Slurping Life

Imagine The Reality And The Possibilities

Children are fragile.  Some more so than others.  I am a mom to children who are alive through the grace of God and the caring hearts of strangers.  Michelle at In The Life Of A Child sums it nicely...

What would it mean to you if someone you had never met held out a hand to help you, your child, your family?

I can tell you from personal experience, exactly what it means. It means everything. Jacqui is here — a joyous, sparkling part of our lives because people cared. Some of the most thoughtful gestures came from people we didn’t even know. People we had never met. And I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for them. I know how important the little gestures are. Jacqui didn’t get where she is today from one person doing something huge. She got where she is through a whole community of caring — many, many, people doing countless little things, that when added all together changed her life, and ours.

Which is why my heart just breaks for Pam and her adorable little Rhett at Rhett’s Journey, and for Tammy and her precious little Parker, at Praying for Parker. They are amazing moms, with heroic families. And although my family lives on a relatively tight budget stretched thin with our own medical issues, I cannot just sit by and do nothing but watch as these other two families struggle. Since I don’t have an excess of income that I can draw from, I spent a lot of time trying to think of what I could do to help these two wonderful families. About a month ago, I realized I could certainly gift them with a little bit of my time and creativity. So here is what I came up with: A set of hand-drawn pen and ink stipple prints that I have been working on during spare moments here and there in my evenings…

Please go to In The Life Of A Child and participate in the fund raiser.  Small donation...big payback in helping two little boys and their families...and a chance to win a set of beautiful hand-drawn pen and ink stipple prints by Michelle.  While you are there, please grab the code for the "Imagine" button and help by spreading the word on your blog.

If you would like to participate in other fund-raisers for these families:

Open a new account with Revolutionary Money Exchange from the link at Praying For Parker and Parker’s Medical Fund will receive $10.00 for each new account opened through his link. Plus you will be sent $25 from RME!

The Original Crackerjack Site is designing a lovely book for Parker’s upcoming surgery on May 16th: For a one dollar donation you can have your photo and website added to this book along with a drawing made especially in honor of your donation by the author’s lovely 2-year-old daughter Izabel. This fund-raiser just goes through this Wednesday, May 14th — so hurry!

The  lovely Amy, of Bunny Rose Cottage is currently
donating the proceeds from her Etsy shop to Parker’s Medical Fund — go check it out!

The clever and creative Michelle, of Down Blogger, is coordinating a virtual craft fair benefit for Parker’s Medical Fund. If you’re the crafty sort — stop by! Michelle is currently seeking talent for this thoughtful effort.

Jessica from Raising Joey is generously donating 50% of her online sales from her bookstore from now through June 10th to Parker and Rhett’s families.

Michelle at Big Blueberry Eyes, is donating the proceeds from her Discovery Toy sales from April 15th through this Thursday, May 15th to Parker’s Medical Fund — better hurry on this one too!

Imagine the possibilities in life when people come together in action and prayer.  Above all Rhett, Parker and their families request your prayers.

 

Pictures And More For Parker

Got a dollar? 

Please take a few moments and read about Pictures for Parker at The Original Cracker Jack Site.  Here's the idea:

Let Izabel draw/color a picture in your name for a $1.00 donation to Parker's Medical Fund. I myself know that sometimes even a dollar is hard to come by, but maybe you have some loose change sitting around that you could use. Izabel's pictures will be well worth your pennies, nickels and dimes. What we will be doing is creating a unique masterpiece in your name and then bind them together to make a colorful book to send to Parker for him to look at. Each page will be an Izzy original and will contain a picture of you (if you'd like) and your web address.

A $1.00 donation (Cash/Check/Money Orders) will get you a wonderfully created masterpiece designed in your name and all proceeds will be sent to Parker. This fundraiser will go through Wednesday, May 14th, 2008.

If you do not know Parker, then please take a few moments to meet him.  He has yet another surgery scheduled this month which will require a long, intense recovery.  And as he recovers, his parents will be struggling with the burden of one more humongous hospital bill and doctors' fees stacked on top of existing ones not being paid by their insurance company.

Also, Bunny Rose Cottage is having a Mother's Day sale at her Etsy Shop to benefit Parker.

And do not forget this chance to love on Parker over at Big Blueberry Eyes.

Above all...please pray for Parker.  I love this kid.  He is itching to be healthy enough to drive his mom insane.  Let's help his family get him there.

 

When We Can Help Others, We Should

If you have been a reader of Slurping Life during the past year, you probably know I have a soft spot in my heart for Parker.  Parker is an adorable little boy with Down Syndrome, but that isn't an issue.  He has life-threatening medical problems. 

Parker has another surgery scheduled for May 16 with a variety of tests and procedures in the interim. Parker's family insurance does not cover the majority of his medical expenses. I cannot begin to compose a coherent explanation of Parker's fragile medical state.  Please visit his blog where his mom, Tammy, posts updates regularly.

If only a mother's love and determination were enough.  Costly medical interventions are a constant necessity, and sadly, insurance is not enough.  Medicaid is not available to the family.  Every entity they approach for assistance issues the same reply...sorry, you don't qualify.

A mother should not tuck her child into bed each night worrying where the funds will come for the next medical procedure which will sustain his young life.  Nor should she spend her days begging an insurance company for coverage and fighting red tape. 

Parker is a blessing to his family and countless others.  His family daily fights the difficult battles to fulfill Parker's potential for a healthy life.  It is an extremely expensive war.  Through May 10th, Michelle of Big Blueberry Eyes is donating all commissions from any sales at her Discovery Toys site to Parker's medical fund...

Parker's next surgery is scheduled for May 16 (which is also my dear husband's birthday, so I'm guessing this is a good date for a successful surgery!) I'll donate commissions from any sales from now until May 10th (so I have time to send them the funds before his surgery).

Need some toys for your child?  Need gifts for other children's birthdays? Want to buy a fun little something to entertain Parker during recovery from his upcoming surgery...he double wins by receiving a toy and a donation.  Please, visit Michelle's Discovery Toys store through May 10 and make a purchase to love on Parker.

If you choose, you may make a direct donation to Parker's medical fund.  The donation button is also at Praying for Parker on the right-hand side beneath the cute photo slide show.  Just click the button to donate using Paypal.

Above all, Parker's family requests and appreciates your prayers.

As your circumstances allow, please love on Parker...

...because when we can help others, we should.

Because There Is Power and Strength and Hope...

...in hearts joined.

Previously I hinted about a hope which is close to the heart of our family.  We thought the hope had faded...again.  God has kept the hope alive.  The true hope of our family is that two young lives will be protected within His will.

Because there is power and strength and hope in hearts joined, please take a moment to say a prayer...hold two young lives in your care and thoughts...pray, hope that above selfish desire our family accepts what is best for these precious lives.

It sounds vague, I know.  This afternoon will be a pivotal, emotional time for several people.  My husband and I are two of those people.  Please trust that a group of people trying to do what is right simply asks you to offer your spiritual blessing to this situation.

Thank you.

Edited 5:35PM EST -  The situation remains unsolved and quite frankly, a big mess.  All prayers and good thoughts are requested with heartfelt appreciation..

The Miracle of Life

Please go visit Kristen today.  Tomorrow will be a big day for her, and I know she would appreciate your prayers and good thoughts.  Her twins were not suppose to survive, but we know who has the final word.

I love the miracle of life.

Comments are closed here...please, go talk to Kristen.

Uh, We're Going Where?

Why, to the hospital...again...of course. 

Wednesday evening it began, Lee not feeling well, occasional vomiting.  Thursday brought nausea, more vomiting, abdominal pain, excruciating headache.  We headed for dear Dr. F.  He sent us to dear building H...the hospital.  Lee was dehydrated and his skin was changing color quicker than a chameleon on a rainbow, fever rising, abdominal pain worsening.

The insurance company questioned Lee being admitted.  From thin air Dr. F appears in admissions...let's just say Lee was promptly admitted.  The IV fluids are flowing; the chest xrays done; abdominal CT done; abdomen poked by approximately a half-dozen pairs of hands; surgeon examination complete.  We're waiting for the results of chest xrays, abdominal CT and blood work to see if it's appendicitis or perhaps pneumonia or just the worst bug ever for Christmas this year.  Did you know pain and symptoms for pneumonia can mimic those of appendicitis?  Me neither.  But apparently so.

It is 11:30PM EST.  Lee's pain and nausea are controlled for now, and he is finally sleeping.

I'm watching my heart and soul sleep over there...would you please say a prayer for Lee?

Thank you sweetly.

Uncertainty Leads To Holding Tight To One's Faith And Keeping A Vow

Sitting alone in the late night darkness of a hospital room is scary.  Especially when so much is uncertain and serious.  That's where I am physically and emotionally.

Tuesday I posted  a vow that I made to myself on Monday evening, and later on Tuesday I shared when seemed to be a confirmation of the vow.  Then came a complete halt to life as I was living it or planning to live it.  Yet, the abrupt events seemed another confirmation.

I am still typing left-handed only and still trying to grasp some things, but I've had some email questions about my situation.  A simple post is easier on the hand and mind that many email responses.  I'll give a time line of what's up.  I can only type in brief intervals and began this post on Friday night while still in the hospital, but I'm not certain when it will be completed and posted.

• Very late Tuesday night while working at the computer I apparently blacked out.  I awoke later with no idea of time or how long I was out.  When I reached for the computer mouse to close my photo editing program, I couldn't.  I could not move my right arm.  My hand was non-functional, wrist dropped, hand drawn, curled.  Paralyzed.
• Because of my family history of cardiovascular disease and my own risk factors, my doctor  admitted me to the hospital stroke unit.  I had more scans, xrays, brain and neck MRIs, blood work, IV's and pokes and prods than I knew existed.  Wednesday and all night I waited to hear from doctors, as several had to read scans and tests, confer and then explain to me what they had found.
• On Thursday morning added to my medical roster were a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, a cardiologist, a vascular surgeon, and an occupational therapist.
• Late Thursday morning the doctors came to report.  My brain MRI is clear with no sign of a stroke.  I have an artery which feeds my left shoulder and arm (not the paralyzed side) that is significantly blocked (stenosis).  Almost no pulse in my left wrist.  I will need cardiac catheterization and a stent.  That blockage is stealing blood from the right side of my brain, but was not the cause of my paralysis.  I probably blacked out due to a lessened blood flow to my brain, which was not an actual stroke.  The stent has not yet been scheduled due to other issues to resolve first.
• I also had a echo-cardiogram which showed a strong healthy heart, no abnormalities.  Good heart, good brain.  Good.
• I have long known that my fifth cervical disc was deteriorating and that recently it is progressing more rapidly.  Another genetic gift.  It's a chronic pain eased somewhat with therapy, exercise and stretching.  The fourth and sixth cervical vertebrae have become involved.  It is a combination of those discs having become seriously inflamed and compressed which is causing the right side weakness in my shoulder, no ability to use my arm and no hand grip.  That probably occurred as a result of my neck position while I was unconscious.  I am on a steroid which is reducing the inflammation and giving back arm movement and some hand grip.  It could relapse once the steroid is discontinued and then other options, possible surgery, will be investigated.  I cannot remain on steroids for extended periods.  Occupational therapy will continue.
• My radial nerve, which controls the use of my fingers, backward flexion and certain rotation and side to side movement of my wrist has been damaged.   This was due to the position in which I remained propped on the lower portion of my arm while unconscious.  It may or my not be reversible damage.  If not reversed on its own within the week, the neurosurgeon will do a nerve study to determine if it can be reversed with surgery.  I have a hand-wrist brace/support.
• During scan of my carotid arteries (main arteries in neck feeding the brain) a lump was noted on my thyroid, as a general view of the thyroid can be seen within the same scan. 
• Having cleared me of the possibility of stroke and addressed the neurological issues, I am moved from the stroke unit to the oncology floor.  They suspect thyroid cancer.
• Friday morning I am scheduled for a thyroid sonogram and injection of radioactive isotopes to enhance a series xrays of my thyroid.  These are completed, and I wait some more.
• Friday afternoon my doctor tells me there is more than one nodule, the endocrinologist and oncologist must review the sonogram and xrays.
• Blood is drawn for further thyroid tests.  I can go home Saturday morning continuing current medications and occupational therapy.  I will have an appointment scheduled to meet with the endocrinologist and a biopsy after the tests are reviewed in depth and, if necessary, meet with the oncologist.

It is now Saturday, and I am home...waiting.  It feels good to be home.  I am thrilled to be able to hug my family, and the phrase "slurping life" has become an even stronger motto for me. 

Thank you for your thoughts, hugs and prayers.  They mean much more than my words could ever express.

Blessings to you and yours.

**Apologies for typos and poor grammar, sentence structure.  One armed and half-brained stinks. *smile*

A Hospital Is Not A Spa, But Is As Close As I'm Getting

I can only type briefly as I have the use of only my left arm and hand due to paralysis of my right.  I have been hospitalized since Wednesday morning and am still undergoing tests.  In searching for the source of my paralysis, several health issues have been discovered.  Testing is ongoing, but there are some potentially serious problems.

I simply wanted to let those of you who are waiting for something from me or have emailed questions/requests that I am unable to respond at this time.

Please remember my family and me in your prayers.  Thanks.  I know how wonderful my readers are and how great is the power of prayer.

Relinquishing It All

Peace...

The night surrounds me with quiet...dark, still, quiet...except for the sound of my children breathing.  In reverence I slip into each boy's room...kneel softly beside each bed...gently kiss and stroke each head.  Tears caress my cheeks...flutters fill my heart...hope lives within my soul.  I pray for each of my sons...

God, please give my child peace.  Hold him within your arms...protect him...guide him...and please, please give him peace which leads to happiness. 

As I exit the third room I stop, kneel in the hallway and pray the same blessings upon my son who is in the world...all grown up...on his own...and still my child.

Then I quietly slip into our bed...pull the covers over my body.

The night surrounds me with quiet...dark, still, quiet...except for the sound of my love's breathing.  He turns, his arms embrace me as he sleeps.  Tears caress my cheeks...flutters fill my heart...hope lives within my soul...I pray for us...

God, please give us peace.  Hold us within your arms...protect us...and please, please give us peace which leads to happiness.

And I sleep...relinquishing it all.

Each of us has fears...prayers...hopes.  If given one prayer answered, one wish fulfulled...what would yours be?

Dream Big and Get Artsy

Dream Big is the name of Chelsea's Blog written by her mother, Carey.  Chelsea is a beautiful toddler girl with Down Syndrome, but that's not an issue...that's not why she needs your prayers.  Chelsea is battling Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.

*This request is also posted on Chelsea's blog:

Calling All Artists....

Artists big and small, we need you to put that talent to work and help us decorate Chelsea's hospital room! Help us add some color to her temporary home here at Children's Mercy. Email Carey to get the hospital address, then get those pictures in the mail! (enseno153@aol.com)

In honor of Chelsea spend a little time around the kitchen table creating a few masterpieces with your children.  While you relish the precious moments at home with your child, you will help to brighten the hospital stay of a beautiful little girl.

Please pray for Chelsea and stop by Dream Big to offer words of support.  If this were you're precious child, wouldn't you need to hear caring voices?

*Edit:  I think some people have mistakenly thought this "calling all artists" is my idea.  It is not.  I shared it from the sidebar of Chelsea's blog in hopes of getting people to participate.

 

Sgt. First Class Matthew Blaskowski

A mother's soul is weeping...a father's heart is shattered...

No matter what a child's age, he is the child of his parents.  His loss hurts no less at age 27 than age 7.  I don't know his age.  I didn't know Matt.  But his parents lost their son...their child...and they lost him to the duty of protecting the freedom of my country.  He was protecting my children, my family.

An online tribute and card is being prepared for Matt's family.  Words are inadequate at such a time of deep loss, yet the words offer comfort by joining many hearts.  Please visit and leave your words to let Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski know you are thankful for their son's life and that you are saddened by his death.

Remember...

What I'm Talking About

Remember this morning I talked about us moms supporting one another through laughter or tears?  Kristen needs some of that support right now.  Please go over and give her a little hug and let her know you are thinking of her.  If you pray, please pray for her and her babies.

*Comments closed on this post.  Please go talk to Kristen.

Urgent Prayer Request For Parker

If you pray, please pray for Parker and his family.  If you don't pray, please hold Parker and his family close in your thoughts and hearts.  He is having a very difficult time with multiple problems surfacing.  I don't know what to say other than read Tammy's updates...and pray for Parker...then ask someone else to pray.

Love you, Parker and Tammy.  ox

Comments are closed on this post.  Please visit Praying for Parker and leave a word of support for Parker and his family.

Do Me A Favor

Thank you for all of your comments and emails full of prayers and well-wishes.  I'm being a good girl and following doctors' orders.

Would you pretty please do me a favor?  Please keep Parker in your prayers, thoughts and well-wishes...as well as his entire family.  Tammy is keeping Parker's blog updated.  I know any comments there to let her know Parker is held close in the hearts of many would be of untold comfort and encouragement.

Love ya, Parky.

Repose

Blogger Reflection Award: This award should make an individual reflect upon five bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and who have provided a Godly example. In other words, five dear bloggers whom, when you reflect upon them, you are filled with a sense of pride and joy...of knowing them and being blessed by them.

The award was begun by a special young lady 16 years of age.  Read about it, and I think you will agree she is indeed a special young lady.

This honor touches my heart.  I want to thank Jane, Audrey and Sharon, those inspirational Pinks & Blues Girls, and equally inspiring, Jan of Mauzy's Musings for honoring me with the Blogger Reflection Award.  It has been a couple of weeks since they bestowed the honor, and I apologize for being so long to bow and humbly accept.  I must also apologize for not passing the award to fellow bloggers as the rules say, but the time has come for repose in my life.

Our lives change every minute, every second.  Sometimes those changes are quite unexpected, thrusting a person into more responsibilities...presenting more hurdles to leap...awakening more fears...while simultaneously calling for repose to save one's health.

Repose ~ Peace, Tranquility, Calm, To be peacefully calm or quiet.

You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose. -- Indira Gandhi

I believe in Divine intervention, and this time as God speaks, I am listening.  Please keep my family and me in your thoughts and prayers.

Smiles.

Read, Because This Is Really, Really Important

A beautiful young mother is in a fight against inflammatory breast cancer.  She wants to see her children grow up...and she should...and she gave permission to copy this from her blog and post it.  This is really, really important and I want you to read it.  Thank you WhyMommy...my prayers are for your healing and for strength in your mission to inform other women.

Everyone, please read...and say a prayer of healing and gratitude for WhyMommy...then go over and tell her you're thinking about her...

Inflammatory breast cancer

Monday July 23rd 2007, 3:11 pm
Filed under: About Us / Favorites, breast cancer

We hear a lot about breast cancer these days. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, and there are millions living with it in the U.S. today alone. But did you know that there is more than one type of breast cancer?

I didn’t. I thought that breast cancer was all the same. I figured that if I did my monthly breast self-exams, and found no lump, I’d be fine.

Oops. It turns out that you don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Six weeks ago, I went to my OB/GYN because my breast felt funny. It was red, hot, inflamed, and the skin looked…funny. But there was no lump, so I wasn’t worried. I should have been. After a round of antibiotics didn’t clear up the inflammation, my doctor sent me to a breast specialist and did a skin punch biopsy. That test showed that I have inflammatory breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer that can be deadly.

Inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed as mastitis because many doctors have never seen it before and consider it rare. “Rare” or not, there are over 100,000 women in the U.S. with this cancer right now; only half will survive five years. Please call your OB/GYN if you experience several of the following symptoms in your breast, or any unusual changes: redness, rapid increase in size of one breast, persistent itching of breast or nipple, thickening of breast tissue, stabbing pain, soreness, swelling under the arm, dimpling or ridging (for example, when you take your bra off, the bra marks stay – for a while), flattening or retracting of the nipple, or a texture that looks or feels like an orange (called peau d’orange). Ask if your GYN is familiar with inflammatory breast cancer, and tell her that you’re concerned and want to come in to rule it out.

There is more than one kind of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer out there, and early detection is critical. It’s not usually detected by mammogram. It does not usually present with a lump. It may be overlooked with all of the changes that our breasts undergo during the years when we’re pregnant and/or nursing our little ones. It’s important not to miss this one.

Inflammatory breast cancer is detected by women and their doctors who notice a change in one of their breasts. If you notice a change, call your doctor today. Tell her about it. Tell her that you have a friend with this disease, and it’s trying to kill her. Now you know what I wish I had known before six weeks ago.

You don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer.

P.S. Feel free to steal this post too.  I’d be happy for anyone in the blogosphere to take it and put it on their site, no questions asked.  Dress it up, dress it down, let it run around the place barefoot. I don’t care.  But I want the word to get out.  I don’t want another young mom — or old man — or anyone in between — to have to stare at this thing on their chest and wonder, is it mastitis?  Is it a rash?  Am I overreacting?  This cancer moves FAST, and early detection and treatment is critical for survival.

Thank you.

Many Prizes Up For Grabs ~ Love For Parker Continues

A shout out to remind everyone...through Saturday, July 28, midnight EST, do a good thing for a medically fragile little boy and to be entered to win a $400 HP digital camera package or one of MANY other prizes...and, please, spread the word about Love For Parker.

The code to place the Love For Parker button on your blog is

<center><a href='http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/' ><img border="0" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1312/846093317_2857082714_o.png " width="150" height="197" alt="Love for Parker" /></center></a>

From the bottom of Parker's little heart...thank you.

Pray For The Children Today

Simply click the button to learn more...thank you.

The button code (because I do not think Janne would mind)...

<p><a href="http://janne.cc/blog/?p=201"><img src="http://janne.cc/images/photos/praychildren.jpg" alt="Pray for the Children" /></a></p>

 

Above All ~ Pray For Parker

Tears stream down my flushed cheeks while typing this post.  So many have emailed me asking for updates as to how the donations are going for Love For Parker...there will be many updates throughout the week.  I thank each of you for your spirit of love in giving.   But this is far more important...

Tammy, Parker's mom, has just emailed me about Parker's echo cardiogram today and...it is not a good report.  I am almost at a loss for words through my tears, so I asked Tammy's permission to copy her words from our email and post them here.  She said "yes".  She also said "But please, Melody, ask for prayers for Parker.  Please, above all, prayers for Parker."  And so that's what I ask of each of you...Prayers for Parker.

Here's today's reports from Parker's appointment...in the words of a mom whose heart is so heavy...

We received bad news.  His pressures have gone from 54 to 81. 

The cardiologist is talking to the ENT, Sleep Specialist, and GI doctor.

He will be going in for another PH probe. 

He will most likely be getting the trach.  (tracheotomy)

The cardiologist doesn't feel it is because of his lungs or his medication no longer working.  He feels something has 'come up' and we need to figure out what.  Parker has severe upper airway issues and that could be the cause of his PH.  He says that for Parker to have been at near NORMAL levels so quickly on the Tracleer he believes that we can reverse these pressures again...IF we can find the missing part of the puzzle.

Parker's crit was down to 20.

He needs to be transfused.   BIG TIME.

I'm sure we'll be hanging out on one of the floors at PCMC pretty soon.

My heart hurts.

PLEASE pray for the cardiologist to be tuned into the Spirit while he speaks with the ENT and Pulmonologist and that together they can discern what is the best path to follow and decision to make for Parker's health.   And please pray for answers as to the best way to treat the chronic sinus infections and thick mucus that is stuck in his nasal area. 

I am so confused.  His BNP on Thursday was 122.  Not great, but WAY better than 1600........and now his PH values are so high. 

We REALLY need prayers.

~~Tammy

I have talked with Tammy enough to understand one thing...many complications which arise with Parker are preventable and correctable.  A huge problem arises when there is not excellent coordination of care between Parker's many specialists.  The lack of excellent coordination of Parker's care arises from the simple fact that their insurance company leaves so many medical needs uncovered.  When you have to see whatever doctor the insurance company dictates, or are told to try this medication before the more effective one simply because it is cheaper...do you begin to see the big picture?  I can vouch because I've lived much of this with my children.

So you see, this love offering...Love For Parker...is very needed.  For the simple fact is this...with the money a better coordination of care for Parker will happen.

But now...at this moment...if you pray...stop...and honor the request of a mother...PRAY FOR PARKER.

Blessed and Saddened

Blessed.  While working on Love For Parker, I have been overwhelmed and blessed by an untold number of people I have never met face to face.  Bloggers, business owners, people...people have donated prizes, blogged about Love For Parker, emailed ideas and other assistance...offered their help in countless ways.

Please accept my "thank you".  Before Love For Parker even begins, the blessings are immeasurable.  I look forward to an amazing week through each of you, as God pours out His blessings untold.

Saddened.  A mother's heart is bearing unimaginable pain.  A family is altered by a tragedy.  A little sister longs for a hug from her big sister.  Hannah is now in heaven dancing and twirling with her Papa.  As her family prepares to celebrate her beautiful life, her pure spirit...please visit and offer your words of love...and your prayers.

Love And Determination

Did you tuck your child into bed last night fearing for his or her life?  One mother did...her son's cardiologist called...

An echocardiogram is where they measure Parker'€™s Pulmonary Hypertension levels. The last two echocardiograms showed that Parker'€™s numbers were steadily rising. Rising isn'€™t the way we want them to go. If as in Parker's case, PH numbers rise high enough, PH is quite often deadly. There have been two children on the PH list that I am on to lose their fight to this disease in the last few months.

One is hoping for a heart lung transplant before time runs out.   

My shoulders are already tense. I know I won'€™t sleep well tonight. I can'€™t seem to get enough of Parker. I hold him to me as if just my determination alone could heal his heart and lungs.

If only a mother's love and determination were enough.  Costly medical interventions are necessary, and sadly, insurance is not the answer.  Medicaid is not available to the family.  Every entity they approach for assistance issues the same reply...sorry, you don't qualify.

A mother should not tuck her child into bed each night worrying where the funds will come for the next medical procedure which will sustain his young life...for a piece of plastic tubing to ensure his next breath.  Nor should she spend her days begging an insurance company for coverage and fighting red tape.

A mother should be free to tuck her son into bed each night with a hug, a kiss and relaxed shoulders.

Please join us in "Love for Parker".  You will be blessed.

Liam

Please visit Kate and read some of the most beautiful words ever written by a mother.

Liam is resting peacefully.

My comments are closed on this post...please go talk to Kate.

Imagine

Tracey's photo theme today is "imagine" and there are photos below.  First there are words...because I cannot possibly imagine...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Imagine all the people...living for today...
John Lennon

Imagine that you are Scarlett...you are twenty years old...you are beautiful...you are full of life...you are living far from home...you have cancer...

If I could talk to cancer
I would tell it to stop.
Stop invading
people's lives.
Stop killing friends
Mothers and Fathers
Sons and Daughters
Stop.

If I could talk to cancer
I would say that it lost.
It can't win because
we don't quit. we won't.
If we live- we win.
If we die- we win.
Either way- it loses.

If I could talk to cancer
I would ask it how.
How it picks who to affect.
Who is cured. Who isn't.
Who dies. Who doesn't.

If I could talk to cancer
I would have a lot to say.
But I can't.

--Scarlett

I have fallen in love with Scarlett's beautiful heart, soul and person.  Expressing her struggle and hope, she touches me.  I am impressed...and inspired...and blessed.  Scarlett, thank you for wandering into my life.  Thank you for sharing yours.

Wander into Scarlett's life, smile and say hello.   She will be happy to hear from you...but expect to be touched...and amazed...and a little sad...and a lot blessed.  Remember she is twenty years old and  living with a maturity which she should not even be expected to understand.  You should begin at the beginning and read each post...or read from the present....but read.  It's a young blog and takes little time to read through.

The horses are for Scarlett...imagine that you are riding, stroking and nuzzling them...feeling the sunshine...and the wind...and the life...imagine...

   

Our Little House In The Big Woods

As darkness hugs our little house in the big woods, creatures of the night chirp and twitter their endearing songs.  The boys are tucked into bed, our nightly read aloud complete.

...Laura called out softly, "What are the days of auld lang syne, Pa?"

They are the days of a long time ago, Laura," Pa said.  "Go to sleep, now."

But Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa's fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the Big Woods.  She looked at Pa sitting on the bench by the hearth, the fire-light gleaming on his brown hair and beard and glistening on the honey-brown fiddle.  She looked at Ma, gently rocking and knitting.

She thought to herself, "This is now."

She was glad that the cosy house, and Pa and Ma and the fire-light and the music, were now.  They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now.  It can never be a long time ago.

I began our read aloud of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House in the Big Woods not knowing if it would be a book the boys would want to absorb and enjoy.  As we turned the last page of the book tonight the question, "Will we begin reading Little House on the Prairie tomorrow, mom?" rang in unison from the lips of my boys.  My heart smiled.  I even imagined they called me "Ma".

Each night after the boys are in bed I listen to the whispers of childhood banter...the giggles of boyhood delight...the thud of pillows hitting their targets.  And I hold so tightly to these sounds, these joys.  This is now.  Now is now.  And I pray, "God please let their now never, ever leave them.  Let them always be safe, feel loved and have one another.  Please.  Amen."

As hurried adults do we breathe deeply...inhale the reality of now?  Do we slow down and embrace the small hand which gives us a crumpled weed in complete love and devotion?  Do we warmly thank the kind stranger who smiles and gathers our dropped goods as we hurry from the market to return to our small lives?  Do we realize that now is all we have for certain?  Do we cherish now?   Do we live now?  This is now.