Good news! Molly is home from the hospital. So far, so good....she seems to be responding to her meds. Praise God that Molly has wonderful, diligent, conscientious parents that will look after her carefully.
Molly appears to have the mildest form of Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) which is MCD (minimal change). Time will tell if she will be in remission or not. Reoccurence is a concern and a probability. However, Lolly & Ernie know what they are dealing with and what the signs will be. MCD does not usually result in kidney transplantation, so we will continue to pray for this to be the case for little Molly.
Father in Heaven, we offer all praise and glory to you for this little girl's response. Please continue to heal her according to your will. Please grant strength, faith, steadfastness, and clarity to Ernie & Lolly as they care for this precious little angel that you led them half way around the world to adopt into their family as you have adopted each of us into yours. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Prayers for Molly
It is a parent's worst fear, the one that shakes you to your very core and the one that you fervently hope with every ounce of strength and every mustard seed of faith that you never face. The fear: Someone or something will take your child from you.
For half of us the fear is for someone and for the other half the fear is something such as disease or malignancy. Either way, the feeling of helplessness and the witness of your child suffering is a pain too deep to illuminate and too wide to bridge. For one of our dear travelmates this fear is squarely standing at their doorstep.
Molly, the precious light that shines for Lolly and Ernie, has been hospitalized since Wednesday with what has been diagnosed as Nephrotic Syndrome. This is a disease that affects the kidney in varying degrees of severity. For now, Molly is being given protein, diuretics, and steroids in the hopes of placing the disease into remission.
After the pediatricians kept assuring Lolly that everything was fine and Molly just had allergies (not likely with third spacing), Lolly decided that she would do her own research. Mom discovered that Molly's symptoms correlated to this syndrome, and upon a return visit to the pediatrician, the diagnosis has been confirmed. Don't ever let a doctor override a mom's gut intuition...you know your baby better than anyone. And so is the case here.
Please pray for this family, Molly, and the nephrologist and medical team caring for Molly. We are in a wait and see mode. If Molly responds to meds, the prognosis is good.
And for those of us who are whispering those prayers for Molly and at the same time pausing to thank our Father that we are not in those shoes, make sure to take the time to savor those little laughs, those little words of love, those little hands that hug and hold yours, and the little eyes that look to you for comfort, security, and acceptance. And...hug your babies a little longer than usual and take not one moment they are here for granted.
Lolly & Ernie: We love you more than anything! You were brought into our lives and we share a bond that only few are blessed to understand. We are but a phone call away 24/7/365. To little Molly: we offer you to our Father for healing and trust with absolute faith that He, the great physician, will heal. You are loved and adored. Mikayla blows you a kiss and so do we.
For half of us the fear is for someone and for the other half the fear is something such as disease or malignancy. Either way, the feeling of helplessness and the witness of your child suffering is a pain too deep to illuminate and too wide to bridge. For one of our dear travelmates this fear is squarely standing at their doorstep.
Molly, the precious light that shines for Lolly and Ernie, has been hospitalized since Wednesday with what has been diagnosed as Nephrotic Syndrome. This is a disease that affects the kidney in varying degrees of severity. For now, Molly is being given protein, diuretics, and steroids in the hopes of placing the disease into remission.
After the pediatricians kept assuring Lolly that everything was fine and Molly just had allergies (not likely with third spacing), Lolly decided that she would do her own research. Mom discovered that Molly's symptoms correlated to this syndrome, and upon a return visit to the pediatrician, the diagnosis has been confirmed. Don't ever let a doctor override a mom's gut intuition...you know your baby better than anyone. And so is the case here.
Please pray for this family, Molly, and the nephrologist and medical team caring for Molly. We are in a wait and see mode. If Molly responds to meds, the prognosis is good.
And for those of us who are whispering those prayers for Molly and at the same time pausing to thank our Father that we are not in those shoes, make sure to take the time to savor those little laughs, those little words of love, those little hands that hug and hold yours, and the little eyes that look to you for comfort, security, and acceptance. And...hug your babies a little longer than usual and take not one moment they are here for granted.
Lolly & Ernie: We love you more than anything! You were brought into our lives and we share a bond that only few are blessed to understand. We are but a phone call away 24/7/365. To little Molly: we offer you to our Father for healing and trust with absolute faith that He, the great physician, will heal. You are loved and adored. Mikayla blows you a kiss and so do we.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
One More Sleep to Melina
Our friends, Shanna & Barry, are just one more sleep away from their precious little girl, Melina. Today (which is tomorrow there) they are enjoying the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Their "Gotcha" day is the 14th which is the 13th here, so technically, they get Melina on our Mother's Day! God is SO GOOD!
Anyway, sharing this joy with them via their blog has opened a flood gate of memories and emotions not just about our trip to Mikayla but the journey we traveled to receive each of our children.
I know that we are not a family that has been assembled in the traditional way. We certainly went through many highs and lows to be blessed to have the 3 amazing, fantastic, adorable children that we have been gifted to raise...and looking back, we wouldn't have had it any other way.
So, on this Mother's Day, I just want to give all my praise and offer all glory to God for the love he has given me and the glimpse of His love for us that I see each time I look into our children's eyes. May I never take for granted for even one second their love or His.
Happy Mother's Day.
Anyway, sharing this joy with them via their blog has opened a flood gate of memories and emotions not just about our trip to Mikayla but the journey we traveled to receive each of our children.
I know that we are not a family that has been assembled in the traditional way. We certainly went through many highs and lows to be blessed to have the 3 amazing, fantastic, adorable children that we have been gifted to raise...and looking back, we wouldn't have had it any other way.
So, on this Mother's Day, I just want to give all my praise and offer all glory to God for the love he has given me and the glimpse of His love for us that I see each time I look into our children's eyes. May I never take for granted for even one second their love or His.
Happy Mother's Day.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Melina Watch
Our colleague and friend, Shanna (along with husband and two beautiful daughters), are finally ready to travel to bring home their newest blessing, Melina. She will be 10 months old on the 23rth of May and is currently residing in Guangdong. Shanna, her hubby, and youngest daughter are actually traveling to China. Their "Gotcha" Day is May 14th which is May 13th here...what an AWESOME Mother's Day gift! God is so GOOD!
We are so thrilled for our friends. This has been a long, long wait as they emailed us when we were in China in November, 2005 with their LID. At that time, the wait times for referral were about 7 months, so we are all so thrilled for Melina to finally come home. Please feel free to follow along on their journey and send your well wishes and prayers their way. The link to their blog is here under the friends section.
We are so thrilled for our friends. This has been a long, long wait as they emailed us when we were in China in November, 2005 with their LID. At that time, the wait times for referral were about 7 months, so we are all so thrilled for Melina to finally come home. Please feel free to follow along on their journey and send your well wishes and prayers their way. The link to their blog is here under the friends section.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Mommy & Me Tea
Mikayla invited me to a very special tea at her preschool. We both dressed up and had a lovely spot of tea with her other classmates and moms. Tea, pretzels, muffins, apple slices, and cookies were also served. Mikayla also presented me with a precious, framed photo of my dream-come-true little girl that is proudly residing on our refrigerator.
Then, the children serenaded us from the stage. Mikayla was not in the mood to depart from Mommy's company, so I enjoyed a private serenade from Mikayla at our seats.
It was a lovely morning. I am extremely blessed to have four amazing people in my life. Days are hectic, schedules are insane, but I wouldn't have it any other way. To Huey, Spencer, Connor, & Mikayla: Thank you for making my life wonderful! I love you all so very, very much!
Then, the children serenaded us from the stage. Mikayla was not in the mood to depart from Mommy's company, so I enjoyed a private serenade from Mikayla at our seats.
It was a lovely morning. I am extremely blessed to have four amazing people in my life. Days are hectic, schedules are insane, but I wouldn't have it any other way. To Huey, Spencer, Connor, & Mikayla: Thank you for making my life wonderful! I love you all so very, very much!
Friday, May 04, 2007
Happy Birthday, Connor!
This is the famous Sherouse Chocolate cake...a tradition in my family as my mom created it just for me when I was 2 or 3 years old. It is a chocolate cake with whipped topping and a melted Hershey bar (with powdered sugar added to make a pseudo-finet) over the top. NOT low fat, NOT low calorie, NOT low carb, but OH SO GOOD!
Today is Connor's 11th birthday! Wow! I can hardly believe he is already 11! It seems just such a short time ago that I was carrying him in my arms as I carry Mikayla today.
We are picking up Payton and heading to Disney World to celebrate the day! But, first, we have to catch the opening day of Spider-man 3, have a little pizza, and then head to Disney. We will spend the night and hit Animal Kingdom on Saturday. Expedition Everest is the first thing on the agenda. I know I will be going with Connor and Payton as Spencer & Huey will have nothing to do with roller coasters. No problem...Connor and I have conquered this particular roller coaster before. At least we can use Spencer & Huey's fast passes and the baby swap feature to finagle another ride without waiting out of the deal!
We are picking up Payton and heading to Disney World to celebrate the day! But, first, we have to catch the opening day of Spider-man 3, have a little pizza, and then head to Disney. We will spend the night and hit Animal Kingdom on Saturday. Expedition Everest is the first thing on the agenda. I know I will be going with Connor and Payton as Spencer & Huey will have nothing to do with roller coasters. No problem...Connor and I have conquered this particular roller coaster before. At least we can use Spencer & Huey's fast passes and the baby swap feature to finagle another ride without waiting out of the deal!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Happy Birthday, Linda
Yep, today is my birthday! I am 42 years old/young. Wow! When did that happen?
Huey has to work 8am to 8pm today and the kids are in school (but only for a 1/2 day), so birthday goodies were very early. And yes, early means no pictures....
I got a new pair of running shoes (that I desperately needed), a PSP, 4 games to go with my new PSP, instruction manuals, an accessory package with additional memory for my PSP, a new outfit, money from my mom (thanks, Mommy!), and a new outfit from Miss Carrie and Mr. Charlie.
I am planning on spending the afternoon allowing Connor to show me all the nuances of my new PSP (as he has one) & spending the rest of the day shooing Spencer from trying to swipe my PSP (as he does not have one, yet). It should be great fun!
Oh, and age is a number...the attitude is the deciding step in anyone's age. Fortunately for me, I am the youngest in my family (in more ways than one--tee hee), so everyone is always older than me. ;)
Huey has to work 8am to 8pm today and the kids are in school (but only for a 1/2 day), so birthday goodies were very early. And yes, early means no pictures....
I got a new pair of running shoes (that I desperately needed), a PSP, 4 games to go with my new PSP, instruction manuals, an accessory package with additional memory for my PSP, a new outfit, money from my mom (thanks, Mommy!), and a new outfit from Miss Carrie and Mr. Charlie.
I am planning on spending the afternoon allowing Connor to show me all the nuances of my new PSP (as he has one) & spending the rest of the day shooing Spencer from trying to swipe my PSP (as he does not have one, yet). It should be great fun!
Oh, and age is a number...the attitude is the deciding step in anyone's age. Fortunately for me, I am the youngest in my family (in more ways than one--tee hee), so everyone is always older than me. ;)
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