I knew that God would lead us to a decision about the feeding tube..I believe he has. Beginning last night, Lydia is starting her decline in appetite again. I have still mostly been able to get her to put the food down, but she is trying to refuse. This time, there is no excuse...no reason to explain her decrease in appetite. I feel solid about the decision to get the button (g-tube). (For now anyway:) All of the practical things involved in caring for the tube will come later...I'll learn all that I need to learn about it, but it will not influence my decision to get it or not. If she needs it, we going to get it. Plans are still the same, though...pharyngogram 4/9...follow-up with Dr Alberty 4/11...then appt with surgeon.
A little reflection:
I've received much praise from family and friends about how I am dealing with all of this...it is very hard for me to accept those kinds of compliments..or any. But, I can kind of relate to what you're thinking. In the past, I remember looking at parents of children with special needs and seeing them as sort of "set apart" from the rest...saintly, even Godly people. Now that I have children of my own with special needs, my thoughts have changed...we're all just regular people. We just lean on God to give us the tools we need to face the challenges that lie before us...and He always comes through...it is easy to see His blessings on a daily basis. My lowest times are probably when I think back to my pregnancy with Lydia and how I just imagined life with her to be so much easier than with Elise...no worries about if and how fast she would develop...just smooth sailing. I now know, of course, that that is not the case. Then I sometimes look at other people with multiple children (like shows on TV: Jon and Kate + 8...and Kids by the Dozen) and I think...how can people have sooo many children and all of them be perfectly healthy? When I start to have these kinds of feelings, I just have to lean on God and remind myself what I know to be true: He chose us for Lydia and Elise and Audrey. He saw something in us that we may not have seen in ourselves. We may not know now His masterful plan, but we have faith that it will be revealed to us...and I pray that we will be all that He has planned for us to be. I am so thankful for your continued prayers for me and our family. I have felt God's loving hand upon us through many of our challenges...I see changes in myself from just maybe a few weeks ago...less overwhelmed less overburdened...just one minute at a time...I attribute a lot of that to your prayers for me. Thank you!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Mandy,
You and Martin are anything but regular people. I have no doubt that your relationship with God and the abundance of prayers being sent to your family daily have made you the extraordinary parents that you are. Thru my job i have met so many families over the years that have gone thru some of the same challenges, had to make similar and difficult decisions, had good days and bad days, have agonized and celebrated, and the two of you still amaze and inspire me every day. I know this is not what you set out to do with your blog, but it is in fact what you have accomplished. And it isn't just you and Martin, it is Audrey, Elise and most of all Lydia...you are all heroes! Thanks for writing and keeping us posted on what is going on. You are giving more than information, you are teaching us all to be more reverant, patient and filled with faith. Thanks and I love you bunches!
Ditto Kristy....
Your ability to document the things you are going through are an inspiration to me, as well as your Wisdom and Faith.
"Come all who are weary and I will give you rest"; "My yoke is easy and burden is light." Thanks for letting us see Him working in You.
Mandy,
I am one of the many people that follow your blog and continued to be moved by your strength and faith in God. I was reading your messages and catching up on this weeks events after attending 730 Mass this morning and I immediately recalled how one of readings so eloquently described your situation and any situation that tries our soul and makes our heart so heavy. It was a reading from Peter, Chapter 1: verses 3-9.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls.
Mandy, you and Martin live this everyday and are great witnesses of what it is to believe in God and His mercy. You have the faith that He knows what He is doing is best for you. I know there are days that you wish you were not an inspiration to anyone and you just want to get along in your day without it being a struggle. I pray for those days for you. But you are an instrument of faith, patience and a great example of a mother's unconditional love for her children. Thanks for sharing your life. I know I am a better person for it-- And we will continue to keep you and your family in our prayers.
Love--- Toni
I know you will be fine... Great wishes to all at your house.. OFF SUBJECT: Could you please ask all the spiritual people who read your blog to add a special prayer for Janaver (Janie) Distefano who has been missing for one day. SHe is a very close friend of our family and we hope they find her safe! She has been missing since 12 noon in Marksville, LA. She is on the news on channel 9. This has hit too close to home. I have been knowing her all of my life! She is one of the sweetest ladies you could ever know. When I was growing up, she was just a sweet person and cared about my sister and I so much. She has no children. THANKS! - Any prayers would help! Sometimes we don't understand why things happen.. This is definetly a time! Love, Allison Kirkland
Post a Comment