linehomedotaboutdotcontactdotlucy's storydotgo lucy go foundationline

10.30.2012

A Lesson Learned Today

Procrastinate: : to put off intentionally and habitually

Proverbs 15:19

The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.




One might think I would have learned by now not to do it.  Procrastinate, that is.  With our life in a constant state of unknown, it makes sense that I would never put off for tomorrow what could be done today.  For example, Lucy's Halloween costume.  She wanted to be an octopus last year and I convinced her to be the Cat in the Hat.  I reasoned with her that since she couldn't walk on the 2 feet God gave her she probably didn't need to try to walk with 8!  But that memory I have worried about this year didn't fail her this time.  She promptly reminded me that I told her she could be an octopus this year as soon as the topic was discussed. 


(I'll be posting lots of pics of Lucy in her costume tomorrow)

After an exhausting search for octopus costumes, the cheapest I could come up with was $89.  Since that was clearly ridiculous, I set out to make one of my own.  It was so much fun being back in front of the sewing machine.  Admittedly, I was very unconvinced about the outcome while I was working.  With the project finished--thanks to the help of my mom--I am very pleased with the final project.  The point I'm trying to make though is that I waited and waited to start on it until the Saturday before Halloween.  My plan was to finish it Sunday after church, but...well, we all know what happened next.  A huge thank you to Nanny for jumping in to put the finishing touches on the 8 legs.  

Erik sent me these pictures tonight.



It broke my heart that because of my mad procrastination skills Lucy didn't get to carve a pumpkin this year.  We had talked about it all last week and even planned on doing it Friday night and then Saturday afternoon.  Seriously!  What's wrong with me?  Ugh!  Now I'll spend the next week trying to recreated all the fun Halloween events that Lucy missed out on.  

Tomorrow she will spend another Halloween in the hospital.  Last year we spent the day at St. Jude (outpatient at least) but this year she will be stuck in her room in isolation.  The nurses will come around and deliver candy and treats, but it's just not the same.  I'm going to let her dress up and hopefully we can try to make the most of a bad situation.  Lucy's blood and stool cultures came back today and they weren't wonderful.  Not bad, just not great.  She has c-diff (again!) and it has somehow crossed over into her blood stream.  In the words of the resident this morning "this is very uncommon."  I had to hold back a full belly laugh as I explained to her that "uncommon" was what Lucy did best.  

Lucy is being treated with the big gun, Vancomycin, and will stay here for a few days until her tummy heals.  She has to be able to eat and drink again before they will send us home.  Unfortunately, children with weakened immune systems can be greatly harmed by c-diff (think last December before Lucy had to get a feeding tube) and it is very contagious.  So....isolation it is for us.  Like I've said before, this isn't cancer.  We can handle this.  Even still, I can't help but to ask. 








post signature

16 comments:

  1. Nice octopus!
    I'm not one for celebrating Halloween but I sure do what what it means to procrastinate. :s I have found myself in some tight situations because of me putting stuff off.
    Praying for you Lucy!
    <><

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sweet Lucy, here's praying for a super speedy recovery! I'll be thinking and praying about you all day tomorrow!!! Stay Strong.
    Lots of Love,
    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Kate, My heart goes out to Lucy and you of course, well to all of you. My gosh can you all ever catch a break. I am sure that Lucy doesn't want to hear it but Halloween can be any night that she wants to dress as an octopus and look beautiful while knocking at doors. That poor little girl has suffered so much, it is just so unfair and I agree, WHY??? Lucy you can beat this because you are one amazing, strong little girl. Go Lucy Go... We will be right here praying for you to get well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Michelle from AustraliaOctober 30, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    My daughter is one of two known cases in the world with her disorder. We have no idea what 'medically normal' is. I think to think of us as trail blazers :) But most of the time I would settle for boring, dull and uneventful. Praying you and Lucy are soon home and ready for the Halloween do-over.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wore Lucy's t-shirt today and thought of you guys and prayed and hope for a speedy recovery so the two of you can go home and find your norm again...
    xo,
    Michelle - CA

    ReplyDelete
  6. Praying.

    And quit being so hard on yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Is there anything that all of us can do to help make this a memorable Halloween for Lucy when she gets home? One recreated yet one we can make sure she will never forget?

    ReplyDelete
  8. So sorry that you and Lucy are stuck in the hospital! That octopus costume is awesome! I pray that Lucy feels better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kate, I am so bad about procrastinating, even though I know I should live each day to the fullest. Maybe something about procrastination will have to be my word of the year for 2013. I'm glad you are in a good place with good people to take care of Lucy, but I am so sorry about the isolation. I don't know what it is about that, but it just makes a hospital stay a little more painful. So thankful for a nanny who is willing and able to jump in and take over when you need her! Take care~

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Kate! How terrible. I had c-diff while pregnant and was on 6 weeks of vancomycin. In fact, I finished my last dose the day before I delivered my baby boy. I feel terrible for Lucy that she is having to go through this...again! I know how miserable it is and I also know how yucky isolation in the hospital is too! Especially when all you want to do is be trick-or-treating with friends. Prayers that you guys can break out of there soon!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am praying that God shows Himself to you and Lucy in a spectacular way today.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dear Kate,

    I can understand your disappointment over Lucy not being able to go out tonight, I'm sad she can't go out too but PLEASE don't put yourself down re: the Halloween activities. I don't think Procrastination is a word to describe you my friend. I looked it up and this is the definiation of Procrastination is - "To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness".

    There are MANY words to describe you Kate...Loving, Faithful, Strong, Courageous, Fierce, Smart, Wonderful, an EXCEPTIONAL Mama & Wife, Grateful (should I go on?!? :-) ) Out of all the many words I can't seem to find words like "Procrastinator", "Lazy", "Careless" on the list of Kate!!. HHmmm, I wonder why?!!?
    NONE of the last words describe You!!! You didn't procrastinate Kate....LIFE HAPPENED and not just any "Life", Your Life with 2 small, sick children, your endless
    Ohh, I know.... it's b/c appointments, household responsibilities, helping your girls at school, Ella's after school activities, etc...etc....etc - that take A LOT Out of a person!!! - Geesh, I'm just tired TYPING it out!!!

    I hope you guys have somewhat of a good night!! We'll be thinking & praying for Lucy & yourself & your whole family!!!
    GOD BLESS!!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Kate,
    I just wanted to share that I am praying. We are unfortunately in the throes of C. diff right now as well. C. diff is actually how we determined that my older son had an immuno deficiency. And now with my baby this is his second round of C diff in the last two months. We are currently doing a 5week course of vanco and praying fervently that this does the trick. It is not too often that I hear someone else's child dealing with this (praise God!) but I just wanted to say I was thinking about and praying for you all. And oh my goodness Lucy's costume is fantastic:-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy Halloween to the cutest Octopus around! Praying for a quick & healthy recovery so Lucy can trick-or-treat as soon as possible, even if it's a few days later :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. So sorry Lucy and the family is having to go through this. Will certainly be praying for a speedy recovery and for your family. In the meantime....don't beat yourself up. You are not really a procrastinator. I am worn out just reading you schedule most days. The costume is adorable. Hang in there.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kate, if you are finding time to recognize being in the "habit" of procrastinating I would say that's a good place to be and glory to God that you got back to somewhat of a ""normal" sluggard's life again. What a blessing from God that you had the choice to put off doing what you thought a perfect mom would do and instead just was a regular slacker mom like the rest of us! ( big grin on my face - give yourself a darn break would ya!).

    ReplyDelete