tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84570447254369436522024-03-24T23:09:30.577-07:00Garrett's JourneyDynamis Ex CardiasJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-65025630642064959322014-05-13T08:29:00.000-07:002014-05-13T08:29:31.263-07:00Little Victories <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->The long awaited
Monday meeting with the doctors finally happened, about two hours after Garrett
had a follow up x-ray taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saturday
and Sunday nights were <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>t o u g h !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garrett was feeling better during the day,
just enjoying the pleasure of breathing without significant pain, but we backed off on the pain management a little
too soon and paid the price. <br />
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<br /></div>
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When things would calm
down in the evening and he’d try to get his mind wrapped around another night
in a hospital bed, the pain would set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were up all night Saturday and didn’t get any sleep worth mentioning
until about 3 am Monday morning after trying most of Sunday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt so bad for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just couldn’t get comfortable and on top
of the pain from the drain tube, he broke out in a rash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was easily overcome with antihistamines
but took its toll, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Sunday
night, leg pains kicked in to join the party. The poor kid was absolutely miserable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked a lot of laps around the cardiac
unit floor trying to work through the discomfort.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When the doctors came in
about 9:30 Monday morning, we finally got the full story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garrett has an aggressive form of pneumonia,
but in addition to some fluid in the lung and the infection, most of the
demarcation in the x-rays was actually caused by fluid and sludge in little
pockets all stacked up on each other in the space between his lung and the
chest wall, and the lung and the diaphragm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tube wasn’t actually inserted into the lung itself, but into this
void, which should be an open space that gives his lungs room to inflate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he would try to breathe, the fluid
wouldn’t let that happen and put pressure on his lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of his doctors, who has known Garrett
since he was born, said that in all of his years as a cardiac surgeon he’d only
seen it this bad a few times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s apparently
pretty rare for them to have to surgically insert a drain tube to relieve the
pressure from pneumonia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in these
transplant kids, who tend to get pneumonia more often than folks with normal
immune systems, a case like this is exceptional.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He’s still putting out
fluid, but at a much slower rate than the first 24 hours on the tube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan now is to keep it in at least until
sometime Tuesday, then if the fluid output is dramatically reduced, pull the
tube and let his body try to work it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Garrett’s excited about getting that biting snake out of his chest wall,
but will still have to stay another day or two at least to ensure his fever
doesn’t return and the fluid buildup won’t repeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to wean him from the IV
antibiotics, too, and go to an oral form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The pain won’t completely go away for a while, but he’ll at least be
more comfortable without needles.</div>
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<br /></div>
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During his biopsy about a
month ago, we learned that he still has some nasty lymphocytes hanging on from
the last rejection episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since that
incident was most likely brought on from lymphocytes that survived the chemo
bombardment the previous year when he was so sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all concerned that this might shock the
system from the pneumonia might stir that hornet’s nest and cause another
rejection episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, no one
can be sure either way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone does
know, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HIS will is perfect………so
we just wait and believe.</div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-23564092599313299972014-05-11T02:35:00.002-07:002014-05-11T02:44:30.778-07:00Happy Mother's Day 2014<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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</div>
Thursday night after Garrett
finally fell asleep; I just sat in his room and stared out the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me think of all the hours we’ve spent
looking down at the world from these windows through the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve seen every season,
every storm formation, every snow fall type, every rain phase, hail of all
shapes and sizes, dead calm and tornado winds, 100 degree days and 20
below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years ago, we watched
a Canada goose pair raise a brood from a nest on top of an entry roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These windows have shared this incredible journey
as it grew from a seed so many years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Funny how I never noticed it before, but I do now.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>Streptococcus pneumonia </i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">is the term they
used to describe what Garrett has right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It likely developed from a virus he picked up and it morphed into
pneumonia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and Jessi have complained
that a lot of kids are coming to school sick lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish parents weren’t so selfish and would
keep their kids home when they’re sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most can fight back when the germs are flying around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garrett’s body doesn’t have that luxury like
others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">While this is a bacterial disease and should
respond to antibiotics, it’s a very aggressive form and dangerous to imneo-supressed
kids especially and could potentially damage Garrett's heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctors have said
it isn’t in a sepsis state, though he does have infection in this blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His white count more than doubled and he’s on three very specific IV antibiotics to
help him fight this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If all goes well,
in a best-case scenario, Garrett might be able to come home within a few weeks with a PIC line and
we’ll change his IV’s at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve
done it before and he heals so much better in his own bed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The past few days have been a whirlwind, at
least it seemed like it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started with
Kathy trying to get in touch with me in the middle of the night while I was on
a man hunt for a guy who shot at a rancher out east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within hours, we were in an ambulance headed
to Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times the hours have drug
on like watching paint dry, but for the most part, it’s a speed-read through
needles and IV’s, procedures, x-rays ultra-sounds, suction tubes, alarms,
nurses, doctors and coughing fits that bring him to tears because of the pain
it causes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had to replace his IV
tonight because the other one quit working and now the new one is giving us
problems already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems inevitable
that they most likely will have to put a PIC line in tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surgical procedure #45 is just around the
corner.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Garrett was able to get some
sleep Thursday night, finally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
this because I watched him sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
watched him in slumber land and secretly wished I hadn’t missed that exit
because I wanted to join him there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
wasn’t meant to be for the time being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
I was glad he was finally there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’d
been many hours of pain for him before he could get a temporary reprieve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At nearly 15 years old and 135 pounds, he’s
hardly the little baby warrior I used to write about, but when he’s hurting and
scared, as life becomes uncertain during these all too frequent critical hospital
stays, he is still my little boy and he needs daddy to hold him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just don’t fit on the hospital bed
together like we once did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">About 1am tonight Garrett woke up in
pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s hurting pretty bad but doesn’t
want anything stronger than Tylenol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d
been having a nightmare earlier and it broke my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really hoping the nightmares wouldn’t
come back this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he woke in
tears, he said “daddy, I just want to go home.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s a lot of this journey that hasn’t seemed fair, but I’ve always
told him that victory awaits the prepared warrior and Christ promised us that
the road to Paradise would be tough here on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s always warrior’d up; cowboy’d up and put
on his game face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives his heart to
God when he’s awake and tries to fight the best he can, but sleep is the one
escape from the pain and fear that he could always look forward to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the enemy follows him into that place of
peace that truly isn’t fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guarantee,
though, that our Littlest Cowboy Warrior (who’s not so little anymore) will
bring his best into the fight tomorrow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As I’m looking out the window again right now,
watching another spring storm roll in, I’m lost in silent prayer for this
chapter to pass quickly and get him back on the ball field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He so wanted one year without hospitals
interrupting his baseball season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
more test results come back, what a great Mother’s Day gift it would be to get
them with great news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">God bless you all and thank you for your
continued prayers and support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">JD</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-25687330460092246462013-09-04T21:50:00.001-07:002013-09-04T21:50:08.631-07:00It's a '1'...and That's a Win!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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It’s a ‘1’….and that’s a
Win!</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
We got the call and it
was good news!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garrett’s pathology report came back a
“1.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scored from 0 – 4, live “bad” cells
are scored with 0 being cell free and 4 being life threatening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In July, we were a ‘3.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that while bad cell this exist,
we’re killing them and the prognosis is good for them to continue to die off
after all the treatments.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
It’s funny how you can really
stressed that sometimes don’t realize it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sleep has not come too readily this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The little gerbils in my brain just won’t
stop running on that d@mn wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last
night they must have had some Red Bull or a pot of coffee, because those little
devils ran their legs off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I laid with Garrett three
different times throughout the night, but he’d keep waking up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Partly from the pain at the incision cite,
and partly from the worry he refuses to admit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kathy tried to sleep but it was fitful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Yesterday was fairly
uneventful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day of the biopsy always
seems to go relatively smoothly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
last few days Garrett was wound like an 8 day clock and the night before he,
Jessi and his “brother from another mother” Gavin, played in the pool and ran
up and down the halls of the motel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
morning of he stayed cool, flirting with nurses and doing pushups every so
often to make sure his veins were open for the needles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really wasn’t until just before we wheeled
him into the operating room that the fear, stress and fatigue finally took
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My 14 year old not-so-little man
fought the tears that eventually found a way down his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kathy kissed him and asked him what scared
him most, and he replied that he didn’t want to be in rejection any more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sang softly to him, “Jesus is calling”
until he fell asleep in the O.R., again claiming that first tear as my
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s our ritual and we’ve replayed
it 35 times now.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
He didn’t want any more
hospital stays…no more treatments…no more chemo…no more picc lines…no more
being away from home…no more serum sickness…no more having to pretend that
‘this’ is normal…no constant reminder that something was trying to kill
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God knew that and responded His merciful way.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Normally the “day after”
phone call comes to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve designed it
that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be able to temper
the news and relay it to Kathy in a “need to know” but not so “hospital-eze”
flat and sterile manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, Kathy
got the call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good news, so they
called her first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
She broke down yesterday
when they came out after surgery and told us Garrett’s heart looked good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pressures were better than a month ago,
but we wouldn’t know the whole story until the pathology report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s had so many nights of crying in her
sleep, wondering if her baby boy would see another birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s witnessed the pain he’s endured, the
mental torture and the steadfast drive that keeps him pretending he isn’t
scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She carried this beautiful
living miracle for 9 months and has a connection that only mothers
understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the not knowing that is
the worst, especially when everything we’d expected the past several months has
turned out to be wrong.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Today the tears flowed
again, even from me unexpectedly, as months of prayer, worry and hope consumed
much of our time and energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight, we
celebrate life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We celebrate the
incredible mercy of our God and the unending love we don’t deserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We joined together on our knees in front of the
Alter of our Lord and gave thanks for our many gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Tonight Garrett is
bouncing around like a new puppy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
so happy and you can see the weight lifted off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He told me that it’s hard to believe we don’t have to head back to the
hospital again in the morning for more treatments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we’re still waiting for a few more test
results, we do know that the T cells are dying, and that is a victory!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The relief is incredible………</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Thank you all, too, for
your undying support, love and prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are truly blessed.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-63748880273797851572013-08-03T23:43:00.001-07:002013-08-03T23:43:14.819-07:00August 3 ~ Feeling Better<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I know it’s been a few days since I promised an update, but I
guess I just took a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re doing well
and Garrett is feeling so much better since one week ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The turnaround came Friday night.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">On Monday, we got paroled back home where we could all sleep
in our own beds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t tell you how
much that does for the morale in the Ross Tribe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After spending nearly three years of his life
living away from home because he was sick, any time we can come home from a
stint in the hospital is amazingly sweet medicine.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Garrett had a few tough nights last week, with Wednesday being
the topper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went back to work that day
while Kathy and the kids headed back to Denver for a checkup on Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By bedtime though, Garrett was again in so
much pain that I could hear him crying in the background as Kathy called me,
scared for our son, and said he needed me there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well I whipped and spurred to get there as
quick as I could, thinking they might be in the hospital by the time I
arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately we didn’t end up in
the emergency room, but it was a roll of the dice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally fell asleep around 330 am, and by
730 we were in the Cardiac Clinic.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG1ZqlKLZOix16DuiO4LbRZxal5Zv_m-4YfXOmaTfSywojfHhj0Ar-ysAMbzUGx8xp8z0lZE76a_0Axq9Vj7-eH8mw1ev6lWIh1tsXBnvO5l33gkxyGxtzccqzr65CIXuHPnwppjxqjs/s1600/July+29.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG1ZqlKLZOix16DuiO4LbRZxal5Zv_m-4YfXOmaTfSywojfHhj0Ar-ysAMbzUGx8xp8z0lZE76a_0Axq9Vj7-eH8mw1ev6lWIh1tsXBnvO5l33gkxyGxtzccqzr65CIXuHPnwppjxqjs/s320/July+29.1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The serum sickness that Garrett’s being fighting as a result
of the chemo needed to fight the rejection was being addressed through some
other medications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, those
medicines also have some side effects and the combination made him sicker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of the serum sickness, he got severe migraines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kid hurt everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While not extremely dangerous to his heart,
it made for some very long days and nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve addressed those with another round of meds and finally are seeing
lasting relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The past few nights have
been really good and he didn’t wake up in pain last night at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise Jesus!</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">He’s got more clinic visits in store and if all goes well
until then, they will let him start school on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lymphocytes are wiped out from the
treatments but he still has some other white blood cells on board to help fight
common infections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll just have to be
very careful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of his teachers came
by to visit today and the school is ready to help in any way they can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our support system continues to astound me, from
friends and family to schools and strangers who’ve heard and are praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are so blessed.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The kids have spent the past few days just hanging around the
house and healing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessi adopted a
couple of barn kittens who lost their mom, so the kids have been nursing them
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their eyes are just now open so
it keeps them pretty busy making sure the babies are fed frequently and loved
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the type of rehab that
hospitals just can’t provide.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Garrett’s attitude continues to stay very positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reality
strikes again Tuesday as we head back to Denver for a checkup and meeting with
the transplant team to see what steps we now need to take. Garrett has been on
such a high lately, I’m really praying that his morale continues to stay good. When
we know more, I’ll be sure to write.<br />
<br />
We continue to be blessed beyond belief and the kids especially received a much
needed reprieve from the constant uncertainty and fear, just by being
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a trip that only days before
we could only dream about. See, dreams do come true!</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I’m most grateful to God for keeping us strong through this
journey, and for the powerful team of prayer warriors who continually call on
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prayers work, and while the
answer isn’t always what “we” think is best, we’ll defer to His perfect plan
and ask for the grace to accept His will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God bless you all.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">JD</span></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-24728157391459248462013-07-28T21:42:00.001-07:002013-07-28T21:42:55.032-07:00July 27\28 Battle with Serum Sickness<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You know what I’ve
learned?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve learned I don’t know a
daggone thing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I think we’re
getting ahead in this fight, a counter attack somehow slips through the
sentries and hits us hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve learned
that we can never take anything for granted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve learned not to let my guard down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Friday night
went pretty well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe a little too
well because it lulled us into a false and premature sense of comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garrett was almost to the point of being
giddy on Friday because we were three days out from his last chemo treatment and
thought the soreness and little rash he had was going to be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his words, it was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“nothing I can’t handle.” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The serum sickness he experience in 2010, which
was so severe it required additional hospitalization, has been haunting him
since we were told they’d have to use ATG again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ATG (</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">ANTI-THYMOCYTE GLOBULIN) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">is an antibody that suppresses the
immune system, preventing transplant rejection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happens with serum sickness
is that the molecules lock together and get deposited in nerve endings, joints,
bones, skin....you get the picture. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
causes extreme pain starting with the extremities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steroids counteract that, but it takes time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The symptoms mimic meningitis so sometimes it’s
hard to know the difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes
about 14 days for this to run its course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The result is a child in so much pain it’s hard to watch.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday
morning he woke up with a little more rash and a sore wrist and finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His finger was so sore that we splinted it
during the day because it hurt just to move it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the day wore on, he got more and more lethargic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he was just tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By early evening, he was feeling very
ill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 8pm, he was having trouble
walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rash was covering his body,
hid lymph nodes were swollen and he was running a fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His face was the color of bad sunburn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His arms, shoulders, neck jaw and groin hurt
so bad he had trouble doing anything but lying down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the start of a very long 24 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 10 pm he was crying from fear and pain,
then getting mad for crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paged the
on-call transplant coordinator and we discussed admitting him for IV treatment
of the serum sickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Garrett is so
afraid of the hospital that we decided to try oral meds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They called in some prednisone and pain
relief meds to a 24 hour pharmacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
we were in the middle of the night buying medicine and hoping it would kick
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 201.35pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With the help of
the pain killer and pure exhaustion, he finally fell asleep about 2 a.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sleeping fitfully, but sleeping just the same,
until the pain woke him up at 430. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
with him, like so very many nights before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was playing Kenny Loggins’ lullaby songs for
soft background music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same ones we
listened to when he was but a few weeks old in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
at the old Children’s Hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was
watching him sleep and wishing so much that I could trade him places, I was praying
that I could take his fear and pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
God is watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know He’s in every
breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet I find it difficult
sometimes to understand why Garrett has had to endure so much. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a
good boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never has asked for someone
else to have to endure this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just
wanted to be a little boy and do what boys do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s easy to talk about being a “warrior” and making sure we “cowboy up,”
but little boys shouldn’t have to, really. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, we try to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He met the pain of needles and separation
from his momma when he was but a few minutes old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since that moment he’s been stuck, jabbed,
poked, prodded, cut, wired, siphoned and has dealt with so much heartache and
fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole family has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Garrett was trying not to cry and with tears running down his face told
me he just wanted to go home. We all do. So much separation from home
over the years. </span></span>A man with any character would give anything
to remove this burden from his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love my family
so much but I’ve made many mistakes through the years while trying to “make up”
for the pain they’ve endured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
has challenges and the journey we’re on follows a trail meant for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize I can’t change that course, but I
can make sure we stop and picnic along the way to give them reason to stop and
enjoy the beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is where my joy
comes from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were so many times I've stayed awake for hours just to watch them sleeping peacefully and relish
those moments when they aren't afraid of anything. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tonight, Garrett’s
finally getting some much needed rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s not in a lot of pain, thanks to the prednisone and pain killers
kicking in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all gathered as a family
and read scriptures and prayed our night prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The requests remain the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we also thank God for His mercy and the
support system we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First thing in the morning, we’ll be in the
cardiac clinic and determine our course of action from here on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, we’re claiming victory because we
stayed out of the hospital so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
take the night watch again and spend some quiet time with God.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 201.35pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are so
many of you who are supporting and praying for our little warrior. God bless
you all and thanks again for caring. We can't take the edge off the pain on our
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll continue to be in God's tool
box to use as He needs to accomplish His perfect mission. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 201.35pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 201.35pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A few years ago
I heard a song that I swear was written for and about our situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It speaks as if it were my very own voice and
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I listened to it alone last
night, and will again as soon as I post this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l09AJ9lXSE&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l09AJ9lXSE&feature=related</a></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank you for
your prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for taking the
time to care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not go
unnoticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God bless you.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">JD</span></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-40787105403699857952013-07-24T21:09:00.002-07:002013-07-24T22:29:12.121-07:00July 24<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
Coming to you from deep within the battle, where the troops are inspired ~<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ""Comic Sans MS"","serif";">Yesterday was an
interesting one. We got a lot more information on where we’re at and what
may be expected in the near future, and then last night brought a few more
challenges. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ""Comic Sans MS"","serif";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ""Comic Sans MS"","serif";">Most of Garrett’s
transplant team was in the mountains over the weekend for the Cardiac Climbers
fundraising bike ride, so yesterday was the first day we could find out how
they feel things are going. They’ve confirmed that while this is a bad
rejection, it’s certainly not on the scale of what we dealt with in 2010.
But we need to find a way to finally get rid of those nasty T-cell lymphocytes
that are attacking Garrett’s heart. The echos are showing no new negative
issues, which means we’re at least keeping it from getting worse. His blood pressure and heart rate are still all over the map, but it's to be expected right now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ""Comic Sans MS"","serif";">Garrett had a nice talk
with his transplant coordinator (his nurse) and she put him at ease more than
he’s been. Most of what he's feeling is due to the treatments and she did
say that if he has significant reaction to the chemo it will come over the next
few nights. We’re hoping that’s not the case, but at 330 this
morning he was in extreme pain and tonight it's setting in again. Last
night it ran the full length of both legs. We did what we could to ease
the discomfort, but there’s only so much we could do. He and I have
watched a lot of baseball and rodeo in the wee hours over the years. It
helps keep his mind off of the pain.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ""Comic Sans MS"","serif";">This afternoon marked a
big step in the treatment process. He finished his last dose of ATG,
which means no more chemo treatments for now. They’ll leave the pic line
in for another several days to be sure we don’t need it again and we’ll make
daily trips to the hospital for a bit. Then we’ll back off to a couple
times a week and finally, we hope to bring him home by a week from Friday.
If all goes well, we’ll make the twice weekly trips for clinic and then in
another 6 weeks after the medicines have had their time to do the work, another
biopsy will be scheduled. We don't know if he'll be able to start school
on time yet. The doctors said it will have to be a "game time"
decision. With his immune system challenged even more now, <i>caution </i>is
a verb. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ""Comic Sans MS"","serif";">Garrett remains strong
and determined. I’m so proud of him for the attitude he’s taking
throughout this ordeal. He’s lost his summer, lost baseball this year and
spent a couple months away from home since April. Yet he is happy most of
the time and just wants to “kick its butt.” His baby sister's birthday is
tomorrow and all he could think about today was that his rejection has cast a
shadow over "her day" so he directed me to buy her a book on
horses. If she can't be with her own, he wants her to have a substitute.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ""Comic Sans MS"","serif";">I was admittedly a
little down the other day and was brought back to reality by an old high school
friend who reminded me to listen to the Jimmy Valvano speech at the 1993 ESPY
awards. I’d heard it years ago but will keep it on my play list from now
on. If you’ve never heard it, treat yourself. After
listening to it myself again and feeling a little shame for temporarily not
focusing on my many blessings, I had Garrett listen as well. He smiled
and gave me a thumbs up.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ""Comic Sans MS"","serif";">Jimmy V was a
super hero in his attitude toward life and his battle with the cancer that
eventually took him home. He adopted an incredible personal philosophy
for living that can enable an ordinary person to accomplish extraordinary
things. His enthusiasm for life, dreaming big, and working hard were the
elements that allowed him to be successful. That’s what we all need.
Big dreams, love of each other and this precious life of ours, and never giving
up. Jim Valvano once commented, “There are 86,400 seconds in a day. It’s
up to you to decide what to do with them.” He said “In a world where too
many people simply sit on the side lines and watch their world as it happens, I
plan to participate. I am going to be involved in every second of every
day of my life, and guide my own destiny.” Touché, Jimmy. Touché.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ""Comic Sans MS"","serif";">So that is what we plan
to keep on doing. We’re going to fight this battle with a smile, because
to miss the fight would be to miss the opportunity to be victorious.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Saint James said to “Consider it all joy, my
brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of
your faith produces perseverance.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Patience, Prudence and Perseverance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Words to live by.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Joyously writing from the front lines, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
JD</div>
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<br /></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-31510133467175353302013-07-22T23:46:00.002-07:002013-07-22T23:47:14.808-07:00July 22<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Over the course of the last week,
really the entire summer, I’ve proudly written of Garrett’s tenacious resolve
and warrior courage to take the fight to the enemy in this battle for his
health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any casual observer should be
able to recognize the firm commitment this young man has shown, even when
others were wavering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lost his
summer, more or less, and instead of doing what kids should do in the summer
months, he’s had to fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, tonight
the proverbial white elephant in the room showed his head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
At least I know why I didn’t rest
last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night I had to run home
to take care of a few things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t
sleep well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call it what you will, but daddies
have an intuition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not taking
anything away from mothers, who have an instinctive intellect far beyond that
of most mortal men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why they make
such good detectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can “receive
a vibe” from a room full of evangelists (or car full of kids) and sniff out the
rapscallion before their male counterparts know a crime has been
committed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just what moms do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But dads, they know when something is wrong
with their kids, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
unfortunately right when something told me Garrett’s last biopsy was not going
to be good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night was more of the
same, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As we watched baseball and bull
riding tonight, Garrett suddenly became very quiet and soft, and curled up
close to me with tears in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
then asked me what happens if this round of treatment doesn’t work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without acknowledging the white elephant any
more than I will here, he shot one across its bow by admitting he’s
scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said “daddy, I’m scared and I
just don’t know what will happen if we don’t get it this time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adding to his apprehension is that fact that
although his symptoms have been minor in comparison, he is having some which
include discomfort, joint pain, and heartburn and is developing hypertension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His blood pressure and heart rate are sure
higher than we want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They tell us it’s
not surprising because these can be resulting from the harsh medications he’s
getting in the chemo. Still, it’s concerning. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We know that his immune system is
highly compromised now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can deal with
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know he’s going to puff up some
and get flushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know he’s extra
sensitive to heat, because if it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can
deal with those.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we don’t know yet,
and he finally acknowledged, is what happens if this doesn’t kill the T cells
causing the rejection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s one of those
questions a daddy can’t answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
wiped his tears and hid my own as his mom and I prayed with and over him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the point of this post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw a boy today who is waiting for a
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t want to be that boy
again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Please focus your prayers for
Garrett’s continued courage in the face of this faceless enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His bravery and steadfast resolve has truly
carried me this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was my
job to pick him up, but when we got the call this time, his momma and I felt
the rug get yanked out from under us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
hadn’t recovered from the first campaign this spring, only to get notified that
our little cowboy was going to have to wade into battle again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Garrett’s attitude has picked me up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s kept me strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my turn again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Life isn’t fair, but we aren’t
asking for fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We only ask for the
strength and wisdom to stand tall and recognize the grace of our Precious Jesus
as He wraps us in His merciful arms, carrying us through this trial.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After this round of treatments,
we’re back to that time welding process of waiting for the next biopsy and the “news.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That time moves like pond water and will
surely be heavy for him to carry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He can do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll walk every
step with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But your prayers for him
will help him stay strong emotionally during the next few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So thank you for all you’ve sent up so far
and for all those you’re about to. I know they work.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The only answer I could think to
give him tonight after we prayed was this……We can handle the “if this” because we know we’ll be focused on “then that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If this</i>
happens, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then that</i> is our goal or our
celebration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
God bless you all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
JD</div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-69087756545948405592013-07-21T02:35:00.000-07:002013-07-21T02:35:02.870-07:00July 21, 2012 ---- Phil 4:13 <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We were given a really special
gift tonight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garrett got to leave the
hospital and sleep in a real bed at his aunt's place for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because he’s been handling the treatments better than expected, they are
placing us on a work release program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have to be back bright and early in the morning and if we stay out of trouble
throughout the day and do what we’re told, we can leave again tomorrow night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll repeat this process over the course of
the next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we’ll take a break
and actually get to go back HOME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll
have to come up a few times a week for a 6-8 weeks with another
biopsy scheduled down the road.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The ATG infusion is the one that
made Garrett so incredibly sick a few years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up in the emergency room in the
middle of the night because of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But a few years, better meds ahead of time, a
few pounds and some more progress later, the only complaints he’s had so far is
an upset stomach, lethargy, flushed face and a few aches and pains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not nearly enough for him to want to go back
and sleep in a hospital bed. To see the pure joy in his face being able to get away, even for a night, is incredible. I need to get back to work soon if he continues to do relatively well on this chemo course, but for now will keep my promise to the family to stay here step by step with them at least for a few more days to make sure. I was gone one time before when he got sick in the middle of the night and Garrett cried out for me all night. It was very hard on them all. I want to be pretty sure he's not going to relapse while I'm gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A down side to this little respite is that that his immune
system is severely compromised again because of the ATG and IVIG, so the less
time he can spend in a germ filled hospital, the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can’t go to ball parks or stores or even
church, but he can retreat to a real house with baseball on t.v.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a huge plus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even starting school is in question right
now, but we’ll make a plan that will help keep him from getting too far behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Right now, I just monitor his vital signs frequently and keep him as comfortable as we can.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So far there are no new signs of antibody
rejection, which indicates the earlier spring treatments did some good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Garrett made the comment that we’d be in
real trouble if they hadn’t found the rejection in April and softened the enemy attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has a plan and if we’d just stay out of
His way, He’ll work it to perfection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We’ve survived the day, complete
in the blanket of safety born of the Blood of the Savior and we are
blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow, we’ll again wrap
ourselves in the Armor of God and wade back into the fight, comforted by the
love of friends and family.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Many thanks for all the prayers,
calls and visits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your love helps
fuel Garrett’s tenacity to win this battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No war was ever won without plenty of support from home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’ll continue to update here
every day until we’re back in Falcon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please know we keep you all in our prayers as well, ever grateful for you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
God bless,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength"</div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-73446439090312880292013-07-19T13:20:00.001-07:002013-07-21T02:36:13.496-07:00July 19*20<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Well folks, we got through night
one on this new leg of the journey in pretty good shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garrett’s outlook has been remarkable, and I’m
proud of his resolve. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s resting right
now after a very long night.He’s a little more bummed
today, because he’s tired and doesn’t<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>feel very good, but he’s still in the fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s sad that his baseball is put back even
further now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what we did the
night we found out he had to go back in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We played catch, because we knew it would be a while before we could do
that again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those precious moments are
worth everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherish them.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFDUEV2P7ngtXSX9rCoFMgHOdP74zY6oHYdCx2_n2yNuCykhl9bbgbZMr6ruT7FyrfAWnNSkUAT0H0ZZgG8gT3ygho1t7ZOAjQ7uBSfEGsxTdcUKK63rcC8nxby7NuuyqoLJ2M4I78WY/s1600/Tinker+and+Dinger+Night+One.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFDUEV2P7ngtXSX9rCoFMgHOdP74zY6oHYdCx2_n2yNuCykhl9bbgbZMr6ruT7FyrfAWnNSkUAT0H0ZZgG8gT3ygho1t7ZOAjQ7uBSfEGsxTdcUKK63rcC8nxby7NuuyqoLJ2M4I78WY/s320/Tinker+and+Dinger+Night+One.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The other night he told me he
wanted to come up here and “kick some butt.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yesterday morning when I got him up, I asked him if he was ready to “go
pick a fight?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had our initial face-to-face with the doctors and it was less
stressful than anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
confirmed that this is not a new rejection, but a continuation of probably the
same rejection from a couple of years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They went after it pretty hard then and that’s when Garrett got so sick
from the chemo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The T-cells sorta festered until it showed
its ugly head again this spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
treatments done then were admittedly less aggressive, but they were hoping it
would do the trick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously it hasn’t,
so were back in for another round with a more proven and insistent tactic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news is that so far he doesn’t show
any anti-body rejection, which means no plasma pheresis scheduled for now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
They performed a pic line
procedure yesterday without any issues, and a couple hours later started a
series of infusions consisting of 3 or 4 different drugs over the course of
about 10 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the meds, called
ATG, is a really harsh drug that works pretty well to fight T-Cell rejection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years ago he had an extremely bad serum
reaction to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was horrid!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are hoping that doesn’t happen this
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night he had a few of the
symptoms, including joint pain, chest pain, elevated blood pressure and heart
rate and a slight fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today he’s been
a little nauseated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if he makes it
through the next few days without worse symptoms, he’ll probably be ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be a plus!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jessi stayed right by Garrett’s
side last night, refusing to leave him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kathy
was able to go off campus and get some sleep and we’ll switch off tonight so it’ll
be my turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s really very little
rest in a hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve spent so many
nights over the years trying to sleep in a chair and I’ve never quite mastered it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The next week looks like this, as
the plan goes:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10 hour infusions twice a
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood work, echo’s, ekg’s,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They give him medicines before the
ATG and IVIG to help offset any reaction he might have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They plan on hitting this hard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Kathy is better today after a
little sleep, which she surely needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This has been pretty hard on her emotionally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She obviously canceled her bike ride this
weekend, but those of you who donated for the ride, that money still goes to
help the cardiac program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids and I
were really looking forward to a weekend in the mountains cheering on momma and
relaxing, but it’ll have to wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For now we are counting our
blessings and ready to do what we have to do to win this fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it feels like we don’t get much of
a break but as soon as we start to feel sorry for ourselves, we see a child or
family who are being wheeled into the ICU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re only in the cardiac critical care unit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got it made!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So please keep the prayers coming for our
cowboy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are working and we promise
not to weaken on this end.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
More soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God bless you all.</div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-66840507379049788582013-07-07T10:34:00.001-07:002013-07-07T10:46:30.560-07:00July 7, 2013 - "They Get It"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Nothing makes a daddy
more proud than when he knows his kids “get it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
This is the last “overdue”
update until Garrett has his biopsy on July 16.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just wanted to let everyone know how the past few months have gone for
our not-so-little-anymore warrior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
been a summer so far of challenges on this journey, but the rewards have been
great as well.</div>
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<br /></div>
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After Dinger finished his
final treatments at home and in the hospital back at the beginning of June, we
settled in to try and spend some time enjoying the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His strength, weight and color all quickly
recovered and his body had a chance to purge itself from the poisons that are
unfortunately a necessity in the battle against T-cell lymphocytes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing that didn’t come back as
quickly as we’d hoped was his conditioning and stamina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garrett tired more frequently, which we
believe is a combination of the rejection, the medicines and just being a
teenager.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The High Plains Little
League, which has always stood behind Garrett in his battles, offered him a dispensation
to allow him to try out for All-Stars, even though he missed the required
number of regular season games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
made Garrett pretty excited and he wanted to try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But after only a couple of days of practice,
he realized that he’s just not back 100% yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was pretty disappointing, but I’m proud that he is taking it in
stride as best he can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s still
supporting the All-Stars by going to the games and some practices to watch.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
We haven’t been able to
spend much time yet doing “summer” things yet because of our late start with Garrett's rejection and the
priority of trying find a place to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We're finding it's a little tougher than we thought to start over.
</span>The Church though, has been fantastic in allowing us to continue our
rental agreement here, but we really want our own home again
someday. I've also been working a lot with the fires that have ravaged our area and an exceptionally high violent crime rate this year. Jessi was hoping for at least some more rodeoing, but her horse "Superman" got sick and so that quashed her plans for a few months, unfortunately.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Back to the opening
sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week we were in Denver
for Garrett’s last check up and blood work prior to the biopsy, which we pray
will come back perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spotted a
woman down on the street and stopped to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because it’s Denver and you never know what may have happened, I had the
family stay with the car until I was sure it was not the result of a criminal
event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then everyone jumped into
action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I assessed the woman and
helped stabilize her, Kathy relayed info to 9-1-1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, my kids were fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessi provided shade from the blazing sun and
Garrett ran back to the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came
back with his “mushabelly” horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
squishy stuffed horse doll that was given to him after his last transplant by some
very good friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used it to
hold against his chest when he had to cough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It also plays a very soothing phfphfphfphf…like a horse making a
contented breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then, he's carried it everywhere when we travel. Garrett gave it
to put under the woman’s head to protect her from the street, then
he pushed the sound button to calm her.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
When the ambulance came
and took her to the hospital, Garrett sent the doll with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that it helped him over the past
few years, so maybe now it’ll help her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what I mean when I say that my kids “get
it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like the time when Jessi was
wheeling Garrett around the hospital during his last rejection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was plugged<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into IV’s and had a mask on to protect him
from airborne germs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids spotted a
little boy wrapped up in bandages from head to toe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stopped and pleaded with me to “let us
do something for him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I am truly blessed to
have such incredible kids who always want to pay it forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may not own any property anymore, but we
possess something so much more precious…love of each other and fellow man. </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
More after the
biopsy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blessings to all.<br />
<br />
(p.s. - please keep our friends the Jensen's in your prayers. They lost everything but memories in the fire and are starting all over....like so many others) </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
JD</div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-63621361955949537862013-05-28T23:29:00.002-07:002013-05-28T23:29:36.746-07:00Memorial Day 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Memorial Day seemed the perfect time to update you all on
Garrett’s progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason it’s
perfect is due to the fact that on this day we honor and remember those men and
women who have laid their very lives on the alter of freedom in order that you and
I may live a more peaceful life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
reminds me that we live in the greatest country in the world, and in a Nation
STILL under God, no matter what some in Washington may say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminds me that because of these freedoms
and our way of life, we have opportunities and access to the best medical care
anywhere.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So as many families remember the loss of their loved ones, I
get to hold mine and love him even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Make no mistake about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
still in a fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something is inside
Garrett trying to kill him, but we will prevail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We accept nothing less than victory and we
will carry the shield of warriors as we wrap ourselves in the Armor of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Garrett’s had a really good week, all things considered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had four, almost back-to-back treatments last
week but had very little nasty side effects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sunday was particularly rough, but I think it has more to do with him
having too much fun the day before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
spent a few hours at our cousin’s place and probably over did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a good thing, really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was feeling so good that he forgot he’s
still in a fight and his body is trying to heal at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just wore him down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday was much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emotionally he has his ups and downs, just
wanting to be a “normal” kid.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As he gets feeling better and life is slowing down now, we’ve
had too much time to think about things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without feeling sorry for ourselves, we're beginning to accept that the
“norm” we’ve been praying for will probably never come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rejection promises us that the life
we’re living is most likely always going to be our “norm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found it pretty tough to deal with last
week, but am coming around as I write this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlFQnflJXnxt6IACHLyX8N_L-SEJtw7h4Drj5obemwXGJjszZrfK3Gl_pw7vUITOPe8RPrzDABA37WDU4c2N9UlSCagVJ5pOM39iS2koOv0TwjMibxLVC7yA2a0n-SzpCkQVPkIUhG7s/s1600/Thumbs+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlFQnflJXnxt6IACHLyX8N_L-SEJtw7h4Drj5obemwXGJjszZrfK3Gl_pw7vUITOPe8RPrzDABA37WDU4c2N9UlSCagVJ5pOM39iS2koOv0TwjMibxLVC7yA2a0n-SzpCkQVPkIUhG7s/s320/Thumbs+Up.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’d been praying and hoping that some day we could only look
to the future and know that the bad stuff was behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That we could rebuild financially and buy
another home, a nice home, and the kids could continue to grow up<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> with the same opportunities as most of their peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason, that doesn’t seem to be in
the cards and so we are coming to grips with it and will do what we can to give
our kids the very best life we’re able.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This week begins yet another round of treatments but there’s
light at the end of the tunnel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a
few more weeks of this routine then Garrett gets a month off before biopsy
surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we will know how
successful we’ve been.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hug your kids tonight and say prayers with them for the
troops around the world who place themselves in harm’s way for you and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God bless you all.</span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">JD</span></span></i></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-29657531872409975462013-05-16T20:53:00.002-07:002013-05-16T23:07:10.156-07:00May 16, 2013<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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<i>Today’s update is brought
to you by the word “norovirus.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">:-)</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<i>Sometimes it’s hard to
come up with a new blog entry when we really just want to post positive, feel
good information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From time to time
though, we have to wait a few days after we hit a bump or two to put ink on
paper at the top of the hill, not the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s what happened this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s why this is so tardy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
just took a little longer this time to climb to the top, that’s all.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<i>Last Sunday was Mother’s
Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a day where mommies normally
get to be pampered and lavished for being the one person who packed us around
in their tummies and on their hip, wiped both ends of our leaky bodies, fixed
our boo-boos, mended our broken hearts, patched our clothes, defended our honor,
ate cold meals for years and did it all on four hours sleep a night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mother’s
Day is the one day of the year when we collectively decide that our moms get to
sleep in, at least until the first dish breaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s the one day where they have to clean up only after we’ve already
done a poor job of it, but they smile because this time the mess was made out
of the efforts of love, instead of selfishness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a day where they get to spend time watching the fruits of their
labor play and make over them with jelly kisses and crayon hearts.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<i>Mother’s Day is the true celebration of life. Think about it. It happens in the spring when God reminds the world that new life makes everything better. It shouldn’t be
complicated by fears and tears….but this one was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really started Thursday when Jessi came
down with the norovirus, which is a really antagonistic and nasty little bug
that’s responsible for over 60% of hospital virus quarantines in the past few
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its sickened thousands and killed
hundreds…and we got it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow we
picked it up at Children’s, where there’s an outbreak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessi got it first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I came down with it and several days
later we’re still not completely over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On Sunday, Kathy got up quietly and went to Church alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted her family to rest and she needed
to be alone with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There she could
quietly weep and beg him to heal her boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The reality that something inside your child is trying to kill him can
suddenly sneak up and kick you….hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<i>Just
when we thought we’d gotten past it, the norovirus or something like it hit
Garrett yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pretty spooky
because he cannot afford any bugs right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He needs all his strength to for the fight he’s already in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a very sick kid yesterday after pheresis.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now Kathy has it today, but Garrett’s on
the mend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for Sunday, we still tried
to make the day special for her, recognizing the incredible blessings that are
ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think her real Mother’s Day will
be after Garrett’s July biopsy comes back PERFECT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the goal and anything less than
victory is unacceptable.</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<i>After a few more days of
treatment this week we’ll head back to Denver soon for three more days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow is the 1<sup>st</sup> Annual
Douglas Brigham Foundation Gala event in Pennsylvania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessi and I were supposed to be there, but
for obvious reasons we cannot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug was
a powerful force in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and
Garrett shared a very special bond, born of warriors’ hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We lost Doug suddenly in a helicopter crash
last October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was like a brother to
me and one of the most giving people I’ve ever known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his honor and in keeping with his love of
helping others, his incredible wife and friends have started a foundation in
his name to help the families of 1<sup>st</sup> responders with medical
bills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could be there in
person, but rest assured we are there in spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love ya, Doug B! </i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<i>They say when it rains…it
pours. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll continue to rest when we can;
knowing our all loving Father has things under control and our job is just to
ride the storm with courage for Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know the adage that it takes a good
rain to make the flowers bloom, so for now we’ll just Cowboy Up under a bigger umbrella
until this passes.</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<i>As you hit your knees
tonight, please also remember a little 7 year old boy who was kicked in the
throat by a horse yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needs
warriors to pray for him and his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-69215323200914411122013-05-08T22:02:00.000-07:002013-05-08T22:02:07.096-07:00May 8, 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Well we’re back in rainy ol’
Denver tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard to cuss the
moisture though, because we need it so badly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Garrett’s had a pretty good week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We finished the IV treatments at home just in time to come back up to
Children’s hospital for more plasma treatments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although gets really tired, his spirits are good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve all been amazed at how well he’s been
handling the treatments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> So much easier than last time so far. </span>The picc lines
are doing great and with the exception of a little bit of expected redness and
itching, he’s had no problems so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
expected, he’s beginning to puff up a little bit, probably as a result of the methylpredinsolone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meds also make him really hungry so
he grazes constantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s afraid he’s
going to get “fat” and lose his baseball conditioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitq1zUwl0QO7yxCblkoWo5f0c3FMNG52VbEOTe_iUUKybgt034IQ-kZcr5h7aoA9u6BqKd6h1LGeE89a470_yR_fRGVg9RjiTTJbQ2fkVEw2jEwK475qQi8p__KyZeyNnVsA_un2UeUdY/s1600/May+8+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitq1zUwl0QO7yxCblkoWo5f0c3FMNG52VbEOTe_iUUKybgt034IQ-kZcr5h7aoA9u6BqKd6h1LGeE89a470_yR_fRGVg9RjiTTJbQ2fkVEw2jEwK475qQi8p__KyZeyNnVsA_un2UeUdY/s320/May+8+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">This morning while he was
hooked up to the plasma machine, I went ahead and donated platelets around the
corner from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kathy spent her time
running back and forth checking on her boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you’ve ever thought about donating, it’s a great way to give
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chemo and transplant patients need
the platelets because of their weakened immune systems.</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Dinger continues to wear
something of his cousin Levi to every visit. We lost Levi to cancer just a short time
ago. and he always fought with a smile on
his face. Garrett tries to do the same….day in and day out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know Levi is proud of him just as we
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has some really good guardian
angels watching over him in Levi, Noah and his “Uncle Dougie B.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thinks of and speaks of them often and
draws strength from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow I
think my dad, who died just a couple of days after we were married, is also
working hard to send him warrior strength that surges through his veins.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The outpouring of support we
continue to receive blesses us immensely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From food to baseball tickets to places to stay in Denver; Our church is
allowing us to stay put for a while (which is huge so we don’t have to hunt a
place to live right now); folks taking care of our animals while we’re gone, teachers
who visit and my bosses and team taking up the slack and giving me the latitude
to be with my family during this little trial……all of these gifts make these
bumps so much easier to deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
all know who you are and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">A very special gift came from
Garrett’s little league today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last weekend,
Garrett’s best friend - "his brother from another mother," put Garrett’s number, the #3, on his jersey in Dinger’s
honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By today, the entire league of 13
year olds had done the same!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a
humbling experience for Dinger and all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’ve said they draw inspiration and courage from our cowboy
warrior, and at home we often talk of and
pray for courage and strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A web
site we follow is called ‘Battle Ready’ and has daily meditations to prepare
ourselves body, mind and spirit for the fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A recent post quoted Joshua, when God told us “</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Behold I
command thee, take courage, and be strong. Fear not and be not dismayed:
because the Lord thy God is with thee in all things whatsoever thou shalt go
to.” That's pretty clear!</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With the encouragement we get from those who find
Garrett’s journey an inspirational story, we will continue to find courage to glorify
God in His perfect plan of which we are but a small part. Garrett will lead the charge.</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be courageous!</span></i></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-73543517219757146842013-05-04T00:43:00.002-07:002013-05-05T12:39:17.835-07:00A Night At Home - May 4, 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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With a little trepidation
that’s overshadowed by the pure joy of being home, we are in our own bedrooms
tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last week lasted a year,
but only took a few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been
to this rodeo many times yet somehow it always seems like the first.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I’m really proud of my
kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessi stayed by Garrett’s side and
Dinger kept a great attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His biggest
fear after learning what the game plan was to be is the memories of the pain he
went through three years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Good
Lord, though, has seen fit to grant him a bit of a reprieve, the extra courage
to Cowboy Up again and do what has to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He got through last night and the first 5 sessions of treatment without
any real issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they let us go home
tonight!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
That little furlough is
huge in our eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time they wouldn’t
let us go home for three months!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always
use ‘home’ as a gauge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they feel
comfortable enough to let him sleep in his own bed, then we know they’re not
concerned about any immediate catastrophic events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a journey yet ahead of us, but at
least the future is more encouraging today than two days ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still have to be in Denver for two or
three days each week for the next few months for the IVIG and photopheresis,
but with the picc lines in place, they’re letting Kathy and I give Garrett the
IV methylpredinsolone here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went
through the training and take <u>no</u> chances with infection or
contamination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Round one at home tonight
went without a hitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We use a saline
flush, followed by the methylpredinsolone, followed by more saline flush, then
a heparin flush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll do this a few
times a day for the next week or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
also on some oral meds for the sinus infection and some other Rx’s to help
prevent bad reactions to the chemo.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
For the first few nights
at home, Garrett will sleep with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right
now he lays next to me, deep into a hard earned slumber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I watch him breath, taking in the pure magic
that is life, I find myself looking at the bandages surrounding his arms,
protecting the picc lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many
times have I seen him wrapped up in some kind of medical packaging with tubes
hanging out of him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hundreds?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so grateful we can share these moments
but I still hurt for him knowing that he has to go through this again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was less than five minutes old when he got
the first IV in what would become a long string of painful memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have been countless invasions to his
body since that day, but he still drives on and Cowboys Up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His glass is always half full.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I know he’s ok, but just
the same I’ve set my alarm so I can get up and check on him a few times through
the night, just to be sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got
about 15 inches of picc line in both arms, going up through his shoulder area
and down into his heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This puts the
medicine exactly where it needs to be and allows for a smooth transition when
they run the photopheresis on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tiny
rubber tubing also keeps the harsh chemicals from burning his veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got to maintain a vigilant watch on
them to keep out infection and keep them from being pulled out by accident.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Our Church family was really
great when we got home tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
brought a fantastic spaghetti supper to our door so Kathy wouldn’t have to cook
tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That little gesture means more
than they know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so beat from
stress by the time we got home and that small act of kindness was greatly
appreciated.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Jessi got a surprise,
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got to go to her best friend’s
place tonight for a sleepover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tinker
has been such a silent trooper with Garrett’s issues and hospitalizations that
sometimes her needs get put on the back burner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A lot of plans for the year have now been changed, but I’m committed to
making sure her dreams are not pushed aside any more than absolutely necessary.
We were supposed to work calves in tomorrow with friends, but our participation
obviously had to be canceled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
also supposed to be hunting turkeys this weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really wants to get her first bird but we’ll
have to put that off now for a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But her
“sister” Aleeyah’s folks came and got her so her whole weekend wasn’t lost. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They treat her as one of their own and we’re indebted
to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gets to hang with them for
the weekend, ride horses and go to a rodeo on Sunday where the girls will get
to chase barrels and bring home the prizes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The outpouring of selfless
support, kindness and love through these bumpy trails over the years never
ceases to amaze me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With what I do for a
living, sometimes I let the true heart of this great land get eclipsed by the degradation
and decay placed on our society by a deafening few despicable miscreants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier this year I saw two of the most precious
little lives snuffed out by pure evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
darkest recesses of my mind couldn’t have imagined the scene that will forever
be burned into my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you all are
among those who make me proud to I do what I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes warriors to fight evil, and we’re
all called to be soldiers of the Cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
this story, Garrett and Jessi represent the pure hearts we battle to protect,
you and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for showing the
face of Christ in your lives; For Jessi and Garrett, and all those like them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids deserve to be kids.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
God bless,</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
JD</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
" <i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me"
</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-83814883943825486982013-05-02T23:24:00.002-07:002013-05-05T12:41:45.846-07:00May 3, 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Well friends we’re mostly through day one, round
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry this is such a long post, but
my phone’s been blowing up with folks wanting to know what is happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll do my best to explain it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about 1130pm, Garrett and Jessi have
both finally fallen asleep; Him in his hospital bed and Jessi in the recliner
next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She won’t leave his
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kathy is sleeping in a family
sleep room across the hall and I now have a few quiet moments to jot a note or
two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It's been a long several days, fighting the good fight.</span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdikYoF3DK-ORTC0OT-IIGn4sTUkuSTxbPFBR_mzTJCmzxbT1OFNGH-v5nDrIbz3nGxs1vx2FEIljTgvVdXUmf6UrHfHlxHenUZusRLRBkQyTjQlmIl7fT0VJN6y_x9IJgkotoDWabbIQ/s1600/Jessi+n+Dinger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdikYoF3DK-ORTC0OT-IIGn4sTUkuSTxbPFBR_mzTJCmzxbT1OFNGH-v5nDrIbz3nGxs1vx2FEIljTgvVdXUmf6UrHfHlxHenUZusRLRBkQyTjQlmIl7fT0VJN6y_x9IJgkotoDWabbIQ/s320/Jessi+n+Dinger.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Today was like drinking from a fire hose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got up at 0530 and headed to Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the storm, we got stuck in the
parking lot called I-25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we finally
made it to Children’s, we met with his transplant team and they told us what we
are up against.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2010 when Garrett was
admitted because he got sick from a very nasty rejection episode, our backs
were against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned things
about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B-cells, T-cells, auto-antibody
rejection, acute rejection, chronic rejection, acute vascular or <span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">humeral</span> rejection,
<span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OKT</span></span>-3,
<span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">IVIG</span></span>,
CD4-T cells, CD3, <span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lymphocytes</span>,
fibrosis, <span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">mycophenolate</span></span>,
myocardial movement, <span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">imuran</span></span>,
<span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">immunosuppressant</span>,
chemotherapy, <span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">plasmapheresis</span></span>......................the
list goes on and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was very
sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a particularly aggressive
approach to fighting the rejection and he got sick from the treatments. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then things have changed and we’re
hopeful this time will be easier.</span></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>We had to go into the O.R. today to surgically implant
picc lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A PICC (<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">peripherally inserted central catheter) is a
real long tube that goes directly into his heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time they had to be put in his
neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then they’ve found that
using the veins in the upper arms on older kids works better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Garrett’s active and has been doing
lots of pushups, his veins are big and open so it was a slam dunk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was extremely scared, though, and so they
made an exception to the rule of the operating room and suited me up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they did not use a general anesthetic,
Garrett was awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His anxiety level was
high, but he wanted me in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve
practice our ‘tactical breathing’ for years and today I was his coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked up at me and we talked our way
through good breathing exercises while they put the lines in under a
local.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It worked well and they were able
to get both of them in easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole
process only took about an hour.</span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Right now Garrett’s one hour into a six hour infusion
treatment with IVIG.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s already had
one round of photopheresis, which is similar to the plasmapheresis treatments
three years ago when he had the last severe rejection issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s similar to dialysis and is basically a
high-tech oil change that uses UV rays to bombard the lymphocytes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That takes about three to four hours per
treatment, then a two hour infusion of a steroid treatment, followed by the
IVIG.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The IVIG blocks the antibody
receptors on immune cells, leading to decreased damage by these cells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>All of this is focused on T cell lymphocytes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re a type of white blood cell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all have them but in Garrett’s case, he’s
got a band of nasty little Al-Qaeda cells (that’s what he and I call them) and
they’re trying to kill his heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
treatments are a form of chemo therapy designed for T cell lymphoma patients,
but they’ve found it works to help heart transplant recipients fight rejection
when they’re T cell driven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from a
nasty little rash that broke out earlier tonight and has since dissipated, he’s
comfortable.</i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>The good news is that Garrett’s PRA (Panel Reactive
Antibody) numbers are lower than three years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A high <span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">PRA</span></span>
can cause immediate rejection of a transplanted heart, in spite of powerful
anti-rejection medications available right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last time we were fighting a high PRA and a zero reactive T cell
score.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time we’re fighting a lower
PRA, with a higher T cell score.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Basically, he has an acute rejection caused by bad lymphocytes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Follow so far?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me neither.</i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>He’s got to go through about 6 weeks of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In July, he’ll have another biopsy surgery to
determine how successful we’ve been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
emotional roller coaster ride has been pretty tough but he’s a remarkable young
man who does not have an ounce of quit in him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish we weren’t here right now, but feeling sorry for ourselves isn’t
going to make it go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Garrett’s pretty upset that his baseball season has been
interrupted again, but he’s keeping a positive attitude and I’m proud of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He constantly thinks about his cousins Levi and Noah and his Uncle Doug....they help motivate him to stay strong. But taking baseball was a pretty hard blow. </span>He loves his sport so much and now can’t play
for at least a couple of months, if all goes well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By then his current league will be done, so
hopefully he can get picked up by a summer club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re more expensive but I think he’s
earned it, don’t you?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>All of these challenges we all face have glimmers of hope
behind them if we look hard enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
email I received today reminded me of the beautiful passage in Romans Chapter
5. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminds us that there is glory in
our suffering <span class="content">because we know that suffering produces
perseverance; </span><span data-usfm="ROM.5.4">in perseverance, character; and in
character, hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope is that magical
term that gives us great expectations of wonderful days ahead.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="content">We look so forward to those wonderful
days ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Your support and prayers help more than we can express, and I'm very grateful. </span>We will never give up the
fight.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="content">God bless you all,</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="content" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">JD</span></i></span></div>
JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-69510498014240241012013-05-01T22:09:00.000-07:002013-05-05T12:40:03.996-07:00Change In Plans May 2, 2013Well friends, I'm not even sure where to start or what to say. After a few tough days and waking today in his own bed, Garrett was feeling on top of the world. He was as giddy as he'd been for some time, KNOWING that the bad part was behind us. Unfortunately, the pathology report came back today with less than optimal news.<br />
<br />
Garrett's left ventricle, showing those pressures that were not what the doctors wanted to see, was because he's in rejection again. A very aggressive attack has begun on his heart and we are headed back to the hospital first thing in the morning. Garrett will undergo a surgical procedure to put in a 'pic' line and begin infusion, in-patient treatments immediately. The CT scan also shows sinus disease. Since there is a direct relationship between the sinus' and the heart, treatment will begin immediately there, too.<br />
<br />
We don't know why we have to go down this road again. Garrett is scared, but also a little mad. He was crying today and told me "daddy, I'm sorry I let you down. I guess I didn't take good enough care of myself." I've done my best to help him understand tonight that he's done nothing wrong. This is just the way it is right now and we'll just have to stay strong and warrior through it. To Cowboy Up. He smiled and told me that we'll just have to knock this one out of the park. His strength and resolve is encouraging. I just wish he didn't have to show it so often.<br />
<br />
I can't say more right now. We won't know how long we'll be in Denver for a few more days, but I'll post when I know. As we all knelt and prayed together tonight, we asked God for strength and courage for the upcoming fight. We pray it's not as tough at 2010. I know HE has the perfect plan and somehow this is part of it. We'll keep trying to serve Him as best we can. <br />
<br />
In Jesus' sweet name,<br />
<br />
JD<br />
<br />
<br />JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-38800683102786821082013-04-30T22:09:00.001-07:002013-05-05T12:40:24.546-07:00Biopsy Today Update - April 30, 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I need to start off by
apologizing to many who read this, who didn’t know Garrett had a biopsy
scheduled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not sick, but this was
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the severe rejection
issues two years ago, they needed to go in and get a good look at how his heart
was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was initially planned last
spring, but because he’d had such a tough couple of years prior and had made
such a remarkable comeback last year, they decided to give him a year off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The anxiety of repeated hospital stays,
surgeries, pokes, prods, harpoons and lances had taken their toll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed a break.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So it was planned for
today, but we kept it kind of quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
didn’t want to make a big deal of it, for Garrett’s sake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the same, it was a tough last few
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try as he could, the nightmares of
days gone by crept in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t sleep
last night, which meant none of us did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This morning for the first time in a very long time, Garrett cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to stay strong but was so
scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had his best friend Gavin
with him, which was a God send.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he
cried and told me “Daddy, I don’t want to be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d rather be on the baseball diamond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell Gavin “I’m sorry for crying in front of
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be the brother who’s not
afraid of anything.”</div>
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As in 30 surgeries before
today, I took that tear from his face and placed it on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only difference this time was that I
couldn’t carry him into the operating room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My back won’t take it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
gotten so daggone big!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I did suit up
and walk beside his cart into the room and helped him onto the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they started the anesthesia, I again
softly sang “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral” until his eyes couldn’t see me anymore and
he slept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kathy and Jessi and Gavin all
quietly wept, too, afraid for Dinger and of the unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many times before we’d received rough
news from a biopsy procedure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time
was to be different.</div>
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This biopsy was the ‘full
meal deal,’ going into both sides of the heart, all pressures, valves, arteries
and veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The initial prognosis is very
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His coronary arteries look
amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are big and open and show
no signs of failing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pressure in his
left ventricle is higher than they want, but are not going to pass judgment
until the pathology results come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
we get good news by Friday, it’s no looking back for quite a while.</div>
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He’s sleeping tonight in
his own bed, connected to a bunch of wires for a Holter monitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">The Holter is a portable device for
continuously monitoring various electrical </span><span style="color: black;">activity of the cardiovascular system for at least 24 hours. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">It will monitor his </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart" style="color: black;" title="Heart"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></a><span style="color: black;">heart EKG</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocardiography" style="color: black;" title="Electrocardiography"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="color: black;">and </span>arterial pressures<span style="color: black;">. It watches for occasional cardiac arrhythmia </span><span style="color: black;">events.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">They do this after the biopsy procedure
because of the stress on the heart during the surgery, etc.</span></div>
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He’s still a little scared
about what the “numbers” will come back as, referring to the system of measures
the docs use to gauge the health of his heart and potential for rejection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he woke up this afternoon, his first
words to me were, “how did we do daddy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did we hit a home run?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I have
to stay in the hospital again?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he
began to softly cry, afraid that like last time, he’d be in rejection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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On the way home he
remarked how his “uncle Doug” (Brigham) had to be with him today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug was one of my very best friends and was
killed in a helicopter crash last fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was very close to Garrett and Jessi and championed for Garrett every
chance he could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Doug’s memory, his
wife and friends have started a foundation (http://www.dougbrighamfoundation.org/
)dedicated to helping families of first responders with medical bills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug definitely was there with him today.</div>
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So a very long and very
long overdue update comes to a close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Garrett has started playing baseball again and his team won 12-3 last
night in his honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a sign, I
believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> So, too, are the eye-black stickers he wears in his games. Just like Tim Tebow, they read "Phil 4:13." (I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.) </span>Yes my little warrior cowboy, I
believe we hit a home run.</div>
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God is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t forget to thank Him.</div>
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Blessings to all,</div>
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<br /></div>
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JD</div>
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JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-8217613700662687722012-10-18T00:32:00.001-07:002012-10-18T00:32:16.401-07:00A Tremendous Loss...and GainThis morning my very good friend and Brother-in-Blue, Doug Brigham, was taken from us in a helicopter crash. Doug recently retired from the Pennsylvania State Police where he served as a Patrol Trooper, Narcotics Officer and ended his career after several years in their aviation unit flying helicopters. Doug was truly a tremendous warrior, brother, husband, uncle and friend. He blessed our lives in ways that words do not exist to describe.<br />
<br />
Doug and I started our careers together 28 years ago with the Colorado State University Police Department in Ft. Collins where we were both full time students. The friendship we developed then grew over the years and I could love him no more if we shared the same blood.<br />
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In recent years, Doug became "Uncle Doug" to Garrett and Jessi, going above and beyond in his desire to help share our burdens and was the tip of the sword for fund raisers in PA to help with our mounting bills. The time we shared annually were short in tenure but long in memories. <br />
<br />
I will never forget him, his zest for life and his true Servant Leadership style that always thought of others first. Even in his well deserved and short retirement, Doug continued to give back. He was a volunteer fireman and used his great pilot skills to donate his talents and time to fly wounded veterans and sick folks to treatments. In his last act of selflessness, he fought his crippled craft beyond a residential area so that no one would be hurt on the ground.<br />
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This is on "Garrett's Journey" because Doug was a huge part of this journey. His life made our journey so much easier to handle. We will always love him and his beautiful wife, Lisa. They were matched in Heaven and shall meet there again.<br />
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Garrett and Jessi, like Kathy and I, are heart broken right now but we rest in the belief and peace that Doug is now flying without rotors, but wings. The world lost a truly incredible man today.<br />
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Kiss your kids, love your spouse and let your friends know how much you care. <br />
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God bless,<br />
<br />
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JDJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-90113941308244832462012-08-29T01:58:00.002-07:002012-08-29T23:43:44.637-07:002012 UpdateWow! It's been a while since I've updated Garrett's Journey. We've had such a blessed year, albeit with some challenges. Garrett has had a tremendous year, is growing like a weed and turning into such a fine young Christian man. I could not be more proud of him.<br />
<br />
We have now crossed quite a mile stone, as it's been more than 12 months since we've had to spend the night in a hospital!! Darren's heart continues to beat strongly, proving that our God is GREAT!<br />
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Garrett, Jessi and I got to share some "field" time during Spring Turkey season, and it provided more memories to cherish. "Dinger" will have quite a story to tell his grand kids some day about the time when a bear decided he wanted our blind. It was pretty exciting for about 20 minutes as the ol' boar stalked and "whoofed" at us from only 10 feet away! I convinced him to go away...temporarily.<br />
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As the "Boys of Summer" came about, Dinger was ready. True to form, Garrett took the field in baseball again, being chosen in the top 10 during tryouts. While the team didn't win too many games, a few of the boys really shined. Garrett was noticed by a AAA club who recruited him to play travel ball this fall. It was a tough decision, but Garrett decided to try and play AllStars here so he could finish the season with his buddies. He had a really good tryout and was again chosen in the top of the AllStar athletes. While he wasn't as happy with his hitting this year, his on-base percentage was still very high and his fielding shined! What really honed this year was Garrett's pitching. Although his momma isn't too high on him pitching, he's really got a gift and it really showed in the first game of the AllStar tournament. Garrett was asked to start on the mound and he delivered! He pitched the entire game, not needing to be sub'd. That saved the other pitchers for the rest of the tournament. I'm including a picture of him pitching during that game, in a downpour (no; the picture's not out of focus. It was just raining that hard)<br />
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The tale of the stats were that Garrett pitched 7 innings in a winning effort. He averaged just a little over 12 pitches per inning and had great control of his curve ball. I won't let him throw a traditional curve, but it's a "football" curve that does not put the normal pressure on a growing elbow. Throwing upwards of 64 mph with his fastball, Garrett led the team to it's opening victory.<br />
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The rest of the year has been extremely busy as we sold our place. It's not what we'd wanted to do, but in an effort to try and get control of out of control medical expenses and help my mom's expenses in her retirement community, it was what was needed. We're starting over again....sure is a little spooky. But, we hope and pray for a chance to one day again own our own place with some acres for horses and kids to play, and know God will lead us. We love this place, but the super blessing is that our place was purchased by our Parish, so from now until far into the future, this land that has been so loved by us, will now be used to Glorify our Father and his Son. Jessi put it best; she said, "daddy, you always said this place was a gift from God. Now it's a gift to God." How wonderful is her assessment of our blessings and it really put things into perspective. My children continue to teach me. She too, has stayed busy trying to rodeo when she can and really wanting to find a replacement for her aging barrel horse. Again, we're asking God to help us make that happen.<br />
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The luxury of spending evenings at home ended in May when I transferred back to patrol. The "trenches" have grown more dangerous and ugly, and my kids are old enough to see and understand the news. They're not happy about daddy being out there, but catching bad guys is a good thing and leading honorable men and women is a responsibility and blessing. I just wish I could be home to help them with their homework.<br />
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A recent call I took at work has shaken my core and also driven home the many blessings bestowed upon me. After 28 years of seeing man's inhumanity to man, this scene startled my soul. It happens once in a while. A beautiful young lady of 10 years and mature beyond what is right, was introduced to me through a horrific event she and her sibling had to endure. The essence of innocence and unbelievable emotional pain hung in the air. But I see Christ in her eyes and know God brought them into my life to help me remember how truly blessed I am to have a whole family who deeply love one another, and that even in our challenges, we still need to reach out to help others who have less. That is one of the remarkable honors of my job...the chance to help those who are truly in need, and working with some amazingly professional and caring folks. <br />
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I cannot go into it any further, but please pray for her family. They have seen things they'll never be able to un-see, heard what they cannot un-hear and experienced life changing drama that is burned into their memory. Wounds do not need to be seen, to know they are severe and deeply in need of intercession. They have a long road ahead, but the obvious determination in their hearts will be fueled by God's love and a strong external family support system. I will never forget her, or her very tender broken heart.<br />
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Don't forget to hug your kids every day and let them know you love them. Let me tell you, I could not wait to get home and love on my family like I never have before. And if you get the chance to show God's kindness to another child who just needs to know that there are adults who won't hurt them, do that too.<br />
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God bless you all. More to follow.......promise.<br />
<br />
JDJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-12175597262988687992011-12-24T12:27:00.002-07:002011-12-24T12:29:47.305-07:00Merry Christmas 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSMphK08b-CWRXeaIUdJgTZqCww6czr2ypprHT50jqjdtMNMCU6qO_6FaiQE_4XttIg5T6nRDlXyRGjuFRpPdUhKqZI5JEinTxz3UUN4R4RtPhcJKue74RDBe1xlrnWXrG5MhX80sHmw/s1600/C.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSMphK08b-CWRXeaIUdJgTZqCww6czr2ypprHT50jqjdtMNMCU6qO_6FaiQE_4XttIg5T6nRDlXyRGjuFRpPdUhKqZI5JEinTxz3UUN4R4RtPhcJKue74RDBe1xlrnWXrG5MhX80sHmw/s320/C.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689779315648661170" border="0" /></a><br />As we prepare our hearts and our homes to welcome the Christ child, we think of you all and the blessings your friendships and prayers bring to us.<br /><br />God bless you and Merry Christmas!JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-17143054588690450222011-11-15T13:53:00.002-07:002011-11-15T14:15:33.813-07:00Been A While - November 15, 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlywF_kTA-B3h5wJzD_VU8Ysa4tMX4zp3LdW7dBJnS9MlE0ot-H8k6CCb4Npq-3kVB9cDeRDldYtl82qQ9UlJjynKhShXJVjaRxrJmTI6_-v8mix6av36a1exWh3uD88aCPKnE_O_YVBk/s1600/Garrett%2527s+Buck.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlywF_kTA-B3h5wJzD_VU8Ysa4tMX4zp3LdW7dBJnS9MlE0ot-H8k6CCb4Npq-3kVB9cDeRDldYtl82qQ9UlJjynKhShXJVjaRxrJmTI6_-v8mix6av36a1exWh3uD88aCPKnE_O_YVBk/s320/Garrett%2527s+Buck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675329810994906642" border="0" /></a><br />Wow! It's been a while since I've written anything and I have no excuses, other than selfishness. By writing on this blog, I'm forced to deal with some memories that aren't all that fun. However, too many folks wonder how our little Warrior is doing and use this site as a reference. So, here we go!<br /><br />Garrett has had a really good summer. He got to play baseball for the first time in the last three seasons, without having to quit early. The <span style="font-style: italic;">full</span> season was really good for him and he excelled better than I expected. "Dinger" started every game and even made it to the All Stars, where he had one of the best tournaments of any kid on the team. You sure couldn't tell this boy ever had an issue.<br /><br />As the summer wound down, Garrett got really excited for "middle school". I've never seen him that happy to go to school, but he really felt a sense of pride that he was getting through elementary and on to the big leagues! It really bothered him that he had to stay back a year because of his illness the past few years.<br /><br />His excitement has dwindled some since then, because he's found out it's really just school again, but also because his immune system has been so compromised that he's catching every bug that comes down the pipe. He's missed a lot of school already this year and that bothers all of us. I just do not want him to have to be held back again. It would hurt too much. Fortunately, he has some really caring teachers and they are willing to work with us to help him catch up. Add to that the fact that a recent graduate of the Air Force Academy, a 2nd Lt., is willing to tutor Garrett for free! I just found out today. We are charging toward victory here, as well!<br /><br />Since Garrett turned 12 this summer, he is old enough to hunt big game with daddy now. Through a friend-of-a-friend, Garrett was invited on an antelope hunt in Wyoming, on a ranch where only kids who've endured serious illnesses and wounded veterans can hunt. When we went in September, Garrett had the place to himself that day and harvested the buck of a lifetime! It was a very, very special day for us. The meat has been great and the trophy on his wall will bring back memories for many years to come. Just look at the smile in the picture. It says it all.<br /><br />As we head into winter now, our sights are getting set on next spring when Garrett will have to endure yet another biopsy surgery. It will be the "big one" again, but we really need to know how his heart is doing. His general health has been all over the map this fall and it's been pretty frustrating. On the bright side, his nightmares have diminished considerably. It's heart breaking when that little guy is afraid to go to sleep. For now, though, we're going to set our feet for the long haul and prepare to sing "happy birthday" to our Lord next month. If Garrett can bring up his grades, 'Santa' has a nice little surprise coming.<br /><br />I hope all of you remain as blessed as we are, and thank you for all the prayers. We don't know what tomorrow brings, we can't do anything about yesterday, so we'll prepare the best we can and make each new day the victory that it is.<br /><br />God bless you,<br /><br />JDJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-398347094224843872011-04-24T12:42:00.003-07:002011-04-24T12:52:57.697-07:00Happy Easter!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9gQdUSqKXQpuKJeqSXnzajlbzwKtevjSiF5snF3JISr-7iUI7NJBqvc4rBI6r6vEjVv8TLZHPiWf5g9JYmueb1_4dkvmQisK-bxJs3Ik9ko-UatQVuxcyiTmPWxh02VzjPTVZ4NUlXk/s1600/DSC02775.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599238671633130850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9gQdUSqKXQpuKJeqSXnzajlbzwKtevjSiF5snF3JISr-7iUI7NJBqvc4rBI6r6vEjVv8TLZHPiWf5g9JYmueb1_4dkvmQisK-bxJs3Ik9ko-UatQVuxcyiTmPWxh02VzjPTVZ4NUlXk/s320/DSC02775.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I could not think of a better time for another update than on Easter. Exactly 11 years ago tomorrow, we came home after Garrett’s first transplant. Diagnosed in utero with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, we waited 9 months for a heart….7 of those months after he was born. He lasted, at the time, longer than any child on record. He refused to quit then, and he refuses to quit today.<br /><br />Since my last update in February, we attended the American Heart Association Heart Ball in Colorado Springs. It was the second year in a row that they’ve used Garrett’s story to help raise awareness and money for research. In 2011, they raised $25,000 more than the year before, in an economy worse than a year ago. The blessings continue to reign as we continue to hope that Garrett’s story will help other children and families.<br /><br />Garrett was given a gift of a turkey hunt in Kansas by some really cool men who own a local company. The trip was incredible. It was shared with Warren and Hal, the brother and daddy of Darren, the boy who gave Garrett his heart in 2008. Watching these two boys grow in their relationship and enjoy the brother they both need, makes a lot of the tears, fears and heartache seem worthwhile. Garrett didn’t get his turkey, but he’s hoping for retribution next month as he repeats his last year’s hunt with our friend, Marv.<br /><br />It was during the hunt last year that Garrett became sick and was almost taken from us within a week. A biopsy scheduled in May will hopefully tell us that he’s completely clear of any issues and we can relax a little more. Incredibly, just a few days before the Kansas trip last weekend, Garrett began complaining of chest and left arm pain. We took him in to the local hospital and within an hour they had him hooked up to an IV and put Flight for Life on standby. They were very concerned and thought Garrett was having little heart attacks again. Understandably, we were scared out of our wits. Garrett was petrified and at one point started pulling the monitor wires from his chest and crying that he was “out of here”. He said “daddy, I don’t want to die. I don’t want to go through this again!” I hurt for him and his momma and sister, and I’ve got to admit that some of the memories keep me looking over my shoulder, too. Sometimes it’s difficult to focus on anything, and becomes an unpleasant distraction. His anxiety is still fairly high at times and the nightmares come and go, but I know that good news on May 3rd will help all of us a ton. It will be a pretty big day as they plan to biopsy the heart and enter both sides of the heart and coronary arteries. A long and trying ordeal to be sure, but necessary.<br /><br />In the mean time, Garrett’s playing baseball again. He started out pretty scared, because two out of the last three years he’s gotten sick during baseball season. It has nothing to do with baseball, but it’s hard not to think about the connection. But he finally moved past that fear and is having a great year. He went 3 for 3 at the plate the other night and 4 for 4 in the field. He’s back!<br /><br />11 years ago tomorrow, the day after we celebrate the reason for our faith, God let us come home. In the time since, we’ve traveled many roads, shared a cacophony of emotions and seemingly crawled the journey through some of the bumpy times. But Christ’s promises keep us grounded and give us strength to carry the fight another day.<br /><br />Life is good, so greet each day with a smile.<br /><br />God bless you,<br /><br />JD </div>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-11879145899055941712011-02-04T16:02:00.002-07:002011-02-04T17:18:45.123-07:00Feb. 4, 2011It's hard to believe that we’re approaching 3 years since Garrett's last transplant and have witnessed the many changes and challenges for our little warrior. If I spend too much time thinking back on them, it’s bring tears of joy along with memories of terror. <br /><br />Flashback: In February of 2008, Garrett began complaining of chest and arm pains. So his doctor in Colorado Springs decided to run an enzyme blood test and determined that he was having little heart attacks. At the Children’s Hospital in Denver they performed an emergency catheter procedure that scared Garrett to a near panic. I remember him telling me “daddy, I don’t want to die”. I will never, ever forget that day, and I never want to experience it again. A doctor who had known Garrett since he was born told us that Garrett had advanced coronary artery disease, and was dying. <br /><br />We all know what happened next. Garrett was blessed within a couple of days with a beautiful, healthy heart from a beautiful, healthy boy who left us much too soon. Darren’s family has become our own, and they were by our side throughout Garrett's severe rejection episode last year, and Darren’s momma was with Kathy when Garrett was close to going home. These two ladies share a kindred relationship that most mothers will never know. She and her husband will join us in a few days for a very special event.<br /><br />This year the American Heart Association will celebrate an annual event known as the Heart Ball. The purpose for this charitable event is to promote funding research, education programs and policies designed to help our Nation’s children live longer, stronger, healthier lives. Each year about 36,000 babies are born with some type of heart defect. <br /><br />In Colorado Springs the Heart Ball will be held at the Broadmoor Hotel. For the second consecutive year, the AMA has asked that we share Garrett's journey in an effort to raise awareness. They will play Garrett's video that they made in late 2009 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV4GZCuE0TQ ), which evidently helped the Denver event’s success 2010. We have agreed to their request, honored that our story of continued victory may help another child or family somewhere. We really hope that doctors in Colorado will be able to use the money and eventually find a cure for this terrible disease. <br /><br />During the years of fighting this battle, I have to admit that there have been times when I became very nostalgic and was missing the innocence of my own childhood. I recall being not much younger than Garrett or Jessi and feigning sleep so my dad would carry me to bed. I felt so comforted, so protected in his arms. His thick, calloused hands and his soft kiss on my forehead after he put me in bed. Now it's my turn to do this for my own children and do what I can to keep my own family from harm. <br /><br />There are so many bad things that daddies can't prevent. But we sure can vote with our actions and by sharing this incredible journey, I hope to capture these moments for future generations and maybe spark the one thought or dollar that eventually helps stop children's hearts from getting sick.<br /><br />God bless you all.<br /><br />JDJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-38286635228054358082011-01-06T21:59:00.004-07:002011-01-06T22:14:59.792-07:00Jan. 6, 2011 - Goodbye Levi. We Love You.It’s been quite a while now since we’ve made an update to Garrett’s Journey, but it sure hasn’t been because there’s no news. We just wanted to wait until we had good news to share. Although clouded some by heartache, we grateful for our blessings.<br /><br />Since the last update, we were able to all gather as a family and celebrate the birth of our Lord. Levi, although very sick, shared in this blessed event. Garrett and Jessi were so happy to be able to be with him. Garrett and Levi have fought together for so long and their bond is unbreakable. They’ve continued to fight with and for each other, praying daily for each others’ healing.<br /><br />On Monday this week, Garrett underwent several blood tests to see if the PRA rejection numbers have come down at all. We were to hear something late today. As a quick flashback, in June shortly after his first rounds of chemo and plasmapheresis, the PRA numbers were around 90. We need to see them around 20. By September, although the cellular mediated rejection was perfect, the PRA remained at 89. This disturbed and confused us, but we’ve tried to stay positive and full of hope. With more hospitalizations looming after the New Year, we prayed for healing; for Garrett and Levi.<br /><br />We were with Levi this morning as he was getting weaker. I brought him a kiss from Garrett, and a message; “tell Levi I love him, and ‘Cowboy Up’”. At mid day, God called Levi Home. He was in the arms of those who love him when he smiled and went away. An hour later, earlier than expected, we received a call from the hospital. Garrett’s PRA numbers are down 25 points to 64! We are finally seeing the positive movement we’ve been hoping to see. I’ll let you decide if Levi had something to do with that. I just know there is no such thing as coincidence. In the previous six months, they’d moved only 2 points.<br /><br />While our hearts are broken to lose Levi from this world, we’re so grateful to have shared in his tremendous journey and being able to love him. We're better because of him. Now, he no longer has to fight and hurt in this world. He is in Paradise and in the arms of our Lord Jesus and Noah, who left us last June. I won’t presume to know God’s design, but must believe in His will and perfect plan. We don't know why we had to lose Levi and Noah in just 6 months. More questions than answers.<br /><br />But today God called one home and gave another more strength to continue His mission. As we prayed tonight, missing our Levi, we thanked God for the beautiful day, for giving Levi peace and much needed rest and asked Him to help us honor Levi’s warrior spirit by putting on His armor every day. <br /><br />Incredibly, in the midst of their own heartache and grief, Levi’s parents rejoiced with us and praised God for Garrett’s marked improvement. They are two remarkable, loving and humble servants. <br /><br />The message I hear today was loud and clear. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" As death tried to take the moment, we were given reason to praise our Lord for Garrett's sake. Levi is no longer in pain, and Garrett is clearly getting better.<br /><br />May His peace find you all. May His love comfort those who morn. And may Hope always overcome.<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />JDJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8457044725436943652.post-50524519962079153162010-11-21T00:42:00.003-07:002010-11-21T00:46:27.111-07:00November 21, 2010Up kinda late tonight because Garrett woke up crying a while ago after a bad nightmare. So since I was up, it seemed lik a good time to drop a quick note about his progress lately. He’s having pretty severe nightmares again and gets pretty scared about his heart. We’re trying different things to help ease his concerns, but it’ll take a little time.<br /><br />The really good news though, is that Garrett doesn’t have to go back for any treatments until after the holidays. The doctors feel confident that the PRA situation will not get significantly worse in that time frame and because he’s had such a tough year on a number of fronts, they’re giving him a little more time. I’m truly grateful for their decision, albeit a little nervous to wait longer. I really didn’t want him to have to spend Christmas in the hospital.<br /><br />We’ve let him go back to school, which has been truly good for his mental health, but he’s pretty susceptible to every little cold that comes around. He’s already fought several this season and is in the middle of a cold as I write this. That part scares the heck out of us. He needs to stay healthy. The school folks have been really good about letting us know when other kids are sick, and we just keep him home and “home school” him for a few days. But you can’t see all of ‘em coming.<br /><br />Having the holidays coming up will be good for all of us. Garrett’s cousin is really, really sick with his cancer fight and after losing Noah this summer, we all need to be here and together during this Christmas season.<br /><br />We’re continually blessed and thankful that God has kept Garrett from getting sick like he had been. The fight is still on, but we’re still winning. We absolutely will just keep putting on the Armor of God every day and placing the right priorities where they belong; every day is a victory and each sunrise brings opportunities for happiness and the glorification of God’s great mercy.<br /><br />Hope your Thanksgiving is a wonderful one. Each day is really Thanksgiving, but we can only eat that much once or twice a year. Otherwise we’d all swell up like blowfish!<br /><br />Walk with Him. If you get too tired, He’ll carry you the rest of the way.<br /><br />JDJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018467440021986991noreply@blogger.com1