Wink from Heaven: Hospital Holiday day 12- homeward bound!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Hospital Holiday day 12- homeward bound!

What would the best birthday present be for Caleb?.... COMING HOME! Right now the plan is to get him home sometime tomorrow! However the weather is horrible right now which is making it impossible for me drive home, so I'll be staying the night. Without me coming home tonight, it complicates our plans to get Caleb's room all set up with our home health care company. It's also going to be a bit tricky to have both Dallan and I in the car with Caleb when I'm here with one car... But if the weather cooperates and the planets are aligned, we'll figure out a way to get him home! Otherwise, we may bring him home first thing Wednesday morning! HOORAY! Today I also found out that Caleb is going to qualify for some nursing at home through a waiver program for trach kids!
Thank you for your many prayers for our little family. I know that Heavenly Father carefully considers every request, and we are truly humbled and grateful for the miracles that surround us! It is overwheming to be the recipients of so many blessings due to the faith and prayers of so many. With all of our hearts...thank you!
Our hearts are full as we head for home... Snowplows, may the force be with you!

8 comments:

Becky said...: You make me laugh...the snowplow comment is FUNNY! Thanks for your great attitude. I am THRILLED that you are coming home and I'm even more happy that you get the nursing that you need. Now I'm praying that you will find one that you will love and trust with your sweet boy. What a great birthday present...Happy Birthday Caleb, and Happy Birthing day to YOU! :) Love you both. ♥; January 6, 2009 at 4:49 AM
Ali the B. said...: Snowplows beware!!! There are many prayers going out for you all to come home...I am glad he is doing better & his sweet smile brings tears to my eyes...
Good luck fighting the weather!! Be safe & we will see you soon, I want to come over for some 'coffee' & a chat :); January 6, 2009 at 6:45 AM
Tanya said...: Happy, Happy Birthday, Sweet Caleb!!; January 6, 2009 at 8:05 AM
Maxfields said...: Happy Happy birthday Caleb Dear happy days may come to you all year. If we had one wish then it would be... A Happy Happy Birthday to you from us!!; January 6, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Joy said...: yeah! I hope you make it home. The weather is terrilbe. I have already cleared my driveway twice! Hope he continues on the up and up.; January 6, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Janene Baadsgaard said...: I can't wait to see and hug my birthday boy today! I LOVE YOU CALEB! What a wonderful gift to have you home today on your birthday and mine. Grandma B.; January 6, 2009 at 12:25 PM
shirlgirl said...: How wonderful to be able to bring him home! Hope you made it for his birthday. If not, just the fact that he is going home is terrific. And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CALEB! You've reached four years, and that is just awesome!; January 6, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Jodie said...: April,

Wow! I am so sorry Caleb had to go back to the hospital. I was just going to go check your blog after Christmas and sat at my computer and cried! All my kids were wondering what was wrong with me. I can not imagine having to be back in the hospital. You are such an amazing person with the most amazing attitude. We love Caleb and have been praying for you all. Sweet Caleb is such a miracle. Blake is doing great. He has fluid in his ears so we may be back to the hospital for tube sometime soon. We are grateful to be your friends.

Good Luck!!!!
Jodie Stratford; January 7, 2009 at 10:12 AM

Prayer for Caleb

(written by Caleb's Grandma in her weekly column -2008-)

In my family we have a secret code to communicate our love for each other when we are out in public. We wink. When one of us is about to perform or speak, we look for a family member’s face in the crowd. Then we wink at each other. Closing one eye and winking is our secret code for saying, “I love you. You can do it. You’re wonderful.”

About three years ago, my grandson Caleb was born into our family. He must have known before birth that he would never be able to speak to us because he was born with one eyelid permanently closed. So, he is always “winking” at us, always communicating, “I love you. You can do it. You’re wonderful.”

Caleb has one eye lid permanently closed because he is missing one of his eyes . . . and he is also missing his brain. All the doctors said he would die soon after birth. They were wrong. Caleb is three years old. He is a medical miracle. The doctors say he can’t see, hear, speak, think or move. Those who know and love Caleb understand he has his own unique way of experiencing the world and communicating his love to those around him.

After Caleb was born the hospice people told us to buy a burial plot and continually warned us of his imminent death. We soon learned you can not live well in a state of fear and sadness. We decided we could spend Caleb’s entire life anxious and scared he might die at any moment, or we could celebrate each day we were blessed to have him with us. In the beginning, my daughter April celebrated Caleb’s birthday every week instead of every year with balloons and cupcakes because we simply did not know how long we would have him with us. We stopped the cupcakes after we gained ten pounds, but the celebrating goes on.

We all prayed for a miracle when we first learned about Caleb’s condition. We got one. Caleb’s birth, life and mission have had a deep and lasting impact on our lives. His spirit, eternal identity and most of all the loving, individual relationship he has with each of us is truly a miracle. Because of Caleb we know that each of us has a divine purpose and that the physical body is a sacred gift we should never take for granted. We better understand the worth of a soul and the resiliency of the human spirit.

Caleb’s five year old brother Matthew said, “Grandma. The doctors said Caleb was going to die, but he didn’t. That’s the first miracle I ever saw!”

Sometimes Caleb’s baby brother Mitchell pulls out his feeding tube while they hold hands riding together in their double stroller. Sometimes the only intervention that can get Caleb’s heart rate up is when his older brothers Josh and Matty crawl in his crib, hug him and sing, “I am a Child of God.” ...If you have a moment please offer a prayer for the little boy who has never been able to utter a single word and yet has taught everyone who knows and loves him – all the secrets of a rich and meaningful life.