I can't help it. Almost every day I reflect on the journey we took a year ago with Kaleb, our family and Primary Children's Medical Center. It is a dull ache but an ache nonetheless and it hurts sometimes. Especially when I see all the scars on his chest and belly, it brings back such scary memories. My paranoia is going away, however, so that is a good thing. Kaleb's pediatrician told me, at Kaleb's last check up, that Kaleb is no more likely to have heart issues at this point that him or I! That was such a relief to hear. But these wounds are going to take some time to heal completely, and you know what, I don't know if they will ever COMPLETELY heal, but maybe they'll stop hurting.
Anyway....... I also think that I dwell on what we went thru to stop myself from dealing with current stresses and situations in my life. In example, our home is being foreclosed on. We have it up for sale and have gotten 2 offers already, we just have to submit them to the bank. I'm afraid to have them submitted because if the bank accepts the offers then that means the hope of keeping our house is gone. At this point, that hope is not gone because we are still in the running for a loan modification, which the bank is taking there sweet time to deliberate over. We have been trying to get a loan modification for OVER A YEAR!!! Can someone please make up their minds already over there!!!!! Yeah, I'm talkin to you Wells Fargo!!! We'll see what the Lord has planned for us. We are trusting Him with this situation as we trusted Him with Kaleb and He sure did not disappoint us there! (Praise God!)......... So why is it so hard to trust that He'll make everything ok? Most days I do trust and believe but doubt tends to sneak in occasionally. I pray my faith and trust in my creator will be magnified each day. I do know that everything will end up ok. Even if we have to move into a 900 sq. ft. condo again, there will be so much love packed into that tiny place it'll seem like it's one million sq. ft. (Shane is always reassuring me about that :-) Love my hubby!)..... So anyway, you are probably wondering how this all ties into "Kaleb the Conquer" as is the title of this blog........ Well, as Kaleb conquered the giant hurdles of open heart surgery when he was only 6 days old, and all the recovery and catching up in life he has had to do, it makes me quite confident that I too, can be a conqueror with anything that life throws at me.
"I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME." Philippians 4:13..... Thank you Jesus, for the strength that you offer me each day, each moment, for each hurdle that is in front of me!
Kaleb was born with TGA (transposition of the great arteries, where his pulmonary artery and aorta grew in backwards) and an aortic coartation which is a narrowing of the aorta. Because of this his body was not getting enough oxynegated blood so it was corrected via open heart surgery when he was 6 days old..... This is his story....
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV translation)
Hi Kaleb
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jenna and I came across your site. u are a brave courageous fighter and an inspiration. U are so full of smiles. i was born with a rare life threatening disease. My site is: http://www.miraclechamp.webs.com
I love it when others sign the guestbook.
Hi McKell,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Annemarie, and I am also the mother of a son who was born with Trasposition of the Great Arteries. His name is Thomas, and he will turn 8 years old on March 30th. I just happened to come across your blog because Thomas has been asked to do a presentation to his 2nd grade class on Monday about his heart. I was looking up images that I could print, and your blog popped up. We didn't know about his heart defect until he was born either. The Dr's even did a fetal echo when I was about 25 weeks pregnant, and told me 90% chance his heart would be perfect (which is the best chance they could give anyone). So we were shocked and terrified when he was born, also via emergency c-section, and it took about an hour for them figure out the real problem. The Life Flight Team took him to Children's immediately. He had a Septostomy the day he was born in the cath lab, and they did the Arterial Switch at 10 days of life. I wanted to reach out to tell you that I understand the paranoid feelings. For a while, I thought every ear infection meant there was something wrong with his heart. It will get so much better in the years to come. Thomas is a perfectly healthy 2nd grader who can do everything that any other kiddo can do. He has no limits, and neither will Kaleb. He will grow up and be proud of that scar on his beautiful chest, and enjoy sharing his story with others. My advice, write it down in a journal for him so that when he grows up, he can read it from your prespective, and in your own handwriting. It has meant a lot to Thomas. I hope this helps, you are definitely not alone... God Bless your sweet little Kaleb...
Annemarie