Month: August 2011

Saturday

“I saw all the people who were mistreated here on earth.

I saw their tears

and that they had no one to comfort them.” 

~Ecclesiastes 4:1 (NCV)~

Jadon’s Story:Finally some results for you!!

Posted: 05 Aug 2011 01:55 PM PDT

Sorry it took so long but my trip to Boston was not a fun one at all. I did great on the plane ride and slept great in the hotel room. The next day is when it started. I arrived at the hospital at 12:00 for a 1:00 admission. Since we were early mommy took me to the cafe to eat. We went back to the admissions office at 12:45. They didn’t take me to my hospital room until 3:00. When I got to the floor they said my room wasn’t ready. They put us in a holding room until about 4:30. While I was in the holding room they came and got me to put my leads on. I always hate it but I gave them a hard time. I screamed the entire 30 minutes. It was awful. I kept looking at mommy to help but all she could do is lay next to me and hold my hands. As soon as I was done I started pulling at my head. They said that most kids forget about it after a while. Well I didn’t forget. I kept pulling at it the entire time I was there. I did get the hat off at one point but they came and put it right back on. This made me really mad. Once we got settled in the room, I fell asleep. I was worn out from all the fighting and crying I did. Things were finally a little better and then they came in for my IV. It was 11:15 at night and I was extremely tired. I don’t know why they waited so late but they did. So I started kicking and screaming again. They had to get a blanket and wrap me up so I couldn’t fight them. By this point mommy and I were both crying. We tried to sleep that night but we didn’t sleep much. The next day was suppose to be my PET scan at 8:00 am. Well I was having so many seizures that they decided at 11:30 that they couldn’t do the scan. Did I mention I couldn’t eat during this time and it was all for nothing. They let me eat and they said we would try the test the following day but not until 1. So the plan was to wake me up early, keep me awake, give me ativan, and let me sleep for two hours then do the PET. Well they woke me up way to early that morning, and I gave my mommy fits all day. I was tired and hungry and couldn’t do either so I was just mad. They finally let me go to sleep. I slept about 30 minutes and they gave me the ativan. And would you know 30 minutes later I was wide awake having seizure after seizure after seizure. They decided to go ahead and do the PET. They would just have to read the results differently. Now the results part. The on call doctor told us some horrible things that I’m not even going to share because they were untrue. All it did was make my mommy cry. When my neurologist came in and explained things mommy felt much better. He said that my EEG didn’t look much different than October. It actually looked a little better because in October I was having over 200 a day. This time I was having about 100 a day. He said the seizures are coming from the left side. They still can not identify a focal spot but they are left sided. I did have 3 from the right side in a 48 hour time. Not the news we wanted but that’s very few considering the time frame. They are not sure exactly what type of seizure I’m having. According to the EEG it looks like tonic but tonic seizures usually last longer than my 1 second seizures. They are saying its probably more like myoclonic jerks because they are so short. Either way it doesn’t matter. I’m having way to many seizure a day. The PET scan did not show anything abnormal. We pretty much expected this because we couldn’t get the test run like we wanted. So what now. We are going to repeat the MRI and 48 hour EEG again next summer. In the meantime we are being referred to a neurologist in Detroit. The neurologist in Boston said that this doctor is the best for children like Jadon. He said that he can do a different kind of PET scan on Jadon that Boston can not do. He said that if anybody can help him it would be this doctor. My mommy already knew about this doctor when he said his name so we knew right away we wanted to go. So we will be traveling to Detroit sometime soon. Everything about me is so rare and different. We are praying that this doctor will be able to help me. Overall the doctors in Boston were impressed with how well I had developed since they saw me last. According to my EEG and the frequency of my seizures I really should not be doing as well as I am. So God is definitely answering our prayers.

 

CaringBridge:LoganWatts

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/loganwatts

 

My brother-in-law, Donnie Eudy, is doing well following his foot surgery.  Thanks for praying for him

 

My son-in-law, Boyd, has had his medical tests and sees the doctor Monday for results and plans for treatment.  Thanks to the staff of FBC, New Orleans for transporting him to and from his appointments this week.

Mrs. Buel Strickland passed away.  Please pray for her family and friends.

 

Clifton Conerly
(October 3, 1943 – August 5, 2011)

Clifton Conerly was born on October 3, 1943 and passed away at 6:15 a.m., Friday, August 5, 2011 at his residence. He was 67 and a resident of Amite.

Arrangements will be added Saturday, August 6, 2011 after 12 Noon.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W (Exit 46) next to Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Holiday Inn Express.

 

Are You starting to Forget?
There’s a beautiful story about a little boy who couldn’t wait for his new baby sister to come home from the hospital. He couldn’t wait to be near her, to talk to her. But his parents didn’t want him to be left alone with her. After all he was only four years old, so they wanted to supervise his visits. He kept begging to be alone with her, so one night his parents finally relented. The boy tiptoed into her room, stood next to his sister’s crib and said: “Tell me about God – I’m starting to forget.”

There are times when we as adults get so caught up in the “rat race” and all of our responsibilities. Perhaps we need to go to the children around us and say, “Tell me about God — I’m starting to forget.”

There are weeks when we’ve been dealing with irate customers and heavy traffic. We need to fellowship with the saints and worship God together because “I’m starting to forget.”

There are weeks when we’ve had to focus on crying babies, the paying of bills and doctors’ appointments. We need the reminder of the Lord’s Supper to see God’s love and grace because “I’m starting to forget.”

There are days when we’re so caught up in deadlines at work and getting the kids to soccer practice, days when we need to slow down a bit and spend time with God in prayer because “I’m starting to forget.”

“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.” (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Are you starting to forget? Ask someone to tell you about God once more.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

 

 

Have a great day!

Anna Lee 

Friday

“If I speak the languages of men and of angels,

but do not have love,

I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

~1 Corinthians 13:1, HCSB~

 

 

My Georgia grandchildren complete two weeks of school today.  They are on a quarter system which gives them a week off after each quarter.  Pray for all the students who have started or will start school soon.  Pray for the teachers, administrators, and support staff in each school.

 

Jadon’s Story: Poem

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 06:20 PM PDT

My mommy is part of an online support group of families that have IS like me. Someone posted this today and she wanted me to share it. She said I’m such a blessing to my family. She just wishes she could get some relief for me from these seizures so I don’t have to suffer. I promise I will update my page with the information from Boston. My neurologist is going to call us tomorrow with the final results and plan. Thanks for praying for me and enjoy the poem.

A Special Child

You weren’t like other children,
And God was well aware,
You’d need a caring family,
With love enough to share.

And so He sent you to us,
And much to our surprise,
You haven’t been a challenge,
But a blessing in disguise.
Your winning smiles and laughter,
The pleasures you impart,
Far outweigh your special needs,
And melt the coldest heart.
We’re proud that we’ve been chosen,
To help you learn and grow,
The job that you have brought us,
Is more than you can know.
A precious gift from Heaven,
A treasure from above,
A child who’s taught us many things,
But most of all- “Real Love”

 

 

CaringBridge:CallieCole

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole

 

Momma has been able to briefly sit in a wheelchair this week.  This is an example of the “baby steps” she is starting to take.  Pray for her as we “walk” along with her on this new journey.

 

  WALKING IN THE LIGHT

A young Marine and his commanding officer board a train headed through the mountains of Switzerland.  They can find no place to sit except for two seats right across the aisle from a young woman and her grandmother.

After a while, it is obvious that the young woman and the young soldier are interested in each because they are giving each other “looks.”  Soon the train passes into a tunnel and it is pitch black. There is a sound of the smack of a kiss followed by the sound of the smack of a slap. When the train emerges from the tunnel, the four sit there without saying a word.

The grandmother is thinking to herself: “It was very brash for that young soldier to kiss my granddaughter, but I’m glad she slapped him.”

The commanding officer is setting there thinking:  “I didn’t think the young Marine was brave enough to kiss the girl, but I sure wish she hadn’t missed him when she slapped and hit me!”

The young woman was sitting and thinking:  “I’m glad the soldier kissed me, but I wish my grandmother had not slapped him!”

The young Marine sat there with a satisfied smile on his face.  He thought to himself:  “Life is good.  When does a fellow have the chance to kiss a beautiful girl and slap his commanding officer all at the same time!”

It is difficult to know exactly what is happening in the dark (as shown by three of the four characters above).  There’s no light by which to gain a proper perspective.  Walking in darkness can be especially dangerous.

It’s not surprising that the apostle John frequently used the images of light and darkness to describe our walk with God.

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:5-7)

I pray that your walk today may be in the light of God’s love.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

 

 

Thanks for your prayers for these and other needs.  You mean so much to so many.

Anna Lee

Thursday

 

“Our earthly bodies which die and decay

are different from the bodies we shall have

when we come back to life again,

for they will never die.

The bodies we have now embarrass us

for they become sick and die;

but they will be full of glory

when we come back to life again.

Yes, they are weak, dying bodies now,

but when we live again they will be full of strength.”

~(1 Corinthians 15:42-43 LB~

 

 

Jadon’s Story

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 06:23 AM PDT

Sorry I haven’t been able to update. I’m not happy and we are not getting any good news. All bad. I had to fast yesterday for my PET which didn’t get done bc of frequency of my seizures. So now I can’t eat again today and my PET isn’t until 1. I’ll update as soon as I get definite results. Please pray for us. My mommy is exhausted and I’m just mad and ready to get out of here.

 

CaringBridge:CallieCole

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole

Have I told you lately how much I admire the faith of this mother?

John Morgan is progressing.  His surgery was a success.  To God be the glory!

 

Have a terriffic Thursday!

Anna Lee

 

 

Wednesday Addition

This was too good (and appropriate in the life of my family) to not post immediately.  I hope it is meaningful to you too.

Heart to Heart with Holly: You can climb the impossible…

(Posted: 03 Aug 2011 06:57 AM PDT)

The sky stretches endless blue above me. The road whirs beneath the wheels of my bike.

I can see it coming–a hill in the distance. It calls my name, dares me to climb it. I move upwards and feel the effort. Legs beg to stop. Shoulders ask for a break. Mouth reminds me I’m thirsty.

But I’ve learned that sometimes you have to ride through the hurt.

Sometimes you have to push through the hard.

That’s how you get stronger.

That’s how you beat the next hill faster.

Yes, there are seasons when we need to stop and rest or tend to an injury.

But there are other moments when the only way through is to just keep going.

To climb the impossible.

Then look out from the top and say, “I didn’t know I had it in me.”

Oh, yes, you’ve got it in you. Because you’ve got a limitless God in you too. 

That means you can press on, press in, never give up.

You just might be closer than you think.

Go, friend, go. 

{I’m cheering you on as you do. Yes, woo-hoo for YOU!}

Wednesday

“Let your light shine before men

in such a way that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

~Mathew 5:16, NASB~

John Morgan, of Amite, had surgery at North Oaks yesterday.  Please keep John and his family in your prayers.

Jimmy Schwartz is home from North Oaks again.  Please continue to pray for him.

Momma is on that roller coaster ride again and taking all of us with her.  Please pray for our family.

Donnie Eudy, my brother-in-law, will have a cyst removed from his foot/ankle this morning in Hammond.  Pray all goes well today and during his recovery time.

Boyd was blessed to find a cancellation with a neurologist and get in yesterday.  He will be having tests today and tomorrow before seeing a specialist Monday.  Thanks to FBC, New Orleans for stepping in and helping the family with logistics.

Heart to Heart with Holley: Why I can’t compete with you…

(Posted: 01 Aug 2011 06:31 AM PDT)

We’re all running a race.

But it isn’t what you might imagine.

We don’t have the same starting line.

The same distance to go.

The same steps to take.

Our finish lines are even in different places.

You see, my friend, we’re not running on a track–

we’re each running on a one-lane path.

In the Kingdom, there’s no such thing as competition.

It’s impossible.

Because no one else ever has or ever will run your race.

So go for it, my friend, be strong, brave, beautiful YOU all the way to the end.

{Psst, here’s a secret: You’ve already won.}

 

Maybe our “roller coaster ride” I mentioned earlier should have been described as a personal race.  Thanks, Holley, for reminding me we have already won.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

Maggie Lee Henson for Good

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maggieleehenson

Boyd was able to get an appointment for today.  Yeah!  He won’t have to wait until September 27th to get on the road to better/controlled health.  Pray for the process he will be beginning today.

Momma is even better today than yesterday.  I request you pray for her weight.  She has lost about ten pounds.  Pray for her malnutrition and her anemia too.

More later…I’m going to bed now.

Anna Lee

 

Monday

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision,

‘Do not be afraid,

but go on speaking and do not be silent,

for I am with you,

and no one will attack you to harm you,

for I have many in this city who are my people.’”

~Acts 18: 9-10, ESV~

CaringBridge:KathyJoThompson

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathyjothompson

CaringBridge:LoganWatts

 http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/loganwatts

Momma seems to be a little better.  Hopefully, she will be strong enough to begin some new physical therapy today.  I have her a nice wardrobe of clothing to choose from.  After 32 days of hospital gowns, anything different will be an improvement.  Pray she gets to have new physical therapy experiences.

The Hatchel family headed back to New Orleans a few minutes ago.  Thanks for the way you welcomed them to Kentwood and made them feel so welcome.

Time for a nap.  I’m on the night shift this week, so The Prayer Link will be delayed each day until I get home from the hospital.  Please be patient with my schedule.

Anna Lee