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3.19.2011

A Big THANK YOU

(Lucy before her shunt surgery yesterday)

That big THANK YOU goes to the friends, family and community members who organized and supported the Bake Sale and Car Wash today.  Oh my Goodness!!!  Final numbers aren't in, but I hear there was a lot of money raised today.  Erik and I are so grateful, humbled and honestly just blown away by the love and support you guys have shown.  Seriously, I just don't know how I will ever begin to thank you all. 

Today is day 25.  25 days since we got the news that turned our lives upside down.  At that very moment Erik and I walked away from our family and normal life to do what any other mother and father would do for their child.  Beds unmade, clothes in the washing machine, bills to be paid, homework undone.  Erik left in the middle of a business meeting with a client and has not looked back since.  Luckily there have been some great people who have stepped up to bat for both of us.  Grandparents, other family members, friends and coworkers all doing what they can to help us get through this.  We desperately want to get back to our home with our family, but we know we are here doing what is best for Lucy.  She does not understand that, nor can she appreciate it right now, but my prayer is that one day when she has her own children she will know that we loved her so much we did everything in the world to provide her the best medical care we could.

And that is where the thank you comes in to play.  Thank you for the financial support that will help pay hospital bills.  Thank you for the contributions that will allow us to have our house deep cleaned on a regular basis, our air ducts cleaned and other maintenance care on our "older" home. 
   (children who have cancer and are undergoing Chemotherapy are at risk of acquiring a dust born fungus called Aspergillis.  It causes a Pneumonia that medicine has a hard time helping.We just want to make sure Lucy stays as clean and healthy as possible!)

As many of you know, I am a stay at home mom.  While it is a very, very rewarding job, the pay stinks!  Erik and I do our best to stick to a budget each month and gas for daily trips to Memphis has never been a part of that.  So, while I have not gone into deep detail about the financials of Lucy's future treatment, I just want you all to know that we greatly appreciate your help.  If I had to sell everything I own...if I had to beg, borrow or steal...I would do whatever it takes to make my baby well.  Just know that you have played a big role in making sure that Lucy has the absolute best medical care available! 

We are planning on being discharged tomorrow morning and then will go to St. Jude for medicine and central line training.  We will be there all day, but hopefully will be sleeping in our own beds by night fall.  We will be back at it on Monday with a full day at St. Jude, preparing to begin radiation on Monday, March 28th.  As much as I dread it and still can hardly stomach the thought, we are ready.  Let's get going and kick the thing in the butt.

Today I had to run an errand so while I was driving down Poplar avenue I turned on K-Love.  It seemed as if every song that came on today was hand-picked for me.  They each spoke to the array of emotions I have been feeling.  Fear, anger, hope, peace.  Each song that came on just spoke to my soul and gave me the strength I was lacking when I woke up this morning.  So, with the windows down and the Christian music turned up high, I had my Sunday morning worship service all alone on a Saturday morning. 

Cast you cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22----And that is just what He is doing. 

(Lucy with Ms. Amanda)


And goodnight to everyone.  Sweet dreams from Lucy to you!

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19 comments:

  1. I am so grateful that He is strengthening you day by day. Continually praying in His holy and mighty name...... Love from the Hensley's in Memphis

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  2. I smile every time I see her favorite blanket on one of your blog photos. Oh how many times have I sat with her wrapped in that blanket on my lap rocking her instead instead of her having to lay down for her nap. Stinker! :)

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  3. Still praying for you and your sweet baby girl! I am so thankful that you might be sleeping in your own bed with your other babies. I pray that God will continue to hold your family especially tight in His hands. He is the great physician.

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  4. So Glad for a great day. :) We wish yall great luck and many prayers traveling back and forth. St jude is such an awesome place. When my sister went we absolutely loved it they were amazing. Well good luck and thanks for keeping us posted! Goodnight Lucy Sweet Dreamns We love You!

    Lakin Wiseman:)

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  5. Continuing to pray Kate. Love you all and I really hope you get a night at home with your family of 5. Maybe you can all have a big sleepover together. :) Please let me know if there's anything you need.

    God is Good!!

    Melody Burchett
    www.gettingreadyforbabyburchett.blogspot.com

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  6. Lucy!!!! You're such a pretty girl!

    Kate, thinking of you! You sound upbeat! Let's get the ball rollin! Love and prayers!

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  7. Praying, Praying, Praying!!!! Praise God for the great turnout at the car wash! God is doing amazing things for your family! Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord, with ALL thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths! Keep trusting Him Erik and Kate!

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  8. Erik, Kate, and Lucy-

    I wanted you all to know I pray for you guys daily. I am in the hospital right now on bed rest with twins. I think about the strength you all show and it helps me get through the rough times. Your family is prayed for and I wish this will be over for you soon! Good luck with everything and I will keep praying.

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  9. I have been following this story, have not posted much because I didn't know what to say or how to say it. I have always said I am glad to be here in Tipton County due to the awesome hospitals in Memphis if anything like this was to happen to our family. We are praying for Lucy, and your family, and you are right we as parents will do whatever it takes to make sure our children are in good hands, even if that means to beg, borrow of steal. Keep your head high, I am sure you already know your daughter is in good hands.

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  10. I am glad to hear everything went so well. I check every day, sometimes multiple times a day to see how little Lucy is doing. That girl's strength truly amazes me, as does yours as a mother. I know this little girl is being surrounded by prayers from all over the nation, she is pretty amazing, even at the tender age of 5. She is beautiful to! Sweet dreams to Lucy.

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  11. Keeping Lucy and your beautiful family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  12. Beautiful precious pictures of Lucy. Here smile is a welcome sight to my morning. Praying for you guys!

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  13. God bless you all and God bless that little girl with the BIG SMILE on her face. So good to see.

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  14. Kate, This is Donna (Pelt) Selman. My husband works for Service Experts of Memphis and we would like to take care of your duct cleaning & air filtration for you. Please drop me an email with contact information you or Erik so we can get in touch with you. My email is ddselman@hotmail.com We would love to help! Praying for you all!!

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  15. I hope the surgery went well. Your precious little girl continues to be in my thoughts and prayers.

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  16. Kate- I know exactly you what you mean. I listen to K Love in my car, in my office EVERYWHERE. Every song that comes on, I want to write the lyrics down and send them to you. We serve an awesome God and I believe he is doing something in your life and most importantly in the lives of people around the world and in our community. I am BELIEVING in Lucy's healing. I feel blessed to be able to say "I helped with the bake sale and with the upcoming 5k". I wish I could do more!!! We love you and are praying and rejoicing with you!

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  17. I can so see you with the windows rolled down and the music turned up. :-) And you know I'd be singing right along with you! God will sustain you! And friends who love you and the Lord will be there to hold you up, encourage you and sustain you when you need us most. I love you, and when this whole thing is over and Lucy feels like it, we'll take her riding with the windows rolled down and the music turned up.

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  18. Still Prayig that god will heal Little Lucy !! God bless!

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  19. I am praying for you guys. This is such a crappy thing little Lucy and you guys are going through, but with your love I am praying you guys make it through this unscathed.

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