Friday, April 10, 2009

Home :)

































That's right.... We're home!!  We actually got home Thursday and it has been so wonderful to be out of the hospital.  When I told Abbey that morning that we were going to get to go home, she quickly helped me pack up our room.  She couldn't put our things in our bags fast enough and she was all smiles and hugs as we waited for daddy to come get us.

Wednesday night the doctors had to make their decision about whether or not to start the second half of this phase on Thursday, or to wait one more week before continuing on.  The doctors were split on whether to start or wait another week (stressful!), but at times like these we need to trust our doctors and remind ourselves that God truly is in control of this situation .  We were really feeling like we wanted her body to have one more week to recover.  Especially after how very sick she was just a few days earlier.  So on Wed. night they decided to wait and we felt very comfortable with that.  As much as we want to get into maintenance, we even more want her body to be strong enough to get through the rest of this phase with no issues and for her to be feeling good for a while.  On Thurs. morning her ANC was 720 anyways, so her body naturally was telling us she wasn't ready to start (it needs to be 750) so that was confirmation from God that they made the right choice. 

Our last two days in the hospital were pretty uneventful, which is always so wonderful!  It was even more refreshing after the absolutely crazy week that we had.  We went in to the hospital with our Abbey having one major health issue (leukemia) and now came home with two major health issues (blood clot in brain), so our emotions have been on a roller coaster to say the least.  We continue to be confident though that we too will get through this.

The very hardest part about this new finding is these horrible shots that I have to give her.  She has been getting them since they first found the clot, but I have been giving them to her since Thursday.  It is hard to say the least and each time it breaks my heart.  She asks me please not to give it to her and then keeps saying she's not ready.  I am so nervous doing it still so it is very new and stressful for all of us.  Once the shot is over she quickly settles down, but the anticipation for the minute or two before is the hardest.  As an adult, I hate getting a shot so for this poor baby to have to get them twice a day is sad.  Our doctor told us that when the medicine goes in, it burns.  She has little bruises on her arms and legs where she's gotten them already, which is normal because it's a blood thinner.  The thought of her having to get them for six months is overwhelming and at this point we are just taking it one day at a time.  We are praying hard that this clot would go away MUCH faster than normal so these can stop sooner. 

Yesterday at lunch we had a really good talk with Abbey (and Jacob) about the shots and the little thing in her head that has been causing headaches and her eye's to hurt.  We talked about how the shots are making that go away so she can be healthy.  We've had these talks several times before about her chemo and port and all the medications that she's on and she amazes us as she listens intently.  She trusts us and finds her comfort in us so it helps her to understand and accept all that she has to go through.  We know with time she will get used to these (and maybe I will too??) so we just need to keep taking this day by day and trusting that God will get us through this new trial set before us.  

Our last couple days home have been wonderful.  We have enjoyed every second of being out of the hospital and all together again.  Yesterday we colored Easter Eggs and today we did an egg hunt around our house with our kids and my sister's kids, Gracie and Joey.  They had a blast and we had just as much fun watching them!  We then spent some time playing outside and we are so happy that Abbey is feeling better and has been able to do normal things with the rest of the kids.  

We hope you all have a wonderful Easter as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior.  We are so thankful for His sacrifice for us and are even more thankful that He did not stay in the grave, but that He is alive.  We pray that as you reflect on that this weekend, that you would know how very much He loves you.  Happy Easter and God bless.
Love, The Colberts


21 comments:

Kristen @ Change of Pace said...

It's so nice she got to come home for Easter... Hope you and your family have a WONDERFUL Easter! I'm still praying for you!

Amber Schmidt said...

Its amazing how HIS plan always works out. There have been so many times in our daughter's journey when we just gave up and gave it all to Him and He has never let us down!

Have an amazing and wonderful Easter!

CLAUDIA SEAÑEZ said...

NO SE SI USTEDES HABLEN UN POCO DE ESPAÑOL, NO SE COMO LLEGUE A SU BLOG, LO QUE SI SE ES QUE SU PEQUEÑA HA TOCADO MI CORAZON, Y SIEMPRE ORO A MI PADRE CELESTIAL POR SU SALUD, HOY ESTOY CONTENTA POR QUE YA SALIO DEL HOSPITAL, PERO CUANDO LEI, NO PUDE PARAR DE LLORAR AL SABER LO DE LAS INYECCIONES DIOS BENDIGA ABIGAIL PARA QUE SALGA ADELANTE Y A SU FAMILIA FORTALEZA Y MUCHA, YO SE QUE MI SALVADOR VIVE Y SE QUE ES MILAGROSO SEGUIREMOS ORANDO POR SU PEQUEÑA.

Unknown said...

Great news about Abbey! I hope she has a restful week and you get more used to giivng the shots :)

Have a very blessed Easter! X.

The Cherrys said...

Hi Shelley,

I am so glad to hear that you guys are home. I saw this post in Spanisha nd wasn't sure if you know what it said. So I am translating it for you below. If you already did than great! We love you guys and look forward to seeing you soon!
NO SE SI USTEDES HABLEN UN POCO DE ESPAÑOL, NO SE COMO LLEGUE A SU BLOG, LO QUE SI SE ES QUE SU PEQUEÑA HA TOCADO MI CORAZON, Y SIEMPRE ORO A MI PADRE CELESTIAL POR SU SALUD, HOY ESTOY CONTENTA POR QUE YA SALIO DEL HOSPITAL, PERO CUANDO LEI, NO PUDE PARAR DE LLORAR AL SABER LO DE LAS INYECCIONES DIOS BENDIGA ABIGAIL PARA QUE SALGA ADELANTE Y A SU FAMILIA FORTALEZA Y MUCHA, YO SE QUE MI SALVADOR VIVE Y SE QUE ES MILAGROSO SEGUIREMOS ORANDO POR SU PEQUEÑA.
I don't know if you speak a little spanish. I don't know how I got to your blog, waht I do know is that your little one has touched my heart. And I always pray to my celestial father for her health, and today am happy to hear she has left the hospital. However, when I read about it I couldn't stop crying when I heard about teh shots she will be getting. God bless Abigail that she may heal quickly and her family for strength. i know that my Savior lives and he can do the miraculous. We'll continue to pray for your little one.

Anonymous said...

It is so wonderful to hear that Abbey is doing better and that you were able to come home and enjoy some normal type Easter things. Thank God for his healing and timing...me and my family have and will be praying for you through this time :)
~Rachael Hyde

Family_Dauk said...

I have been checking your blog and praying for your family daily. I'm so glad that Abbey is home. I hope your family has a blessed Easter.

Anonymous said...

Hello Colbert's,
Thanks for the update, I'm so happy that Abbey is feeling better and is now home with the family. Have a wonderful Easter! I'll be praying that the shots get easier for Abbey as well as you Shelley.;) Hopefully you won't need to do them for six months.God Bless You All.~
Cindy:)

Amy B said...

I LOVE when the answers are clear. God is GOOD .
Enjoy having your sweet girl home with you.

Amy said...

Very happy she's home for Easter! Hope the bunny is extra good to her!

Beth said...

Glad to see little Abbey home, smiling and enjoying Easter!!

We will continue to pray for Abbey, for your family and that giving and receiving the shots gets easier!

Happy Easter!! God Bless!!

Anonymous said...

Wishing you and your Family a Happy and blessed Easter. You are in our prayers!

Anonymous said...

Praying for you and knowing that God will hold your hand and sweet Abbey's each time you have to give her a shot. So happy you are home and that Abbey is feeling better! Our God is truly and awesome and MIGHTY God!
Blessings,
Sarah Osthaus

Anonymous said...

Home Sweet Home!! Glad to hear Abbey has another week to regain her strength. Praying the shots go more smoothly and the clot disappears quickly. Abbey looks great, and she looks really happy to be home!

Gail
Annapolis, MD

Lisa said...

Awwwww glad she gets to be home on Easter, Sending up prayers, Hugs Lisa

Kristine said...

Oh, I'm so happy you were able to go home!!

Yes, the shots are just awful to give. :( Katie was very young when we had to do it, so I think it was a little bit easier than your job. She didn't anticipate them.

Thinking of you all.

Kristine & Katie

Heather said...

Welcome Home and a very Happy Easter to you all.Enjoy all of your moments,as I am sure you will,and Abbey .... you are strong and courageous and such a brave little girl.Keep getting stronger and doing the incredible job you are doing!Prayers continue for you all.

Suzanne said...

So good to hear Abbey is home and you had a blessed Easter.

Still praying...

Brittany said...

I am so glad to hear that Abbey is home. That is wonderful! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter. Abbey continues to be in my thoughts and prayers. God loves you all! Have a wonderful Sunday. God bless you all now and always!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear that things have gone smoothly since coming home. The strength God is giving you amazes me!
Melissa

Lynn said...

What a blessing to see these photos of Abbey at home in time for Easter! Praying that the clot will disapear sooner than you expect. He has got her in His hands! Praise the Lord.