Again thanks everyone for all your support. We are hanging in there and Matthew is a fighter. All day yesterday Matthew would wake up and ask if it was Tuesday yet. Even though it was at 4am we were happy to finally tell him it was Tuesday. We all decided yesterday was one of the longest days ever. I don't think Patrick and I slept very much. Hospital sleeping defiantly has the patient in mind not the visitors, but we made it through. After liquids for breakfast they let him have solid food for lunch.
Matthew is in a lot of pain anytime he gets out of bed. Patrick left a little after noon to come home for Cheredith's football game. That was hard on us all. I can't believe how he must feel. He is an amazing dad and husband and my best friend. I am still amazed at all the text and calls we continue to receive. Also Matthew had a nice surprise waiting on him when he woke up from a mid day nap. A friend from work and her mom had sent him a balloon bouquet. He loved it.
His pain has been pretty intense today but it is getting shorter in length and he is up walking. He is mainly soar at the incision site and the stomach area is soar. He didn't eat much for lunch but did eat good for super. We have amazing nurses and I couldn't be happy with how they have treated us.
The doctor should come by in the morning and I have a lot of good news for him. With Matthew eating good, walking and being able to go "potty" I am hoping we will go home soon. That would be great. I am so pleased with how good he is doing.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
Hospital Update Day 1
Our day started early at 4:30 in the morning. We had to check in at 7 in Atlanta. Matthew slept the entire trip. He woke up as I carried him into the hospital. They were so good to him in the surgery area. After meeting almost everyone that would have anything to do with his surgery they took him back to get him ready around 10am. Since they said the surgery would take around 3 hours we decided to eat, however the food court closed at 10 and didn't open until 11. So Patrick and I sat and waited on them to reopen for lunch. I'm not sure if I was hungry or wanted to get back up to the waiting room but as soon as the doors opened I was in. The food was really good, and I stuffed mine down and hurried back up to the waiting room. As soon as I got up there they informed me that I had missed a call from the O.R. of course my heart stopped and wanted to know what was going on. They called me right and they just wanted to let me know that they had started the surgery. There were a few other heart stopping phone calls but it was all just to tell me he was doing fine. I guess I wasn't use to having such a long wait for them to be finished.
Once the doctor finished he came to meet with us and explain what all they did. They had to remove about 6-8inches of his sigmoid Colon. He explained that it doesn't sound like much but that Matthew is a small boy and that was a large amount to take out. He feels like this will fix Matthew's problems. Matthew will have to get use to his stomach acting different, but over time it will react more like normal. He should be getting back to normal in a few weeks but it will take about 6 months for a full recovery. After all these years it will be worth it.
Matthew is having a rough time in his room. He is in pain in his stomach. He has 3 cuts where they went in. He had some major work inside his stomach today so I am just glad he is awake some and talking. He has slept most of the day. The nurses are wonderful and he has only thrown up once and is drinking pretty good. Hopefully tomorrow evening he can have some solid food.
I will continue to keep you all updated as he progresses. We all agree that this has been one of the longest days ever.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
I don't know where to even begin, this past week has been CRAZY!!!!! I guess that was a good summery of how I have felt. This time tomorrow Patrick and I will be in Atlanta getting Matthew ready for surgery. I can't believe it is finally here. I am relieved and nervous, but so happy to have finally found hope for Matthew. I still have packing to do. I can handle vacation packing but I am lost when it comes to hospital packing. Who knows what all will make it to Emory with me.
I have been so proud of Cheredith this week. I can't imagine how she is feeling. She is an amazing child and is such a great big sister. I know that she will be be fine but I know its hard on her. We are always together and her and I have never been apart for this long. Patrick will be back with her Tuesday and she is staying with great friends. I know she will be happy to have Matthew better.
Now an update on our crazy week. Matthew went to the dentist and did great. He had tooth filled and one pulled. This was his first time he had numbing medicine in his cheek. He didn't bite his inside of his cheek, but he rubbed the outside of his cheek raw. That's Matthew for you, keeping it interesting.
Cheredith cheered to games Thursday. All I can say is that it exhausted me and I was sitting on the stands. She did great and she is really loving cheer. CVMS has some great Cheerleaders.
Thanks to some great people Matthew had an amazing Friday night. A friend at work made Ridgelands football coach aware of Matthew's surgery. Coach Mariakis had the football team sign a shirt for Matthew. After one of the football players delivered the signed shirt I thought it couldn't get better. I was so excited, but thanks to Coach Mariakis it got much better. He offered to let Matthew come into the locker room with the team Friday night. I couldn't wait to tell Matthew. I was so proud as we waited by the locker room Friday night. As the players came off the field they stopped and talked to Matthew. One even raised his helmet and took Matthews hand and lead him to the locker room. Patrick went in with them and filled me in. Matthew was treated like a star and it was great. He had an amazing night.
Saturday we headed to Matthew's last football game for this year. He must have been paying good attention at the football game Friday night. He played an incredibly. He had three touch downs and some amazing tackles. He sure showed how much fun he had. He posed after tackles and even "Tebowed" after one touchdown. It was great seeing him enjoy himself.
We headed to Chattanooga to enjoy a day downtown with an event at Patrick's work. We went to the aquarium, imax and Riverboat. It was so much fun and I am so glad to my mom came. The kids had so much fun. It was a great way to pass the day.
Now here we are the last day home before surgery. I am about to start getting ready for church and then finish up on last minute things. I want to thank all the people who have prayed and have listened to God and been a blessing to us this week. Thank you all. I know that all is going to ok. It is a trying time for us even without Matthew"s condition but I have been encouraged by God's people lifting us up.
We have to be at Emory at 7 Monday morning. I'm not sure how long the surgery will be but I will keep everyone posted. Thank you all .
I have been so proud of Cheredith this week. I can't imagine how she is feeling. She is an amazing child and is such a great big sister. I know that she will be be fine but I know its hard on her. We are always together and her and I have never been apart for this long. Patrick will be back with her Tuesday and she is staying with great friends. I know she will be happy to have Matthew better.
Now an update on our crazy week. Matthew went to the dentist and did great. He had tooth filled and one pulled. This was his first time he had numbing medicine in his cheek. He didn't bite his inside of his cheek, but he rubbed the outside of his cheek raw. That's Matthew for you, keeping it interesting.
Cheredith cheered to games Thursday. All I can say is that it exhausted me and I was sitting on the stands. She did great and she is really loving cheer. CVMS has some great Cheerleaders.
Thanks to some great people Matthew had an amazing Friday night. A friend at work made Ridgelands football coach aware of Matthew's surgery. Coach Mariakis had the football team sign a shirt for Matthew. After one of the football players delivered the signed shirt I thought it couldn't get better. I was so excited, but thanks to Coach Mariakis it got much better. He offered to let Matthew come into the locker room with the team Friday night. I couldn't wait to tell Matthew. I was so proud as we waited by the locker room Friday night. As the players came off the field they stopped and talked to Matthew. One even raised his helmet and took Matthews hand and lead him to the locker room. Patrick went in with them and filled me in. Matthew was treated like a star and it was great. He had an amazing night.
Saturday we headed to Matthew's last football game for this year. He must have been paying good attention at the football game Friday night. He played an incredibly. He had three touch downs and some amazing tackles. He sure showed how much fun he had. He posed after tackles and even "Tebowed" after one touchdown. It was great seeing him enjoy himself.
We headed to Chattanooga to enjoy a day downtown with an event at Patrick's work. We went to the aquarium, imax and Riverboat. It was so much fun and I am so glad to my mom came. The kids had so much fun. It was a great way to pass the day.
Now here we are the last day home before surgery. I am about to start getting ready for church and then finish up on last minute things. I want to thank all the people who have prayed and have listened to God and been a blessing to us this week. Thank you all. I know that all is going to ok. It is a trying time for us even without Matthew"s condition but I have been encouraged by God's people lifting us up.
We have to be at Emory at 7 Monday morning. I'm not sure how long the surgery will be but I will keep everyone posted. Thank you all .
Sunday, September 30, 2012
COUNTDOWN TO ATLANATA
We have hit the one week countdown to our long awaited surgery. We have seen Matthew go through so much theses last three years we are so glad that this part of the journey is coming to an end. After the surgery then we can focus on what caused the problem in the first place and help to find out what causes his stomach pain. He is a strong kid. He has always impressed me.
At this point all we know is that Matthew will have his sigmoid colon removed next Monday at Emory. We had seen a surgeon in Chattanooga a few years back and the had never preformed this surgery on a child so we knew it wasn't common, but I never expected what the surgeon said to us about it's rarity. He said that at his office, which sees patients from all over the southeast, that he will preform 1 every 3 years. This fact was confirmed when I spoke with the scheduling office last week. I was informed that no one in the office is familiar with the process and that they will have to speak to the surgeon about how to prep Matthew for the surgery. There is a chance that we will be checking into Emory on Sunday and the surgery will be on Monday. I could care less about if the office staff knows about the procedures, I just want the surgeon to, and he does so that's enough for me.
Now comes the difficult part. I was terrified to see them take Cheredith away to put tubes in her ears, I can't imagine how its going to be watching them roll away Matthew to do an uncommon pediatric surgery. Then comes recovery. Matthew has a very difficult time waking from anesthesia, so I hope that he wakes up easy this time. Also Matthew has never spent the night in the hospital and we will be there for around 4 days. We manage Matthew's autism by preparing for change and by keeping a routine, two things that will be difficult in the next few weeks. He is a fighter and I know he will do great.
Now to brag on my family. First of all Cheredith.. She has taken a back seat to so many of these things but never complains. Her main concern has always been for Matthew. She always ask for prayer for him and always takes good care of him. This week at school she had a bad asthma attack and she really scared me. I am so thankful that Patrick will be coming home to stay with her once Matthew gets settled in the hospital after his surgery. We both want to be in both places at the same time but can't and I am so thankful he will be staying with her during this difficult time. He is an amazing husband and dad. Cheredith will be staying with some good friends of ours will we are both down with Matthew. I am so thankful for them.
I am usually a planner and like everything laid out in front of me, however this will not be the case in the next few weeks. Any one who knows out situation knows all we are going through not related to Matthew's surgery. We are a strong family with a strong faith and we know that God will see us through this all. Keeps us all in your thoughts and prayers and keep Matthew's surgeon in your prayers as well. I am so ready to get these next few weeks behind us, for Matthew to have one less thing to fight through.
At this point all we know is that Matthew will have his sigmoid colon removed next Monday at Emory. We had seen a surgeon in Chattanooga a few years back and the had never preformed this surgery on a child so we knew it wasn't common, but I never expected what the surgeon said to us about it's rarity. He said that at his office, which sees patients from all over the southeast, that he will preform 1 every 3 years. This fact was confirmed when I spoke with the scheduling office last week. I was informed that no one in the office is familiar with the process and that they will have to speak to the surgeon about how to prep Matthew for the surgery. There is a chance that we will be checking into Emory on Sunday and the surgery will be on Monday. I could care less about if the office staff knows about the procedures, I just want the surgeon to, and he does so that's enough for me.
Now comes the difficult part. I was terrified to see them take Cheredith away to put tubes in her ears, I can't imagine how its going to be watching them roll away Matthew to do an uncommon pediatric surgery. Then comes recovery. Matthew has a very difficult time waking from anesthesia, so I hope that he wakes up easy this time. Also Matthew has never spent the night in the hospital and we will be there for around 4 days. We manage Matthew's autism by preparing for change and by keeping a routine, two things that will be difficult in the next few weeks. He is a fighter and I know he will do great.
Now to brag on my family. First of all Cheredith.. She has taken a back seat to so many of these things but never complains. Her main concern has always been for Matthew. She always ask for prayer for him and always takes good care of him. This week at school she had a bad asthma attack and she really scared me. I am so thankful that Patrick will be coming home to stay with her once Matthew gets settled in the hospital after his surgery. We both want to be in both places at the same time but can't and I am so thankful he will be staying with her during this difficult time. He is an amazing husband and dad. Cheredith will be staying with some good friends of ours will we are both down with Matthew. I am so thankful for them.
I am usually a planner and like everything laid out in front of me, however this will not be the case in the next few weeks. Any one who knows out situation knows all we are going through not related to Matthew's surgery. We are a strong family with a strong faith and we know that God will see us through this all. Keeps us all in your thoughts and prayers and keep Matthew's surgeon in your prayers as well. I am so ready to get these next few weeks behind us, for Matthew to have one less thing to fight through.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Back to School
Well, summer break is officially over. Book bags are packed, lunches packed and clothes laid out. Cheredith starts middle school so as you can imagine she is ready. She loves school so tomorrow can't get here fast enough for her. Matthew on the other hand routinely yells out "I hate school" when ever the topic is brought up. Just a few hours ago he tells me that he is finally getting excited about going. That is a huge turn from him refusing to get out of the car Thursday at school so I could run in paper work to the office.
So much has changed since the beginning of last year. Cheredith doesn't look at all like she did last schoolyear. She is no longer dancing but will be cheering for Chattanooga Valley Middle School. So proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone. I have seen her dance and even had the opportunity to teach her in dance but she has even surprised me. She made All-American at camp as a 6th grader. I can't wait to hear all about her first day of middle school.
Matthew had never played sports this time last year. Since then he has played basketball, soccer and now football. Sports are is life. He loves sports so much, and of course as his mom I must say he is great. I really enjoyed watching this past Saturday watching Matthew score a touch down. I am a very proud momma!
This summer has been amazing. To be able to spend days with my kids, our trip to New York, and lazy summer days it was amazing. Even though our trips to Atlanta have been not for joy, but for doctors they have been great. I enjoy ever minute we have had.
As I send the kids to school in the morning and go to work myself, I am excited to see what this new school year will bring. So much is going to change, that is part of life. I am sure there will be lots of joy, tears and laughter. All the things that go into growing up. This year may be starting of a little strange with Matthew missing the second day of school for a trip to Emory to see a Neurologist and then to see the surgeon about his stomach surgery, but getting better isn't always easy. I am thankful that we have finally found some doctors who understand and are wanting to help. I know how blessed my life is even in the middle of mass craziness. I have a wonderful husband who is my best friend, two amazing kids, family that listen to me and friends and a church that inspire me. As much as I dread the routine and early hours I can't wait to see what all is to come.
So much has changed since the beginning of last year. Cheredith doesn't look at all like she did last schoolyear. She is no longer dancing but will be cheering for Chattanooga Valley Middle School. So proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone. I have seen her dance and even had the opportunity to teach her in dance but she has even surprised me. She made All-American at camp as a 6th grader. I can't wait to hear all about her first day of middle school.
Matthew had never played sports this time last year. Since then he has played basketball, soccer and now football. Sports are is life. He loves sports so much, and of course as his mom I must say he is great. I really enjoyed watching this past Saturday watching Matthew score a touch down. I am a very proud momma!
This summer has been amazing. To be able to spend days with my kids, our trip to New York, and lazy summer days it was amazing. Even though our trips to Atlanta have been not for joy, but for doctors they have been great. I enjoy ever minute we have had.
As I send the kids to school in the morning and go to work myself, I am excited to see what this new school year will bring. So much is going to change, that is part of life. I am sure there will be lots of joy, tears and laughter. All the things that go into growing up. This year may be starting of a little strange with Matthew missing the second day of school for a trip to Emory to see a Neurologist and then to see the surgeon about his stomach surgery, but getting better isn't always easy. I am thankful that we have finally found some doctors who understand and are wanting to help. I know how blessed my life is even in the middle of mass craziness. I have a wonderful husband who is my best friend, two amazing kids, family that listen to me and friends and a church that inspire me. As much as I dread the routine and early hours I can't wait to see what all is to come.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
ONE CRAZY SUMMER!!!!
As I set here my days of not working and kids not going to school are quickly coming to an end. When school let out I could not have imagined how this summer would end. However, given how nothing goes without a catch around here I should have been more prepared. We have went to Washington D.C., Baltimore, Maryland and New York City. Most would agree that's a lot of travel for a few months, not my family. Ad one trip to Atlanta and at least 2 more scheduled in the next 2 weeks. Wow its been one crazy summer.
Don't get me wrong. It has been my favorite summer by far. I have grown alot. Hard to believe that at 31, 2 kids and being married for almost 13 years that I still need to grow up some. I guess with all the quality time I spent in the car I had a lot of time to think. Seeing the kids in New York City was amazing and made me realize how amazing life is. Any one who knows my kids now the struggles we face daily with them. For some reason Cheredith could breath so easy while there. No inhaler, no wheezing or tight chest. She was able to enjoy every bit of the city and can't wait to go back. Just the other day she told me how much she missed New York. With Matthew being autistic I wasn't sure how the city would effect him. He was at home there. He seemed so at peace. It kept his senses going and I loved every minute of it. I wouldn't say he didn't act autistic there just that his autism blended well with the City. It was great. Seeing my kids like that was worth every bit of the trip.
Not long after returning we started focusing on Matthews upcoming trip to Atlanta to a Neurologist at Emory. Since we are already going there I thought it would be great for him to be able to see a GI doctor there as well on the same day. That didn't work as planned but we could see the GI doctor sooner so we took it. On August 10th we took off to Atlanta at 5:30 in the morning. The experience was great. The doctor there was amazing and seemed to share our concern for Matthew. He ordered many test, one which requires us to go back to Atlanta tomorrow. Of course we couldn't go to Atlant without eating at the Varisty. I sometimes question if I am going overboard with all these doctors but after Matthew waking up this morning with his stomach issues rearing its ugly head I know I am not. I just want answers and for him to not deal with this anymore then he has to. He is a true inspiration. He never lets any of his issues slow him down. It amazes me.
Now back to how this summer helped me grow up. I feel like I was so wrapped up with work, doctors, and life that even though I thought I was fully relieving on God but I wasn't. I was not close to God at all. I was doing all I could to fix my life and my families life. I was exhausted. Seeing my kids in NYC made me realize that. Between reading my bible, doing a bible study, our incredible Sunday school class and reading the book "blue like Jazz" I started to examine my relationship with God on a whole new level. I scraped away all that I felt I should do or all I felt I knew about God and started seeking Him on a new level. I realized that God isn't at all who I thought He was. He is so complex and yet so simple at the same time. I think I finally realize why people would give everything up just to tell others about Him. Why so many people have died rather then deny Him. I have no clue what is going to happen with all of us. I am currently waiting on Matthew's doctor to call me back, and depending on the findings in Matthews test tomorrow he may have to go to Atlanta for therapy. I could set back and worry, but what will that do. It may be hard and it may be hectic but I fully believe God will provide all we need. I can't wait to be able to share with others how God will see us through this crazy time in our life.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Keeping My Mouth Shut
Before I start this blog I should say it has been in the work for some time now. I usually just share family things or fun to read subjects, however some things have been weighing on my heart a lot here lately. I have always believed in God, thought I had faith and went to church. As with most things in our life we grow and learn more the older we get. I feel that way about my faith. I have never hidden my faith in Jesus. There are times I am sure that God probably wishes I wasn't so vocal about it. I haven't always lived up to what I feel shows how a true follower of Christ should be. Living in the so called "bible belt" I think we see that alot. Please know that I am not trying to offend anyone, just speaking from my own experiences and beliefs, hoping to open eyes about my faith.
Lately there has been alot on the media, mainly facebook about Christian values and standards and everyone boycotting or standing by Chick-fil-a because of there values. While I am fairly nonconfortational and hate getting in the middle of debates, mainly religion (one of my biggest fears is to give others the wrong impression of who Christ is) I feel I need to speak up. I am a huge believer in Christ and believe the Bible to be true. My dad once told me if someone says something about God and can't show you where they got in from in the Bible then don't listen. With that being said I will never treat someone different for not agreeing with me. Faith is very personal and I have been through alot getting to where I am with my relationship with God and I have so much farther to go. I do my best to follow the teachings of Jesus and He truly loved everyone, He also called us to be more like Him. All I want to say to those wanting to boycott Chick-fil-a is why do you want everyone to agree with you and to accept everyone yet you don't want to accept me, my family, and my friends for who we are. It is a double standard. It hurts that I do my best not to pass judgement on others, to live my faith and show love to EVERYONE regardless if I agree with the way they live but I am not accepted because of my faith. It is sad. We want everyone to be tolerant, but you can't pick who you want to be tolerant of. What I mean is true tolerence will only come when we are all accepted. I stand by my faith and it's teachings, I will never judge someone who doesn't. Of course in my life I would love to have everyone have a true relationship with Jesus Christ but faith is personal. Trust me it's hard to stand out there when the world doesn't see it your way.
For those of my friends who don't like religion or feel I am being close minded or what ever, please hold off judgement until you know me. Don't judge all Christians by a few. Just like you ask me to accept everyone please include me in that as well. I have no hatred in my heart, just different standards and beliefs. Remember that everyone who says they are a Christian might not have a true relationship with Jesus, I know, I have been one. And to all my Christian friends remember who you are representing when you speak, act and do anything. Sorry to be so deep on this one. I just needed to vent I guess.
Lately there has been alot on the media, mainly facebook about Christian values and standards and everyone boycotting or standing by Chick-fil-a because of there values. While I am fairly nonconfortational and hate getting in the middle of debates, mainly religion (one of my biggest fears is to give others the wrong impression of who Christ is) I feel I need to speak up. I am a huge believer in Christ and believe the Bible to be true. My dad once told me if someone says something about God and can't show you where they got in from in the Bible then don't listen. With that being said I will never treat someone different for not agreeing with me. Faith is very personal and I have been through alot getting to where I am with my relationship with God and I have so much farther to go. I do my best to follow the teachings of Jesus and He truly loved everyone, He also called us to be more like Him. All I want to say to those wanting to boycott Chick-fil-a is why do you want everyone to agree with you and to accept everyone yet you don't want to accept me, my family, and my friends for who we are. It is a double standard. It hurts that I do my best not to pass judgement on others, to live my faith and show love to EVERYONE regardless if I agree with the way they live but I am not accepted because of my faith. It is sad. We want everyone to be tolerant, but you can't pick who you want to be tolerant of. What I mean is true tolerence will only come when we are all accepted. I stand by my faith and it's teachings, I will never judge someone who doesn't. Of course in my life I would love to have everyone have a true relationship with Jesus Christ but faith is personal. Trust me it's hard to stand out there when the world doesn't see it your way.
For those of my friends who don't like religion or feel I am being close minded or what ever, please hold off judgement until you know me. Don't judge all Christians by a few. Just like you ask me to accept everyone please include me in that as well. I have no hatred in my heart, just different standards and beliefs. Remember that everyone who says they are a Christian might not have a true relationship with Jesus, I know, I have been one. And to all my Christian friends remember who you are representing when you speak, act and do anything. Sorry to be so deep on this one. I just needed to vent I guess.
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