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.

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!!

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

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!!! 

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.

Love,

Kelly

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

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