It is hard to believe that prom is this week Friday. Along with prom, it is also Kasi's 17th birthday. I can hardly believe that she has made it this far in her life. I never thought at the begining of her life she would be going to prom, nor did I ever even think about it. It was such a day by day, moment by moment life. Now as I look back I see all of the goodness to us and the provision and can celebrate with her as I send her off in her beautiful dress on her 17th birthday.
April 12, 1996 at 7:58pm a little bundle of strong willed joy entered our life. Her will so strong it helped her survive. In her 17 years she has had 1 tummy surgery, 1 back surgery, 3 heart surgeries, 2 heart caths, 3 angiograms, a large hemotoma that could have taken her life it was so large, 1 MRI (which she can't have anymore because of the rods in her back) at least 5 to 7 CAT scans, countless X-rays and many many months spent in the hospital. Each surgery different and having it's own risks. Each moment saying good-bye from my arms as a little baby to being wheeled away on a bed far to big for her, and at the last as a young woman knowing with such an assurance that whether in life or death God's will would be done and having peace that was beyond our understanding. Only with a tear flowing down her cheek as she watched us all try hold it together with each giving a kiss on her forehead as she went to the OR. That was a life time ago and at the same time only a little more than 2 years.
From PICU to the floor we have met many people along the way too that have impacted our life and hopefully we have made a little mark on theirs. I can't believe all of what we have been through and it seems so overwhelming and yet, the goodness in the middle of it all. If I could only put into words the feeling I get over each and every birthday of this young daughter of the King. And that is just what she is, a daughter of the King!! As much as I want to take credit for being her mom and helping her through life I can only say that it is only because of God's spirit in me, His love extended through my arms, and His grace that is wider, deeper, and bigger than we can wrap our brains around. At the point of her birth I was only familiar with a God that was "in control" but in the first months of Kasi's life He started to impact my heart in ways that would change me forever. Am I a crazy for the King, absolutely!! I have seen my King at work around us and through us. Would I change anything of the past 17years? Not if it means changing anything about who we are as a family. Does it mean we are perfect? No, it just means we are real, growing, and moving for the Kingdom and sometimes that means that what we face from day to day is a little harder, more challenging, or bringing us to a new place where we can see God is His awesomeness, moving, working, and being glorified. Even if it is new chapter or even a new book, which is what it seems to be with our family.
On April 16 Kasi will go in and see her cardiologist. We are expecting a good report although there are some questions, but when are there not questions? It's Kasi!!
Then on April 25 a first chapter in a new book starts. Although that is not all totally true because Ben has been brought to us in a way that only have been orchestrated by God Himself, but that my friends is a different book altogether! This new adventure we are facing with our Most High is about the brain and all it complexity. Only our creator knows our brain in ways that can be totally healed so that is what we always pray for, and as we are moving we pursue openings and discover ways to help our little man out to the best of our ability. With this comes an appointment at UofM on the 25th of April. He does have epilepsy and with the choices his birth mom made while he was in the womb he is a complicated case. We love this little guy and he is ours. We never look back as say because her bla bla bla, we just don't go there. She had/has her issues and this is not about her. God has placed him here as well as his brother because they were meant to be here. They are our own children and nothing can change that. And with that we move forward as we did and do with Kasi into this new part of learning and growing knowledge I never wanted or needed to know. We move forward because we know we can with the strength of Him who gives all strength. Ben is a child of God who asked Jesus into his heart while making cookies with me one day right by the counter in our kitchen. He loves Jesus and I know that Jesus will hold his hand as He did Kasi's. And I must say, Kasi is a blessing to him as well.
We are growing, and learning once again. So welcome to the next journey in faith with the DeRoo's. We still are on one with Kasi, just adding to it and not stopping God's story through us.
This is a fallen world that we live in, but...BUT we are citizens of the King's Kingdom!! Resting in the assurance of our eternal home and spreading seeds where ever He calls us.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.......we see only one step at a time by God's design
Looking Up!
Jodi
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
December 21 two years later
Tomorrow we will be going in for a routine check-up for our Kasi girl. It is hard to believe it has been two years since her surgery, and at the same time it seems like it has been forever. So many things we remember like yesterday and at the same time things that we have forgotten. For all the things remembered it is all the good things, the smiles shared, relationships built, and the best of all, the praise we saw God get for every good thing. It was the lives that have been changed, and the people who now know Jesus and the strength He gives. These are the things remembered each day, until, the day before an appointment.
The day before we head over to UofM so many emotions go through my head. I am not anxious or scared, but revisiting all of the "stuff" of testing and waiting and going over results. The doctor conversations, the keeping my head into every word so I know the right questions to ask so when we leave I am fully aware of Kasi's health for another year. It seems like we should be at the point where these things shouldn't be of concern and just a normal checkup. For those of you who have been on this journey with us for a long period of time know that nothing is really of the norm with Kasi's body. And of course this past year is no exception. She has had costacondritis which she needed a CT scan for and she has had pain in her leg, swelling in her feet, and of course he feet getting a little funny with color at times, among other things which make us go hmmm. No we don't call on these things because we simply are done with all the doctor visits and really try and enjoy life together without thinking about such things. I am sure though, that this is different for Kasi who actually has these things going on.
Kasi for the most part doesn't tell me about issues anymore, and really why would she? She is completely desiring to lead a normal teenage life. What does that look like for her? I see her and see how mature she is in her thinking and in her relationships. Part of me wants her to be free, run, jump, and be crazy!! She is free and she can sure be crazy, but at times I feel like she is held into this adult mode of thinking because she has come face to face with the reality of whether or not she might see tomorrow. I remember how strong she was looking forward to and anticipating this past surgery. It was amazing the strength she had. I remember having the hard talk with Aubree about what this could look like, and how, no matter what the outcome, we knew God's love for Kasi was so much greater than our own that His will would be perfect. Kasi now says to me that her strength was in the form of peace. She was at peace the days and months before her surgery. God given peace, and peace I desire to live in daily. I remember God's hand on her, physically and spiritually. I also recall her face as she was wheeled away from us that morning. A single tear from each eye rolling down her cheeks, her at peace, but seeing my pain as I longed to go with her, hold her, and tell her it's okay.
So tomorrow we go down these same halls, to the same Dr.s, and the same people who saw us for who we really are, vulnerably on our knees before our Father, trusting. We are trusting, in Him to hold us like we have been held, go before us and prepare those who need to hear of Him, and to share our celebration of Kasi being held and healed by the Almighty.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE.
The day before we head over to UofM so many emotions go through my head. I am not anxious or scared, but revisiting all of the "stuff" of testing and waiting and going over results. The doctor conversations, the keeping my head into every word so I know the right questions to ask so when we leave I am fully aware of Kasi's health for another year. It seems like we should be at the point where these things shouldn't be of concern and just a normal checkup. For those of you who have been on this journey with us for a long period of time know that nothing is really of the norm with Kasi's body. And of course this past year is no exception. She has had costacondritis which she needed a CT scan for and she has had pain in her leg, swelling in her feet, and of course he feet getting a little funny with color at times, among other things which make us go hmmm. No we don't call on these things because we simply are done with all the doctor visits and really try and enjoy life together without thinking about such things. I am sure though, that this is different for Kasi who actually has these things going on.
Kasi for the most part doesn't tell me about issues anymore, and really why would she? She is completely desiring to lead a normal teenage life. What does that look like for her? I see her and see how mature she is in her thinking and in her relationships. Part of me wants her to be free, run, jump, and be crazy!! She is free and she can sure be crazy, but at times I feel like she is held into this adult mode of thinking because she has come face to face with the reality of whether or not she might see tomorrow. I remember how strong she was looking forward to and anticipating this past surgery. It was amazing the strength she had. I remember having the hard talk with Aubree about what this could look like, and how, no matter what the outcome, we knew God's love for Kasi was so much greater than our own that His will would be perfect. Kasi now says to me that her strength was in the form of peace. She was at peace the days and months before her surgery. God given peace, and peace I desire to live in daily. I remember God's hand on her, physically and spiritually. I also recall her face as she was wheeled away from us that morning. A single tear from each eye rolling down her cheeks, her at peace, but seeing my pain as I longed to go with her, hold her, and tell her it's okay.
So tomorrow we go down these same halls, to the same Dr.s, and the same people who saw us for who we really are, vulnerably on our knees before our Father, trusting. We are trusting, in Him to hold us like we have been held, go before us and prepare those who need to hear of Him, and to share our celebration of Kasi being held and healed by the Almighty.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thankfulness
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and this year I keep thinking about two years ago and all of the roads we have been down since. It is as if our journey in life was with Kasi alone, but that is not the case. This journey of life is always moving and is fluid just as God is. God is always moving, flooding, pulling back, making trenches, changing scenery, in the very depths of our souls. This doesn't happen with one major moment in life, as a major surgery, cancer, illness, or accident, these are just tools along the way to shape and mold us to see Him more clearly, and even more importantly make us more like Him. When we have no other choice but to reach up because there is nothing more under us holding us, God's amazing arms swoop down and pick us up and carry us.
This thanksgiving I am thankful for knowing Jesus in such a way that He carries me. Not just through life with Kasi, which is major, but through life with the boys as they are special needs and born with more obstacles then most people face ever in their life. Also, with Aubree as she shares her faith on and off the soccer field filled with life experience, not being swayed by those who choose to talk about her and shoot her down in school and life. All these things as a mom make my "plate" full, and sometimes I refer to it as a meat platter, but, BUT, I know that through all of life as we know it, God's love is bigger, greater, and continual. He is fluid, filling all the creases of life that need filling, changing, and cleansing. I rest in this, today, and always.
Have a very blessed Thanksgiving, being thankful for Him, the true One in control of all.
This thanksgiving I am thankful for knowing Jesus in such a way that He carries me. Not just through life with Kasi, which is major, but through life with the boys as they are special needs and born with more obstacles then most people face ever in their life. Also, with Aubree as she shares her faith on and off the soccer field filled with life experience, not being swayed by those who choose to talk about her and shoot her down in school and life. All these things as a mom make my "plate" full, and sometimes I refer to it as a meat platter, but, BUT, I know that through all of life as we know it, God's love is bigger, greater, and continual. He is fluid, filling all the creases of life that need filling, changing, and cleansing. I rest in this, today, and always.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Happy 16th
Wow Kasi I never knew you would make it to this day! Actually every year on this day is a time that I have my moments of being filled with tears of awe. Most mom's reflect I am sure on each of their children's birthday's, but yours is different. And maybe just different from my perspective. I look at the past 16 years of not only your life, but everyone who's life has been impacted by you, which includes mine. Having a baby can be an event that is overlooked as a "normal" part of life by most people, but you my sweet girl, have been anything but normal. (which you know because we tell you all the time...hehehe) I still chuckle at the fact that I was overwhelmed with tears the day we were going to take you home because you were a little jaundice and they weren't sure if you would have to stay an extra day. At that I now say "HA"! I also remember the ride home in which a semi would pass us and I would freak out a little bit. Then there is taking you to our home and walking you around the rooms, saying "here is your crib, here is your rocking chair, here is our table" and crying so much over that. Can you say post-pardem blues??? Wow, it was crazy! Then there was taking you back into the hospital to have your billirueben (sp?) checked and Grandma having to come along because I couldn't even bare to think of you getting poked in your foot! You would scream and I would sob. At one point you were in the back with Grandma and I heard you crying and I started crying in the waiting room, a older man came over to me, put his arm around me and said "I understand, my daughter just had a baby too, it's okay". I think on these little moments, and then look at what was to come about over the next weeks and how God stepped and intervened in my heart to give me strength. Who knew at the time I was weeping over a foot poke that in 5 weeks we would be sobbing over the side of your crib as the nurses breathed breath back into your body. Who knew that after what was supposed to be a "simple" tummy surgery that we would get the most devastating news we could ever hear. Who knew that not only would we hear about your heart being broke, that ours would have to break over and over and yet over again. Who knew that each time we gave you over to surgery after surgery we would be giving you straight into the hands of our Father to do His work inside your little and not so little body. Who knew that as your heart, being absolutely the very first case of it's kind, would be the very thing that changes my heart and makes our hearts so in love with the Father who not only holds our physically broken hearts and heals them but also our Spiritually broken heart and heals and holds it. Who knew that 16 years later we would be able to give so many testimonies of healing, holding, and uplifting, and mostly, lives changed all for His Glory! God knew.
I sit here and reflect on the 16 years of your life, I am thankful for each day. I know that life in your future isn't going to be "easy", but then I think, if it were easy for the past 16 years where would we be? How much love would we actually have for the One who holds us? Would we recognize all His goodness for what it is? Would we be like the "norm"? I don't want to be like the "norm" and I don't want that for you my sweet baby girl! I don't want the "norm" to be part of our vocabulary ever, not for you, Aubree, Ben, or Nathan. I desire to stay radical for the One who is the healer! The awesome in power! The mighty One!
May we always be on edge of what God is going to do next and may we always ride the wave of His Spirit in our lives. I pray that the song in your heart remains strong. I pray that others may share with you, how God has worked among them and in them because of God's work in you. Think about Dr. Eilison coming into your room and letting you know that he never realized the depth of the song "I will Praise You in the Storm" until he heard it one morning on the way to U of M and God revealed to him it looks like you! That is a God moment because of your life. I praise God for the unusual, the not norm, for those moments. How many times when going to an appointment you would come out of the Xray and say, so mom, how many new friends do you have? Thank you Lord for calling us out of ourselves, and into seeing you around us. Each face is one that is created in the image of God and may you always be faithful in reflecting God back to each face you meet. May your heart always remain sensitive and loving! And Kasi, I have to tell you, you have an amazing story that God has given you! You were given a word from God by many, and were even told you have a gift to compose, I believe God is sorting that out in you right now. Pray over it, through it, and into it. He will reveal the how and when. May you also know that a vision was told to me that a friend had while you were in U of M and it is a vision that will never leave me. That is a vision of you standing before our Father in His Glory casting your crowns filled with jewels at His feet.
Keep living your out of the box, not "normal", sold out, bold life!!! God has and will continue to do GREAT and AMAZING things!
I love you! But God loves you more!!
Mom
I can't wait to hear you sing your new "life song" soon. I am attaching it :-)
I sit here and reflect on the 16 years of your life, I am thankful for each day. I know that life in your future isn't going to be "easy", but then I think, if it were easy for the past 16 years where would we be? How much love would we actually have for the One who holds us? Would we recognize all His goodness for what it is? Would we be like the "norm"? I don't want to be like the "norm" and I don't want that for you my sweet baby girl! I don't want the "norm" to be part of our vocabulary ever, not for you, Aubree, Ben, or Nathan. I desire to stay radical for the One who is the healer! The awesome in power! The mighty One!
May we always be on edge of what God is going to do next and may we always ride the wave of His Spirit in our lives. I pray that the song in your heart remains strong. I pray that others may share with you, how God has worked among them and in them because of God's work in you. Think about Dr. Eilison coming into your room and letting you know that he never realized the depth of the song "I will Praise You in the Storm" until he heard it one morning on the way to U of M and God revealed to him it looks like you! That is a God moment because of your life. I praise God for the unusual, the not norm, for those moments. How many times when going to an appointment you would come out of the Xray and say, so mom, how many new friends do you have? Thank you Lord for calling us out of ourselves, and into seeing you around us. Each face is one that is created in the image of God and may you always be faithful in reflecting God back to each face you meet. May your heart always remain sensitive and loving! And Kasi, I have to tell you, you have an amazing story that God has given you! You were given a word from God by many, and were even told you have a gift to compose, I believe God is sorting that out in you right now. Pray over it, through it, and into it. He will reveal the how and when. May you also know that a vision was told to me that a friend had while you were in U of M and it is a vision that will never leave me. That is a vision of you standing before our Father in His Glory casting your crowns filled with jewels at His feet.
Keep living your out of the box, not "normal", sold out, bold life!!! God has and will continue to do GREAT and AMAZING things!
I love you! But God loves you more!!
Mom
I can't wait to hear you sing your new "life song" soon. I am attaching it :-)
Sunday, November 6, 2011
A reflective few days
I have been waiting to post on here about how it is to be 1 year post op. I wasn't sure how I was going to start this post because there are so many things that go through my mind and heart. Some things bring laughter and others many tears. I realized that there are so many things I never really realized a year ago that I look back on now and stand in amazement at. So so many God things that have become apparent and have changed who we are as individuals and as a family. Life looks different through the eyes of someone who has been to the depths and what someone does there can change your life. What I mean by that and what I realize is that we are very different in our approach to life and faith and life. You see in our family there is no separating the two. We don't do our thing everyday separate from God. Now we don't live perfectly in this, but we see things with a kingdom purpose. For everything under heaven happens for a purpose, and God has ordained it all.
One year ago Kasi was struggling to survive. When talking to her today she remembers going to her dark happy place away from everything else that was going on. Her body was fighting but Kasi was at peace. Ex. 14:14 Be still and I will fight for you. Of course she was at peace because everything in us wants to fix, but God says just trust me that is all I ask.
There are many emotions that go along with that feeling of letting go. I had to let go 15 years ago and it has been a process of letting go ever since. We do what we can, but I have come to know that our children all of them are only lent to us to guide in the knowledge of our Lord. Kasi has her own relationship with Him in which she gains her strength. So, as we move together through the challenges of this world we rest in the fact that God is with us in the middle of all places. He never leaves us! His Holy Spirit guides, comforts, protects, sustains, and brings forth all Truth to give all that we need. In the middle we have found to be praising God, and isn't that what God asks of us? I am pretty sure Paul talks about praising God in the middle of suffering! Not because of suffering but because that is what God is the closest to us. We have felt the hand of God we have seen His glory, and have felt His joy as he used us in the middle. Our attitudes were never of why, what or how, but of where, when, and who. We wanted to be where He wanted us to be, when He wanted us to be there, and minister to whomever He wanted us to. Once our minds and hearts acknowledged the fact that God calls us to all places in our lives we could live in the peace of God being in control and letting go. Praise be to Him!!
Our story is not over, nor is anyone of ours. We have a purpose until either Jesus comes back or we are taken to Him. Faith and life do not disconnect, but are always together as long as Jesus lives in you and is Lord of your life. Only at that moment are we free from "stuff" of this world. Maybe not physically, but the emotional binding that "stuff" tries to have on us. Rest in Him, have peace in Him, and finally Live in Him. When this happens, you too will not be silent about the GREAT things God is doing in your life.
My story continues, in two little boys in which are both being watched or tested for Autism, in a young lady who God is using soccer to take her to places in which she has and does share Jesus (so proud she lives out loud) and in Kasi, whose life will continue to be one of going to doctors appointments and check ups. I wonder, how many "new friends" will I meet in the waiting rooms. Kasi always gives me a hard time about that in a good way. If there is one place that people need to know the Love of Jesus it is in a waiting room of the major Dr.s Kasi goes to. I pray we shine His light brightly and we know that the right people will be there at the right time :-)
May God bless all of you with the ability to know Jesus and to LIVE OUT LOUD!!
I am sure there is more to come......
One year ago Kasi was struggling to survive. When talking to her today she remembers going to her dark happy place away from everything else that was going on. Her body was fighting but Kasi was at peace. Ex. 14:14 Be still and I will fight for you. Of course she was at peace because everything in us wants to fix, but God says just trust me that is all I ask.
There are many emotions that go along with that feeling of letting go. I had to let go 15 years ago and it has been a process of letting go ever since. We do what we can, but I have come to know that our children all of them are only lent to us to guide in the knowledge of our Lord. Kasi has her own relationship with Him in which she gains her strength. So, as we move together through the challenges of this world we rest in the fact that God is with us in the middle of all places. He never leaves us! His Holy Spirit guides, comforts, protects, sustains, and brings forth all Truth to give all that we need. In the middle we have found to be praising God, and isn't that what God asks of us? I am pretty sure Paul talks about praising God in the middle of suffering! Not because of suffering but because that is what God is the closest to us. We have felt the hand of God we have seen His glory, and have felt His joy as he used us in the middle. Our attitudes were never of why, what or how, but of where, when, and who. We wanted to be where He wanted us to be, when He wanted us to be there, and minister to whomever He wanted us to. Once our minds and hearts acknowledged the fact that God calls us to all places in our lives we could live in the peace of God being in control and letting go. Praise be to Him!!
Our story is not over, nor is anyone of ours. We have a purpose until either Jesus comes back or we are taken to Him. Faith and life do not disconnect, but are always together as long as Jesus lives in you and is Lord of your life. Only at that moment are we free from "stuff" of this world. Maybe not physically, but the emotional binding that "stuff" tries to have on us. Rest in Him, have peace in Him, and finally Live in Him. When this happens, you too will not be silent about the GREAT things God is doing in your life.
My story continues, in two little boys in which are both being watched or tested for Autism, in a young lady who God is using soccer to take her to places in which she has and does share Jesus (so proud she lives out loud) and in Kasi, whose life will continue to be one of going to doctors appointments and check ups. I wonder, how many "new friends" will I meet in the waiting rooms. Kasi always gives me a hard time about that in a good way. If there is one place that people need to know the Love of Jesus it is in a waiting room of the major Dr.s Kasi goes to. I pray we shine His light brightly and we know that the right people will be there at the right time :-)
May God bless all of you with the ability to know Jesus and to LIVE OUT LOUD!!
I am sure there is more to come......
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Nov 3 2011
I know, what a title! Well that is because the fact that I am sitting down and typing this out on Nov. 3, 2011 is an amazing thing to me right now. Tomorrow more will come, but today marks one year since we took Kasi in to the hospital to have her surgery. Nov. 4 2010 is the date that she had the surgery that changed our lives in so many ways. Yes, she is the one who had the surgery, but at the same time God uses such events in our lives to change many many lives. These things I will write about tomorrow as I am still processing everything of this past year.
I am also in the process of re-reading what I posted last year on this date and then the dates after. It is God's story and wow did He tell it. I am humbled to be part of His big picture.
I can't wait to see what He has for tomorrow!
Blessings to you all....I will write really soon!
Jodi
PS...I am hoping to have Kasi write something as well!!
I am also in the process of re-reading what I posted last year on this date and then the dates after. It is God's story and wow did He tell it. I am humbled to be part of His big picture.
I can't wait to see what He has for tomorrow!
Blessings to you all....I will write really soon!
Jodi
PS...I am hoping to have Kasi write something as well!!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
yesterday's trip to UofM
It has been a long time since I sat down to update this. It feels like home sitting behind this keyboard with so many hours spent doing this and it is hard at times to put everything out there and knowing that our hearts and lives are being read by all. This is a good thing too, because this is not our story as many of you have heard me say now, but this is God's story. He is writing through us daily and we just have bigger pages at times than some.
First I want to say that the past 6 months have been a roller coaster ride. Sometimes it doesn't seem real that this has all happened in the past 6 months. I think it is because it has been a life journey for us with the last leg of it only 6 months behind us. At the same time, all of our time up at U of M doesn't seem like it really happened. Only at times :-) I have had opportunity to see all that has happened while up there and lives that have been touched, people that have been met, and prayers that were sent up on Kasi's behalf and I stand amazed over and over again. She was truly touched by the hand of God many times and I look back on some of the blog posts and the pleas that were put out there and I see God's work done. Sometimes instant and sometimes over time, but always God's hand, God's time, and God's will. God's will at times during the process I wish would have been different, but not that I look back I can see how incredible His plan was/is for us and especially in Kasi's life. I praise Him for that!
On to our trip yesterday, since I could go on and on about the "stuff" of life that I have learned and reflected on. Who knows, it could be the next blog post, or it could even be at the end of this. Depends on how my hands hold up :-)
Yesterday we had a follow up appointment with Dr. Eliason, who is one of her vascular surgeons. We went there knowing that she was having some "issues" with her belly once again and she has been getting sleepy. Now her sleepiness could be from being 15 and trying to grow and do it on less sleep than really needed. I am trying to encourage more, but she has other plans for her last hour of the night! It could be this boy interest she has right now, in fact, I know it is! It is a good thing they are good kids. (Jake you made the blog)
Kasi went in for her normal routine tests and the results were great! Her blood flow to her lower body is looking really good. We are so excited about that!! She then started to explain these belly issues with him. He said it could be a couple of things. It could be that because she had such an assault happen to her belly that she has developed scar tissue, or it could be that they have kind of created irritable bowel syndrome. These both kind of make sense for the surgery, but don't really make sense because of when she gets the pain. The pain is extreme and only in the morning. Really early morning! It wakes her up at times around 4:00am and she has a med that she takes and it seems to go away. She doesn't get any kind of pain all day long. She is tired though, and it could be just from not sleeping well, going to bed later than she should, or it could be a sign of something else. We will wait on this belly pain for a month. If it doesn't get better then she will have to see a specialist up at UofM for this. She is also taking her blood sugar 1 and 2 hours after she eats to see if that has something to do with her sleepiness. This will happen for the next 6 months.
The last thing we talked about with the doctor was the fact that he heard a significant heart murmur. She has a slight heart murmur before, but now it has increased. There could be reasons for this that make sense, but because she is Kasi we will go in this coming week and just have her listened to. Our amazing nurse talked to us on the phone on the way home and we agree that this might just be because of better blood flow making the murmur louder. We will go with that and enjoy our weekend!
Of course the last of this post has to be about more U of M moments. This time when waiting and waiting to go into her appointment we were sitting by a "older" lady, my dad wouldn't appreciate that since she had to be about his age, and we started talking. (of course this is hard for you all to believe about me) Well, it came out that she had grand kids in GR and they were from Saginaw. We also then talking about health issues and I had to add the goodness of God. We got to share a little of Kasi's story and she too is a Christian woman and all I have to say is she left in tears (of joy) for the goodness done in Kasi's life, and she said she will be praying for Kasi and her life. How good is God to put us out in the waiting room for a LONG time, and turn it into a place where we could encourage them in their situation with the goodness of Him. That is what it is all about! Plus seeing our nurses cry when we walk down the hall because they are overwhelmed seeing us, yeah those are great moments! We have genuine love for all of them up there. They are part of our family!
As for prayer needs for Kasi. We have some once again, but we know God is faithful to take care of our every need so we rest in the fact that all of you will join with us in your prayers for her again!
Pray that Kasi's belly issues go away, her blood sugar remains normal, the heart murmur is nothing but a noise, and that she can be done going to the doctors all the time. Those are the requests for Kasi. You know I have put on here prayers for others before and once again I have someone for you to pray for. Dr. Stanley is the doctor that did Kasi's surgery. The one of only 4 who has any kind of knowledge of her case and the only one in America. Well, he had surgery this past week and he is still in the hospital. We will be sending up cards, but prayers are the most important thing we can give him. He has been prayed for before since his hands are the hands you all prayed for in the OR when Kasi had her surgery, now his whole body needs to recover. He is looking to retire and it would be great it he could do that is good health. Please join us in prayer for him. It is amazing that God put us at "just the right time" to have our surgery so he was able to do it, and now to show him where strength comes from. He was the doctor that was amazed at Kasi's strength and said she was the strongest patient he has had. We love Dr. Stanley, and we will hold him up!!!
I hope you all have an amazing day today! It looks like the weather is going to be amazing and we are very excited to say we are going to a concert tonight as guests of Bowen's dad. It will be a ton of fun!
God is amazing! He is still at work, in and through us! Looking forward to seeing what He is about to do!
Jodi
First I want to say that the past 6 months have been a roller coaster ride. Sometimes it doesn't seem real that this has all happened in the past 6 months. I think it is because it has been a life journey for us with the last leg of it only 6 months behind us. At the same time, all of our time up at U of M doesn't seem like it really happened. Only at times :-) I have had opportunity to see all that has happened while up there and lives that have been touched, people that have been met, and prayers that were sent up on Kasi's behalf and I stand amazed over and over again. She was truly touched by the hand of God many times and I look back on some of the blog posts and the pleas that were put out there and I see God's work done. Sometimes instant and sometimes over time, but always God's hand, God's time, and God's will. God's will at times during the process I wish would have been different, but not that I look back I can see how incredible His plan was/is for us and especially in Kasi's life. I praise Him for that!
On to our trip yesterday, since I could go on and on about the "stuff" of life that I have learned and reflected on. Who knows, it could be the next blog post, or it could even be at the end of this. Depends on how my hands hold up :-)
Yesterday we had a follow up appointment with Dr. Eliason, who is one of her vascular surgeons. We went there knowing that she was having some "issues" with her belly once again and she has been getting sleepy. Now her sleepiness could be from being 15 and trying to grow and do it on less sleep than really needed. I am trying to encourage more, but she has other plans for her last hour of the night! It could be this boy interest she has right now, in fact, I know it is! It is a good thing they are good kids. (Jake you made the blog)
Kasi went in for her normal routine tests and the results were great! Her blood flow to her lower body is looking really good. We are so excited about that!! She then started to explain these belly issues with him. He said it could be a couple of things. It could be that because she had such an assault happen to her belly that she has developed scar tissue, or it could be that they have kind of created irritable bowel syndrome. These both kind of make sense for the surgery, but don't really make sense because of when she gets the pain. The pain is extreme and only in the morning. Really early morning! It wakes her up at times around 4:00am and she has a med that she takes and it seems to go away. She doesn't get any kind of pain all day long. She is tired though, and it could be just from not sleeping well, going to bed later than she should, or it could be a sign of something else. We will wait on this belly pain for a month. If it doesn't get better then she will have to see a specialist up at UofM for this. She is also taking her blood sugar 1 and 2 hours after she eats to see if that has something to do with her sleepiness. This will happen for the next 6 months.
The last thing we talked about with the doctor was the fact that he heard a significant heart murmur. She has a slight heart murmur before, but now it has increased. There could be reasons for this that make sense, but because she is Kasi we will go in this coming week and just have her listened to. Our amazing nurse talked to us on the phone on the way home and we agree that this might just be because of better blood flow making the murmur louder. We will go with that and enjoy our weekend!
Of course the last of this post has to be about more U of M moments. This time when waiting and waiting to go into her appointment we were sitting by a "older" lady, my dad wouldn't appreciate that since she had to be about his age, and we started talking. (of course this is hard for you all to believe about me) Well, it came out that she had grand kids in GR and they were from Saginaw. We also then talking about health issues and I had to add the goodness of God. We got to share a little of Kasi's story and she too is a Christian woman and all I have to say is she left in tears (of joy) for the goodness done in Kasi's life, and she said she will be praying for Kasi and her life. How good is God to put us out in the waiting room for a LONG time, and turn it into a place where we could encourage them in their situation with the goodness of Him. That is what it is all about! Plus seeing our nurses cry when we walk down the hall because they are overwhelmed seeing us, yeah those are great moments! We have genuine love for all of them up there. They are part of our family!
As for prayer needs for Kasi. We have some once again, but we know God is faithful to take care of our every need so we rest in the fact that all of you will join with us in your prayers for her again!
Pray that Kasi's belly issues go away, her blood sugar remains normal, the heart murmur is nothing but a noise, and that she can be done going to the doctors all the time. Those are the requests for Kasi. You know I have put on here prayers for others before and once again I have someone for you to pray for. Dr. Stanley is the doctor that did Kasi's surgery. The one of only 4 who has any kind of knowledge of her case and the only one in America. Well, he had surgery this past week and he is still in the hospital. We will be sending up cards, but prayers are the most important thing we can give him. He has been prayed for before since his hands are the hands you all prayed for in the OR when Kasi had her surgery, now his whole body needs to recover. He is looking to retire and it would be great it he could do that is good health. Please join us in prayer for him. It is amazing that God put us at "just the right time" to have our surgery so he was able to do it, and now to show him where strength comes from. He was the doctor that was amazed at Kasi's strength and said she was the strongest patient he has had. We love Dr. Stanley, and we will hold him up!!!
I hope you all have an amazing day today! It looks like the weather is going to be amazing and we are very excited to say we are going to a concert tonight as guests of Bowen's dad. It will be a ton of fun!
God is amazing! He is still at work, in and through us! Looking forward to seeing what He is about to do!
Jodi
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