A Brief Update

I know I have been remiss of late. I guess we just got caught up in trying to put some "normalcy" back into our lives. Since Garrett's last biopsy results, we've seen no physical changes in our little warrior. He continues to be happy and playful, albeit a little too rambunctious at times (which is a very good thing).

The kids and I had a chance to head up into the hills for a short elk "hunt". It was their 1st official elk hunt with Daddy, and it will go down as one of my all time most memorable. Each had a cow (elk) call and they made every terrible squeaking sound they could muster. We didn't see any elk that day, but we had the time of our lives. We found a sun bathed saddle overlooking a draw, and both kids crawled up into my lap. I cannot remember when we had that much pure love and enjoyment together. It was if we were sitting in God's lap and the angels' wings were forcing a calming breeze down through the aspens. (see photo)

Since then, two wonderful community groups put on a ranch rodeo and quarter horse race to benefit the Family Fund For Garrett Ross. The overwhelming feelings of humility and appreciation were too much for even words to capture. Being proud people, we find it hard to let people help us. However, while we don't deserve any of the blessings we receive, we are forever changed and grateful to so many who came together over the love of a little boy and his family. Thanks, will never be enough.

Garrett is enjoying school now that his immune system is up and running pretty well. He still does not know about the big biopsy surgery in November. We want to wait until the right time to tell him. There is no sense in getting him stirred up right now. He fights nightmares and sleep, his sister Jessi is having some emotional fights of her own over the ordeal, and Kathy still cannot really talk about the "what ifs" and the future. As we deal with the emotional tribulations and the uncertainty of the future, we hit our knees each night thanking God for another day and pray that tomorrow will find us greeting the sunshine with a smile and will to fight one more time. God is so gracious and loving, and we know there are no fights we cannot win with Him guiding us.

More to come soon.

May God light your path to cool water.

JD

Biopsy Results

Sometimes it's very difficult to send updates. This is one of those times. We needed a few days to digest what we heard and try to figure a way to let you all know. The pathology results of Garrett's biopsy were not what we had hoped. Garrett's heart does have an area infiltrated by lymphocytes, a group of little search and destroy blood cells that try to kill foreign bodies within our own.

The game plan right now is to let his otherwise healthy body try to fight this rejection, and to closely watch him. If he shows any signs of fatigue, etc, we will have to take a much more aggressive approach. The doctor feels that the chemo type medications can be counterproductive because they are so hard on other parts of the body. He wants to wait a while. Either way, he has to have a very extensive biopsy surgery in just a couple of months, again. He does not know, and I do not want the kids to know right now. He has had too many nights of worrying if his new heart will last. I want him to think he can climb the highest mountain and jump the tallest building. He is a warrior and needs to keep a warrior's mind set.

For now, I ask that you keep the prayers coming. We have not been in a fight yet we cannot win. By the Grace of God, we will win this one, too.

God bless you,

JD

August 11, 2008

Today was surgery #21. It never get’s any easier, just more familiar.

We spent the weekend in the mountains drowning worms to get Garrett’s mind off of the impending date with the surgeon. God brought us some much needed rain while we were there, but it didn’t dampen our spirits, only the ground. Garrett and Jessi made quite a discovery up there. He brought me back a few “cool looking rocks”. They were actually flint chips, which are created when the Indians were flint knapping tools and arrow heads. I had him take me to where he found them and we did a little digging. Our archaeological adventure turned up quite a few flint chips, a few small arrow heads and a broken flint knife. The kids got quite a kick out of digging for these when they understood that their ancestors (Ute Indian Tribe) may have camped along the river near where we found these.

The weekend was a good routine breaker because Garrett had his date with the surgeon this morning for another biopsy. It was needed to ensure that everything is still going as it should be. He was scared, but cowboy’d up just like the little warrior he is. I carried him to the operating table, same as I have some 20 other times. And just as I have the other times, I wiped the 1st tear off of his cheek and rubbed it on my own. I can’t take his pain and fear from him, but at least I can help carry his tears.

The doctor came out a short while ago and told us that visually, everything looked good. They got several good “bites” from inside his heart. Afterward, Jessi made the most incredible comment. She said the doctor "didn't look sad this time”. She remembered the look on his face when he came out in February to tell us Garrett was dying. She is an amazing little girl.

Tomorrow we should have the results of the biopsy. If all goes well, we should get to take him home tonight, because they only have to go in through the groin area instead of opening him clear up. He’ll have to stay relatively calm for a few days, but God willing, will be up and aggravating his sister within a day or two.

As I sit here next to him while he sleeps in the recovery room, I can’t help but think of how fortunate I am and how I appreciate all of the continued prayers and intentions. We have so much to be grateful for this year, even though the journey is far from complete. The love and friendship of so many continue to humble me daily, and I will never tire thanking our Lord Jesus for the blessings I truly don’t deserve.

Until next time, may He shine upon your path, keep your horses gentle and keep your tanks full.

God bless,

JD

August 1, 2008

Summer is quickly growing to a close, and Garrett has stayed busy. With the exception of a few scary bumps a couple weeks ago, he has been doing great! We were fortunate enough to spend the weekend with Darren's family in Wyoming, and to see Garrett interacting with Darren's siblings is very emotional.

Garrett's been riding horses, buckin' barrels, roping the dummy, shooting the bow, playing catch, chasin' kitties and dogs and pestering his sister and mom. No two days are the same, and each day is a new adventure. He hates to sleep, won't ever admit that he's tired and leaves toys and clothes scattered all over the house and yard. Pretty much a normal little boy!

August 11th will be a test for him. He has another biopsy surgery ordered, and is already starting to get scared. Surgery #21 should not hold any surprises, but please keep the prayers coming. We didn't expect any in February, either.

With all the blessings we've had, we expect Garrett to be able to attend school this fall and be able to play around other kids again, with some minor adjustments. God is good and He shines every day in the life of this child and our family.

God Bless,

JD

Happy 4th of July

We have had a very blessed 4th. A special treat was Darren's mom and two of his sisters came in from out of state to spend the weekend with us. They are such incredible people, and we will obviously be eternally grateful that they heard God direct them to donate Darren's heart to Garrett. With what I have jokingly referred to as a diesel powered engine running inside of my littlest Cowboy's chest, he has more energy than we could have imagined at this point. His check ups continue to be positive and he is able to enjoy his summer the way little boys should.

We've been playing catch, roping the dummy, riding horses and are planning a fishing trip. Life is so wonderful for us right now. It's easy to put aside the unknowing and fears that constantly try to break our concentration and spirit. We're just doing our level best to be as "normal" as possible and appreciate every day as a new victory.

This weekend we're taking care of a friend's place, and among other things such as feeding their horses and goats, they have a sick calf. Garrett jumps right in there and helps daddy get the job done. Jessi holds the medicine, I rope the calf by the head and one leg and Garrett walks up behind him and ropes his hind feet. He's so proud of himself and he just beams when I make over what a great loop he threw and how I couldn't do it without him. You can't cut me with a diamond!

I hope you are all enjoying your families right now as much as I am enjoying mine. Each day is just a little more special than the one before, and the little things that go out of whack, just don't seem important anymore.

For those interested, the local paper here ran another story on children with congenital heart disease. There is a photo of Garrett and a nice spin to the story about the need for organ donors.
http://www.newfalconherald.com/DisplayArticle.php?ArticleID=4400

Some wonderful friends have also started putting together a benefit rodeo/family dance. You can read about it on their website: http://www.heart4garrettross.com/

God Bless you all and Stay Safe!

In Him,

JD

Things Are Great

Well, I have been bad by not posting for a while. We have been so enjoying our new found "freedom" at home, that I haven't been inside much. Here is the short story of our last month.

We've had plenty of challenges, but overall they are minor. Garrett is doing great! His health is holding up and with a few small changes to his medicine, he's been getting A's from his check-ups. We had a little scare when he got an upper respiratory thing, but it turned out to be allergies and no hospitalization was needed. We continue to guard that carefully, as he's months from having a good immune system.

Kathy and I have been very protective of the kids, physically and emotionally. I have tried to prevent any major emotional trauma to them, as they have had enough to last a while. Just after we got home, one of the kids' dogs got kicked by a horse and broke his leg. Then a few days later, one of the other dogs got poisoned. They both required stays at the vet, and one surgery, but both are recovering well. Then we had a pasture fire that could easily have burned down the buildings, but the wind changed suddenly and pulled the fire in another direction. We lost a few acres, but dodged another bullet. Last weekend I thought our luck had finally run out. Garrett's been doing so well and everyone is healing inside so nicely, and then I got a call at work. Kathy had run the horses in and Garrett's mare had developed a huge tumor inside of her left nostril. I sent a vet over and he called me with bad news. The tumor is a rare one, but a fatal one. We had no choice but to put her down.

The news brought tears to my eyes. I asked him to have until Saturday so I could prepare the kids and let them say goodbye. I knew this would crush their spirit. They had been through so much and could not wait to get home to their animals and had already almost lost two. Garrett had cried only days earlier, wanting to ride his horse. He was getting to the point we were going to let him, as she is a gentle old soul who is great with the kids. He'd lost a good horse a year ago Christmas, then Jessi lost her horse last fall. They didn't need another hit right now. Saturday morning came and as Garrett and I went out to feed and I prepared to tell him the news, he excitedly said "daddy, she's better!". The tumor had fallen out of her head and was laying on the ground. It was the size of a summer sausage and weighed over a pound. The vet came and said it was a "one in a billion" chance. In all his years as a vet, he had never seen it happen. This truly was another gift from God!

With all we have seen this year, we continue to be blessed every step we take. I am absolutely the luckiest man. I have been given so many extra chances with my children, and they continue to bring joy to all they meet.

We continue to bring Garrett up to the hospital every week for a full goin'-over, but so far, so good.

Thanks for all the continued prayers and good thoughts. We serve a fantastic, loving God!

May He smile on you all as much as he has us.

JD

May 24, 2008 - Nicholas and His Miracles

This entry is dedicated to little Nicholas Greenwood who passed peacefully into the arms of our Loving God recently. I learned tonight that Nicholas , through the complete unselfish and loving decision of his family to share Nicholas' life with others, was able to give new life to three other children. Though Nicholas is physically gone from this life and is resting in the arms of Jesus, three other families have received the gift of new life through organ donation.

Please pray for Nicholas, his incredible family and their selfless love for others, and the children and families who now have a new beginning.

Like Darren, Nicholas continues to live on and on through the miracle of shared life. These boys are forever in our hearts. So too, are their families. In their time of terror and pain, they thought not of themselves, but of others who also prayed for healing. May God in His infinite wisdom and love, comfort them and heal their broken hearts.

JD