Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Fun time's over, back to business...

Hey everyone,


I hope all of your weeks are off to a good start. We are coming off of a great weekend - we had a blast with Nate, Amy, and Xavier. Little Levi and Xavier enjoyed having someone to rough house with, and if their rough-housing at this young of an age is a sign of things to come, it will be fun to watch them grow up together. Nate and I were able to escape a couple of times for a little H-D two-wheel therapy, and even had a chance to do a little shooting. Amy and Steph snuck out to do some fabric shopping, so Steph should be stocked up for this next hospital stay.

The home healthcare nurse came out yesterday and drew Levi's labs. We got the results back today, and all his blood counts are fine. His ANC was over 900, higher than the 750 mark he needed to start his next round. So -- it's off to Indy we go first thing in the morning to start the next round.


Steph went out with Briana Kessler tonight for a girl's coffee and pedicure, which she thoroughly enjoyed. I had a good time here at home, hanging with the kiddos. It was an absolutely perfect night outside, so we got some good swingset time in before tomorrow's trip. Round 3... The halfway point... Well, in case you are wondering, it's not getting any easier. I am not looking forward to getting Levi up in the morning, packing up the van, and taking Stephanie and him down to the hospital, knowing that it will be weeks before we can feel like a family again.


As I have mentioned before in my posts, there are moments we experience that I wish I could capture and burn into my memory, a welcome weapon to fight the tough times. Tonight, as Levi was at the top of the slide and I was waiting at the bottom, things felt normal. And as he launched himself downward, his face lit up in his goofy little toothy grin, squealing with delight in his beautiful little squeaky voice, he seemed as he should - a one and half year old boy playing outside as little boys do, caring only for how fast he could race down the slide to my waiting arms. But then, as I caught him, I could feel the tubing from his central line coiling and snaking across his chest under his tough guy t-shirt, and reality would come screaming back up to hit me in the chest. I could only bury my face in his little neck and tell him how much I loved him. As any little boy would, he tolerated my embrace for a few moments, then pushed away to point at the slide once again.

I love that little boy, with all my heart. I know that God has a plan for him, and I know that He is in control. I once again give it all to Him; Levi's health, life, and future is in His hands. I thank Him that He is in control, for once again I am empty, dreading the morning, and relying on Him to heal my little boy and to give me the strength to weather this next round.

God bless you all,
Michael, Stephanie, Caylee, and little Levi

5 comments:

  1. You and the family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I can't imagine what it's like to watch your child go through this. Your strong faith is awesome to witness. You'll be kept in thought and prayer!
    God Bless,
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
  2. That little boy is loved by so many Michael but I know the special bond you have with both your children as well as Stephanie does. I miss Levi terribly but know you and Stephanie and the doctors are taking excellent care of him for all of us to enjoy days again later on. Caylee Grace is a true light around here and it has been hard when she isn't around either. Totally understandable but I love them both as my own and it is so strange when she isn't around!

    Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you 4. Safe travels tomorrow and I look forward to your updates as you have time.

    Love,
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
  3. Michael, just remember when you're taking Levi back to the hospital, it is for his healing that God has provided for him. This is how You are helping your Son fight the battle that he will Win!! Love You xoxo Faithful Praying Warriors -Round 3!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Ones,
    We continue to lift Levi up in prayer to our wonderful God who knows just what he is doing. We also pray for the rest of you for support, guidance and patience by the grace of God. If not for Him we could not endure.

    Love to you all,
    Grandpa and Grandma G.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for your honesty of how painful this is, how hard it is. Just keep looking towards the end result, the tests & treatments being over and you little boy being normal again, your family being together. You guys are doing great and are a great example of Christian Faith and relying on God for strength.

    ReplyDelete