Here is an update on Olivia and an overview of what has been the last few weeks. This has been a hard day for me to sit and update the blog about my precious little livi. We have had such an emotional roller coaster the last two weeks. I have felt like I've been in a bad dream. As some may know, Olivia had a very bad episode in the pediatricians office last month. It was enough to make the dr leave the office and personally call in a referral to the developmental neurology clinic to get Olivia seen. Well, I am so blessed to not only have a wonderful pediatrician, but have great friends and family of God because by prayers...answered prayers we had an appointment in just 4 weeks, when others wait 6-12 months! PTL! for the answered prayers for a speedy appointment, but what was to come, I was not prepared for. I know that God never gives us more than we can handle. I know that God chose me, but why? What makes me the choice for this job....Do you ever wonder what requirements God sees that we have for why he chooses those of us with "special" babies?
We have an absolutely wonderful developmental neurologist, I couldn't have hand picked a better one. We saw her for over two hours our first visit. She sat down with me, talked about all the problems Olivia was having, referring back to all tests, dr visits etc.. Little did I know, she was going to tell me something I did not want to process. As she pulled up all of Olivia's scans, MRI's as plain as a cloud in the sky you could see Olivia's brain on the computer. There it was, damage in her frontal lobe, an excess of fluid surrounding her brain. She was diagnosed with external hydrocephalus. The scan shows her head is growing like it's supposed to but her brain is not so the fluid is filling up the space where the brain should be. The news I never wanted to hear was being spoken Olivia needs surgery. The neurologist said herself that surgery was a definite. Olivia will need a shunt put in to drain the excess fluid from her brain to releive the pressure. The most disturbing of all of this was what came next. Olivia has been getting radiation every week, several scans done on her head and not ONE person noticed the changes that were going on. It's a real stone to swallow when you hear the dr say she is disgusted that not one dr has mentioned this when it was in the last radiology report. My heart sank....how much has my baby suffered...how much more does she have to suffer?? We had a follow up MRI yesterday and are waiting for the report to be put in and we will then be seeing a second neurosurgeon outside of Texas Children's for an opinion on operating on Olivia. The surgery is risky. The neurologist said that the risks of operating on Olivia could cause more damage to what is there, that there is no guarantee at 100% that this would help Olivia. Also, with the other problems going on there is risks as well to operate on her now. So what do you do? How am I supposed to sit, drink coffee and watch Olivia daily waiting not knowing what's going on inside and wondering is she going to be ok until she's OK enough for the surgeon to operate????
Too much, I'm tired! I want her fixed, I want her healthy, I want her to be normal....Well, alot was put into perspective from a very near and dear friend and family. She is fixed, she is healthy, she is normal. This IS who God intended her to be. This is never a decision I want to be put in as a mom, but I have to know that she is in God's hands, she is His child and she is going to be ok. I know that God gives me the strength, I know God is where my faith and trust and are put and now I have to know that no matter the outcome, if it's His will and if the decision is what He wants me to make, I can handle tomorrow. Through all of this, I have thought back to one of my favorite old hymns....I Surrender All....All to Him my blessed Savior, I surrender all....That's all I have. I don't have the answers, I don't have the healing powers, I don't have the guarantee. All I have is GOD....And God has it all.
I ask all of you who follow this blog, who are reading it for the first time, who know us and who don't to please PRAY. I truly believe in the power of prayer. We have a long road ahead and I know that as people pray for God's will in Olivia;s life to be revealed to me, to the doctors we see that as I stay open to His will that I will recieve His answer. Things will always fall into place, in His time and that there is never a doubt about anything when you are doing His will. Thank you to all who pray daily for my girls, for my family and for the doctors who care for them. It means alot to me that I know I can call on everyone to pray and I dont have to wonder is it being done? Please keep us in your thoughts as we anxiously wait for the test results, for the follow up with a new surgeon, and ultimately for the decision set before us. I know I don't need to worry because God is in control, but I'm human and a mommy and it's hard.....Even though it was under some not so pleasant circumstances, I have truly enjoyed getting to see some of my church family last week. I enjoyed the prayer circles, the laughs, the cries and the joys. Thank you to all who help with my girls, who have taken time out of your busy schedules to visit with us, meet us at hospital, to pray and to love them. You all mean so much to them, to me and to my family. May God bless each of you and again I say Thank You and love to you all...
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
When two or more gather.....
WOW.....I mean literally.....WOW. That is all I know to say at the moment. You know even as a Christian sometimes Ive wondered in my life as a young child, as an adult and even now as a mom to two sick children "Is there really a God around?" Like where is He when the *#@! hits the fan....Or where was He when they told me my child has a disease that could be treated or could kill her??? I am going to have to live with a child who can't handle the little things in life? Dont I have enough? I would wonder sometimes is this my payback for my past? Am I now reaping what I sowed? Well I have figured out that who AM I to question ANYTHING that happens in my life. As I have taken this journey with Sam and Livi, I have found out that God is EVERYWHERE!!!!! Hello, wake up Kelly. God's the one that brought you to the doctors you needed, God's the one that gave you a prayer warrior church family, God's the one...God's the one! Through all of this, every fundraiser, every benefit it has all started from a seed. One person planting a desire to help us out and through the power of prayer, the current cause would snowball...
In the past two days, I have gone to help deliver hundreds of BBQ meals that were cooked for Galena Park ISD faculty in order to help with costs for the girls ongoing medical treatments. I then had a day spent at the elementary school where a kickball tournament was held...IN THE RAIN, people played fighting to stay out of the mud and at the top of the leader board, just like my girls fight to stay well. Then, we went to Chick-fil-A where they were donating 15% of sales to the Gant Girls Fund. Didn't I say WOW. I mean that just doesn't come from ordinary people. Some may say, well Im the one who gave the 1,000 check, or Im the one who paid for all the food to be cooked, or Im the one who organized the most. Yes, you may have done that but it's through God's provisions that you had that money to give, you had that food to cook or you had that time to make endless phone calls.
How do you even begin to say THANK YOU to all those that are involved. You don't even see half the people who get involved with fundraisers. Im just simply a mom trying to get my children to their treatments, therapy and pick up their meds and keep them as happy as they can be all the while passing people in walmart not knowing if theyre the one who put money in the account. Seeing the lady at the grovery store saying bless you and Ill pray for your kids, who is she? Wow all I did was grab a grocery cart and she grabbed my heart. How do you give back to that? Thank you doesn;t seem near what I should be saying to all the thousands of generous people who have touched our lives in so many ways. I can say that in the end no matter how things turn out for Sam and Livi in life that man life taken for granted by soo many means something soo different to me. My journey as Sam and Livi's mom has not been one I wanted at times, its been a life that I didn't think I could do to the best of my ability but wait it's not my life. This is my duty, I was called by God to care for HIS children. He didn't say to me well Im getting off the cross today so your sins will remain because I can't do this as well as my Father expects. God doesnt make mistakes. He knew what He was doing when He placed His children in my care. If He has enough faith to entrust their lives in my hands, then I should have enough faith to know He will see me through to the end, no matter what that end may be. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to God for lending me His children, for being able to learn patience from them, trust, an undyeing love and strength. I am truly blessed that I was chosen for this wonderful opportunity.
We face many challenges ahead with Sam and Livi. Sam has started her next round of chemo and radiation and the dosage has been increased. Which could mean more fevers, more sick days, more days without eating. Livi will see a developmental neurologist in two weeks to determine what is causing the changes in her. As I write, I keep thinking of the same question always asked, "What can I do?" Pray even when you think you should be doing more, just pray. Praying has worked this far so why would you change? I am so appreciative to all who pray, who do fundraisers, who keep my girls, who make trips to the hospital to see me. Everyone has grasped my heart in someway and the things done for our family will forever be a memory of today for me. I can only hope and pray that as Sam and Livi get older I can sit down and tell them a story. A story of love, hope, friendship, faith and courage. Title it Sam and Livi, authored by all of you.
Thank you all so much, again it never seems like "thank you" is enough but if I knew what to do different, I would. I would appreciate the continued prayers for the girl's as well as the family as we continue to fight this battle, knowing that we win, just not knowing when trophy day is!!! Please say a prayer for the girl's at grace, at bedtime, as your driving to work. God hears them all, I believe and I know He does. Please pass this on, so that others who may not know my family will know there is someone in need of prayer. Please remember them when youre standing in line at the fast food restaurant and you see the childrens miracle network, give a prayer! May God Bless you all as always who read this, pray and pass it along. I have been blessed. Truly blessed.
In the past two days, I have gone to help deliver hundreds of BBQ meals that were cooked for Galena Park ISD faculty in order to help with costs for the girls ongoing medical treatments. I then had a day spent at the elementary school where a kickball tournament was held...IN THE RAIN, people played fighting to stay out of the mud and at the top of the leader board, just like my girls fight to stay well. Then, we went to Chick-fil-A where they were donating 15% of sales to the Gant Girls Fund. Didn't I say WOW. I mean that just doesn't come from ordinary people. Some may say, well Im the one who gave the 1,000 check, or Im the one who paid for all the food to be cooked, or Im the one who organized the most. Yes, you may have done that but it's through God's provisions that you had that money to give, you had that food to cook or you had that time to make endless phone calls.
How do you even begin to say THANK YOU to all those that are involved. You don't even see half the people who get involved with fundraisers. Im just simply a mom trying to get my children to their treatments, therapy and pick up their meds and keep them as happy as they can be all the while passing people in walmart not knowing if theyre the one who put money in the account. Seeing the lady at the grovery store saying bless you and Ill pray for your kids, who is she? Wow all I did was grab a grocery cart and she grabbed my heart. How do you give back to that? Thank you doesn;t seem near what I should be saying to all the thousands of generous people who have touched our lives in so many ways. I can say that in the end no matter how things turn out for Sam and Livi in life that man life taken for granted by soo many means something soo different to me. My journey as Sam and Livi's mom has not been one I wanted at times, its been a life that I didn't think I could do to the best of my ability but wait it's not my life. This is my duty, I was called by God to care for HIS children. He didn't say to me well Im getting off the cross today so your sins will remain because I can't do this as well as my Father expects. God doesnt make mistakes. He knew what He was doing when He placed His children in my care. If He has enough faith to entrust their lives in my hands, then I should have enough faith to know He will see me through to the end, no matter what that end may be. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to God for lending me His children, for being able to learn patience from them, trust, an undyeing love and strength. I am truly blessed that I was chosen for this wonderful opportunity.
We face many challenges ahead with Sam and Livi. Sam has started her next round of chemo and radiation and the dosage has been increased. Which could mean more fevers, more sick days, more days without eating. Livi will see a developmental neurologist in two weeks to determine what is causing the changes in her. As I write, I keep thinking of the same question always asked, "What can I do?" Pray even when you think you should be doing more, just pray. Praying has worked this far so why would you change? I am so appreciative to all who pray, who do fundraisers, who keep my girls, who make trips to the hospital to see me. Everyone has grasped my heart in someway and the things done for our family will forever be a memory of today for me. I can only hope and pray that as Sam and Livi get older I can sit down and tell them a story. A story of love, hope, friendship, faith and courage. Title it Sam and Livi, authored by all of you.
Thank you all so much, again it never seems like "thank you" is enough but if I knew what to do different, I would. I would appreciate the continued prayers for the girl's as well as the family as we continue to fight this battle, knowing that we win, just not knowing when trophy day is!!! Please say a prayer for the girl's at grace, at bedtime, as your driving to work. God hears them all, I believe and I know He does. Please pass this on, so that others who may not know my family will know there is someone in need of prayer. Please remember them when youre standing in line at the fast food restaurant and you see the childrens miracle network, give a prayer! May God Bless you all as always who read this, pray and pass it along. I have been blessed. Truly blessed.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Fundraising Opportunity
There will be a Chick-fil-A fundraiser this Saturday, February 4th at the restaurant at Wallisville and Beltway 8. All you have to do is go enjoy some yummy Chick-fil-A and help the Gant Girls. When you check out, simply ask for your receipt and then deposit it in the basket that will be set out for you. Then Chick-fil-A will donate 15% of all receipts put in the basket to the Gant Girls. It runs from 6am-10pm so you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner, or all three!!
If you are not in the area, please be in prayer for this event. Pray that people will see the signs and drop their receipts in the basket and that much will be raised to help with the medical expenses for these sweet girls.
Thank you all in advance for your participation and prayer for this event.
If you are not in the area, please be in prayer for this event. Pray that people will see the signs and drop their receipts in the basket and that much will be raised to help with the medical expenses for these sweet girls.
Thank you all in advance for your participation and prayer for this event.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Power of Prayer
Well as you may know, we came home from hospital on Friday and have had to continue with the wraps on little livi's hands and feet and continue with all the meds to not only keep her from scratching but help her little body to heal. Through the course from day one of finding out livi was sick I have asked for prayers from all my family and friends, those I know, those I dont know who are miles and hours away. I thank you all who pray for my "special" gifts from God. This has been an exceptionally hard time with livi because trying to make her comfortable literally in her own skin has also shoen to be very uncomfortable. Watching her endure the first whirlpool treatment was heart wrenching. You could see the shear terror and pain in her eyes as she cried and screamed and all I could do was pat her and say it's ok while I had to hold back tears and cry inside to God asking for Him to give her comfort. The last few days since coming home have proved that God has heard my cry as well as the cries of many others that livi find comfort. She is tolerating the wraps very well and doesn't scratch as much as she has been so her little skin is beginning to heal. PRAISE GOD!!! Thank you to all who have prayed, continue to pray for her, it means more than you may ever know.
We have an upcoming neurology visit on the 14th of February and I ask that you please pray for some insight into how livi is feeling, functioning and how we can better learn to live and help her on a daily basis. It is very hard to watch her cry and scream for periods of time and not knowing what she wants and her not knowing how to express her need. Is she in pain? Did she have a seizure that I didn't see? Did she hurt herself? It's so hard to be a mom and no that no matter what you offer, you can't offer a "fix" to the problem. I can offer reassurance, I can offer love, I can offer open arms, prayer but thats not an instant to the current upset. Please pray that as the doctor evaluates her that he sees her as his, and that he chooses to help her in a way he would want his child helped. I pray that God is in the hearts of those who will become the drs that help livi and teach us how to help her daily. I pray that as decisions are made, the drs look to God first, then their books.
Again, I cannot say thank you enough for all that everyone has done for my girls. I will try to keep updates going as much as possible. We are adding new treatments to our weekly routine so please be in prayer that adjustments come easy. The prayers that flow from here to our Heavenly Father cannot be sent enough and when anyone says "What can I do???" Thats all I know, just pray. It works. So thanks for reading, praying, passing along the blog and being such signs of strength, encouragement and faith when mine seems to disappear in the midst of my trials. My love to you all from me and my family.
We have an upcoming neurology visit on the 14th of February and I ask that you please pray for some insight into how livi is feeling, functioning and how we can better learn to live and help her on a daily basis. It is very hard to watch her cry and scream for periods of time and not knowing what she wants and her not knowing how to express her need. Is she in pain? Did she have a seizure that I didn't see? Did she hurt herself? It's so hard to be a mom and no that no matter what you offer, you can't offer a "fix" to the problem. I can offer reassurance, I can offer love, I can offer open arms, prayer but thats not an instant to the current upset. Please pray that as the doctor evaluates her that he sees her as his, and that he chooses to help her in a way he would want his child helped. I pray that God is in the hearts of those who will become the drs that help livi and teach us how to help her daily. I pray that as decisions are made, the drs look to God first, then their books.
Again, I cannot say thank you enough for all that everyone has done for my girls. I will try to keep updates going as much as possible. We are adding new treatments to our weekly routine so please be in prayer that adjustments come easy. The prayers that flow from here to our Heavenly Father cannot be sent enough and when anyone says "What can I do???" Thats all I know, just pray. It works. So thanks for reading, praying, passing along the blog and being such signs of strength, encouragement and faith when mine seems to disappear in the midst of my trials. My love to you all from me and my family.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Updates on the girls and tests
Well as you know from the blog it's been awhile since post have been put on. I do greatly apologize for that, things have been a little crazy and I know that this is how many keep informed about sam and livi, so please forgive me.
Update on Livi....through all the testing that was done back in november and december, the results are as follows. The tests showed there are pedi maul seizures but it's non-specific. Not linked to just light sensitivity, over stimulation, television and unknown if it's food. The vascular malformation in her brain can cause seizures as well as her tumor on the paratoid gland and she has been newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease which as well can cause seizures. For her new diagnosis, she has been put on a gluten-free diet and praise God she seems to be tolerating it very well and having no problems. She has had some setbacks that I would appreciate prayer for. We are supposed to see a developmental neurologist on Feb 14 because she has begun to have crying and screaming fits for unknown reasons, is not sleeping well at night and chooses to eat off and on, no regular eating habits. We were in the dr's office for checkups for sam and hannah and livi screamed for 2 hours and the dr made phone calls that day because she was concerned that there is something going on that may have been missed. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful dr and that she cares for my children as if they were her own. God gives many blessings and I count that as one of them!! As some may know, we are currently in the hospital being treated for her exzema. She underwent a whirlpool treatment yesterday and is supposed to recieve two today. The whirlpool is supposed to break up the dry skin and scabs from her scratching like crazy and then meds are put in water and on her skin and then wrapped to help her heal and not get a staph infection. This has been difficult, but know it is necessary in keeping her well and comfortable. This for now will become a part of our weekly routine. We will now recieve radiation, therapy and the whirlpool treatment for now . Livi doesn;t like the tub but has done well with the wraps, I ask you please continue to pray for comfort and peace.
Update on Sam....bone scan and blood tests showed that cancer is still in pelvic area, contained has not grown but has not shrunk. Dr says with her immune being down for soo long she may take longer to really respond to treatments but he feels very good that she will recover. She begins another round of radiaton this week and chemo as well will start again, with the dosage being increased this time. She seems to handle things very well, but when she doesnt know any different I guess it's no big deal to her. She has been complaining again lately that her legs hurt which is normal for where the cancer is, but she takes meds and keeps going. Wish I had the energy to accept what is and just keep going.....Man it's hard. She's had a rough time with me being gone this time but Im thankful for my family who is caring for her and hannah and thankful my mom has such an understanding, christian man as her principal at the school and allowed her to be off when needed to care for my babies at home when I can't be there myself.
I ask that as you read this, please pass it on so that those who read will stop once and awhile to say a prayer for my babies. Prayer is the best gift anyone could give them, because I know that when two or more are joined together, God hears their cries. I pray for comfort and peace for sam and livi and for their little spirits to continue to be as happy and carefree as always. I ask that prayers for hannah be that of understanding and acceptance that even though we dont like what has become "normal" in our lives, God chose US to care for these precious babies and that through this she becomes as strong as I know she really is, even though she doesnt see it yet.
Thanks again to all who help my babies and my family in soo many ways, from them being put on prayer lists, being prayed over the dinner table, from the phone calls, visits to the simple texts. There will never be a way I can ever repay each and everyone of you for what you have shown me. God's undying love for me is what you have shown me and I only pray that I can do that for someone in their time of need as you all have done for me in my time. May God Bless each of you who reads this and passes it on down the prayer chain. Love to each of you!
Update on Livi....through all the testing that was done back in november and december, the results are as follows. The tests showed there are pedi maul seizures but it's non-specific. Not linked to just light sensitivity, over stimulation, television and unknown if it's food. The vascular malformation in her brain can cause seizures as well as her tumor on the paratoid gland and she has been newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease which as well can cause seizures. For her new diagnosis, she has been put on a gluten-free diet and praise God she seems to be tolerating it very well and having no problems. She has had some setbacks that I would appreciate prayer for. We are supposed to see a developmental neurologist on Feb 14 because she has begun to have crying and screaming fits for unknown reasons, is not sleeping well at night and chooses to eat off and on, no regular eating habits. We were in the dr's office for checkups for sam and hannah and livi screamed for 2 hours and the dr made phone calls that day because she was concerned that there is something going on that may have been missed. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful dr and that she cares for my children as if they were her own. God gives many blessings and I count that as one of them!! As some may know, we are currently in the hospital being treated for her exzema. She underwent a whirlpool treatment yesterday and is supposed to recieve two today. The whirlpool is supposed to break up the dry skin and scabs from her scratching like crazy and then meds are put in water and on her skin and then wrapped to help her heal and not get a staph infection. This has been difficult, but know it is necessary in keeping her well and comfortable. This for now will become a part of our weekly routine. We will now recieve radiation, therapy and the whirlpool treatment for now . Livi doesn;t like the tub but has done well with the wraps, I ask you please continue to pray for comfort and peace.
Update on Sam....bone scan and blood tests showed that cancer is still in pelvic area, contained has not grown but has not shrunk. Dr says with her immune being down for soo long she may take longer to really respond to treatments but he feels very good that she will recover. She begins another round of radiaton this week and chemo as well will start again, with the dosage being increased this time. She seems to handle things very well, but when she doesnt know any different I guess it's no big deal to her. She has been complaining again lately that her legs hurt which is normal for where the cancer is, but she takes meds and keeps going. Wish I had the energy to accept what is and just keep going.....Man it's hard. She's had a rough time with me being gone this time but Im thankful for my family who is caring for her and hannah and thankful my mom has such an understanding, christian man as her principal at the school and allowed her to be off when needed to care for my babies at home when I can't be there myself.
I ask that as you read this, please pass it on so that those who read will stop once and awhile to say a prayer for my babies. Prayer is the best gift anyone could give them, because I know that when two or more are joined together, God hears their cries. I pray for comfort and peace for sam and livi and for their little spirits to continue to be as happy and carefree as always. I ask that prayers for hannah be that of understanding and acceptance that even though we dont like what has become "normal" in our lives, God chose US to care for these precious babies and that through this she becomes as strong as I know she really is, even though she doesnt see it yet.
Thanks again to all who help my babies and my family in soo many ways, from them being put on prayer lists, being prayed over the dinner table, from the phone calls, visits to the simple texts. There will never be a way I can ever repay each and everyone of you for what you have shown me. God's undying love for me is what you have shown me and I only pray that I can do that for someone in their time of need as you all have done for me in my time. May God Bless each of you who reads this and passes it on down the prayer chain. Love to each of you!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Welcome Home Hero
Well, it's official, Hero is home. It's got to be a great feeling knowing that as the days go by and everyone begins to adjust, including Hero, Kelly may actually be able to get some peaceful, restful sleep. Kelly, the girls and her mom made the journey saturday to Dallas to pick up Hero. He has spent the last 3 months at Shadows For Life, and still has lots to learn as a sevice dog's work is never done and they learn daily. While Kelly, Hannah and Olivia were at the training facility becoming aquainted with Hero, listening to things they needed to know as they headed for their "official" family ride home, Kelly's mom and Sam were busy shopping at Walmart. It's truly funny how God ALWAYS seems to know when He needs to be seen, heard and felt. Kelly's mom and Sam were sitting in the restaurant at Walmart having a coke and a cookie when a woman in a wheelchair with a service dog pulled in to get a coke......Can you believe it, a service dog at Subway inside Walmart. Kelly's mom walked up to the lady and began to talk about her dog. She told her that Kelly was picking up a service dog for her youngest daughter. The lady persisted to tell Denise(Kelly's mom) that she got the dog 3 years ago when she was diagnosed with bone cancer?? Strange, just keep reading. The lady began to tell Denise that since she has had the dog shes been diagnosed with many other health problems as well but what's the greatest news, the testimony that God intended....the dog is able to sniff, yes I said it SNIFF the lady and it detects when she has a cold, an infection somewhere in her body and needs medical attention. Can you say Praise God!!! You may ask why, well Denise began to tell her how Sam had been diagnosed over a year ago with an immune disorder and then was later diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Strange how that encounter led to other events throughout the day. As Kelly arrived to pick up her mom and Sam, Denise began to tell her the story and said she hopes and prays that Hero might become Sam's Hero as well. Maybe dogs have an intuition, maybe we just see them acting funny and act on it, do we really know....No but God knows.
As the LONG ride home started Hero immediately jumped from the back seat to the middle where not only Olivia was sitting but Sam. Who do you think he was fascinated with....SAM. Maybe wishful thinking after hearing that ladys story at walmart, maybe God providing an intervention for Sam as well as Olivia, only time will tell. Hero seems very taken with Sam, but she doesn't quite feel the same but we all know that it's only a matter of time before Hero is everyone's favorite. The girls, the grandma and the dog are all home safe and sound tonight. Kelly has already begun introducing him to the surroundings, doing some work with him and Hero seems to be adjusting well.
We ask that you pray for the family as they began to learn to live with Hero, as they learn to understand his tasks set before him as he cares for Olivia and as everyone adjusts to there being another person in the family. As always we ask that you continue to pray for the girls for their healing, for peace for all three of them, for comfort as their lives are once again changing. Even though we know the change is a good thing, for children change isn't always easy. Please pray that as the day goes on, Kelly will be able to get some much needed rest, that the days are a little brighter and the nights a little longer.
We thank everyone who always does and always will say a prayer or pass along this blog. It means so much to the family to know that even people they dont know are being touched and those God fearing prayer warriors are praying for those precious girls. Thank you to all for the love and support that you show.
As the LONG ride home started Hero immediately jumped from the back seat to the middle where not only Olivia was sitting but Sam. Who do you think he was fascinated with....SAM. Maybe wishful thinking after hearing that ladys story at walmart, maybe God providing an intervention for Sam as well as Olivia, only time will tell. Hero seems very taken with Sam, but she doesn't quite feel the same but we all know that it's only a matter of time before Hero is everyone's favorite. The girls, the grandma and the dog are all home safe and sound tonight. Kelly has already begun introducing him to the surroundings, doing some work with him and Hero seems to be adjusting well.
We ask that you pray for the family as they began to learn to live with Hero, as they learn to understand his tasks set before him as he cares for Olivia and as everyone adjusts to there being another person in the family. As always we ask that you continue to pray for the girls for their healing, for peace for all three of them, for comfort as their lives are once again changing. Even though we know the change is a good thing, for children change isn't always easy. Please pray that as the day goes on, Kelly will be able to get some much needed rest, that the days are a little brighter and the nights a little longer.
We thank everyone who always does and always will say a prayer or pass along this blog. It means so much to the family to know that even people they dont know are being touched and those God fearing prayer warriors are praying for those precious girls. Thank you to all for the love and support that you show.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Needed Prayers for Olivia
Well, it's official. Olivia is home, and we know everyone is happy and grateful for that. These last few days have proven very stressful for Olivia, Kelly and the rest of the family. We always think in our minds as parents, as friends, as caregivers of the ones we love that answers will be sought and found in a timely manner. God doesn't work that way so why should the team of medical doctors. We dont say God give us peace or give us fortune or give us healing and BOOM it's done. NO, we have to pray for God to give us peace and then continue to have faith, continue to trust and when the going gets tough, remember to turn it over to Him...again. The only thing that is instant with God is salvation. I am thankful for that! Well, Olivia went trough several days of EEG testing, hooked up to monitors, cameras and audio to capture any seizure she had no matter time, activity or level of noise in the room. It will take about 1-2 weeks for the neurologist to get the results of this test, as the epitologist has to read through mounds and mounds of papers, watch videos and mark seizures with the data collected. Some other tests were done as well at the request of the neurologist and the neurosurgeon which proved to be discouraging to Kelly. They are now looking at the possibility of Olivia having a genetic disorder that could very well be the number one cause to the problems of learning, speech, mobility and overall function.
As you can imagine, everyone was under the impression Olivia would go in for tests and come out with answers. Not so, but we do know that our God already knows the answers to the questions, already knows the solution to the problem and ultimately knows Olivia's goals and achievments set before her. After all, He created her for His glory, for His purpose and she is wonderfully made. It was discovered that there may be a problem trying to remove the tumor through the nose because of how the tumor is growing. The dr's did an ultrasound from Olivia's nose to her ear to determine the length and site of which it is growing. The results of this test as well as others will begin to come back within the next 2-3 weeks. Upon release from the hospital, Kelly was told to continue therapy as normal, work with Olivia as much as possible at home, continue radiation and love and cherish her daily. Although we dont want a new symptom or syndrome or another problem, Kelly does however want answers as I am sure so many of us who love, care and pray for this little girl do. This has been such a hard pill to swallow, but Kelly has faith, she understands Olivia isn't hers and knows there is a greater good in all of this. Olivia's life has purpose, Kelly's road she's on has a testimony at the end, and to God be the Glory for it all.
In these weeks to come, we ask that you continue to pray for everyone in this family. As it's hard to sit and look at the clock and watch minutes go by knowing it's weeks before the dr calls to give you results. Please continue to pray for Olivia that everyday she will show progress in her mobility, language and activity. Pray that no matter the outcome, whether there's an answer or another test ordered that Kelly will have acceptance, peace and continue to push forward. Please pray for Sam as she has begun to become ill from her chemo, and struggled deeply with Kelly being gone for a week. Pray healing for her little body that she can stay well and have a good day everyday! Please pray for Hannah as she is faced with being the big sister. It's hard to look at the two younger siblings and not be scared for their health, wondering if theyre ok, and still try to be as normal as a kid should be.
We also ask that you please pray for the whole family, the friends who help Kelly care for the girls that everyone may have strength to endure. Give them the peace and comfort that is needed to comfort the girls, and the words of encouragement and wisdom that is needed to let the girl's know that everything is OK. Thanks to all who on a daily basis pray for this family, help relieve Kelly in some way and pass on this blog to family and friends. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.......What if our blessings come through raindrops, what if our healing comes through tears.....Many a tear has been shed over these girls and we know what a blessing they are to have in our lives. What a blessing they are to Kelly. Thanks for all the love and support shown, thank you is such two simple words but means something greater than simple, to Kelly. Please pass on and know that you are granting a wish from a mother who wishes not for gold, or diamonds or a mansion on a hill but for prayers for her babies. May God Bless you all.
As you can imagine, everyone was under the impression Olivia would go in for tests and come out with answers. Not so, but we do know that our God already knows the answers to the questions, already knows the solution to the problem and ultimately knows Olivia's goals and achievments set before her. After all, He created her for His glory, for His purpose and she is wonderfully made. It was discovered that there may be a problem trying to remove the tumor through the nose because of how the tumor is growing. The dr's did an ultrasound from Olivia's nose to her ear to determine the length and site of which it is growing. The results of this test as well as others will begin to come back within the next 2-3 weeks. Upon release from the hospital, Kelly was told to continue therapy as normal, work with Olivia as much as possible at home, continue radiation and love and cherish her daily. Although we dont want a new symptom or syndrome or another problem, Kelly does however want answers as I am sure so many of us who love, care and pray for this little girl do. This has been such a hard pill to swallow, but Kelly has faith, she understands Olivia isn't hers and knows there is a greater good in all of this. Olivia's life has purpose, Kelly's road she's on has a testimony at the end, and to God be the Glory for it all.
In these weeks to come, we ask that you continue to pray for everyone in this family. As it's hard to sit and look at the clock and watch minutes go by knowing it's weeks before the dr calls to give you results. Please continue to pray for Olivia that everyday she will show progress in her mobility, language and activity. Pray that no matter the outcome, whether there's an answer or another test ordered that Kelly will have acceptance, peace and continue to push forward. Please pray for Sam as she has begun to become ill from her chemo, and struggled deeply with Kelly being gone for a week. Pray healing for her little body that she can stay well and have a good day everyday! Please pray for Hannah as she is faced with being the big sister. It's hard to look at the two younger siblings and not be scared for their health, wondering if theyre ok, and still try to be as normal as a kid should be.
We also ask that you please pray for the whole family, the friends who help Kelly care for the girls that everyone may have strength to endure. Give them the peace and comfort that is needed to comfort the girls, and the words of encouragement and wisdom that is needed to let the girl's know that everything is OK. Thanks to all who on a daily basis pray for this family, help relieve Kelly in some way and pass on this blog to family and friends. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.......What if our blessings come through raindrops, what if our healing comes through tears.....Many a tear has been shed over these girls and we know what a blessing they are to have in our lives. What a blessing they are to Kelly. Thanks for all the love and support shown, thank you is such two simple words but means something greater than simple, to Kelly. Please pass on and know that you are granting a wish from a mother who wishes not for gold, or diamonds or a mansion on a hill but for prayers for her babies. May God Bless you all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)