Hey Buddy,
We are in Oroville, Ca. This is where mom and I grew up from birth. We're visiting family and staying with Papa T and Grandma. We are sleeping in the garage and I am writing because my love for you is immense as you lay next to mom and I.
We came down, also, for grandpa Herman Lackey's memorial. He would be your great grandfather. I am sure you will have no memory of him. I lived with him a long time. He was quiet, loved to hunt and fish, and could be grouchy at times. I just delivered his memorial message about him finishing strong. He really stepped up for grandma Joan in her last years and I am very proud of him for doing that.
Your platelets are still down. We started meeting with a Dr. Dana Matthews, a hematologist at Children's in Seattle. She thinks it is best not to treat and so we aren't. Trying to be careful with you. Lots of praying.
Your mother is due in 4 weeks with your baby brother or sister (we are choosing not to know just as we did with you). We're a little anxious about how you are going to react to the baby. You are not very fond of either of us holding other children. Even auntie Shanin held your cousin Noah and you were upset. I am sure you will be fine. You are so smart and I sense that you understand that this baby is special. You are such a kind, caring, thoughtful child, even at 2, that I am not worried. I would love for your platelets to rise by then. The baby has a bit of an irregular heartbeat and less health issues for our little family would be a great blessing.
You have been talking so much. Your newest phrase is "show me." You say "have" instead of "want" ("I have a cookie, mommy. Like cookie monster, mommy.") You amaze me everyday.
We have been doing a lot of praying lately. Lots of medical situations and they are all things out of our control. Your ITP, baby's heart, grandma and grandpa - none of it can be fixed by medicine. Maybe in your lifetime. We'll keep praying. Funny how these things really cause us to slow down and talk to the Lord. For a pastor, prayer has never come easy for me. It is not that I haven't seen the Lord work or even that I am too busy, it is just that I think I can do it myself, or that I can handle it. Plus, it is a little hard for me to pray for your ITP because I wonder why you got it, why other kids get diseases similar or worse than this, etc. My lack of understanding and lack of faith hinder me. I am confident that the Lord has not brought this on you. I am confident that Jesus is on the throne and about his business. I continue to pray for your healing, anyway, not understanding the process of how it all works. At this point it is hard for me to praise God for healing. I don't understand why some are healed and some aren't. I think it is best to praise God despite circumstances. Moreso, I pray that you grow up to be a man of prayer: that you would spend the majority of your morning and bed time praying. That in all things you would pray. I will do my best to develop discipline and habit to pass that on to you. In the end, prayer will have been the most important thing we will have done.
Use your words for good, they have the power of life and death. Use them to speak to the Lord, by doing so you worship Jesus and you are strengthened, filled and encouraged at the same time.
I love you and think you are amazing,
Dad
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Overwhelmed
Hello Buddy,
You just went through a life threatening round of ITP. We are still in the middle of this storm but things seem to be clearing up and your mother and I are praising God.
Saturday night (3 days into this big ordeal) we all just laid together on the air mattress at Grandma and Papa T's house. When we visit Oroville from Seattle, we stay in the garage. You should have been in your playpen/crib. But, being overwhelmed with praise and joy and a bit of anxiousness, your mother and I let you lay in bed with us.
We all prayed (like we do every night) and then we just laid in silence, watching you fall asleep. At first you played with your toy cars that Auntie Shanin bought you (Lightening McQueen and Mater - Mater is your favorite). You played with them, tossed and turned a little and then closed your eyes. You laid in the middle of us and we just watched you. We both were just so overwhelmed with immense joy for you being our son and being ok. Your mother cried tears of joy.
This will be one of favorite memories.
I love you!
P. S.
Here are the facebook posts about what you went through:
Be praying for Titus... we are going to the Doctor's in the morning to have some spots on his skin checked out. It is probably nothing but prayers are welcomed nonetheless.
TITUS update: Titus is pretty sick but he isn't acting like it. His blood platelet count is extremely low. It should be like 200,000-300,000 and his is 3000. The most serious risk, at this point in the diagnosis, is bleeding. He is admitted to the hospital and has to be on an IV for about 6 hours because he is so young and little. All in all, at this point in the prognosis, he should be fine. Big props to Dr. Neal - what an amazing man and doctor.
Titus is sleeping. Hates the IV. We have plenty of snacks. He is going home tonight. Tomorrow he will have to have another blood
test to count the platelets. This will tell us if the medicine is
working. Right now the doctors think it is acute ITP which
means that it is probably not an ongoing condition but a one time deal.
It could take a month or two to get back to full health. We thank you all for the prayers so very much! Many blessings and thank you! P. S. Titus broke Erin's phone (cracked her screen). She is unable to
send, receive or view texts or get on Facebook. Her phone is
basically... a phone (how boring!).
Titus finished his IV at 8:15, came home and ate all his sweet potatoes, broccoli, and rice. Then he took a bath. Now it is movie night. Blood test in the morning. Thank you all again for your prayers. We had amazing doctors and nurses. Continued prayers as we move towards our next tests!
TITUS'S PLATELET COUNT IS 66,000!!!! This has completely blown all our expectations!
Thankful to God, the great doctors and nurses, and Oroville Hospital. Dr. Neal is the man! We are not completely out of the woods, anticipating more blood tests next week and the couple months it might take for full recovery. We have to make sure he doesn't bump his head too hard or get cut too deep, but for now we are celebrating!!
From your mother on We don't know how to express how grateful we are for all of your prayers and support over these past few days. Thank you all so much. Everything seemed to fall magically into place, but we know it was due to God's grace and all the prayers we have received and continue to receive.
Jaymes leaves tomorrow and Titus and I leave on Wednesday morning. Titus has a doctor's appointment on Thursday in Seattle
to follow up on everything that has happened here in Oroville. We ask
for continued prayer for safe flights for all and for a healthy check-up
on Thursday...and to somehow keep Titus from bonking his head, even
while wearing a helmet...
I apologize to anyone who has text/called or messaged me the past few days. I should have a working phone later this week and I plan on catching up with e-mails and Facebook when I get home :) Again- we cannot thank everyone enough. Thank you all and many MANY blessings to you!
You just went through a life threatening round of ITP. We are still in the middle of this storm but things seem to be clearing up and your mother and I are praising God.
Saturday night (3 days into this big ordeal) we all just laid together on the air mattress at Grandma and Papa T's house. When we visit Oroville from Seattle, we stay in the garage. You should have been in your playpen/crib. But, being overwhelmed with praise and joy and a bit of anxiousness, your mother and I let you lay in bed with us.
We all prayed (like we do every night) and then we just laid in silence, watching you fall asleep. At first you played with your toy cars that Auntie Shanin bought you (Lightening McQueen and Mater - Mater is your favorite). You played with them, tossed and turned a little and then closed your eyes. You laid in the middle of us and we just watched you. We both were just so overwhelmed with immense joy for you being our son and being ok. Your mother cried tears of joy.
This will be one of favorite memories.
I love you!
P. S.
Here are the facebook posts about what you went through:
Be praying for Titus... we are going to the Doctor's in the morning to have some spots on his skin checked out. It is probably nothing but prayers are welcomed nonetheless.
TITUS update: Titus is pretty sick but he isn't acting like it. His blood platelet count is extremely low. It should be like 200,000-300,000 and his is 3000. The most serious risk, at this point in the diagnosis, is bleeding. He is admitted to the hospital and has to be on an IV for about 6 hours because he is so young and little. All in all, at this point in the prognosis, he should be fine. Big props to Dr. Neal - what an amazing man and doctor.
Titus is sleeping. Hates the IV. We have plenty of snacks. He is going home tonight. Tomorrow he will have to have another blood
test to count the platelets. This will tell us if the medicine is
working. Right now the doctors think it is acute ITP which
means that it is probably not an ongoing condition but a one time deal.
It could take a month or two to get back to full health. We thank you all for the prayers so very much! Many blessings and thank you! P. S. Titus broke Erin's phone (cracked her screen). She is unable to
send, receive or view texts or get on Facebook. Her phone is
basically... a phone (how boring!).
Titus finished his IV at 8:15, came home and ate all his sweet potatoes, broccoli, and rice. Then he took a bath. Now it is movie night. Blood test in the morning. Thank you all again for your prayers. We had amazing doctors and nurses. Continued prayers as we move towards our next tests!
Titus had his blood drawn again this morning (with the help of Mater and Lightening McQueen). When we drove back to Erin's parents house (5 mins) and walked in the door the phone rang - it was Dr. Neal. The good Doctor hoped that his blood platelet count would rise from 3000 to 15,000 - maybe 20,000 - in response to the medicine. There was a good chance he could stay the same.
TITUS'S PLATELET COUNT IS 66,000!!!! This has completely blown all our expectations! Thankful to God, the great doctors and nurses, and Oroville Hospital. Dr. Neal is the man! We are not completely out of the woods, anticipating more blood tests next week and the couple months it might take for full recovery. We have to make sure he doesn't bump his head too hard or get cut too deep, but for now we are celebrating!!
Thank you all for the love, encouragement and prayers!
From your mother on We don't know how to express how grateful we are for all of your prayers and support over these past few days. Thank you all so much. Everything seemed to fall magically into place, but we know it was due to God's grace and all the prayers we have received and continue to receive.
Jaymes leaves tomorrow and Titus and I leave on Wednesday morning. Titus has a doctor's appointment on Thursday in Seattle
to follow up on everything that has happened here in Oroville. We ask
for continued prayer for safe flights for all and for a healthy check-up
on Thursday...and to somehow keep Titus from bonking his head, even
while wearing a helmet... I apologize to anyone who has text/called or messaged me the past few days. I should have a working phone later this week and I plan on catching up with e-mails and Facebook when I get home :) Again- we cannot thank everyone enough. Thank you all and many MANY blessings to you!
"Is anyone among
you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of
praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church
to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And
the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord
will raise them up...The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and
effective." James 5:13-16
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