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Jack had surgery this morning. I didn't mention it to many people, not even my baby brother (which I feel really bad about). I sort of figure everyone is tired of the medical drama that surrounds us every day. That just seems to be the card that has been dealt our way lately.
Jack had his adenoids removed this morning, but is doing great this afternoon. I was up at 4am and in the car headed to the surgery center in Marion, Arkansas by 5am. I prayed all night that Jack would be peaceful when he awoke because he usually wakes up crying for a bottle and he wasn't allowed to have anything this morning at all. God answered that prayer and he was a perfect angel. He did get a bit fussy about ten minutes before surgery, but quickly settled when we opened the window blinds and he was able to watch the cars go by.
He is resting well now and thankfully this procedure has a very quick recovery time. Our hope is that by removing his adenoids Jack will be free of the chronic sinus infections that seem to haunt him right now. If it works, this little procedure will be one of the best things I've ever done for him.
I also wanted to mention that Lucy has her scans next week. These are the 3 month routine scans that are done at St. Jude. She will have a full MRI with and without dye contrast. I say "routine" as if we are going for some standard checkup. There is nothing routine about a scan that checks your brain and spine for signs of cancer. This new world of cancer that we live in is so crazy. As my mom said today as we passed St. Jude, I still have to pinch myself sometimes to see if this is all just a bad dream. A nightmare, really. Ella is suffering from some pretty nasty anxiety these days and I told the doctor yesterday that cancer doesn't affect just the one who has it. It has changed our whole world. None of us will ever be the same. Have I ever mentioned that I HATE cancer? Well, I do. But I sure love my family. Sick, tattered, broken...I love them more today that I did yesterday.
Prayers that the surgery makes Jack "all better"! And lots of prayers for little Lucy an her 3 month scans. And yes cancer does suck, big time...my sister-in-law lost a short year long battle with the ugly disease a few short months ago and it claimed my grandmother many years ago.
ReplyDeleteI will continue to pray for you. You have been in my prayers every night since last fall when I found your blog. I am a survivor (was diagnosed with leukemia when I was 13, ten years ago). I commented before that life would be ok again. Your journey seems so much harder than mine. My heart aches for you more than words can say. You are super mom. Every cancer mom is.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your sweet family! Prayers continue and I still read your blog daily. Don't ever think we have forgotten you and yours. May God grant you peace and your family health and wholeness!
ReplyDeleteKate you are so strong and a woman of God! You and your family are always in my thoughts. Hope the surgery clears Jack's sinus infections. They are the absolute worst!!
ReplyDeleteKate -- I'm praying for Jack's continued recovery and for clear scans for Lucy.
ReplyDeleteStill praying for your whole family!!! Thanks for being honest and such a great inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, sweet little Jack. I'm sure he'll be back to himself in no time. This sure wasn't anything you needed to add to your plate, but I'm so glad it's over and that he'll feel much better. Lucy is always in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of literature on vicarious trauma that you might find helpful with things you can do with Ella to assuage the anxiety.
ReplyDeleteI am sure glad to know beautiful little Jack is recovering well. He is such a little sweetheart!!! Please give him a big hug from us!! Thinking of you all....Jenn xo
ReplyDeletePraying for a super speedy recovery for Jack, clean perfect scans for Lucy, and for Ella to feel much less anxiety!
ReplyDeleteLots of Love,
Lauren
Sorry about Jack, but this should help him. I had my tonsils/adenoids removed at age 4, then again at nineteen when I was losing my hearing. My dentist was surprised that I still had my tonsils and alarmed at how big they were. Had the surgery and at that age it really sucked. The pain was terrible. No sooner did I get home and my Dad passed away suddenly at a young age. I cried so much I hurt my throat. Hope all goes well with Jack. Love to you all.
ReplyDeleteI am glad there is a quick recovery! Praying this surgery takes care of those sinus infections, poor guy.
ReplyDeletePraying for NED! In and amongst all this garbage you have gone through, God has been there the whole way. I see His mighty hand sheltering you and your family. Continuing to pray for this protection around you.
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God Bless you and your family! You are an amazing group and show the world what it means to be a christian and to love! Thinking of you all.
ReplyDeleteOh Kate, I am so sorry for all your family has going/been through. I am sure you are ready for this nightmare to end. You amaze me, I do not know you personally but I would be greatful if I did. I think of you daily and truthfully just can not imagine how you find good in a day that seems to be filled with so much stress, worry and fear. I am sure that you have to be able to find good in each day to keep going. I just wish there was a way that we could all just help you in some way, to relieve this pain and stress you are under. On a good note my grandson (18 month old) had his adnoids out 6 weeks ago and he is doing much better. The hospital did say he would be in some pain but better in 48 hours, so not the case it took him a good week before he was better, so just a little heads u if you are told the same thing. Give your children an extra hug from all of your bloogger friends that are here for you. I had a tear escape as I read that you thought that we had heard enough about your children being sick, Please never feel that way, we are here because we are praying for you all and we care.
ReplyDeleteStill praying for you and your family! Will be on my knees for Lucy next week!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and for Jack. Praying for no more asthma exacerbation, and no more sinus infections. When my son got his adenoids removed, he went from essentially have a continual sinus infection, to not having one in two years!!!! Believing and praying that that will be true for you too!!! God bless:-)
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Praying for you and for Jack. Praying for no more asthma exacerbation, and no more sinus infections. When my son got his adenoids removed, he went from essentially have a continual sinus infection, to not having one in two years!!!! Believing and praying that that will be true for you too!!! God bless:-)
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I'm glad everything went well with Jack's surgery. I pray that Lucy's scans come back clear. I have a friend from high school out in CA that her 4 year old son was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Pineoblastoma (sp?). They flew to TN to go to St. Jude last Thurs. In fact, this morning they are doing emergency surgery because there is pressure on his optic nerve and he is very sleepy and can't open his eyes. If you want to follow his story, they are on FB, Prayers for Cash Shank. I live in Iowa and have been following your story. Thank you for being so open about what goes on with you and your kids. It might help someone else someday.
ReplyDeleteLaura Erickson
Pomeroy, IA
So glad Jack is okay. Will be praying that it will help him. Of course I will be praying for Lucy's checkup and for Ella. I guess we won't know this side of heaven why you are going through so much but just remember He is always in control. God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteGlad Jack's surgery went well ... hoping & praying this will ease his sinus issues! Lots of prayers for Lucy's scans next week. Praying God continues to answer prayers. And special prayers for sweet Ella ... who has been amazing through all of this!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your family Kate. Jack is such a cutie! He looks like an angel looking out that window. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have followed you from the beginning, writing very little, praying a whole lot!! Your Grace and your faith have astounded me at times, made me cry and laugh sometimes. I will continue to pray for your whole family. As Ella grows up and becomes wiser, the implications of this dreaded disease weigh heavily on her. All you can do is love her and pray for her, which I know you do.
ReplyDeleteBless your hearts - praying for quick recovery (and relief from sinus infections) for Jack, and for CLEAN scans for Lucy. Will be praying for all of you. Please take care!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it went well with Jack! I will be thinking of (and praying for) Lucy!
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