Already over...

Ahh, a peaceful Sunday morning with my wife and little buddy. Just forced down my third cup of hospital coffee, plugged in my headphones to drown out SpongeBob, and sat down on the bed to send an update your way…


In short, Levi is doing great. Besides sporting a couple sizeable bruises on his head from unfortunate tangles with his crib, the floor, and other obstacles lurking in room B410 (amplified by low platelet levels), he is looking and feeling very well. His appetite has returned en force; he enjoys walking around the room with his bag of popcorn, a box of Triscuits, or a handful of pretzel sticks while he plays basketball or sweeps the floor with his toy sweeper. He’s been hooked up to an IV since his central line was removed last week, but the IV site on his hand went bad, so he’s down to just the site on his right arm. They were able to downsize his cuff, so he does have use of his arm, albeit restricted. Steph’s mom was able to spend a couple nights here in the hospital with them this week, which really helped Steph out. Having someone else to aid in the rocking and IV pole chasing make a big difference.


The doctor thankfully decided that he does not need blood draws every morning, since his the two blood cultures they took last week after his line came out returned NEGATIVE! That was the news we were praying for, and it means that we can start talking expectantly about when he might come home. The doctor felt pretty comfortable with the negative cultures and the little flickers of recovering counts we were starting to see in his blood tests, so he stretched out the blood draws to every 48 hours instead of every morning at 5am. That, as I am sure you’ve guessed, is a rough way for a little guy to wake up in the morning.


We’ve had a pretty good weekend together, although we’re hoping it’s one of the last that we have to spend like this. Our little Caylee Grace is hanging out at my parents’ house, but she did get a chance to see her Bubby for a little while on Friday night when I brought her down to the hospital. They, as always, didn’t miss a beat and after sharing a brief hug and scream of joy, ran to the bed to climb up and start wrestling. We had to dial that down a notch due to Levi’s IV lines, but they still managed to get a healthy dose of rough-housing in before she had to leave with my dad. I spent most of the day yesterday in officer’s training for the Indiana CMA chapters – a great time of worship and instruction with great friends that I don’t get to see very often. Just made me look forward to sunshine, warmer weather and some bike riding time with my wife later this year that much more.

After a couple of conversations with the doctor this weekend, we think that we may be able to bring Levi home this week; we’re thinking Friday, but there is a slight chance it may be a little earlier if they can figure out a way for him to continue his antibiotics through IV at home for a few days. We’re trying to not get our hopes up, but the fact that we’re talking about the light at the end of the tunnel now is immensely encouraging to our tired family. We just need to keep Levi fever-free, eating well, and pumped full of antibiotics for just a few more days.

As is evident, this last round has been quite the roller coaster ride, with highs, lows, and scream-inducing dark tunnels. But, as we’re nearing the end of the ride, it becomes more apparent that we never have been and never will be alone in this battle. There’s a verse – Deuteronomy 31:8 – that puts it so succinctly.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

God has not and will not leave our side, but even more importantly, He has gone before us to face the enemy before we even begin fighting. That is perhaps even more comforting. I have a small piece of paper at my desk at work with four simple words: “It’s already over now.” It was a note I wrote to myself some time back, during one of my tougher days, to remind myself that the battle had already been won; we were already victorious because we were relying on a God that has already gone before us. Looking back, there was not once that we were on our own, and I continue to thank Him that despite our fears, our doubts, and our failures, His love for us is greater and He will never break His promises.

Thanks for your continued prayers. We can’t wait to bring our little one home. We want so badly to have the walls of our home echo with the sounds of both kids playing, to hear both little voices chiming in during our dinner time prayers, to tuck them both in bed at night and know that the morning will bring a new day we will face as a complete family.

We love you all.
Michael, Stephanie, Caylee, and little Levi