Wink from Heaven: Post surgery pictures

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Post surgery pictures

Caleb was stable when we left the hospital tonight. He is still on the ventilator, but was was doing well! Good night sweet boy!

10 comments:

Becky said...: He looks great! (tired, but great) I'm so happy he is stable and that the surgery was a success. Here's to a healthier Caleb! :); January 29, 2009 at 5:32 AM
Joy said...: Glad to know that the surgery went well and that he is home. Home is such a nice place to be!; January 29, 2009 at 7:11 AM
Amber Joy said...: What a wonderful sweet boy. You dont know me but my son has hydreancephaly which is missing brain tissue also. We just got our feeding tube in Dec and he has gained 3lbs since then and is soooo happy. I loved your blog and think you are a wonderful. Good luck with the recovery and GOD BLESS YOU oh wait he already has!

www.prayforbrandon.org; January 29, 2009 at 7:15 AM
minerfam said...: Caleb, you are such a trooper! Great job little buddy- Get well really soon!
-DanaLee; January 29, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Tara Bennett said...: I'm soooo glad he came out of the anesthesia okay and is doing well. Keep us posted.... I have come to love this little guy more than you know!

We're all proud of you Caleb! You're so brave and strong!; January 29, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Stephanie said...: So happy that things went well. You are all in my prayers!

I found you through Tara over at kidz.

~Hugs & Prayers!; January 29, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Devon said...: I am SO glad the surgery went well, and that he has that tube out of his face! Hey, I didn't know he was trached. I don't know why I didn't notice that...probably just because he is so dang cute I was looking at his face.

You guys will continue to be in our prayers!!; January 29, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Becky said...: Hello! I just read your post on Kidz. As I am sitting here, of course with tears in my eyes, I can't think what an incredible soul Caleb has. I am so thankful for the Plan of Salvation and what incredible Spirits these little people have. Thank you so much for sharing!; January 29, 2009 at 1:41 PM
shirlgirl said...: What a cute picture of you Caleb. You are looking great. I'm sending special hugs and kisses to you and to your family.; January 29, 2009 at 3:36 PM
PRETTY IN PARIS said...: Sending + vibes and beautiful healing thoughts to you and your family from Paris,
BB; February 1, 2009 at 2:42 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.