Saturday, February 25, 2012

Plus 10


Love the blaster!!!
My entries over the past few weeks have been full of heartache, pain, tears, frustration and hope. But today we have reason to rejoice and celebrate because Christian officially engrafted. I know many people read the blog and wonder how on earth we function though all of the heartache and sorrow. How do you watch your child suffer? And the answer is because we knew today would come. We knew that one day soon Christian would be delivered to a place of hope and the healing would begin. God has truly led us on a journey of self discovery that has buoyed our faith, developed our trust in God and our trust in each other as a married couple. Chris has been sick since last Tuesday, which means he is not allowed to come into the unit or stay with Christian. So I have been living at the hospital since then. 24/7 (with the exclusion of a lunch at Boston Pizza I barely remember!) I have been here trying to help Christian through one of the most painful experiences of his life. He doesn’t sleep at night, which means I don’t sleep at night. For five nights straight I have gotten a total of about 3 hours of sleep a night, total. Mostly broken 30 minute sessions of fragile sleep interrupted by Christian’s screams of pain or call for “mommy”. There is no earthly explanation for how I can walk or talk after the physical and mental toll this week as brought me. The heavenly explanation is that we can do all things though Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13) Just as Christian has been hoisted and carried by God – so have I.
The 'spitting' bucket because it is too painful to swallow
Nanny reading to me even though I am asleep!


So exhausted
Last night was another sleepless night (I think we are officially at five) and I was curled up on the bottom of Christian’s bed trying to catch a few winks in-between suctioning Christian’s mouth and pressing his pain pump. At 530 am our nurse, Nicole, gently tapped me on the shoulder to show me Christian’s counts for the morning – 1600!!!!!! I believe I actually swore in disbelief. I was so exhausted I immediately put my head back down and went to sleep.  So here we are. So close to the end of his treatment I can barely believe it. All that is left now is for Christian’s poor little mouth and throat to heal, for him to learn how to swallow and eat again. For him to be weaned of his medications.  As soon as he is completely off his pain and sedation medications we will walk out those unit 1 room doors, and I pray, never walk back in, unless it is to say hello and reintroduce our nurses to a strong, vibrant and hairy Christian.
Resting with Grammy


Trying to keep the oxygen flowing
Engraftment day will always be special, February 23, 2012, and made more memorable by some amazing visitors. Darth Vader and his Storm Trooper made their way into Christian’s room and into all of our hearts. It was so great to see the life sized characters bring a smile to so many kids at the hospital and some outsiders as well. I think one of the most excited persons was a middle aged man chasing the pair down the hallway so he could get a photo too! I can honestly say it was one of the coolest things I have ever seen and I am so thankful these wonderful people took time out of their weekend to make Christian’s day a little brighter. After a crazy week it was so great to have a little family reunion in the hospital cafeteria. It was fantastic to see my kids, and great friend, Kirsten, the rest of my family and part of Chris’, and of course the Star Wars boys. What a great day.
"I wonder what is really under that helmet?"

Holding up our favorite nurses

So perhaps we will live here for another two weeks and then the road to glory (that is the highway 2 back to Airdrie!) and our home that has long awaited Christian’s return. Once again I am humbled and honored by the words of encouragement we have received over the past few weeks. The comments left on the blog have inspired me to keep pushing forward and encouraged me to stay strong for Christian. I am so grateful for all the meals and snacks that made their way to our home and the hospital. I am so grateful we have family and friends who support us and a God that loves us beyond comprehension.  Thanks for your continued prayers.
Waiting for Better days

Today I am thankful for:
1.     Darth Vader and Storm Troopers who like to hang at the hospital on Saturday’s!
2.     Getting to talk to Chris tonight (with a good cough barrier!) about where we want to go on vacation
3.     Nurses who care and love Christian, who cry with our pains and rejoice with our victories. They have made these past two weeks bearable. 
Nurse Orli and Nicole - taking such good care of me



Miss my cousins so much - they had to come and say hello through my room window

20 comments:

  1. It was so hard to read this post to my wife as I was choked up with gratitude to our Daddy.
    Hallelujah! Shacka lacka bonka!

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  2. cant wait to see pics of Christian on the other side of the window looking in,its time for him to play to....god love him (huge hugs)marilyn from n.s

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  3. After reading your blog, I thank God each day for my life. You give me strength to overcome my very small challenges, compare to yours. Your faith, only renews mine with each blog you write. This Blog shoudln't go away after Christians healing. This blog SHOULD be published for all to see. It would give many other the strength and encouragment they need for life difficulties. You and Chris are very special people. Barb from NS

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  4. So happy to read that the end of the hospital stay is coming in sight! How awesome is our God - the healing, the strength, the determination, the very ability to think clearly with so little sleep - all signs of His work in your lives.

    Megan,you are an amazing woman! It just tears my heart to think of your anguish as you watched little Christian in such pain. And how strong is Chris - to be the parent at home, dealing with his own illness and being mom and dad to Ryan and Evelyn while not being able to visit. Tough days for you all.

    Stay strong - the end of this journey is near - God may call upon you to minister to others who will face the same difficulties in the future. YOu have such faith, wisdom and insight to share. God bless you!

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  5. Oh Megan...I am thrilled, elated, overjoyed. They need to invent a new word. A stronger word. I have cried with every single entry I've read, but today I'm sobbing beyond control. I feel so much joy and relief for your family. You have all travelled such a long road of pain and fear, but you've always held to your faith.

    Like you said, the next road is the #2 to Airdrie. Hallelujah!!!!

    Lise Wendt

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  6. You have travelled such a road of pain and suffereing. I pray that God will lift you up and strengthen you....Weeping endures for a night (and it's been a long night) MAY JOY COME WITH THIS MORNING

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  7. I am so happy for you! Now you can continue your struggles in life with less pain and more joy. God does answer prayer and the greatest prayer there can be is a simple "Thank You". That will be my prayer for you now. Andrea

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  8. I have been following your blog for months now and I woke up this morning with the feeling that there would be news. I was so thrilled to read such a happy update. I cannot fathom how difficult all of this has been for all of you...but the road is finally leading you home. The strength that Christian (and your whole family) has shown is an inspiration to us all. Now for you all to be able to get some sleep!

    So happy for you all.
    Taira Anten

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  9. Megan I am so happy for everyone of you especially for Christian. It goes to show how our prayers are answered. Sending you all love hugs and continuing prayers for a speedy recovery love Edna

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  10. I am SO SO thrilled to hear this update!! Rejoice! I cant wait to see pics of Christian walking into his home, cancer-free and HEALED!

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  11. I read these posts and think how would I deal with something like this if it happened to my son. I thank you for reminding me that there is a greater power over us and miracles do happen. Thank you for your strength; helps put things in perspective for those who read your blog. I have put your son and your family on the prayer lists of several communities of people I know. You are blessed!

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  12. So happy Chris and Megan! What a little man you have! And such a wonderful Father! Robyn

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  13. I check every day for an update and was so happy to see Christian's numbers. Have been praying for the little guy a lot. The blog and your faith is very inspiring. It puts all the little problems in life in perspective. Praying for a speedy recovery.
    Joanne from Bashaw, AB

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  14. Thank you for inviting Christian into the lives of my boss Darth Vader, my Princess Suzanne and me Stormtrooper TK-197. You gave us a gift that we will cherish forever, the gift of Christian's light. He brought two characters who have been known to live on the dark side into the light. The feeling of his fist bumps and high fives went far beyond our gloved hands and resonated through to our hearts where his presence will live each time we reflect on our special Saturday morning visit. It is good, no great, to hear that his midichlorian counts are climbing (they indicate the strength of a Jedi). The force is strong with Christian and with his family. Thank you again for the gift of light.

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  15. Just elated to read this blog and crying tears of happiness tonite that Christian is getting so close to going home!!! I will continue to pray for his speedy recovery and please continue to update us on his improving condition!!! I think you should turn this blog into a reference book for families who go through this hell, using the proceeds for your family to celebrate and enjoy every minute together, God knows you all deserve every shred of laughter and happiness that comes your way. God bless you all !!! - hugs & prayers, Leona

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  16. I can't explain how amazing and relieving it is to hear Christian is in the home stretch! He is such an incredible little person. I will keep praying for his full and fast recovery :) Tons of love and God bless!

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  17. Tears of joy are flowing Megan and Chris. Your strength inspires me, Christian's bravery and fight inspires me. I know, as a mom, I would find that strength but I pray I never have to. As hard as this journey has been for all of you, I thank you for your candor and your honesty through it all. I can't wait to hear that you are on your way home.

    And I just can't imagine the joy on Christian's face, despite the pain he is in, when that storm trooper and Darth Vader walked into his room! Oh my, that must have been so awesome! What wonderful people to bring such happiness and joy to the ACH.

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  18. Megan,
    This is just the best news!!! As you are probably aware, our little community has had its share of heartaches in the past couple of weeks so this is truly refreshing to hear such a positive outcome. That little Christian is quite fighter. I think one of my favourite pictures is of his grandma reading to him while he was sleeping. That picture says so much about your family and how no one ever gave up on him (even while he slept). He is who he is because of your strength. I am so happy for your family and look forward to seeing a full head of hair on that handsome little man! Congratulations on a fight well fought!! I wish I could Paint that highway #2 red for your trip back home (imagine a big red carpet). Just know that the Airdrie community will be so happy to know he's back home.

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  19. Megan,
    I have also been following your blog for some time now and read this one in the notorious Tim Hortons drive thru in Airdrie on Sunday morning. I'm sure the people who saw me through the restaurant windows thought I was batty when I truly broke into tears complete with puffy red nose! This is a great time for you and I continue to pray for Christian and thank God for all he has given. That extremely special little boy has a mother who's strength goes well beyond staying up all night after night to care for him, you and Chris were strong enough to lay him in Gods arms and trust Him with Christians life. Your absolute faith has inspired me! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us~Crystal

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  20. Our sons were in gymnastics together shortly before Christian's diagnosis. I have thought and prayed for your family and am elated to hear that Christian is winning his battle! Bless all of you and your amazing strength and thank you for sharing your journey!

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