We are happy to announce that Seth will go off his Ursodial (addresses stomach ulcers) as of today. He has also been taken off the Bactrim that has been causing him such severe reactions each weekend and add back a different prophylactic antibiotic to replace the Bactrim to see if Seth responds better. This is great news! He is not missing the Prednisone steroid at all and his height has resumed moving upward on the growth charts- there is a marked difference in just 4 weeks! Although Seth's height is at the 35th percentile, his weight is at a good solid 50th. Our boy loves to eat!
Clinic was this last Thursday and Seth's labs came back "amazing." They like to use super expressive words when speaking of blood panel results and liver function. I like it! It's such a wonderfully positive way of saying "your child is doing well and this foreign liver is doing its job faithfully." Its always nice to leave bright and early in the morning to avoid all the Los Angeles traffic. Twenty minutes makes all the difference... and when I say it's nice, I mean I love not sitting in traffic, so I'll force myself to get up at 5:45am and get out the door by 6:05. Waking at 7am seems reasonable with children, but when you say 6am, yuck. No, I don't love waking early. Nope. Uh uh. {{wink}}
This past week I have been thoughtful about the gift that life is. The simplicity of we all live, we all pass away. That in this life, it is something we all share and no one can escape. It puts so much in perspective...
How do I want to spend my time?
What a blessing to have a family with so much love.
Look at those precious faces who look to me for hugs and kisses.
What am I doing to further the Love of God and share that Love?
It all seems so clear when we can simplify the meaning of our existence. Not to say the above encompasses all of what fulfills, but the key word, the key concept and act would be LOVE. Not a self serving kind of Love, but a selfless gift. We all innately move toward love, want love and love to love, so it seems so simple. Know where this love extends from, be sure to pass it around and give it selflessly and abundantly. It is without limit and boundary.
Sam,
ReplyDeleteGreat insights for this week...
And a truly great photo of Seth! Very cute!
So glad that he is off those meds...will continue to pray that this little One touches many lives.
Have you been able to witness to his Dr's about Jesus?
Oh yes. While staying in the hospital we were able to minister to all the nurses and doctors! The night nurses were especially receptive and talkative.
ReplyDeleteThe doctors have always marveled at Seth's condition in spite of his liver disease and we have always been faithful to glorify God for it and attribute it to prayer.
Our hope and desire is that we have been walking examples of people who depend on and trust in the Lord and that seeds have been planted and sown!
We have a few doctors following this blog and have been personally emailing one nurse in particular these past few months!
I'm so glad about the Dr's...If there are any Jewish ones, I will let them know that this Jewish Dr. found her Messiah!
ReplyDeleteI came on to check any updates and I see none yet.
I am praying and will continue to pray for your family, and now those who the Lord are drawing to salvation.
"And for those whom the Lord"...sorry-past my bedtime here on the East coast!
ReplyDeleteHi Sam!
ReplyDeleteI love what you said in this entry about the gift of life. It made me think of Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." The promises He made remain, as one generation makes way for the next. Our parents will go to be with the Lord, then we shall depart this mortal coil, and if the Lord tarries, our precious children will bide their time with our great grandchildren until it's their turn. This is how it should be, and why it was so difficult to accept Seth being so ill, and the frightening possibility that he would reach the arms of Jesus before you.
Much as you share your love for your family through the uplifting words you write in your blog, God has poured out His love on us through His word, to carry us until we're reunited with Him. This blog is a treasure, Sam, for Seth and Max and Jack. They can feel the warm caress of your words even after Jesus calls you home. It's a legacy to your sons. We're honored to read it as well, but someday, those precious boys will pour over this with curious hearts, seeing their young lives through your eyes. What a blessing! You are most definitely furthering and sharing the love of God! Thank you for the wonderful encouragement to seek to do the same!
Love, Jill and family