Wednesday, December 3, 2008

So last night I quickly stopped writing when Abbey woke up so I wanted to take a few minutes to update you on how she's feeling today and also finish my thoughts from my post. Abbey slept o.k.  She got up once more complaining of belly pain so I ended up sleeping with her.  She woke up this morning feeling normal (so far) and smiling.  She drank her milk like normal and was dancing to Backyardigans a little while ago so I'm not quite sure what was going on in her little body last night.  Things can change so quickly and with all the medications that she's on, it's hard to really be able to pinpoint what side effects are coming from what medications.  It's also really hard for her to communicate how she's feeling.  Sometimes she just says she feels yucky so we do our best to figure it out, but sometimes she just wants to be held and for us to stop asking her questions.  Poor baby!  No fever though and overall seeming pretty happy.

I was talking about how well Abbey handles her treatments at the clinic.  Monday was the eighth time in two months that she has had to be put under sedation for her spinal taps.  She has had countless port accesses, thorough exams and has taken or been given through IV more medication than I can even keep track of.  In the midst of these trials, we are still finding joy, which is so amazing to me and can only be attributed to God's faithfulness to us.  Anyone that knows me, knows how protective and sensitive I am to my children.  I was in a Bible study with my dear friend Marcie about a year ago and one day in the study we talked about our biggest fears.  My number one fear was that something would happen to one of my children.  I would have never thought that I could survive going through something like this.  I seriously would have a hard time falling asleep at night if one of my kids had a cold because I would feel so bad that they couldn't breath out of their nose.  So, I say all this to say that it is amazing how not only can God carry us all through trials in our lives (sometimes the greatest fears ever), but we can still find joy during these times and we have seen good coming out of what can be an excruciating situation.  Two and a half months ago, if someone would have told me that we were going to have to go through this, I think I would have been so mad that God would do this to us, but now that we are going through it, we have learned so much about His love and comfort for us.  I am not saying it's easy by any means or that I'm glad we are going through it, but I want to encourage you to trust Him with every area of your life.  I know it's hard.  I am learning though that He truly does care for us and comfort us through what seems like the impossible.  




8 comments:

Keri Bush said...

Thank you Shelley, for your encouragement. It is much needed. I love you dearly.

Anonymous said...

Shelley and Jim - what fun to see the kids in front of the Christmas tree. Enjoy these times. They grow up so fast. My kids take up so much room you can't see the tree. Know you are always in our prayers, hearts and minds. - Virginia

Keith and Jen said...

Shelley - I know your words in this post will ring true to every mom who reads your blog. We all have that deep fear of something happening to our kids, and none of us think we would ever be able to handle it. We have known several families who have dealt with major health issues with their kids, and they are all just "regular people" who do the best they can and hang on to hope even if it's only by a fingernail at times. The depth of our love for our children is both what makes us aware of the fears we have and what makes us able to face into those fears.

It is awesome to see the grace that shows up in the midst of the hardship - like you said, it doesn't make the hard times go away or make you "glad" for the trial, but it reminds us of the Lord's nearness and compassion and love for us.

Thank you so very much for your honesty and encouragement and for sharing about the journey in such detail.

I pray that you continue to see and be the hands and feet of Jesus as you journey through this intense season with him. Our prayers for you all - and Merry Christmas wishes, too!

Jen Johnson
(friend of BJ and Kris)

Ve said...

Hey Shelley,
Catching up after being away for a couple weeks. Thanks for sharing about God's faithfulness to you in such a painful trial - your words about your sensitivity to your children resonated with me so it's encouraging to hear your testimony that you are indeed getting through it by His grace.
The antibiotics and other meds are doubtless wiping out the good bacteria in her intestines, and I read about your giving her some of your breastmilk which is so radically awesome! What about additional probiotics?
Just throwing that out there, even though I realize you've been intricately involved in her treatment and surely have this covered.
She is so precious, and I have two little ones just like her. Praying for you all! Merry Christmas!
Love,
The Mutchlers (friends of relatives of the Larsons)

Anonymous said...

Jim and Shelley, We love you and pray for you incessantly! I know the context of this passage is different than what your situation is but as I was reading your blog it popped into my head and pretty much said what you're expressing.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But He (the Lord) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

You and Jim are remarkable for your faith! I know that the Lord will bless you 100-fold! It is wonderful to hear how well Abby is doing with dealing with the treatments, but also amazing to hear how You and Jim continue to walk with our Lord. I encourage you "run with perseverance the race (Heb 12:1)" the is set out for you. We love you!

In His love,
the Ortega's

Anonymous said...

I heard about your blog from a friend. Just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for your family. Elizabeth

Psalm 118:5-8
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

Laurel Greer said...

We keep praying for you guys!

Laurel Greer said...

Thank you once again for your amazing encouragement.