Wink from Heaven: Our shortest stay at Primary Children's Hospital

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Our shortest stay at Primary Children's Hospital

This past week Caleb spent a day at PCMC to have a few minor procedures done.

He got tubes put back in his ears, and he also had some dental work done. He was supposed to have an ultra sound through his trachea to get a better look at his heart, but that was canceled at the last minute. The cardiologist didn't want to risk disturbing his nissin. So we decided to revisit his heart issues in another year unless they get worse.

Because Caleb has a history of not tolerating anesthesia well, we were a bit worried about how he would wake up, but he was a champion! His oxygen levels were weaned down with no problem! His cheeks stayed nice and pink, and he was able to come home by dinner time! Now Caleb has pressure free ears, nice clean teeth, and a tooth to put out for the tooth fairy!

Hooray!

8 comments:

Jennie said...: Oh yeah! I'm glad everything went well. What a sweet boy!; October 23, 2011 at 10:56 PM
The Kings said...: Oh I'm so glad it all went well. Noah used to have a bit of trouble after anesthesia too - took ages to wake up and it would stress everyone else out, but I knew it was normal for him :)
Give Caleb a HUGE kiss from us :) xxx; October 24, 2011 at 2:46 AM
The VW's said...: What a sweet boy! Glad everything went well! Hugs!; October 24, 2011 at 5:43 AM
Janene Baadsgaard said...: Way to go Caleb!; October 24, 2011 at 8:09 AM
Emily said...: Good to get an update on my buddy! Love you.; October 24, 2011 at 12:56 PM
shirlgirl said...: He is so cute, and so happy that all went well for him, and you as well!; October 24, 2011 at 1:39 PM
Becky said...: I LOVE that boy!!! He's so cute and pink. :) xoxo Glad everything went well!; October 24, 2011 at 4:05 PM
Anonymous said...: Caleb is such a star!

Hope the heart issues are stable until your next visit.

Tooth fairy came to our house last night as V had her first tooth fall out, it's so exciting!; October 24, 2011 at 10:23 PM

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.