Defects, Dead Rats, and a Basket-Case

Lilly's Gravesite

Kids on Halloween

The hot babe in the back is Granny!

I don't have much to share, but I know many of you are checking to see how Kai is doing and the least I can do is give you an update. Kai is feeling much better. You really can't tell from the outside that he is even sick. And truthfully, sick is not the right word. Kai is not sick, he just has a problem (deformity? defect? they all sound so wrong.) This problem, unfortunately, has to be surgically fixed or it could become life-threatening. Kai is on antibiotics to make sure that he doesn't get an infection, which right now, is our worst case scenario.

I am on an emotional roller-coaster. Most of the time (and always in front of the kids) I am calm, cool, and collected. I am putting all my energy into learning as much as I can about Kai's condition and finding the best treatment options available. The rest of the time (usually when I am alone,) I worry like there is no tomorrow. Monday I even broke down in hysterical sobs while talking to the medical records office at Children's Hospital. To make matters even worse, one of J.D.'s beloved rats died on Sunday. David was out of town and I was doing a pretty good job of holding everything together until J.D. and Piper started crying over Lilly (the rat.) The next two days (with David gone, the kids grieving, and me feeling like a total basket-case) can only be summed up by "Calgon take me away." I really need a break. Thank God that David got home last night and sweet Lilly was finally buried in our back yard. Only our family has a formal burial for a animal that most people intentionally kill with traps and poison.

So that about sums it up. We're here, we're alive (all of us except Lilly), and so far no one has been shipped off to the looney bin. I guess all in all, that's the definition of a good week these days.

Update on Kai

First of all, I want to thank everyone who has lifted Kai up in prayer this week. So many of you have posted comments to this blog or privately emailed me and I thank God for each and every one of you. This was a very hard week for us all but it was particularly difficult for Kai. He has been poked, prodded, examined, and shot full of an assortment of liquids. Unfortunately, he will soon have to undergo surgery to repair a recto-urethral fistula. Don't worry looking it up, it means he has a hole somewhere between his bowels and his urinary tract. We have decided to go to the best clinic (with the best surgeons) in the world for this particular problem. This means we will be travelling about 8 hours to Cincinnati for Kai's surgery. Kai will be in the hospital for 7-10 days but we do not have the surgery scheduled quite yet. Of course, we must first deal with the wonderful world of insurance and slice our way through a good bit of red tape. If I may be so bold to ask, I would truly appreciate your continued prayers. David and I are strong and know that we will get through this as a family but Piper has not taken the news of her little brother's sickness well at all. She is a delicate soul and she is hurting right now.

I will post later when we have more news to share. Until then, give your kiddos an extra hug for me...

Pray for Kai

Kai is a very sick little boy right now. The last few days have been a blur of doctor's offices and emergency rooms. Tomorrow we are going back to the hospital for more tests, an appiontment with a surgeon and possible admission. Please pray for my little boy. He is such a trooper but no child should have to go through what he is currently going through. Last week, I was so worried about who our next President would be; tonight I couldn't care less. Thank God for your children tonight and while you're at it, please say a prayer for mine.