12 Years!!!

Oh, wow! How this blog has developed...the posts are few and far between! I never even updated after Carson's first swim UNDERWATER! Thankful that life is busy with things other than the hospital and doctors appointments. Really, that gift is not lost on me!

Carson and Kellen turned 12 this past week! Every birthday...we go back and look at their actual BIRTH day and it is the best reminder of what life is all about! God's faithfulness shines through in their story and their lives. Not because it has always been easy or because we are finally on the other side of 'trach life' (although we are so so happy about that!) but because we are still here standing and enjoying life despite the challenges! And that's because of God's many blessings, where our faith has grown, and where people have stepped in to cover us in prayer and to actually be the hands and feet of Jesus to us at so many points...to lend an ear, to listen, to do life with us, to celebrate in the high moments, to pick us up when we are down and remind us of all of His promises in our lows! So thankful for the village that has surrounded our family. Carson having a trach and needing frequent medical care has shaped our lives in so many ways and yet, we also see that it is just a piece of it. If it's not that challenge, there is another one to replace it. And in the end, it's up to us to make the most of the cards we are dealt..."God made us to do the hard thing in the good story He is writing in our lives." (A fav from Katherine Wolf)

We had a great time celebrating Carson and Kellen on a couple of occasions! They are loving following different professional and college sports teams right now and have recently been to a Mizzou football game and their birthday gift was tickets to a Golden State Warriors game in January. It's hard to believe they are in middle school now and both have truly risen to the challenge of more freedom and responsibility and are LOVING it! I will always thank God that we were allowed to watch these boys grow up! And continue to pray daily for the wisdom in how to raise them in the best way, unique to their individual needs, but always pointing them towards Jesus! I need all the help I can get!

We also got to celebrate 10.11.23...Carson's one year Naked Neck (decann) anniversary! Its been a whole year since he got his trach out! How quick the tan line fades and you forget what Carson looked like with a trach. Honestly, I rarely noticed the trach in pictures but when I look back now it occasionally catches my attention as Carson's 'look' has changed. : ) We are truly thankful! Carson first swam underwater 2.25.23. And then took off this summer with being more comfortable in the water and even perfected his dive!! I loved getting to watch him conquer another feat and be able to enjoy water more fully!

So until next time I hop on here...

It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

Colossians 1:11-12 (from the Message)

First time swimming underwater!

One year naked neck celebration!

Youth Hunting Season 2023

Halloween 2023

Celebrating Nana and the boys' birthdays!

Two 12 year olds!!

Celebrating with the Clarks!

One step closer to SWIMMING!

We just got back from Cincinnati! It was a good trip and Carson did remarkably well handling the IV and nerves and recovery. I am so so thankful! Answered prayers for this trip and from trips in the past! These past couple trips have been a little hard for me, or maybe just an eye opener, because I see just how grown up Carson is getting. He sits on the stretcher alone, he gets a decision in how he goes off to ‘sleep’, and he tells us bye without a tear. While I am so incredibly thankful, I remember past times of taking him up there in a stroller or carrying him back to the OR in my arms. We have come a long way over the years!

 

His stoma never closed completely after the fistula closure that was done in November. There was still the tiniest little pin hole left. But because it was so tiny, they didn’t have to do the full fistula closure again. The ENT just cauterized the outside to get the skin to close together completely! That meant we didn’t have to even stay a night in the hospital! Whoop! Whoop!

And on top of that, they said we don’t have to come back to follow up for a year! I was expecting to have another trip in a couple months. It was just one of those trips that we left with a positive feel even though his airway still has a significant level of obstruction above his vocal cords (why he needs CPAP at night). It wasn’t that we got any different news, it was just the way the doctors gave us the information. It was such a good reminder for me that the WAY you deliver news/information matters (whether it is good or bad news).  It leaves the recipient either with hope and positive thoughts or it can come off with a negative vibe (which was more of my feel after our last trip in November).

 

Assuming his stoma heals as expected, Carson is one step closer to swimming underwater (his main goal!) They told us to give it a week or two but then give swimming a try!!! I honestly can’t even imagine what that will be like. It is like the sought after goal that you feel is ALWAYS just a little out of your reach …just keeps getting moved back a little further. Maybe, we are actually, almost there! Maybe! Just maybe!   

 

I will always continue praying for complete healing of his airway, that the part above his vocal cords may open up with growth! No surgeries, as of yet, that have targeted that area…ever keep it open. Praying that one day, he may not need his CPAP at night. But, I will praise God for the gift of Carson and his courage and strength! For his life, that I believe has helped shape me into a better version of myself and has drawn me closer to God. I will continue trusting God, that all Carson has dealt with and gone through, all of the ‘hard’ is also shaping him into who He made Carson to be and do. And that one day, Carson will be able to see the beauty in the suffering in his life. We were all made to do hard things….he has just had a whole lot of practice at it!  

 

Thankfully, we had some time for fun while we were in Cincinnati, also!  And we didn’t leave without stopping for ice cream at Graeter’s…even if it was at 7 am this morning! Gotta keep up the tradition!

Post surgery

 

                                                 Soda tabs from friends, family, and the school!

Part of the Ronald McDonald House from the top floor!

The Bengals stadium

Graeter's! At 7 am!!!

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Isaiah 40:31