am weak. Thank you Jesus for your word.
Updates:
*Swallow test went well praise God.
That is about all I really have to update you on. Liam sleeps a lot. The docs are starting to track how much he's been sleeping to make sure that they don't need to change something to help. As of now, they believe it is a combination of healing time, tired from therapy, medicines wearing off, and cordisone levels that they are working on getting back to normal (those are out of wack from all the steriods they had him on for his throat awhile back).
-Prayer Targets-
*For his Eyes to see and his ears to hear (please Jesus hear our cry!!!!!!!!) .
*For Liam to not cry and be upset or scared anymore during his therapies
*For Liam to be more awake except for the times he needs to sleep to heal.
*For Liam to be more consistant in eating food and for him to consistantly enjoy eating so we can get him eating enough to get that tube out!!
*Wisdom for his doctors, therapists, and nurses.
*To keep my husband safe as he travels back home and for protection for him at his job. Also, for safety of all family that comes out to help/visit.
Again: I can't begin to thank all of you who repost my updates and all of you who pray daily for our family. May God bless you all! Thank you Jesus for another day.
3/17/12
Night post: Liam was a little more awake today...speech therapy hasn't really been going well ...he fights eating (which is frusterating to watch since he was doing awesome and loved it) he needs to keep trying to eat or that tube isnt going to come out. Physical therapy is going pretty decent; Liam is able to sit on his own with a little support for balance (he could do it on his own but he gets too mad/upset) he went from a supported kneeling to initiating moving his leg up to stand up (with support of course) standing practice turned into him initiating more steps...I just pray that he could enjoy his therapies...he improves daily in PT but cries almost the whole time. got a lot of mommy and Liam play time and cuddle time so that was nice:) He was also happy to see Grandma and Papa today...playing and making happy noises trying to talk. **prayer targets** complete restoration, eyes to see, ears to hear, comfort during therapy, for him to eat lots, and prayer for us to stay focused completely on Jesus and his Word! Thank you Jesus for our boy and for saving him...we will worship while we wait!
From Liam's Daddy:
Gen 22. Now this is morbid story and I don't completely understand why God did this. However it shows us that if we completely turn a situation over to God he will not fail us!
I had to come back to rapid city after 3 days in soo foo with my family. It is really hard leaving your family in a time like this. But that is life I guess. This whole deal gets hard sometimes when you look what we had January 1st. But it is amazing when you look at January 10th. It is awful and amazing at the same time. Some times you focus on your son being deaf blind unable to stand without assistance and I get discouraged. But then I think he easily could be dead with no shot at healing. Let's focus on the healing. This story is not over. Keep praying!
Have you ever felt guilty when you laughed, ate, slept, smiled or enjoyed anything. Well, that's my life. God I need some help I need some progress with Liam God. I need a whole bunch of good news. I feel so horrible being here and my family being across the state.
"This place is trying to break my belief, my faith is bigger than all I can see. What I need is redemption, what I need is for you to put me back on my feet..." lyrics from a song my hubby reccomended me to listen tonight as he heads back to Sioux Falls
Before I give the Liam updates here is a verse for tonight:
Mark 11:22-24 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Doubt has been trying so hard to creep in the more I am here and the more I see Liam struggle. What I take from this verse, if we truly believe the Word is the inspired words of God, then we need to truly believe that God is not done with Liam and not only is God capable of healing Liam's eyes and ears but He IS going to heal them. ...the WORD says, "Whatever you ASK for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." I'm choosing to believe that, and asking the Holy Spirit to help me where I am weak. Thank you Jesus for your word.
Updates:
*Swallow test went well praise God.
That is about all I really have to update you on. Liam sleeps a lot. The docs are starting to track how much he's been sleeping to make sure that they don't need to change something to help. As of now, they believe it is a combination of healing time, tired from therapy, medicines wearing off, and cordisone levels that they are working on getting back to normal (those are out of wack from all the steriods they had him on for his throat awhile back).
-Prayer Targets-
*For his Eyes to see and his ears to hear (please Jesus hear our cry!!!!!!!!) .
*For Liam to not cry and be upset or scared anymore during his therapies
*For Liam to be more awake except for the times he needs to sleep to heal.
*For Liam to be more consistant in eating food and for him to consistantly enjoy eating so we can get him eating enough to get that tube out!!
*Wisdom for his doctors, therapists, and nurses.
*To keep my husband safe as he travels back home and for protection for him at his job. Also, for safety of all family that comes out to help/visit.
Again: I can't begin to thank all of you who repost my updates and all of you who pray daily for our family. May God bless you all! Thank you Jesus for another day.
3/17/12
Night post: Liam was a little more awake today...speech therapy hasn't really been going well ...he fights eating (which is frusterating to watch since he was doing awesome and loved it) he needs to keep trying to eat or that tube isnt going to come out. Physical therapy is going pretty decent; Liam is able to sit on his own with a little support for balance (he could do it on his own but he gets too mad/upset) he went from a supported kneeling to initiating moving his leg up to stand up (with support of course) standing practice turned into him initiating more steps...I just pray that he could enjoy his therapies...he improves daily in PT but cries almost the whole time. got a lot of mommy and Liam play time and cuddle time so that was nice:) He was also happy to see Grandma and Papa today...playing and making happy noises trying to talk. **prayer targets** complete restoration, eyes to see, ears to hear, comfort during therapy, for him to eat lots, and prayer for us to stay focused completely on Jesus and his Word! Thank you Jesus for our boy and for saving him...we will worship while we wait!
From Liam's Daddy:
Gen 22. Now this is morbid story and I don't completely understand why God did this. However it shows us that if we completely turn a situation over to God he will not fail us!
I had to come back to rapid city after 3 days in soo foo with my family. It is really hard leaving your family in a time like this. But that is life I guess. This whole deal gets hard sometimes when you look what we had January 1st. But it is amazing when you look at January 10th. It is awful and amazing at the same time. Some times you focus on your son being deaf blind unable to stand without assistance and I get discouraged. But then I think he easily could be dead with no shot at healing. Let's focus on the healing. This story is not over. Keep praying!
Have you ever felt guilty when you laughed, ate, slept, smiled or enjoyed anything. Well, that's my life. God I need some help I need some progress with Liam God. I need a whole bunch of good news. I feel so horrible being here and my family being across the state.
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