Since Caden was born, November 12, 2009, our life has been completely consumed with being with him in the NICU and trying to find some time to spend with the girls. That has literally been our life for the past 5 weeks. Unfortunately, it has been impossible to update everyone on how he is doing so I thought a blog would be a good way to keep people posted on where things stand with him. I also want to take this opportunity to thank so many of you for the fantastic dinners, sweet gifts, thoughtful notes, and countless prayers. I want you all to know that they have been so appreciated and we feel beyond blessed to have amazing friends and family in our lives that have made our lives functional in these past weeks. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
Well, as you all know things have been quite a whirlwind since Caden's birth. What we were told all along was most likely an isolated cleft lip and palate has been much more than that. Caden has undergone surgery to place a g-tube for feedings, an unsuccessful heart catheterizing procedure, a heart surgery to close up a hole in his heart, been put on a ventilator, and undergone numerous other procedures and tests. He has been on heart medication, blood pressure medication, antibiotics, 3 reflux medications, and others I probably can't even recall. He went through a period of time where they thought he was having seizures and then decided he wasn't. He, also, just recently had two teeth pulled that were growing out of the gum that is clefted. I guess this is pretty common in cleft lip/palate babies.
Whew!! I am not sure if I have covered everything, but that is a pretty good synopsis thus far. For a while it seemed we were getting slapped with bad news right and left, but, thankfully, lately things have settled down a bit. He is now breathing on his on, down to just reflux medication and basically just trying to put on weight. He is still a little below birth weight, but is definitely gaining weight better than he was before. Our hope at this point is to hopefully have him home for Christmas, but we are learning that time runs much differently in the hospital setting. What you are told might happen today usually doesn't happen until tomorrow or the next day so we will remain patient and prayerful and keep our fingers crossed too!
So for now we will continue to thank God for the progress Caden has made, and pray that things will continue to go in the right direction for Caden.
Mary
HI Mary and Chad,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your incredible narrative of courage, commitment, and strength with everyone. We are all blessed to be "with you" on Caden's journey towards home - hopefully, by Christmas!
I call Caden "the little teacher," because he has taught all of us - our entire family - so many valuable perspectives and lessons on life and living. I am 100 percent confident he will continue to teach us all in the days and years ahead.
You and Chad have been rocks! I am so impressed with how you have managed all this. It reminds me of the strength your grandmother and mother revealed, Mary, during their days of health challenges.
Please know you have an entire army of family love, support and prayer behind you. If we can do anything to help you guys, we will do it. I know, however, that for now prayer is the deal.
Thanks again for blogging - love to all,
Uncle Bob and Aunt Kathy
Dear Mary & Chad,
ReplyDeleteAwesome, dedicated and tenacious-that's what you are! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. As I told you before Caden was born, our church family has been and will continue to pray for Caden and you all! We are thankful that you have sooooo many people who love you and that have done wonderful things for you and the girls. Those things are more valuable than gold. Your family is so beautiful in so many ways and we admire your courage and strength. Your mom is a remarkable woman who is a survivor, a walking miracle and I know that is something God will do again. He is still in the biz of performing miracles. As parents, we know that you would do ANYTHING for any one of your kids for then to be healthy, happy, etc. We are confident that God gave Caden the perfect parents who know what love and courage means. We know that God will keep his hand on precious Caden and that He will give you the strength through this time. We are just a few houses away, please know we will be there for you every step of the way. We are neighbors, friends and hopeful as believers that God will be celebrating very soon when Caden gets to come home. When Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz says, "THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME, there's no place like home...." I know little Caden's heart will leap with joy and if he could speak he would say those profound words. He will feel that warmth of your home, The Loving Lukkes Home. All our love, Barb Davis & Family
Thanks for sharing Caden! Hes beautiful! Iam thrilled that he will go home before Christmas! Thats great news! My thoughts and prayers are with you all! Happy Holidays! Keep the blog going! Love you all!!! xx
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear he is home! He is so cute! You are such a great mom and so strong! Hang in there. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas at home with your whole family :) We have been and will continue to pray for all of you.
ReplyDeleteLove you - Emily
(and the Zitek's and Jesse and Avery)