Friday, August 24, 2007

We've been hit with a Huge Whammy!

I am happy to report that Luke is still doing great, I wish that was so for the rest of the family. I was talking to Amy tonight and realized that since the beginning of July at least one person, if not two have been very sick in our family. It started with Luke getting pneumonia. Luke finally got better after being on an antibiotic for a month, then Lily got very sick, Lily was finally getting better when Ezekiel came down with a horrible flu. Zeke was actually sick for a whole week, I've never seen him sick that long, he would actually go take naps and go to bed early without being told. He finally got better last weekend only to pass it on to me, I got sick on Friday, by Sunday I was unable to get out of bed, it was the worst flu I've ever experienced in my life, today is Thursday and I'm finally able to get back to somewhat of a schedule, though my stomach is still in pain and I don't have any appetite yet. Isaiah came down with this stomach flu on Sunday and I thought he was doing better yesterday only to be hit again with it today. Then to top it all off Gordy came home from work yesterday miserable, he has it now and has been running high fevers along with all the stomach cramps, etc. Last night Lily got up around 3:00 a.m. to throw up, she was crying tonight of stomach pains and has the diarrhea, we've all experienced.

I keep praying that it will end now, TODAY! I keep praying that no one else will get this horrible flu, especially Luke. I don't know if he could handle not eating or drinking for a week, for that is how this flu is, nothing stays in your stomach for long. PLEASE pray with us that this will end today!

I'm thankful that Daniel has been staying down in Olympia at my parent's home while they are still in Denmark. He has been getting tile jobs left and right, keeping so busy that he is working nonstop, which is good that he's not been home to catch this horrible flu.

I was hoping that my next blog could be about something positive to report, please forgive me for always asking for more prayers. I know many of you are mighty prayer warriors, we need you to go to God on our behalf today. Thank you in advance for your support and prayers, it's good to know that people around the world are still praying for Luke's miracle.


Love in Christ,

Luke's Mommy Sue

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Good News, Luke was at 100% oxygen last night, Praise God, he's finally getting better!

Luke is doing better. He's been off oxygen since Thursday, except for a 1/4 liter at night. In fact when I hooked him up to his machine last night he was at 100%, I can not remember the last time I've seen 100%. I took Lily back to the Dr. on Thursday, she was just not getting better. Her gums were swollen and bleeding, he put her on an antibiotic she is finally eating once again, though still not sleeping through the night yet. Please be praying that her mouth will be completely healed and that she will start sleeping again.

I've decided to start up some school next week just 3 days a week. I figure since we are not going to camp again until September or really have any big plans, we might as well get some school going. The boys seem to be bored lately, I think getting them on a schedule will be a good thing for all of us. Amy and Natalie have volunteered to help with our home school this year, Amy is going to teach writing and Bible and Natalie is going to teach math and piano lessons. I'm hoping that we can also get a few major projects done around the house during the next few weeks.

We are once again talking about applying for an Extreme Home Makeover, I know that we've mentioned this before but we are getting to a place where we either really need one or we will need to move. Luke is getting more awkward to carry around since his body doesn't bend too good. The application is quite a process, but Amy said that she will help get it together. I realize that it's a one in a million chance, but figure they have to pick someone, therefore maybe we will get a chance.

Gordy has been very busy at work lately, working lots of extra hours, plus not getting the sleep he's needed lately has been taxing. Please be praying that God will renew his strength and bless both of us with some much needed sleep. Daniel started his own tiling business, it's called Searles Marble and Tile, he worked at tiling for a year, decided to try electrical work for a year, then decided he much rather tile, so he started his own business two weeks ago. If you know of anyone who needs some tile work done, please e-mail us. He has been working on contacting Contractors in the Olympia area, that is where is wants to move some day.

August has been a challenging month for me since Luke's accident 3 years ago. At times the grief still overwhelms me, remembering back to what Luke was like before the accident and just thinking about our life since that day. I realize that I have so much to be thankful for, but it is still so hard. Please be praying that God will help us to get through this month and that our hope and joy will be renewed.

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Sue

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Luke is doing a bit better, PTL!

I am very happy to announce that the Dr. said Luke does not have pneumonia anymore. The x-ray still shows a bit of cloudiness in his right lung, but it looks like the pneumonia is gone. I will know for sure tomorrow when the radiologist has had a chance to confirm the Dr.'s report. Luke is still sick with a ear infection and he has the same virus in his mouth that Lily has been dealing with all week. That explains why his heart rate has been so high all week, he has been in pain, Lily has been absolutely miserable, so I can only imagine Luke has been feeling the same way.

Between Lily and Luke this week I think the longest stretch of sleep I've had has been maybe 3 hours. I thank the Lord for his strength and help as I've been able to keep up with my busy schedule on such little sleep. The scripture God gave me to meditate on yesterday is: He gives power to the weak. And to those who have no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40:29 I'm so thankful to God for his strength.

Please continue to pray that God will heal Luke and Lily of this horrible virus and that it won't spread to others in the family. I've also been thinking about taking him back to the pulmonologist, this is a hard decision as he is the one always suggesting putting back in the trach. Though I'm hoping that perhaps he would have some suggestions on ways to help Luke when is having difficulties in breathing. We continue to need wisdom in Luke's journey, always so many decisions.

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Sue

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Luke still needs prayer as he is sick again

Luke is sick again, oh how I hate typing those words. This past week we decided we would try to camp again. We took the trailer up on Monday night, Gordy had to go to work late that night so he left Natalie and I up there with Isaiah, Ezekiel, Luke and Lily, he was not able to come back up until Friday night because of his very busy work schedule. Luke was doing fine until Thursday, we went for a walk down to look at the Snoqualamie Falls, which is very beautiful. Well the walk and day ended up being too much for Luke and late in the afternoon I decided to check his oxygen levels because he was struggling to breath, sure enough he needed oxygen.

Thursday night ended up being a very difficult night, with his alarms going off basically all night long. Friday though he seemed to be doing a bit better, not needing the oxygen, so I decided to take him to OT and then brought him home so that I could do a few loads of laundry. By the time we got back up to camp he was in need of some oxygen again, but nothing compared to Thursday night so I thought he was getting better, but not so. Both Natalie and Lily went to bed that night complaining of having a stomach ache and Lily was also crying that her mouth hurt. The next morning their stomachs both felt better, but Lily was still complaining of her mouth hurting, I thought she might be teething, but after a closer look it appears she somehow got a infection in her upper gums.

Saturday we had planned to take the children to a local Train Museum and to ride on a train, but I knew that after giving Luke a bath and having him throw up his food that he needed a day of rest and relaxation, so Gordy ended up taking Natalie, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Lily. They all had a great time. We had originally planned to come home Sunday afternoon, but decided that with Luke not doing so hot and Lily complaining that her mouth hurt we'd better pack it up and come home. Isaiah and Zeke were crushed as they had planned to sleep in the tent with Dad that night.

Here we are Sunday morning, I stayed home from church with Luke and Lily while the rest of the family took off. I am debating whether I should take Lily in to have her mouth looked at as she is still in a lot of pain and running a fever. Today is Luke's last day on his antibiotic so if he is not better by tomorrow I will take him in also.

Last Sunday the little devotional that I read each day really ministered to my heart, so I thought I would share a bit of it with you all. The title was God's Delays, though I could probably rewrite the whole thing, I will just share this part of it: Faith never gives up. It knows that despite appearances, all is well. It can wait without signs or significant indications that God is at work, because it is sure of Him. "Each delay is perfectly fine, for we are within the safe hands of God," said Madame Guyon (1648-1717) We too must learn to view each delay as if it were "perfectly fine." Postponements are reasons to pray rather than grow anxious, impatient, and annoyed. They're opportunities for God to build those imperishable but hard to acquire qualities of humility, patience, serenity, and strength. God never says, "Wait awhile," unless He is planning to do something in our situation - or in us. He waits to be gracious. So take heart! God's answer tarries, "Wait for it; because it will surely come." The scripture that went along with it was Habukkuk 1:12-2:3, I have clung to this scripture for almost 3 years, knowing as it says, "the vision will be fulfilled and not losing hope, for it will not be overdue a single day, my paraphrase."

Please keep praying with us for Luke's miracle, it is going to happen!

Love in Christ,
Luke's Mommy Sue