Thursday, March 8, 2012

Our First Ambulance Ride


So today is March 8th and I'm supposed to be in my car, with my whole healthy family, listening to laughing and arguing, headed to Crested Butte for a week of skiing with friends. A little better than a month ago, I was shopping for ski stuff. How things can change in a breath! So thankful for travel insurance. But here I sit, updating a blog that should never even have to exist.:).

Yesterday Clayton woke up holding his tummy and groaning most of the day. It was hard to tell if he was really sick, or just tired. He tends to be a little whiny these days, and deservingly so. I checked his fever throughout the day, and he had none, so no worries. By 7:30 the story changed. He started running 102. We had been told that if he gets a fever, we run, not walk to our closest hospital.

Fifteen minutes later we were at Providence. We went there just because we thought their ER would be quicker. Bless their hearts, they are absolutely precious there and so nice, but not the pediatric hospital that had spoiled us for the past three weeks. We were totally blessed by the care we received, but unfortunately, it wasn't specialized enough for our Texas Children's Hospital doctor to allow us to stay. After reviewing Clayton's bloodwork, we determined he was very low with his White Blood Counts and Neutrapenic. This requires 48 hrs of IV Antibiodics.

So, by 2:15am Clayton and I boarded a lovely ambulance with two awesome grandads from Limestone County and began the journey to Houston. Clayton thought it was pretty cool, even though at this point he still wasn't feeling very good. I, however, did not think it was so cool because I was so tired and a bench in a bumpy ambulance was not my idea of restful.
We arrived at Tx Childrens around 6:15 and stayed in the ER until 12:15 when a room on the Oncology floor opened up. Clayton ate a McDonalds Happy Meal and seemed better. No more fever at this point.

I had a first today and hopefully a last. I was helping the nurse hold Clayton's hand this morning while he drew blood from his Port. I was standing there one minute, and on the floor the next. I guess I was tired, hot, hungry and just plum done. AND, probably watching the blood flow from my screaming boy was the final flaw. The nurse kindly helped me into a chair, gave me some food, and better I felt.

So, here we are tonight back at Tx Childrens. Hanging out.. watching the movie channel, organizing the kids back home, and chillin hoping to go home tomorrow. I can't help but feel sorry for the kiddos who are still here from when we left last time.

Last night in the car on the way to church before the fever occured, Cort was working on his AWANA study and answering questions in his book when he looked at me and said, " Mom, Do you think God is as powerful as we think he is?" Of course, I answered, Yes.. He said, "Then why can't God just poof His hand and make this cancer go away in Clayton so we can all be back normal. If cancer kills people, why can't he just make it go away?" Wow... How do you answer that one in 9 year old terms. Obviously, I reminded Cort that God can do that and we are trusting Him to heal Clayton and provide us all with a testimony of His good works. Unfortunately, I don't think that explanation was enough for a little boy who wants his little brother back, his dad at baseball practice, his mom's eyes tear free( I'm really trying), and his sisters to calm down. Hard questions.. out of the mouths of babes.

Thank you all so much for your support and prayers. We are blessed and honored by all of you who love our family and have continued to pray for us. You are all wonderful. Please pray that we would be cleared to go home tomorrow, we'd stay fever free for a nice Spring Break, and of course, for the tumor and any other cancer in Clayton's body to be just bombarded with a combination of Chemo and God's awesome hand and
be diminished. We are trusting Him for it.

10 comments:

  1. Kes, sorry for the set back and the long night that all of you had to go through. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you.

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  2. Praying for you Sweet Lady! I'm sorry you're in this, but you are a warrior. Praying continuously for Clayton's healing.

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  3. I know you have got to be completely exhausted! I will be praying for rest, praying not only for physical rest but for you to rest in the arms of our Lord! That sweet boy of yours will have such a mighty testimony. God will carry you through this. I know it's a road you would never choose and we are praying for complete healing. Hugs, Kristy Bonaventure Otts

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  4. Hi Kesleigh, ahhh! Set backs! I know them well. So hard to answer kids questions about God and the current chaos in your life. I'm praying for you first of all for rest and restored/renewed energy! You're depleated! I'm praying for wisdom as to handling the questions not just from the kids, but from your own heart! I'm praying for healing for your special little boy! I'm praying for the strength of His presence to hold you up when you think you can't go another minute. I'm praying that the body of Christ will become hands and feet for your family, filling in the gaps while you and Chad pull together to keep your family afloat! How can I help? In practical ways, how can I help? Housework? Meals? taking the kids out somewhere while you just crash? Please let me know!
    I love you,
    Barb

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  5. There is this awesome cream the Dr can order for Clayton's port. It numbs the area so he won't feel the needle prick. It was prescribed to me because I had a tilted port that was hard to find. It's a topical cream and one main ingredient is Lidocaine. Ask his Dr for some, if I need to investigate and get the name of it I can. You put it on about 20 minutes before he gets pricked and cover it with a bandaid, I always breathed easier going to get pricked with that cream on, I only felt pressure but absolutely no pain! Praying continually, Your strong Kesleigh and God is with you, 1 Corinthians 10:13 comes to my mind.
    Lesly Yerger

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  6. We are friends of Greg and Suzanna's and live in Houston. I pray over your son and your family everyday. May the Lord be merciful and gracious to you in difficult circumstances. He promises He will never leave or forsake you and will work the most horrific thing for your good. Love Him, and you are entitled to those tears over your baby and He says He is storing them in a bottle, writing down what each one was shed over. (Ps 56:8) What a wonderful promise to us that He cares so much about us.

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  7. Praying for y'all Kes. These days, I am just south of Houston - and have friends that work at TX Children's. If you need anything - please ask! I can even offer a quiet place to rest :)

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  8. Kesleigh, just a brief note. Regina Mastin posted this link on FB and I just finished reading of your journey. I will be joining the many others praying for your family. My story is a miracle. I had leukemia and stem cell transplant 5 years ago. Today the drs. consider me cured and I have returned to school for a graduate degree in social work....and I am 55 years old. God has done all of it. I understand what a hard place you are in. Here is my verse that got me through it all.
    Psalm 20:7

    New International Version (NIV)
    7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
    My paraphrase....Some trust in doctors and some in chemo, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

    You will find how easy it is to trust in doctors and test results, and all of these are good, but ultimately keep your trust in God.

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  9. Little clayton is one of the cutest, strongest little boys I know! we are all praying for him! :) clayton WILL WIN!! :)))

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  10. Praying for your growing kids and you and Chad as you walk through these challenges. Your son Cort really brings up THE big question for thinking believers. We used to tell Callie that following Jesus and submitting to the Word is not for the faint of heart. "yea, though I walk through the valley of death" -- that's for real. I am praying that you will have strength to "fear no evil" and that you and your family will feel the comfort of God the whole way.

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