Better Days, Thank You's....and Another Scare

Since my last post things have seemed easier to handle. Caden has just been the sweetest little guy full of smiles and love. We were, also, able to take a family trip up to Big Bear to celebrate Natalie's 9th birthday, and it was a much needed getaway. It was great to do something we have always loved to do and realize it is possible to load our crazy family of 6 and head up to the mountains just as we used to do. Caden was the best traveler sleeping the whole way up and the whole way back home. We got to enjoy the beautiful weather and spend time relaxing as a family. It went better than I had expected. I can't wait for our next trip up!

I also wanted to thank so many wonderful people for their kind comments, emails, letters and phone calls. It helped me get through a rough time more than you can ever know. I wish I could get back to each and every one of you to personally thank you; I will try. I can't tell you how your inspiring and caring words gives me the strength to continue on this uncertain journey. Every message is read over and over and I go back to these notes when I need a little boost. You are all amazing and keep me afloat in these turbulent waters. I can never express enough how much your words mean to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your messages are like hands catching me before I hit the ground.

Caden has continued to grow and flourish. Although his future is very uncertain, he continues to amaze me with his endearing personality and strength. He face just lights up when we smile and talk with him. I know he can't hear us, but I think he loves all of our expressions. We took him to see a geneticists that saw him in the NICU and she was very impressed with how far he has come. She reminded me of all he has been through with surgeries, intubation, extubation, tests, and more. She said it was tough to see us going through all of that. In those moments I truly realize how far we have come and feel blessed to be where we are now; together as a family.

Just as things seemed to be turning a nice corner we had quite a scare. Tuesday night while getting ready for bed Jenna choked on a quarter she was playing with. I had just told her to put the quarter away and moments later she was completely choking. I started giving her the Heimlich maneuver and Chad called 911. She managed to pass it through her esophagus and into her stomach. We spent 4 hours at the E.R. taking x-rays and are now waiting for the quarter to "pass." If this doesn't occur soon she may need to have it removed. We are praying it passes because I really am not in the mood for any more surgeries!

Mary

P.S. I just had to add that we found it funny that the picture of Caden holding a little beverage is actually a picture of C.L. holding C.L. holding a C.L.(Chad Lukkes holding Caden Lukkes holding a Coors Lite.) Please do not worry, Caden never had a sip!