Sunday, April 27, 2008

The man behind the blog and an unexpected surprise...

Aside from the use of certain words in my blog postings like "we", "us", or "our"... you haven't really heard from the man behind the blog who is known as my hubby and Ethan's daddy. So allow me a minute to express how proud and thankful Ethan and I are of him.

Since the night we found out Ethan has leukemia (19 days ago) our lives have certainly changed. And though you only hear from "Ethan's Mommy" in this blog, I wanted to take a minute to shine some light on "Ethan's Daddy".

Since I've known Adam, I've thought he was the most honorable, loyal, diligent, funny, caring, disciplined, and thoughtful man I'd ever met. And in our 3 years of marriage, I have seen those characteristics stay true, and I've seen even more. I knew that Adam was a strong man. Among all of the other qualities that I mentioned, he has the type of endurance and steadfastness that you can't often find in a person. I point this out, because since we found out about our baby having leukemia, nothing about those qualities in Adam has changed. His tenderness towards Ethan is precious, and his strength/endurance/diligence to keep the rest of our lives afloat while I am at the hospital all day leaves me so grateful. We both have our moments of reflection and sadness about what our little family is going through, but he continues to get up every day, go to work, make sure our bills are paid, make sure that my needs are met as best they can be, and so forth. His nights are later than they used to be, since he commutes to the hospital right after work, and stays until I fall asleep.... but he's still him. He's not jaded, grumpy, angry or discontent. He's wonderful. And I'll stop now before I embarrass him anymore, but I just wanted you to know that there is an amazing man, husband and dad - behind the blog.

I do also have an Ethan update! He has been taking his chemo medication (by mouth) perfectly each night. Thank you so much for praying! Also, his blood counts over the last couple of days have gone up (which is a good thing!). Since being here, his good blood cells haven't gone up at all without a transfusion... they've either stayed the same or gone down. Well, the last 2 days they have gone up without a transfusion at all! It's a good sign that the medicine is working, and a good sign of continued answered prayer. So basically, he's not getting any type of "intervention" here at the hospital right now, except his medication at night. SO.... we get to go home today! They've trained me on how to give him his chemo at night and how to flush out his lines/tubes in his chest, so we're all set with that. We have to come back on Tuesday for a blood check, and if he's still good then we can go home again until Thursday. That process would continue as long as he has no fever or did not need a blood transfusion. We could be re-admitted at any point, but I'm so happy to have some positive news right now that we can be at home a few nights a week as we continue to wait for the bone marrow transplant to be ready. They've not updated us about any potential matches yet, so continue to be in prayer for that. But at least for the next two nights - mom, dad and baby will be at home together! Pray that we have no complications with his tubes or his medication while we are at home.

In everything, give thanks....

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well I am so glad to hear all of the good news this morning !! I know that it will be great for you to be home for a little bit, and get to be comfortable for you and your husband. That should be a great refreshing time for you all. There's no place like home :)

Brandy Helm

Heather said...

Praises that you get to go home! We will pray that you will have no further complications and that Ethan will be healed! We are also praying for a match and quickly!

Moz + Pam said...

Praise the Lord for continued answered prayer! Praise the Lord that you get to go home, too, an added bonus! I'm sure you all are excited about this happy surprise! God is rewarding your faithfulness! ENJOY!

Anonymous said...

HALLELUJAH!! PRAISE GOD!! :)

Liz said...

that is so wonderful you can go home! we'll keep praying that your little man's body keeps responding to chemo and you can stay home all together.

Megan said...

You sound very blessed to have Adam. God had all this planned out before you two even met. He matched up the perfect couple who can conqour anything together. I am so happy for you guys to be able to go home for a few days, what incredible news. We will continue to pray for a donor and for no complications at home. You are all in our prayers everyday and throughout the day.
God Bless,
Megan

carleigh said...

yeah!! that is so exciting! i am so proud of you kasey! and we are praying for you and adam, as well as ethan!

Nicole Bennett said...

Yay!!! Im so excited you guys get to go home! What a blessing. You have taken such great care of Ethan in the hospital I know you are going to do great with him at home! You're a pro by now. Ill miss my little flirt when I come back to work but again am so excited you get to take him home. Feel free to ask if you have any questions. Im continuously praying for , ethan and you and adam.

Anonymous said...

Soooooo excited to hear you get to go home and enjoy each other. We will continue all the prayers for Ethan and also pray that you will have a nice peaceful rest. Enjoy and have a great evening settling in. Love and prayers. Sharan

Anonymous said...

When Mike prayed at during choir this morning, before church, and thanked God for the good news about Ethan, and then said, Amen, there was a big "What News?" in unison. We were all very excited about the prospect of your being at home again, despite the anxiety of being away from the human medical staff. We know that the Great Physician is well able and we're praying for a calm transition for you all. We are glad that you all get to be at home. God bless you with sweet sleep. Love to you all! the Hunts

Anonymous said...

That is so awesome that Ethan's blood count went up! Ethan has a great daddy, you are an awesome mom to build Adam up in Christ! You are always in our prayers!
Love you,
Dave, Lori, Landon and Logan

Anonymous said...

Wow...how exciting..and what another answered prayere for you to be at home with your precious baby and dear husband. You are an incredible family. I found your website through a friend I knew in connecticut while i was in boarding school...funny how the Lord works. I count it a privilege to go before ALMIGHT GOD..on your behalf. Psalm 27:13 says..I am still confident of this..that I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Lord God Almighty how we pray with boldness if we may for a miraculous healing in Ethan's body. Lord, you know the hairs on his head and the workings of his body as you knit him together in his mother's womb. He is fearfully and wonderfully made. Lord we thank you that you hear our prayers and cries for mercy and help. Lord we pray for donor match. God you know the details..Lord we thank you that the Doctors and nurses can be your hands and feet...WE pray that you would intervene with great power in their work for Ethan. May their rest at home be sweet...and Lord may you continue to provide the peace that passes understanding...and the strength that only you can give. God, i pray too that you would surround this precious family with people to encourage them and to help them. Thank you for Ethan and his family. In the precious name of Jesus we pray..believing these things to be so. AMEN!

Unknown said...

Fantastic news about going home. What a relief it will be to sleep in your own bed and have Ethan in some familiar surroundings.

Also I have to say you do have quite a guy in Adam. As long as I've known him he's always been a steadfast, faithful, and God honoring friend. Please send him my best.

Anonymous said...

We are so happy to know that you wil be able to spend some time at home and little Ethan will be able to see all his toys and be in his own bed, and mommy and daddy home together with him. This is a huge milestone keep up the great work Ethan.
Love always,
The Chapdelaines

Anonymous said...

I am so excited that ya'll get to go home!! Whoooohooo! We are continuing to keep you and your sweet family close at heart and in our prayers! Ethan's 3 month pics are just so adorable! What a GREAT smile!

Love-Love,
Sarah & Chad Hickey

Carrie Comstock said...

I was so pleased to read last night about going home. Even a few days here and there will be a wonderful respite, I'm sure! Enjoy. :)

Thank you for "introducing" me to Adam. I know he must be a wonderful man.

Through this season of your life, know that you are touching so many lives. Just this morning I was at a meeting with other mothers. I had shared your story and blog address with them last time we were together. They were all talking this morning about Ethan and his progress. One mom in particular (Hi, Jen :) was saying that she has been keeping up with your blog and has been so touched by your faith. She was moved to tears by just speaking about you. While we all join in praying for a total cure for precious Ethan, we are also being strengthened in our own walk with the Lord. We thank you for sharing your heart and being so vulnerable and open. You are so precious.

Thinking of you and praying for you all each day

Kim said...

Adam, Kasey and Ethan,
Praise the Lord for his sweetness in letting you go home!! What a blessing to be able to snuggle with Adam and have Ethan in his own little crib!! I know you will do great with his care.
Lord, please help Casey and Adam take care of Ethan at home, Father, keep his blood counts good and his little body stable so they can stay home for a while. Lord, you already have the marrow donor, please reveal this to the doctors and specialists soon so that is one less thing Mommy and Daddy have to think about. Lord, keep their strenght up and thank you for them and their faithful testimony to all of us. Amen.
Love you,
Kim

Janelle and Ella said...

Yea!! That is VERY exciting news! I love the picture in my head of y'all back home again! That must feel amazing. I will continue to pray for everything to go smoothly while y'all are home. That is so great!

Anonymous said...

Well, I didnt get to read your blog till late on Sunday night so I heard the great news in church and I was so shocked and excited for you all!! There is no place like home!! Even if it is only for a couple days at a time! Ethan is such a strong little boy! I'm so glad you get to spend some time at home and maybe get a little more sleep :) We are continually praying and thinking of you guys!!