Dear Family and Friends,
January 10, 2012 marked one year since Tim's diagnosis...One Year! (Sigh!)
Many images of the time gone by flash before me as I watch my Timmy sleep, taking one breath after another. I sit here struggling for the right words to describe what is going through my mind and my heart and wonder what I should or shouldn't share.
I have heard the phrase: "take it a day at a time" on numerous occasions. In fact, I have used this phrase myself many times during my life. Except, until a few months ago, I didn't truly understand or literally followed its meaning.
I closed the year with a post that focused on all things good and chose to omit a few events. However, I feel that I should share some of these events with you in order to tell you how we feel God has been present in our lives and granted us miracles thus far.
Sometime after Thanksgiving, Tim woke up with excruciating pain and shortness of breath. It was the first time, since Tim's diagnosis, that I had seen Tim in such agony, so I knew his pain was truly severe. Oxygen was immediately given, a morphine pump was placed a few hours later, and a few medications were added to control Tim's symptoms. We were also told that Tim's illness was progressing and more than likely, he would have to remain flat on his back from that point forward. A few days later, Tim began to feel better and was even able to sit up in bed. Thanks be to God!
In early December, on the night of my birthday, Tim was feeling so badly, that he said his goodbyes to me, told me his wishes, and apologized to me if he were to expire that night. I didn't sleep at all for the rest of the night, and instead prayed and stayed close to him. The next day, Tim woke up feeling a little better and he continued to feel better everyday after that. As I shared with you in my previous post, Tim was even able to get out of bed, into a wheelchair, and out of the house on the day after Christmas. We were so thrilled and thankful to God.
Over New Year's Day weekend, Tim's blood pressure decreased and his heart rate increase to levels of concern and we were advised to prepare ourselves. But once more, Tim stabilized and began to feel better a few days later.
Tim is truly amazing. While some days are not so good, he continues to fight, remains hopeful, optimistic, and calm. Tim's love for us, his endurance, and strong faith, inspire and strengthen me.
Just as our children ask us freely for many things hoping we say "yes", we too should continue to ask God, our Father, to grant Tim the miracle of healing and hoping he answers "yes!" Likewise, as we know what is best for our children when we answer "yes" or "no" to them, we too should trust and accept, that whatever God grants us, is what He, as our Father, knows to be best for us.
We have asked God, our Father, for many things this last year and we are so thankful to Him for the times he has answered "yes." We are also very thankful to Him for always answering "yes" when we ask for his guidance, comfort, and strength to keep going forward when we feel we just absolutely can't.
I am so thankful to God for my daughter Katie. She has been amazing through this journey as well and has grown so much. She wakes up in the mornings and gets ready for school by herself, does schoolwork by herself, takes such good care of her little sister, Maegan, and makes sure our pets are fed. Katie has even taken the initiative of doing some chores around the house to help out. I am so proud of her.
Thank you to all of you for continuing to pray with us with an open heart. Thank you to all of you for your continued support. I have tried to send personal "thank you" notes, but I just can't seem to keep track of where I left off. So, I want to make sure you all know how much we appreciate all the help you have given us and continue to give us.
Before I finish my post, I'd like to invite you to join a fundraising effort that a friend of a friend of Tim's is putting together to help our family. The Ministry Exchange, 8320 La Palma , Buena Park, CA
714-501-8469. Monday, January 30, 2012 from 10 am to 9 pm. Visit their Facebook page or call them for more information.(
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/365958100096860/).
Thank you. May God bless you all!
