Friday, April 18, 2008

Good Morning


It's 6:15 on Friday morning and I just fed our baby boy. He fell asleep in my arms while the bottle was still in his mouth, so I was able to gently put him back into his hospital crib. And of course, in true Ethan fashion, as soon as I get back to my little bed to rest my head... he wakes up.... and cries. He's laying on me now and just fell back asleep. What a sweet thing. And he is certainly entitled to cry. I think if I were him and had to endure all the junk he has to go through, I'd cry all day long. But our sweet boy doesn't. He's such a strong little man (did I tell you that the name "Ethan" actually means "strong"!). He only cries when he's hungry, or there's a pain from his mouth or his bottom - due to the sores. But we find him so many times smiling during the day (mostly at all the cute nurses... no, I'm not kidding... he's known at the 8th floor flirt!). He's just so precious. To look at him, you'd never know he was so critically ill. That brings a smile to MY face, because he still looks just like he always has. But the reality is, he is critically ill and we are still earnestly praying for the Lord's intervention.

As for his surgery last night, thank you so much for your prayers. They were able to put in the dual central line, which will make his chemotherapy and blood transfusions much easier. I am so thankful for that. His eyes also look a lot better. Still red and lightly puffy, but so much better!His spleen has decreased slightly in size, which is a great thing! Removing his spleen may have to be an option down the road... but the more it shrinks, the more he's out of the risk of it rupturing now.

We will get through this one answered prayer at a time.

And finally, we've been told that we are still waiting for a clinic specialist out of state to finish his/her review of Ethan's blood and bone marrow tests. They are not going to move forward with a permanent treatment for our baby until they get these results back. Adam and I were under the impression we would have heard something by now, but the doc just came in as I was typing this, to let me know that they still haven't heard anything and they aren't sure when they will. Please pray that the expert opinion will come back very soon.... within the next few days! So that we can start treating Ethan's disease, and not just try to keep him "stable". They are not going to do any chemo again until they have this particular specialist's diagnosis, unless Ethan were to fall into a danger zone while waiting.

Naturally, we're just really wanting to know all the details that are involved with Ethan's disease and what our next several months of treatment are going to look like. The sooner they know, the sooner they can start treating him. Please pray that the results the doctors here are waiting for, come back in the next couple of days.

Your caring concern is so precious to me and Adam. I save every single email I get on behalf of Ethan and I will one day share each one with him.


My sweet Ethan... one day you will know how special you are to so many people, and how God has chosen you for a great purpose. I am honored to be your mommy.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Praise the Lord! Audrey was so excited to see Ethan's picture on the computer. As soon as she saw him, she said repeatedly, "That's baby Ethan!" All three of you are in our prayers. We love you,

Annie, Curt, Audrey, and Cole Dunn

Amanda Krawiec said...

I love you and I'm praying for you today. I will continue to pray for the doctors wisdom in finding a way to help ethan. Keep trusting God!

Anonymous said...

Your strength is amazing, Ethan will one day tell you that he is honored to have you as his mommy! We are praying for you, Adam & Ethan daily.

Julia, Aaron and Holden

Anonymous said...

I've never blogged, barely e-mail, and feel greatly "technologically-challenged". However, somehow I'm (so Far) trying to communicate to you that I Love You,even though we don't know each other, and will pray for a complete recovery for sweet little Ethan.Keep your spirits up, and your eyes on God,and watch Him work His MIRACLES !!!

Linsey said...

I am so glad for the praise report and prayerfully expect more to come. Will be praying for a quick response for the doctors and a more perment treatment plan.

Anonymous said...

It is amazing to see how strong you and Adam are being. The entire thing makes my heart ache. I see Adam at work and it is amazing to see how strong he is while this whole thing is going on. I really don't think I would be able to function. I pray for your family every day and ask for gods help to heal your precious little one. God bless.

Healing
God’s powerful presence is at work within me. I am healed in every way.
As I think about all that my own hand is capable of doing, I am reminded of how magnificent the creativity of God is.
My hands, my eyes, my heart are wondrous examples of not only the creative power of God but also the restorative power of God, which is active within me every day.
I acknowledge the capacity for healing that is always present within every cell of my body. I cooperate with the creative power of God that brought me into being and is doing a healing work within me right now.
Every day, in prayer, I bring into my consciousness a greater realization of the power of God within me to heal and restore my mind and body. As I do, I participate in this healing, restorative activity, and I am healed in every way.
“I am going to bring it recovery and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.”—Jeremiah 33:6

Anonymous said...

Adam & Kasey, We're so happy that Ethan's eyes are better and that they were able to get a double lumen line in him! This has been such an oppurtunity for Maddie and Mackenzie to see God answer prayer. Yesterday, when I read your blog about his eyes, I told the girls that we needed to pray right then and there. They both continued to ask about baby Ethan throughout the night and first thing this morning! When I read your latest update, they were so excited that God had answered prayer!! God is so good! We continue to pray for you all. Love, Molly

Anonymous said...

I'm grateful his dual line is in. And I'm praying right now for a quick resonse from the specialists. I can imagine you are more than ready to begin a treatment for this baby. You are a true example for me... all the way in Fort Smith, AR! Jennifer Glover

Moz + Pam said...

Praise the Lord for answered prayer! Psalm 139:14-
"I will praise Thee: for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works: and that my soul knoweth right well."

Carrie Comstock said...

So thankful to hear they were able to get the dual line inserted. Continuing to pray . . .

Matt, Andrea, Luke and Halle said...

You are so strong, Kasey! It's evident that the Lord is your Rock right now. Continuing to pray for you and your E-man. :)

C:M:W said...

I love your sweet heart. We are praying for Ethan, you and your husband.

Corey and Andy Wetherell

Natalie Ezelle said...

You made me cry here at work Kasey as I read this morning's blog. You said, "And I am proud to be his mommy." And that just did it for me... you should be. You have an amazing baby and just as you articulated so well, God does have a purpose, a great purpose for your lives. (And I did not know that Ethan meant "strong." Does that not even prove more what a great God we serve. God knew all this way before we did and chose the name Ethan for you all before you knew. Praise the Lord!

Anonymous said...

God is Good!
Kasey we at FBBC in Plainville are praying for Ethan, you and Adam as well as your parents. God's grace is evident in your testimony and that has been a tremendous blessing.
Ethan is precious and I'm looking forward to see how the Lord continues to use him with each passing year of his life. Jesus Christ is our Great Physician and He can do all things.

Anonymous said...

Kasey - I heard about your situation through Julia, just wanted you to know I am praying for you and your family, and of course Ethan; that God will heal him, and provide you with strength, peace and understanding. I live in FL, and have passed on Julia's message to my friends - know you have prayers going up for you around the country! Stay Strong, April Perry

Anonymous said...

Dear Friends,
We are trying to pray for Ethan every time we pray, and so we think of you especially every time we eat!!
Thank you for the links you've posted. With the knowledge that you're gaining, the Lord will enable you to be a tremendous help to others facing the same tribulation.
Happy belated anniversary, too!
As we heard at the ladies' seminar," God's been good in my life, I feel blessed beyond my wildest dreams when I go to sleep each night. And though I've had my share of hard times, I wouldn't change them if I could, cause through it all, God's been good." Now, I can't say that I totally have the same feeling. There are things that I would change, but if you can look back on what you're experiencing, from the far side of the trial, how sweet and precious the spiritual growth and the nearness of fellowship with Jesus Christ will be. This is helping us, your church family to grow as well. This is for good-for all of us and for the glory of God. We love you all. God bless you with rest. Love, the Hunts