The Gant Girls are quite some funny girls. Hannah, the oldest is 12 and even though she looks girlie she is anything BUT!! Or so she says. Hannah loves to play soccer, softball hang out with friends, go to church and absolutely LOVES church camp! Hannah loves getting involved and helping others. Two years ago, she raised over 16,000 dollars for Hike For Heroes and had the Hannah Turner Barefoot Race put on at the Crosby High School. There along with Crosby, Texas, she broke the Guiness Book of Records for the most people to run a race barefoot across a football field. Having fun all the while, not realizing the full extent of what it meant to military families across the country to be recieving money raised from one small town girl. Hannah has a heart of gold and has suffered and gave alot not only for others but for her sisters Sam and Olivia who have medical conditions which limit us from everyday things like the mall, church, the favorite pizza place or the local hangout with friends. She not only understands their conditions, but she makes sure that everyone around her does as well. I have truly been blessed to have someone so young be so grown up....
Samantha is a 4 year old BALL OF FIRE!!! She LOVES everyone and lets you know that she loves you and you should love her because God says so.....Two years ago, Sam became sick with an infection in her ear that led us to a hospital stay for a week and the diagnosis of Osteomyletis in the bone in her ear. Since then, it has been an uphill battle to keep her well. Another diagnoses of immune disorder, IVIG treatments and still not up to par. In the process of surgery for tubes, surgery to replace a busted eardrum, constant pain in the legs and numerous tests she was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma a year ago. Easy fix? You would think...Thhis type of cancer is very common in children, very common in children with immune disorders YET we are still today battling treatments and cure. We have lived through horrible days and absolutely heavenly days. But regardless, each day is a blessing and I thank God he chose me..
Little Miss Olivia...she may be small in stature but boy does she fight like the LSU Tiger!!! Olivia was born premature and was other than little, healthy....or so we thought. At around 9 month checkup, her pediatrician noticed that she was not developing mentally, physically and that her head was growing off the chart. After a trip to the orthotics place, and a referral to the neurologist we thought we would simply get a helmet to reshape her skull and all would be well.....Don't ever count your chickens before they hatch.....MRI of the brain at the neuro office showed that Olivia had a vascular malformation of the brain. Further testing determined that it is inoperable. What came with that.....Possibility of seizures, blindness, aneurism, stroke or death....It was decided that she would be monitored every few months...Routine MRI..NOT...The next MRI led them to do an ultrasound because something in her neck looked different so we now have discovered that there is a tumor on the paratiod gland in her neck...what comes with that you may wonder...deafness in the right ear, trouble swallowing,trouble chewing,. So in the course of from the time Olivia began seeing dr for specific things in her short life, we have now turned 2 in June have extended our diagnosis list, have been to several drs before we found one actually able to TEST and TREAT Olivia and we found them in Denver, Colorado. Olivia at the age of 2 is an autistic child with an inoperable vasuclar malformation, a tumor on the paratiod gland, external hydrocephalus(too much water on outside of brain),developmental delay,L-Carnatine Deficiency,Seizure Disorder,and Celiacs disease...
So in the course of almost two years, and numerous drs., we have become patients now at National Jewish Hospital and Denver Children's Hospital in Colorado. The drs there work with our drs here to make sure that the girls are getting the treatments they need, the meds, the care and most of all....answers. We can do nothing but thank God everyday that we were blessed to have been sent to Colorado, to have had the drs with not only love and compassion but with knowledge, understanding and wisdom from God be able to treat these precious girls and not only give them chance at life but give them happiness in the process. We never know what tomorrow holds. We are so humbled when our children become sick or when things become tough but it seems that we should be humbled from the beginning...God GAVE up his son.....He DIED so that we may live, so then why is it that we as "children of God" we cannot find it in ourselves to let God take care of all the daily mess, trials and tribulations and we just sit back in AWE of his works and miracles...
One of my dearest friends said the other day to me...."I wish I could just cure Sam' I thought the same thing....ME TOO!!! But I know we can cure Sam, and all the other sick children, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles..We cure them by claiming it in the name of Jesus, setting the burden at his feet and LEAVING it there...My babies are whole, my babies are cured...in Heaven..whether I get to see that miracle in person on this earth or not, I believe it already exists..who am I to take away God's marvelous works all because I want an instant fix....How dare I try to do God's job, I know i can't hang on my own and He knows that as well..
Thank you to all who continously pray for my family, who show support whether it be monitary, physically or spiritually. Your generousity will never be forgotten and I know that your riches await you beyond the pearly gates. You have touched me and my family in a way that can never be forgotten and I will forever cherish every moment of everyday. I will forever thank the many that I know and that I don't for being the light of God in this dark world. I am so glad that this world is not my HOME!!! Love to you all and God Bless you and yours!
Kelly Gant
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
A Note from Kelly
So for the many friends and family who may or may not know.....Monday morning I will embark on a journey with my two little ones. Both girls are being admitted to National Jewish Hopsital in Denver, Colorado. Sam is being admitted for immune disorders and will have an oncologist consulting with the drs and Livi is being admitted for exzema and will have neurology consulting. This has to be so far, I think one of the hardest things I am having to do. I never thought that as my life was being laid out in God's plans would I be battling with drs on treatments for my sick children, battling the children for not being able to just let loose, battling with each bedtime ritual, could this be the last....It truly is amazing to see God's wonders at work in my friends and family around me, in my babies who suffer and in perfect stangers whom I have never even met....In all of my many years of life, I can honestly say I have never felt closer to God in the aspect that from Monday on its just me and HIM...I KNOW that God answers all prayers and I know that it was Him who has made this trip possible. Months ago, the trip was going to be me and Olivia and we were originally supposed to leave in May. Had a few drs appts with Sam, had some talks with drs and God saw it fit for Sam to make the journey. God knows what tomorrow holds and no matter how great Texas Childrens is known to be, the only TRUE HEALER is God! He is the only dr I need to be relying on. I received a call about a month ago that not only was Sam accepted but that she would be admitted the same day, receive treatments as well and I would be able to be with the girls one on one. Livi receives treatments and testing from early morniing to late afternoon and Sam from late afternoon to late evening..
Now the hard part....what does each day hold? Only God can answer that...As we set out on our journey I can honestly say I am afraid....of the unknown, of the changes that could be for the better or worse but I do know that God has brought me to this place, He has seen fit to entrust His children to me so I guess the least I can do is see fit to trust him with everything in me...I remember as a young child I use to have a necklace that had a small mustard seed in it. And I remember the story of how if we have faith just enough as the size of a mustard seed, thats all we need...That doesn't seem like alot and being a child of God that almost makes me feel ashamed that the size of mustard seed is all I can put into God. I have truly seen wonders of God's work and I know the wonders of God will prevail daily.
I ask that if only for a brief moment throughout your daily lives you would please say a prayer for my babies..if youre listening to KSBJ at high noon, or praying at the dinner table or during the Sunday sermon(when Bro Robin is Praying not Preaching!!) that you lift my girls up to Jesus, ask Him to take the wheel, ask Him to touch the drs hearts. I would also ask that you please pray for Hannah. She endures so much being the big sister and for the next couple of weeks she is getting a much deserved and way overdue break! Even though she's tough, she will be away from home...having fun NO DOUBT! but being a loving child and care giver for her sisters, I know she will worry about them. I ask that God give her peace to know they're ok, grant her the wisdom to grow closer to Him through this experience. I think often about how much Sam talks about Jesus how he's not in the "cage" anymore..LOL she loves to hear the story of how He is Risen! That speaks alot to me, I told my mom the other day that Sam talks alot about seeing Jesus, how He's always with her......Then it hit me if my 4 year old can see Him, why can't I? Why do I expect Him to actually be sitting at the dinner table when I get home when He's been walking with me all day...learning through the eyes of your child is no better way to learn.
I will try to keep updates on the blog at least every couple of days and try to post small updates daily on facebook.. Again thank you to everyone who has touched our lives, in no way have they been small ways! I appreciate all the prayers and love and support soo much and you may or may not ever understand what it means to me to have prayer warriors claiming my babies healing in Jesus' name but from everything I have.....it's appreciated. Love to you all and may God Bless you all who read this, who pray and who pass it on.
Kelly
Now the hard part....what does each day hold? Only God can answer that...As we set out on our journey I can honestly say I am afraid....of the unknown, of the changes that could be for the better or worse but I do know that God has brought me to this place, He has seen fit to entrust His children to me so I guess the least I can do is see fit to trust him with everything in me...I remember as a young child I use to have a necklace that had a small mustard seed in it. And I remember the story of how if we have faith just enough as the size of a mustard seed, thats all we need...That doesn't seem like alot and being a child of God that almost makes me feel ashamed that the size of mustard seed is all I can put into God. I have truly seen wonders of God's work and I know the wonders of God will prevail daily.
I ask that if only for a brief moment throughout your daily lives you would please say a prayer for my babies..if youre listening to KSBJ at high noon, or praying at the dinner table or during the Sunday sermon(when Bro Robin is Praying not Preaching!!) that you lift my girls up to Jesus, ask Him to take the wheel, ask Him to touch the drs hearts. I would also ask that you please pray for Hannah. She endures so much being the big sister and for the next couple of weeks she is getting a much deserved and way overdue break! Even though she's tough, she will be away from home...having fun NO DOUBT! but being a loving child and care giver for her sisters, I know she will worry about them. I ask that God give her peace to know they're ok, grant her the wisdom to grow closer to Him through this experience. I think often about how much Sam talks about Jesus how he's not in the "cage" anymore..LOL she loves to hear the story of how He is Risen! That speaks alot to me, I told my mom the other day that Sam talks alot about seeing Jesus, how He's always with her......Then it hit me if my 4 year old can see Him, why can't I? Why do I expect Him to actually be sitting at the dinner table when I get home when He's been walking with me all day...learning through the eyes of your child is no better way to learn.
I will try to keep updates on the blog at least every couple of days and try to post small updates daily on facebook.. Again thank you to everyone who has touched our lives, in no way have they been small ways! I appreciate all the prayers and love and support soo much and you may or may not ever understand what it means to me to have prayer warriors claiming my babies healing in Jesus' name but from everything I have.....it's appreciated. Love to you all and may God Bless you all who read this, who pray and who pass it on.
Kelly
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The Next Step of the Journey!
The bake sale went fabulously! Thank you so much to all who baked items and those who came out and donated. The finally result is in and we raised $1,407.21. The totally cool part; the hotel bill for their stay came out to be $1,407. I love getting to watch our God provide in amazing ways! Please continue to be in prayer as the family raises funds for the plane tickets. I pray that God continues to open doors for the girls and that they will get some much needed answers on this trip. Not only do the girls need prayers as they go through their various treatments, but please also say special prayers for Olivia as she has never flown before. Kelly is very concerned about how Olivia will handle the flight, thus the need for Hero to be on the plane with her. Thank you so much for all your support and prayers, they mean the world to Kelly and her precious family.
If you were unable to make the bake sale and would like to make a donation, please contact me and we can meet up. You can email me or contact me via facebook.
Thank you again,
Michelle
mholloway@fbccrosby.net
If you were unable to make the bake sale and would like to make a donation, please contact me and we can meet up. You can email me or contact me via facebook.
Thank you again,
Michelle
mholloway@fbccrosby.net
Monday, July 9, 2012
An Exciting Adventure
Dear friends and family,
I come to you today to give you an update on Samantha and Olivia and to tell you about an amazing opportunity that has come to them. Samantha continues to fight her cancer, and in doing so her immune system has become seriously compromised. Olivia continues to struggle with her eczema, multiple seizures and a variety of other issues. Both girls undergo numerous treatments a week and Olivia also goes to numerous therapies a week. Olivia has been accepted to a special school that is designed to work with her specific needs and we can thankfully report that she has experienced amazing progress. Doctors are still working to find treatment opportunities for Samantha. She has had a couple of tumors removed from her neck area, and they are still working to rid her body of the tumors in her pelvic area.
Now comes to the exciting part!! Samantha and Olivia have both been accepted to a specialized hospital in Colorado. The hospital is known for its specialization in certain areas. Samantha is being admitted to work on her immune system and help to build it up. Olivia is being admitted for her severe dermatological issues. The main doctors will then bring in the various other departments that may be needed for each of the girls so that they may consult and find the best treatment plan for each girl. So for instance, oncologists and neurologists will be called in. Kelly is very thankful to be given this opportunity, but as you can imagine it is also overwhelming due the logistics of getting everyone there and having both girls undergoing treatment at the same time.
Here is where you can help. As always, we need you to pray for the girls as they continue to fight their respective issues. In an effort to help Kelly with the financial needs that go with this trip, we will be holding a bake sale at Arlan's in Crosby on Monday July 16 from 4-7. We need help with donated baked goods, as well as your support at the bake sale. Please feel free to send out emails, make facebook posts, etc. to get the word out and get as much support as you can. They will be flying Samantha, Olivia, Kelly, a family friend to help, and of course Hero. And yes, she has to pay for a separate seat for Hero. We are praying he will be a huge help in helping Olivia deal with the stress of the flight. He is an amazing animal who has truly blessed this family and Olivia beyond measure.
So, please contact me if you are able to provide baked goods for the bake sale or if you have any questions. And most importantly, please PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!! We know that the Lord answers prayers and that HE will provide for the needs of the Gant girls.
Sincerely,
Michelle Holloway
mholloway@fbccrosby.net
I come to you today to give you an update on Samantha and Olivia and to tell you about an amazing opportunity that has come to them. Samantha continues to fight her cancer, and in doing so her immune system has become seriously compromised. Olivia continues to struggle with her eczema, multiple seizures and a variety of other issues. Both girls undergo numerous treatments a week and Olivia also goes to numerous therapies a week. Olivia has been accepted to a special school that is designed to work with her specific needs and we can thankfully report that she has experienced amazing progress. Doctors are still working to find treatment opportunities for Samantha. She has had a couple of tumors removed from her neck area, and they are still working to rid her body of the tumors in her pelvic area.
Now comes to the exciting part!! Samantha and Olivia have both been accepted to a specialized hospital in Colorado. The hospital is known for its specialization in certain areas. Samantha is being admitted to work on her immune system and help to build it up. Olivia is being admitted for her severe dermatological issues. The main doctors will then bring in the various other departments that may be needed for each of the girls so that they may consult and find the best treatment plan for each girl. So for instance, oncologists and neurologists will be called in. Kelly is very thankful to be given this opportunity, but as you can imagine it is also overwhelming due the logistics of getting everyone there and having both girls undergoing treatment at the same time.
Here is where you can help. As always, we need you to pray for the girls as they continue to fight their respective issues. In an effort to help Kelly with the financial needs that go with this trip, we will be holding a bake sale at Arlan's in Crosby on Monday July 16 from 4-7. We need help with donated baked goods, as well as your support at the bake sale. Please feel free to send out emails, make facebook posts, etc. to get the word out and get as much support as you can. They will be flying Samantha, Olivia, Kelly, a family friend to help, and of course Hero. And yes, she has to pay for a separate seat for Hero. We are praying he will be a huge help in helping Olivia deal with the stress of the flight. He is an amazing animal who has truly blessed this family and Olivia beyond measure.
So, please contact me if you are able to provide baked goods for the bake sale or if you have any questions. And most importantly, please PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!! We know that the Lord answers prayers and that HE will provide for the needs of the Gant girls.
Sincerely,
Michelle Holloway
mholloway@fbccrosby.net
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Answers and Acceptance.....Hard to Hear, Harder to Learn
Well, yesterday Tuesday March 6 we met with another neurologist, this time at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital. Don't want to get overjoyed with her being so "observant and knowledgable" to Olivia but I have to say I went in with an open mind and an open heart....I thought. We met with her for a little over two hours. She read through all the previous reports, looked over all the scans, ultrasounds, MRI's and lab reports. While discussing Olivia's daily behaviours, problems and concerns, she showed me all the MRI's. In between all of our brains, there is a thick membrane lining housing all of the nerves that connects our right side of the brain to the left. It allows all the nerves to send signals back and forth properly, keeps everything in tact. Well on the first MRI back in July of 2011, the radiologist noticed that the membrane was thin. He quoted " concerned about the thinning membrane lining the corpus luteum"........was that EVER discussed when neurologist got the report, NO! OK am I angry, thats an understatement. Then the last MRI that we had on February 24, 2012, reported that there was no lining......OK am I pissed off now, NO I have surpassed that emotion. I told her am I supposed to be glad you found this! Why can't I just find out the first time what in the hell is wrong with my child....Im sorry I am so angry, frustrated, full of emotions that I've never even had before but you are talking about something that we could have known about a year ago. Not that anything could have fixed it as the conversation went on and as her explanations of the days to come continued but still. Why go to medical school, why take an oath, why have a practice if you're not gonna follow what you promised. WHOA!! I just put my foot in my mouth. I promised myself, I promised God that no matter what came out of the doctors mouth whether it was what I wanted to hear or not, I was going to accept the answer, accept the outcome and say what do I do next....You know it really is hard to do what you set out in your mind to do, or what others recommend you do when you're faced with your child suffering, living a "not so normal" life and feeling absolutely GUILTY over the fact that maybe you should have sought an outside opinion sooner,maybe you should have fought harder to begin with. Maybe so, or maybe I should have shut up along time ago and listened to God tell me you are the mom and I am the healer. You don't have the letters behind your name that say M.D. you dont have the nail scarred hands to prove you CAN do it all, you just have my child to care for, my child to teach and raise and my child that I can heal on Earth or in Heaven....I am so humbled when the good Lord brings me to my knees once again because it truly lets me know the power of His love, His forgiveness and of His presence in my everyday life.
Needless to say, by the end of the visit with the doctor, I was pleased that we met with her, upset over some of the news but accepting of the fact that we have plans, plans in place for the days to come. We have a strategy of how things will be with Olivia and how we are going to deal with her and the best of all, we actually have a follow-up appointment with her after all the future tests that are ordered will be done. Olivia will have an MRI of the neck and lower spine, followed by a spinal tap to remove excess fluid so that the fluid from the brain can drain down. She is going to start steroids an on/off regimen to help reduce swelling and hope and pray that the brain begins to breathe and realizes there is space and it can begin to grow. Next she is going to start her on seizure meds for a trial period of 30 days to see if there is any change in behavior. To see if she begins to sleep at night, has less screaming fits. She is also scheduling a hearing test to see if there is any damage since the tumor is on the paratiod gland which houses the nerves. She knows she hears us but the question is how well..The best news was all these tests will be done within the next few weeks and ALL results will be in when we go to our follow-up visit. That was an answered prayer that wasn;t even prayed for....at least by me, maybe one of my wonderful prayer warriors asked for that and if so I am eternally grateful!!
As far as dealling with Olivia, she is going to need to continue her therapies, she is going to need the extra pushes to grasp concepts, commands and everyday life as opposed to others....but we can handle it, we can handle anything....thanks to a very dear friend who helped me realize that it's going to be hard but not impossible. Olivia has had an interview at a very good school that deals with children with autism and neurological disorders in hopes that this might be the place for her. We have also had an interview with some therapists that can come into the home and do the same treatments that this school would do. We are just waiting to hear back from both places and then praying that what God wants for Olivia that we will be open to and accept.
Please continue to pray for Olivia. All of this has been very difficult on her and on top of all the usual things we are currently going downtown to Texas Children's daily for whirlpool treatments for her excema and this will continue for quite some time. That is hard but she is doing good on the treatments and seems to fight a little less each day. Please continue to pray for sam and hannah as well. This has been hard on them with having to be at the hospital lots more than normal, but as always they seem to adjust and it becomes a routine thats not even questioned. As always, thank you so much to all of you who pray for my precious babies for their comfort, for their healing, for their peace. Thanks to all the many wonderful friend who have been their to love on my babies, give them a little joy and give me a little help even if it is in the surroundings of Texas Children's.....we DEFINITELY have a wonderful church family, wonderful family and friends. Thanks to all who pass along this blog and share and ask for prayers, it's greatly appreciated. You all mean so much to me, those who are my nearest and dearest, those who are aquaintances and those of whom I have never met, you mean the world to me and my family for taking the time to read, pass along and pray. I truly believe God hears all our prayers and I know He has already answered I just have to be patient and trust and have faith in Him. May God Bless you all....all my love
Needless to say, by the end of the visit with the doctor, I was pleased that we met with her, upset over some of the news but accepting of the fact that we have plans, plans in place for the days to come. We have a strategy of how things will be with Olivia and how we are going to deal with her and the best of all, we actually have a follow-up appointment with her after all the future tests that are ordered will be done. Olivia will have an MRI of the neck and lower spine, followed by a spinal tap to remove excess fluid so that the fluid from the brain can drain down. She is going to start steroids an on/off regimen to help reduce swelling and hope and pray that the brain begins to breathe and realizes there is space and it can begin to grow. Next she is going to start her on seizure meds for a trial period of 30 days to see if there is any change in behavior. To see if she begins to sleep at night, has less screaming fits. She is also scheduling a hearing test to see if there is any damage since the tumor is on the paratiod gland which houses the nerves. She knows she hears us but the question is how well..The best news was all these tests will be done within the next few weeks and ALL results will be in when we go to our follow-up visit. That was an answered prayer that wasn;t even prayed for....at least by me, maybe one of my wonderful prayer warriors asked for that and if so I am eternally grateful!!
As far as dealling with Olivia, she is going to need to continue her therapies, she is going to need the extra pushes to grasp concepts, commands and everyday life as opposed to others....but we can handle it, we can handle anything....thanks to a very dear friend who helped me realize that it's going to be hard but not impossible. Olivia has had an interview at a very good school that deals with children with autism and neurological disorders in hopes that this might be the place for her. We have also had an interview with some therapists that can come into the home and do the same treatments that this school would do. We are just waiting to hear back from both places and then praying that what God wants for Olivia that we will be open to and accept.
Please continue to pray for Olivia. All of this has been very difficult on her and on top of all the usual things we are currently going downtown to Texas Children's daily for whirlpool treatments for her excema and this will continue for quite some time. That is hard but she is doing good on the treatments and seems to fight a little less each day. Please continue to pray for sam and hannah as well. This has been hard on them with having to be at the hospital lots more than normal, but as always they seem to adjust and it becomes a routine thats not even questioned. As always, thank you so much to all of you who pray for my precious babies for their comfort, for their healing, for their peace. Thanks to all the many wonderful friend who have been their to love on my babies, give them a little joy and give me a little help even if it is in the surroundings of Texas Children's.....we DEFINITELY have a wonderful church family, wonderful family and friends. Thanks to all who pass along this blog and share and ask for prayers, it's greatly appreciated. You all mean so much to me, those who are my nearest and dearest, those who are aquaintances and those of whom I have never met, you mean the world to me and my family for taking the time to read, pass along and pray. I truly believe God hears all our prayers and I know He has already answered I just have to be patient and trust and have faith in Him. May God Bless you all....all my love
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Jesus....He CAN Move Mountains
Well this past week has been crazy to say in the least. I'm beginning to think that Olivia has the doctors soo stumped that the same answer to every question asked has become routine...."we will have to run some tests and see" Aren't you tired of running tests? I know I'm tired, Olivia's tired... I catch myself sometimes thinking I must be praying wrong, asking for the wrong thing or not praying enough because how can God hear my prayers and NOT answer them???? Helloooo my kids are suffering here, theyre your kids right? I want Him to intervene and He's not and I can't figure out why? Well I have to say, that I realized once again what the problem is as God brought me to my knees like He has soo many times before. As I sit in the doctor's office, or at home on the other end of the phone, I hear what the doctor is telling me, what they are planning or wanting to try and I catch myself saying why?, can't we do something else, can you give me a definite answer this is going to make it ok? Maybe this is God's plan and here I sit being a mommy and not 100% faith invested in God that I'm the one stopping what maybe could be the right intervention for Olivia? It's hard to be facing the fact that what could help her may also be what could literally cause her to be worse off than what she is right now....I have to have FAITH, I have to TRUST but I'm human I want a definite. I know that definitely, Olivia and Sam both will be healed completely one day. Now whether that day is here on earth and I can rejoice or whether that day comes when He calls them home, I have got to learn to accept the no response at the end of my AMEN's, I have to learn to accept the "we will wait and see" answers. Until I can throw up the white flag and truly say I surrender and say "yes" I'll go here, I'll see this doctor, I'll pick up these forms for bloodwork, I may never get the answers I want and God may never intervene because He wants me to see that He is working in their lives but I have to sit back, shut up and listen. WOW that is soo hard for me to do.
These next few weeks are going to be pretty rough and I ask that each one of you who reads this, who believes in the power of prayer and who loves the Lord to please keep my girls in your prayers. As for Olivia, her excema had gotten bad so for the next two weeks we are at Texas Childrens everyday for whirlpool therapy, on top of our other weekly appointments. We are waiting for a phone call anyday to see the neuro team at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital for a second opinion on what will come of Oliva facing surgery. The doctor at Texas Children's said the fluid on the brain without a doubt needs to be drained in hopes that it will not only relieve the pressure, make her maybe feel a little better but the big plus to doing that would be that the brain might begin to grow. A shunt would need to be put in to do that but because her brain is underdeveloped, and with the malformation and the tumor being where it is, the surgery is risky and the outcome of her being better as opposed to being worse isn't good. There is an option that is being talked about. The doctor has talked about doing a spinal tap to remove fluid and then repeating an MRI four weeks from the spinal tap to see how things are looking. That is alot less invasive, could give us some good results but could also do absolutely nothing and then we would be back to square one....
Also, Sam will have bloodwork done the week after next and a bone scan to see if so far there are any changes. She still has several treatments to go before this round of 12 chemo and radiation treatments are done, but we are praying and hoping for the best. There is only one more 12 rounds that she can do with an upped dosage for chemo and radiation before they begin to do the intravenous chemo. Sam seems to do ok some days and others not at all. She has begun to run fever quite a bit, and be very irritable which is understandable. I can't even begin to imagine how she feels.
Please keep both of the girls in your prayers as the next few weeks will prove to be very trying as we spend everyday at the hospital for treatments, see new doctors and learn of what is to come for the both of them. I know that those of you who are faithful followers not only to this blog, but to the Lord will pray that His will be done in all things regarding Sam and Olivia. Please pray that my mind be open and my heart be accepting to what is being said about my babies. It is hard to sit and watch your babies suffer and be sick and hurt and not be able to do anything but PRAY. They don't understand what is going on with them and all they know is sickness so they don't know that there is something so much better out there. Even though that's hard to accept, I am glad that they can't comprehend they're differences. Over all, they seem to be happy in their daily lives. Please pray for Hannah to have peace and acceptance over things to come and to have the acceptance of others who may not know what is going on with Sam and Olivia. Please pray for her to have compassion for all. She has a hard time if we are out and people are staring at Sam with her mask on her face or Olivia bandaged from neck to her feet to keep her from scratching. She gets angry that people say things. I try to tell her they just don't understand but she always says I don't care! I pray that she will learn from Sam....because Sam doesnt care!!! If someone says to her "why do you have that mask on" Sam being Sam simply says "I'm sick and I don't want your germs" Couldnt have said it any better myself. Im very grateful that Sam is so accepting that her mask is a part of her everyday wardrobe, just like her pink tutus or her cinderella dress! God thank you for her teaching us all of acceptance in any circumstance....
Thank you to all who read and share my blog with your family and friends. I am truly blessed to have you all who pass on the request to pray for my 3 sweet children. May God bless you all.
These next few weeks are going to be pretty rough and I ask that each one of you who reads this, who believes in the power of prayer and who loves the Lord to please keep my girls in your prayers. As for Olivia, her excema had gotten bad so for the next two weeks we are at Texas Childrens everyday for whirlpool therapy, on top of our other weekly appointments. We are waiting for a phone call anyday to see the neuro team at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital for a second opinion on what will come of Oliva facing surgery. The doctor at Texas Children's said the fluid on the brain without a doubt needs to be drained in hopes that it will not only relieve the pressure, make her maybe feel a little better but the big plus to doing that would be that the brain might begin to grow. A shunt would need to be put in to do that but because her brain is underdeveloped, and with the malformation and the tumor being where it is, the surgery is risky and the outcome of her being better as opposed to being worse isn't good. There is an option that is being talked about. The doctor has talked about doing a spinal tap to remove fluid and then repeating an MRI four weeks from the spinal tap to see how things are looking. That is alot less invasive, could give us some good results but could also do absolutely nothing and then we would be back to square one....
Also, Sam will have bloodwork done the week after next and a bone scan to see if so far there are any changes. She still has several treatments to go before this round of 12 chemo and radiation treatments are done, but we are praying and hoping for the best. There is only one more 12 rounds that she can do with an upped dosage for chemo and radiation before they begin to do the intravenous chemo. Sam seems to do ok some days and others not at all. She has begun to run fever quite a bit, and be very irritable which is understandable. I can't even begin to imagine how she feels.
Please keep both of the girls in your prayers as the next few weeks will prove to be very trying as we spend everyday at the hospital for treatments, see new doctors and learn of what is to come for the both of them. I know that those of you who are faithful followers not only to this blog, but to the Lord will pray that His will be done in all things regarding Sam and Olivia. Please pray that my mind be open and my heart be accepting to what is being said about my babies. It is hard to sit and watch your babies suffer and be sick and hurt and not be able to do anything but PRAY. They don't understand what is going on with them and all they know is sickness so they don't know that there is something so much better out there. Even though that's hard to accept, I am glad that they can't comprehend they're differences. Over all, they seem to be happy in their daily lives. Please pray for Hannah to have peace and acceptance over things to come and to have the acceptance of others who may not know what is going on with Sam and Olivia. Please pray for her to have compassion for all. She has a hard time if we are out and people are staring at Sam with her mask on her face or Olivia bandaged from neck to her feet to keep her from scratching. She gets angry that people say things. I try to tell her they just don't understand but she always says I don't care! I pray that she will learn from Sam....because Sam doesnt care!!! If someone says to her "why do you have that mask on" Sam being Sam simply says "I'm sick and I don't want your germs" Couldnt have said it any better myself. Im very grateful that Sam is so accepting that her mask is a part of her everyday wardrobe, just like her pink tutus or her cinderella dress! God thank you for her teaching us all of acceptance in any circumstance....
Thank you to all who read and share my blog with your family and friends. I am truly blessed to have you all who pass on the request to pray for my 3 sweet children. May God bless you all.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
"Come to Jesus....And Rest"
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...
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 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.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Day 3's Journey for Olivia
Well little Olivia was seen this morning and as always, is full of energy and smiles. The dr's said the the seizures are looking like they are originating and causing damage to the speech/learning center of the brain. The tumor is on top of the paratoid gland which houses the nerves for speech, hearing and swallowing. The malformation is in the brain above the tumor.....Lots of pressure and things going on in that little brain and all on one side. The dr's are beginning to wonder if there is not an underlying cause or something that is cause number 1, and that these things aren't just adding to it. The dr's are going to call Olivia's neurologist, and discuss further testing. They said they are going to do bloodwork which will look for any genetic abnormailities, which is what they are leaning towards being a cause if not the main factor for these other problems. They are also going to consult the neurosurgeon to see if the scope needs to be done before all the other testing or if it needs to be done after everything else. Hopefully, Kelly and the family will have some peace out of what is decided today. This has got to be hard, hearing now it might be something else, it could be something else......Olivia is just carrying on like a trooper! Capturing the hearts of all who come in contact with her on a daily basis. Please continue to pray that in the midst of all this, she continues to go on without a care in the world. Her strength and happiness is a big part of what is keeping Kelly sane and calm throughout the days behind and the days ahead.
Please continue to pray for Kelly that she can endure even if the tests and dr's say, well we have to look at something else, or if they find something else. Any news on your child's health has to be hard, even if you say I dont care the outcome I just want answers. Please continue to pray for peace and comfort for the family.
Please pray for the family as they are caring for the girls. Sam is having a real hard time being away from Kelly, and Hannah is struggling as well. This has been a big adjustment for them. Even though the normal was going to hospital a few times a week, they were there, or were picked up in the afternoon from grandmas house and going home. They are without the comforts of home and mommy and its hard. Please pray that family has strength to care for the girls and give them as much comforts of home as they can.
We thank each and everyone who has continued to pray for this family, care for the children and pass along the updates and prayer requests. That is all Kelly ever wants. Just pray healing for those babies!! Your love, prayers and support are always so greatly appreciated, words cannot ever express how eternally grateful Kelly is. When you get a moment today, please say a little prayer for all the girls, lift them up to the Lord. Thanks to each of you who read this and pass it on. May God Bless you all.
Please continue to pray for Kelly that she can endure even if the tests and dr's say, well we have to look at something else, or if they find something else. Any news on your child's health has to be hard, even if you say I dont care the outcome I just want answers. Please continue to pray for peace and comfort for the family.
Please pray for the family as they are caring for the girls. Sam is having a real hard time being away from Kelly, and Hannah is struggling as well. This has been a big adjustment for them. Even though the normal was going to hospital a few times a week, they were there, or were picked up in the afternoon from grandmas house and going home. They are without the comforts of home and mommy and its hard. Please pray that family has strength to care for the girls and give them as much comforts of home as they can.
We thank each and everyone who has continued to pray for this family, care for the children and pass along the updates and prayer requests. That is all Kelly ever wants. Just pray healing for those babies!! Your love, prayers and support are always so greatly appreciated, words cannot ever express how eternally grateful Kelly is. When you get a moment today, please say a little prayer for all the girls, lift them up to the Lord. Thanks to each of you who read this and pass it on. May God Bless you all.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Continued Prayers for Olivia
Well the first night in TCH was interesting. Olivia was hooked up to all the monitors and the watch over her began about 2pm. She has seemed to adjust well to all the equipment, but is having a hard time with all the people that enter and exit the room. Late in the evening a few episodes were noted on the machines, and they were followed by vomiting. Kelly informed the nurse and the dr was called. At home, Kelly had been given medicine to give Olivia when she would have a seizure and vomit to help with the nausea afterwards. The drs that are caring for Olivia inpatient have decided not to give them to her. In the event there is something else causing the spell of vomiting, like pressure in the brain and not a seizure, they want to be able to see that. The goal is to see her as normal as possible in order to determine what or why is she having seizures. Boy talk about stressful. Olivia is in a small room having to carry around a backpack that weighs just about as much as her when she gets out of bed to play on floor with toys. Kelly is having to keep in her a small area of the room so she is in view of the cameras and cannot leave. This has got to be the most difficult thing to do, keep a 16 month old in one spot....Lord please give Kelly strength, patience and lots of creative ways to play! The scope will be done, but it's unsure when. Dr trying to determine things from the EEG readings first to see if there is other avenues that need to be explored. They have talked about doing genetic testing, and also looking for any other tumors that might be on major arteries in other parts of her body that could be causing problems. No definate answers as to why,when and how... Very discouraging as a parent to not have answers, very faithful as a Christian to say OK God, youre in charge and Im just along for the ride and to make sure the glory is given to you. Hopefully today brings new news, some answers and settled feelings for Kelly and the rest of family. We know that God is in control of this situation and it's hard to sit back let go and let God.
Please continue to pray for Kelly to have strength to endure each hour spent with little Olivia, patience to endure and carry on each day and a clear and open heart and mind to accept what god has planned. We all know that it is easier said then done. Please just continue to daily pray for this family.
Please pray for the family and friends caring for Hannah and Sam as they are away from Kelly and as their normal routines are no longer normal for them right now. God put your arms around them and help them feel loved and feel peace and comfort.
Thank you to everyone who reads the blog, gets the word out to pray and joins others together in praying these few requests. The love and support has been very appreciated from the family. It's nice to know that even if you are alone in a hospital room, in the small scheme of things you are surrounded by people who are loving, caring, and praying back little Olivia to health and total restoration. May God Bless each and everyone who reads, shares and prays!!
Please continue to pray for Kelly to have strength to endure each hour spent with little Olivia, patience to endure and carry on each day and a clear and open heart and mind to accept what god has planned. We all know that it is easier said then done. Please just continue to daily pray for this family.
Please pray for the family and friends caring for Hannah and Sam as they are away from Kelly and as their normal routines are no longer normal for them right now. God put your arms around them and help them feel loved and feel peace and comfort.
Thank you to everyone who reads the blog, gets the word out to pray and joins others together in praying these few requests. The love and support has been very appreciated from the family. It's nice to know that even if you are alone in a hospital room, in the small scheme of things you are surrounded by people who are loving, caring, and praying back little Olivia to health and total restoration. May God Bless each and everyone who reads, shares and prays!!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Prayers for Olivia
As a few know, Olivia will be admitted to Texas Childrens on Monday November 7 to undergo not only some testing, but a scope as well will be done through her nose to see if there is any way that all or some of the tumor in her brain can be removed. The doctors will also be looking to see if the steroids and the radiation have done any good. As you can imagine, this is going to be an extremely hard and stressful time not only on Kelly and Jeff but as the girls as well. No one is aware of the outcome of the situation if the doctors can remove anything, the recovery time or the process to care for Olivia. We do know that the Almighty God is TOTALLY AWARE of Olivia's needs and of the doctors desire to treat Olivia to the best of their ability. I ask that everyone who takes a moment to read this please take a moment this evening and in the days to come to lift up the family, little Olivia, the nurses and the doctors. Please pray for God's guidance to direct the doctors hands and hearts and minds on what can be done. Please pray for healing for little Olivia's body. We know that God can not only shrink this tumor but he can make it disappear, he can give her back her words. He has raised Lazarus, he gave sight to the blind, fed a multitude off a few loaves of bread and fish. My God can and will heal Olivia. My God can and will restore her to what He has intended for her to be. I've heard the story so many times that if you have faith, even as small as a mustard seed, thats enough faith for you to see the good works that God can do.
Updates will be posted on the blog as well as on facebook on Kelly's wall as to the condition of Olivia, prayer requests, Praises to God and any needs. Please also pray for Kelly's family and friends who will be caring for the girls while Kelly and Olivia are at the hospital. Please give them the strength to comfort the girls, words of encouragement where needed and pray that the girls have peace about Olivia.
Please pray for patience and understanding for Kelly. It's hard to be a mother of a sick child and having to wait for answers. We as humans want the instant gratification, we want things done immediately or we become angry. We as Christians, need to remember that all things are done in God's time, because we are doing His will not ours. We need to remember to have faith that the outcome will be what's right, whats supposed to be and what God has planned. We have to TRUST and OBEY.....
Do not be terrified....for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
I have filled him with the spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge. Exodus 31:3
Pray continually;give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18
Updates will be posted on the blog as well as on facebook on Kelly's wall as to the condition of Olivia, prayer requests, Praises to God and any needs. Please also pray for Kelly's family and friends who will be caring for the girls while Kelly and Olivia are at the hospital. Please give them the strength to comfort the girls, words of encouragement where needed and pray that the girls have peace about Olivia.
Please pray for patience and understanding for Kelly. It's hard to be a mother of a sick child and having to wait for answers. We as humans want the instant gratification, we want things done immediately or we become angry. We as Christians, need to remember that all things are done in God's time, because we are doing His will not ours. We need to remember to have faith that the outcome will be what's right, whats supposed to be and what God has planned. We have to TRUST and OBEY.....
Do not be terrified....for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
I have filled him with the spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge. Exodus 31:3
Pray continually;give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18
Monday, October 17, 2011
Update On Olivia and Sam
Well as some may know, we are delayed in about a week to two weeks on getting to bring Hero home. Somewhat disappointed but I know that God has a plan and only he knew what each day would bring. The trainer at Shadows For Life says he is doing extremely well on his commands to care for Olivia but was still excitable out in public and so therefore didnt pass his first state certified test. Praying for good news the end of this week that we get the OK to head to Dallas. As for news on Olivia. Olivia has started to have some seizures that have caused her to projectile vomit afterwards. Not a pretty picture. She went to the Er last weekend, and the neurologist was contacted and last week, Olivia started seizure meds. This has been upsetting because it seems as if we are taking steps backwards. I knew eventually she would be on them but was not prepared for the now. She is beginning to be taught sign language in speech therapy because she is having trouble vocalizing her wants. This is becoming very frustrating at times because I KNOW I need to stick to the signs everytime she wants something but she cries and cries and its so hard to not give in. I know in her own time, she will begin to do them without hesitation and learn the words as well, but we have a long way to go. I ask that you please continue to pray for her healing. We are almost halfway through with her first 12 rounds of radiation and steroids and then we go back to see neurosurgeon for complete workup to see if anything has changed whether it be for good or for bad. She is a child of God and she rests in His Hands and I pray that His will be done for her life and that no matter the outcomes, I am able to accept it, rise from it and live it. As for Sam, she has started an oral chemo med at home and is recieving radiation on her pelvis for the cancerous tumors on her lymph nodes. This has been a very hard pill to swallow. She is such a fun and energetic 3 year old and its so hard to explain to her that shes sick. She wants to know why does she sick in her throat, why does her legs hurt, why does she need that medicine....Its hard to explain to her and so the fight begins when she gets sores in her mouth and she has to take meds so she can eat, its hard to explain to her we cant go here or there because she has sores opening up on her body. How do you tell her??? I have done nothing but PRAY, PRAY, PRAY that God will just give her body comfort and rest. She has taught me so much about strength and living life to the fullest. Its amazing to me how God uses someone in your life to make you think about life. With all the help that I have recieved for the girls, its become very clear to me that even though I have felt very alone at times, my kids and I are part of the biggest and best family in the world. The family of God. What a feeling to feel, when nothing else seems to be, that is the one thing I hold onto. You dear family and friends can never fully understand how completely grateful I am to have each of you. From the emails I recieve, from the texts just to say hi, and from helping financially I am truly overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude. May God Bless each and everyone of you who have touched my family in such a special way.
I ask that you continue to pray for the girls. Hannah seems to be doing a little better with handling things and I know its because there are special people praying for her. Please continue to pray for the healing for the girls and for the doctors who are caring for them. Please pray for my continued strength to care for them daily and give me the peace I need to know that whatever decision I need to make in their care that I have the ultimate answer from God that this is what He wants for His child. More than anything, prayer is the ultimate gift and that is what I ask from each of you who read this blog, who help care for my kids during treatment days, who help in anyway.....PRAYER IS IT!!!
I ask that you continue to pray for the girls. Hannah seems to be doing a little better with handling things and I know its because there are special people praying for her. Please continue to pray for the healing for the girls and for the doctors who are caring for them. Please pray for my continued strength to care for them daily and give me the peace I need to know that whatever decision I need to make in their care that I have the ultimate answer from God that this is what He wants for His child. More than anything, prayer is the ultimate gift and that is what I ask from each of you who read this blog, who help care for my kids during treatment days, who help in anyway.....PRAYER IS IT!!!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
A Letter from Kelly
o To my church family, friends and people in the Crosby/Humble Community...You have no idea what it meant to me when we started unloading baked goods, when I saw people bringing goods with their children and then buying what someone else made. My heart was overcome with emotion. I have been fighting illness with Sam, my 3 year old since October of 2010. I thought to myself and asked why....why God do you think I can deal with this? I’m not someone who handles problems well. In the past, I was someone who strayed from you for years, who went against everything I knew you wanted for me. WHY ME!!! Needless to say, He never answered that question and then in June of 2011 when the youngest Olivia was 1, she was diagnosed with a malformation in the artery in her brain. I thought to myself OH NO, here we go again and once again found myself asking the question I knew would never be answered, WHY. On a routine trip for a checkup, an inoperable tumor was found in Olivia's brain. Since the beginning, of both children’s illnesses, things have changed dramatically. Sam has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and is undergoing radiation and oral chemo. Olivia is receiving radiation on the tumor in her brain and steroids for her swelling in the brain. She has seizures, and has begun to regress in her eating skills and communication skills. When Michelle said we were doing a bake sale, I was overjoyed! Even to get enough to offset the cost of traveling was going to be the best news for me. A young child made a sign that said "Help Bring Hero Home", as it sat outside Arlan’s, people would ask what the sale was for and others would begin to listen as Michelle told the story of Olivia. We had people writing $100 checks, giving $100 bills, people coming from Humble with a van full of women and spending well over $100. The outcome was AMAZING!! Had it not been GOD, I never would have thought we would have ended up with what we did. Whoever says God does not provide all our needs has never met a church family full of Faith in God, full of never-ending prayer and full of God's unconditional love for others like First Baptist Church Crosby. Through everyone's help, the funds were raised to pick up Hero on the 18th of this month, the funds are available to have all travel expenses for that trip paid, there are funds to pay for BOTH Sam and Olivia's treatments and medicines for a month and we have been able to order the ID tags and Service vest that Hero has to have in order to go in public with Olivia. OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!!! At the end of the night when the bake sale was over, I was at home with the girls in bed and couldn’t stop crying. Then all of a sudden I could hear myself breathe. I could actually breathe. I now know that without a doubt in about two weeks, Hero, named well by Hannah would become my Hero. No longer will I be up all night watching Olivia. I can rest, I can breathe, I can cook my family a meal without it taking hours because I stop every 5 minutes to check on Olivia. My faith was truly tested and once again I found myself on my knees asking God to forgive me for my doubts. I am blessed that God chose me to care for HIS children Sam and Olivia while he plans out their life. I am blessed that He allowed me to be the one to show them of God’s love not only through me but through the generosity of all His other children. I am blessed and honored to know that through this there will be 3 totally awesome testimonies used ONLY for GOD’S GLORY!!! You all have touched my life in an unforgettable way and I will forever be thankful. You have made a difference in my children's lives as well. I’m reminded of a post on facebook I saw "You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you" I can never repay all the love and prayer and generosity that came from such wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ, but everyone will always be special to me and hold dear places in my heart.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people Galatians 6:10
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children Ephesians 5:1
I thank you all again so much and ask that as always, please pray for my family for healing for the girls, for patience and understanding for Hannah and for rest and guidance as I continue to care for God's children every day. Me and my family love you all.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people Galatians 6:10
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children Ephesians 5:1
I thank you all again so much and ask that as always, please pray for my family for healing for the girls, for patience and understanding for Hannah and for rest and guidance as I continue to care for God's children every day. Me and my family love you all.
Love,
Kelly
Thursday, October 6, 2011
THE GREAT PROVIDER
Tears come to my eyes as I type this. Oh me of little faith, I was hoping to just raise half of what Kelly and her family needed to get Olivia's seizure dog. God had much bigger plans however. Tonight alone, we were able to raise over $1800!! (The total came in at $2,178.05) The generosity of all those who baked, donated and bought items was absolutely overwhelming. Kelly and I were both brought to tears on more than one occasion as we saw God's provision through His people. We even got to the giddy school girl phase of excitement. But God didn't stop there. In addition to the Arlan's bake sale, Jeff, Olivia's dad, held a bake sale at work and was also able to raise money. This will go to expenses for travel and lodging when they go to pick up Hero and go for his other trainings. About every 90 days Kelly and Livi will have to take Hero back to the trainer to make sure his certification and tests are current. So as you can imagine, there will be costs for travel, lodging and food when they go to Dallas. BUT....GOD still isn't finished. Tomorrow Huffman ISD is holding a district wide bake sale to help raise funds for the Gants!! As I write this, I am still getting chills...our GOD is so great and so goes beyond what we even hope for. He knows the needs of this precious family. HE knows that parking each week is over $50, not to mention the copays for both girls to go to the doctor, therapies, and treatments. HE knows the financial stress on this family and HE continues to provide. I am certain that this is but the first step. God is faithful to provide as the Gant's will have another mouth to feed with Hero and another family member to care for. I am humbled to serve such an amazing Creator, Provider, Father. Please, please, continue to send up prayers for Olivia, Samantha, Kelly, Jeff and Hannah. God hears our cries and has proven once again that HE is always there for us. A big thank you again to all who helped by baking and donating at the sale tonight. Kelly was in awe of the generosity of everyone. Keep praying my dear friends and watch as God does amazing things!!
Sincerely,
Michelle
Sincerely,
Michelle
Saturday, October 1, 2011
We are having a bake sale!!
Calling all bakers, I need some help!! Kelly and family are soon to welcome home Hero, Olivia's seizure dog. He will soon finish his first round of training, and we need help raising the funds to pay for everything. Right now, the costs for the dog add up to about $1800. In an effort to raise this money, I am hosting a bake sale at Arlan's Market in Crosby this Thursday, October 6 from 4-8pm. You may wonder how you can help...well there are a few ways. Please consider donating baked goods of any kind. You can either contact me, Michelle Holloway at 281-923-5617 or you can bring them to church (FBC Crosby) Wednesday night or Thursday morning if that is more convenient. You can also help by attending the bake sale and purchasing some yummy goodies. If you would just like to make a financial contribution, you can either click on the donate button on the left side of your screen, make a donation at Community Bank of Texas under the name Gant Girls, or simply contact me via the number above or email me at mholloway@fbccrosby.net. As always, Kelly, Jeff and the girls appreciate all the prayers that you lift up for them. I will be updating the blog again soon as to the week to week schedule for the girls and needs that come along with their treatments. I want to thank you in advance for your prayers and participation in helping meet this need in a precious girls life. This dog will help not only to alert Kelly to the seizures, but Hero is also trained to get Olivia out of the seizures quicker so as to hopefully cause less damage to her brain.
Thank you so much,
Michelle
Thank you so much,
Michelle
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