Gaines has had a really good day today. We went by right after church and met my parents at the hospital. I could tell a big difference in how Gaines was breathing. He just seemed to be breathing so much easier and not as fast as yesterday. Each day he's gotten progressively (but slowly) better but I noticed a big difference in yesterday and today.
He was able to be weaned down to about 47-48% oxygen today and big news here...he took 38 ccs of his bottle! That's the best he's ever done. I am so proud of my little Gaines. He was also very alert and active this afternoon when I was there. I love seeing him like that. Everyday that goes by he is getting stronger and more alert and active. Oh, he's also 8 lbs 11 oz now. It took him almost 4 months but our little 3 pounder has a double chin.
When I was driving to the hospital today there was a huge dark gray cloud ahead of me. Behind me was a sunny sky but the storm ahead of me looked terrible. It made me think about how many times in our lives storms loom ahead of us. Behind us may be sunny skies and there may be nice weather on the other side, but to get to it, we've got to go through the storm. So many of us want to turn and run when we see the storm ahead of us but that won't get us anywhere. It will catch us eventually. The important thing is to be prepared for the storm so that we can go into it confident of weathering whatever life throws at us and coming out on the other side. The only way to be prepared for life's storms is to have your foundation built on God. Without that firm foundation, you'll crumble.
I don't mean to sound negative here but, be prepared...there are storms out there for each of you. People get cancer, tragic accidents take lives and babies aren't always born healthy. Put your faith in God. He will never let you down and will carry you through your storm just like He's doing for me. I'm including two of the verses of a song we sang in church this morning. They just really struck me because they are so true and something anyone in a storm can cling to.
Have faith in God when you pray'rs are unanswered
Your earnest plea He will never forget
Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient
Have faith in God, He'll answer yet
Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow
His heart is touched with your grief and despair
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him
And leave them there, oh, leave them there
I hope all of that speaks to someone out there that needed to "hear" it. It's just been on my mind since church last week and I've had this feeling all week that I needed to put it on here. My prayer is that someone out there sees God carrying us through this storm and starts to build or strengthen a relationship with Him.
Please keep Gaines in your prayers and remember to praise God for his progress...I sure am!
**See Beau's post below...he added a few pictures.
Love to all,
Brittany
4 comments:
Thank you so much for the reminder. My mom and I have been following your journey and have seen God's miracle with Gaines. Now we are having a storm in our life. 40 days ago, my very healthy Mom was diagnosed with Leukemia. As I talk to my dad on the phone each day to get updates on how she is doing and I hear that she is very sick, has no appetite, has to receive blood or some other thing to get her through, I sometimes forget that God will get us through this journey. So again, thank you for the reminder. If you would like to read about her journey, you can find the link on my blog.
Amen to that. Thanks for sharing.
Tropical Storm Claudette is bringing some rain today and it's headed NW so you guys stay dry! It should be significantly less dramatic by the time it reaches you, though (and my sister, who is in Troy).
What a cutie pie Reed is and he looks like he had a blast at the park. I am continuing to pray for Gaines. Baby steps.
Brittany--
Thanks so much for sharing those encouraging words. I've been following your blog and praying for you all since right after your water broke, but have never commented before. I never wanted to comment, but decided to because your words were just what I needed to hear today.
I was in your same place last July, but my outcome was not the same. My water broke at 22w 5d, and I was on bedrest to try to stay pregnant much longer, but sadly, my son Jonathan compressed his cord at almost 24 weeks and was born stillborn. It has been a hard road this last year--we had been trying to get pregnant for 4 years before Jonathan, had 3 miscarriages, and have now endured another year of unsuccessful fertility treatments. We're getting ready to start an IVF cycle, and I've been having a hard time with my grief from losing my son, my other babies, and praying that God would give me hope that my prayers will soon be answered. So your words mean so much to me and are such and encouragment. Thank you for letting God use you to bless others--even those you don't know are even here!
I have been praying fervently for Gaines, for you and Beau, and your families. I can't tell you how happy I am that your story has a different ending than mine. I'm so happy to hear that Gaines is improving so much, and that you guys are home near family while he gets stronger and stronger!
Thanks again--
Alyson (in Texas)
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