Sunday, September 12, 2010

September 12, 2010


Hello friends and family,
Yup, once again I'm sitting to blog and starting it out with an apology about not posting more often. Seems like everyone I know is on Facebook and people keep up with The Lenkers there.
I want to take a minute and talk about the amazing church service we had at Grace Community Church today. It was an all out praise time. Besides having probably one of the most awesome music jam sessions, (Ted rocked and looked HOT banging on those drums :)) we got to come up to the microphone and share praises. Most everyone knows about Matthews medicial condition. Today I got up and shared that I was away from Ryan, Josh and Kelly for a long time while he was in the hospital. And Matthews wish through Make A Wish Foundation was granted for his whole family to be together at Disney! Fyi... we leave in 4 weeks from today! (Praise God for hearing this mothers cry for all her babies to be together in a fun place and that it was able to be granted though Matthews illness!!!)

Lets see... about Matthew. He had his EGD in June and everything looks great. Dr. Maisel said she feels Matthew will keep his feeding tube until he tells us hes done with it. I know... strange, eh? Probably till hes a pre-teen and is more embarrassed by it. As for now, Matthew can eat almost all food just fine. His tube is for daily mediciations and emergencies, and trust me, it has come in very handy in those emergencies.

As for what is current. In 3 days, September 15, 2010, Matthew will be having another surgery down at Peyton Mannings Childrens Hospital @ St. Vincents in Indianapolis. He'll be under for around 3 hours. Its supposed to be outpatient, but I'm a little concerned about him being under for that long of time. Please pray that he heals quick and infection does not set in. Pray for wisdom and steady hands for the surgeon and everyone involved in his care.

I'm excited that my mother is coming down with us for this surgery. We are getting a hotel on tuesday night next to the hospital. Shes never been down there before. I want her to see where Matthew and I stayed on and off at for his first 2 years of life. Its a very special hospital with little hidden places that I had plenty of time to discover. I give lots of praise and thanks that Matthew was sent down to St. Vincents instead of another childrens hospital. It holds a special place in my heart.
Stay Beautiful Within,
Erica

Monday, April 5, 2010

April 5, 2010

Hello Everyone,
Another update for Matthew. He saw the doctor last monday, thursday and friday and called the doc on Saturday. He wasn't "sick enough" for the right diagnosis. By Saturday afternoon I knew he had more then a virus. Yesterday (Easter Sunday) Matthews fever rose to 105.2 degrees! Enough was enough! Ted and I ran him into the Goshen General Emergency Room and insisted upon a chest x-ray and an RSV test. I knew he either had pneumonia or RSV....and sure enough the chest x-ray showed pneumonia. Matthew is now on the correct medicine for his illness and on the road to recovery.
I want to take a quick moment to point something out. We love our doctor. We also know she is not with Matthew 24/7 like we are. Ted and I know Matthew inside and out. We know when something just isn't right. Doctors arent God, nor does my doc act like she is. There are limits on what doctors vs. parents know. I'm blessed with medicial knowledge and boldness to be stern and assertive when it comes to Matthews health. We pray one day he won't be labeled as a "special needs" child anymore. Thank you for all your prayers!
We give praise for the healing hands of the Almighty Physician. The will of God will not take you where the Grace of God can not keep you.
Stay Beautiful Within,
Erica
p.s. Matthews EGD surgery he was supposed to have last friday morning is being rescheduled for May. I'll post more at that time.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

April 3, 2010

Good Morning Everyone,
I decided to go back to a "universal" blog for everyone to read for Matthews updates. I know several of you are on Facebook, but not everyone. I update facebook several times daily, but I will continue to update Matthews blog for his current situation.

Recap since Matthew was born Jan. 29, 2007: Matthew was born with Laryngo Trachea Broncho Malasia, deformed epiglottis, no right vocal cord, severe reflux, aspiration and obstructive sleep apnea. Hes had a feeding tube in his stomach since he was 4 months old.

Heres the low down on whats currently happening. Two weeks ago Matthew started a funky little rash on his hands that the doc said was exzema.
I've had Matthew back to the doctor 4 times in the past 2 weeks. He was supposed to have an EGD surgery down in Indianapolis on Good Friday. On wednesday he developed a low grade fever and thursday he was diagnosed with the start of ear infections and sore throat. So we cancelled his surgery for friday morning. I took him back to the docs friday afternoon and his ears already looked better and things were going well.... until 11:30pm and his fever spiked up to 104.6!!! I have never seen a fever so high! Matthew still has his feeding tube in his belly so we brought out his pump and bags and started to get him hydrated with Pedialyte. Hes on an antibiotic, 2 fever reducers, nausea medicine, antihistime for his exzema and his regular meds along with breathing treatments with 2 steroids he inhales. We got his fever down by 1:30am and thought he was on the road to recovery. Buy 4:30am his fever spiked back up to 104.4! Our local doctor said its probably a virus that needs to run its course.
I'm not thrilled that Matthew has to endure these high fevers. Nor are we convinced its "just a virus". Hes never had exzema before and its a sign that something is "not right" within his body. And now the high fevers and wretching (he can't vomit due to the Nissen fundoplication surgery he had at 4 months old) are following the full body exzema break out. We love and respect our local doctor but shes not a specialist and sometimes it needs to go beyond her locally and send Matthew back down to Indianapolis.
Please pray for guidance for Ted and I.
Pray for wisdom for ALL the doctors involved in Matthews care.
And most important pray for healing for Matthew.
This is my prayer for Matthew today:
Oh Lord, my healer, I pray for my son Matthew to be strong and courageous, and not terrified or discouraged with the illness he is facing. Please be with him wherever he goes and provide your strength as he fights daily challenges. Ted and I long for the time when Matthew can fully enjoy good health. I pray for your healing power to touch my child's body. During this time of sickness, I pray that you will strengthen my child's inner spirit. I pray that during his sickness it will make Ryan, Joshua and Kelly more compassionate, caring people, who are quick to pray for others who are sick. I pray for the doctors and ask you to grant them wisdom, understanding, and compassion in treating our precious Matthew. Please help Matthew to sleep peacefully knowing that you are with him and will never forsake him.
In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Stay Beautiful Within, Erica