McQ
07-13-2004, 09:32 AM
For those of you that have asked, here's the latest update on Samuel as well as some gift ideas and their address.
Update from Kristina:
Send everything to their P.O. Box. They have people checking it daily and Mark goes home twice a week.
Backus
P.O. Box 229
South Prairie WA 98385
Gift Ideas:
Jen - She likes to soak in a tub. She would really enjoy bubble bath, bath oils, lotions, shampoos and conditioners and fancy soaps. She REALLY needs Bravado nursing bras, size medium/plus plus. She would also like someone to take the kids for an afternoon or bring their kids to the hotel where they are staying and everyone can go swimming. She is desperate for some alone time with Mark at Samuel's bedside. They have some things to decide (explanation following). She really needs a laptop computer but would never ask for it herself. I just think it would be so awesome to communicate with you guys whenever she wants to or to surf the net in the wee hours. It never hurts to ask, right?
Mark - He is an avid reader and would freak out for a Barnes and Nobel gift certificate. There is one right near the hospital. He says in his dreams he would love an electric razor, but he knows they are very expensive. He also would like a CD of the group Audio Slave. That would be nice to listen to with all of the driving. He would also appreciate gas cards.
Daniel and Kaysha - They would like games for their Gameboys that a special Santa already sent them last month. They already have Mario World, Donkey Kong, Disney Princess and Crash.
Samuel - All he needs right now are prayers.
For the family - Gift certificates for the following: Walmart, Target, Starbucks, Azteca, McDonalds, Subway, etc.
Samuel's surgery was not a success. He can't walk, talk, sit, etc. Last night fluid started leaking from his brain, and they have determined that the third ventricle that they were draining into isn't absorbing the excess fluid from the two huge ventricles. They want to put another shunt in with it draining into his abdomen. As you may recall, the last time they did this (the original shunt) an abcess developed at the drainage point secondary to all of the scarring in his gut from the chemo drugs and resultant removal of most of his intestines. They docs tell her that they may be able to position the drain in a better, less damaged part of his gut, but... as you can imagine, Jen is freaking out. This is the straw that appears to have her questioning the Lord. I didn't know what to tell her. I said, "I know the Lord is there and I know that he loves you, but I can't explain to you why this is happening." She just doesn't know how she can do it. She is in the hotel room right now, separated from Mark, Anna is crying, the kids are bored and mildly naughty and her son is possibly dying. She is just hanging on by her fingernails. She is living life in five minute increments. She is not ready to give up, but the thought of him going through surgery again is just about to give her a stroke. Speaking of strokes, Mark's dad had his second mild stroke in a month last night. As if there wasn't enough going on.
On the up side, the older kids are doing better this week after spending lots of time with mom. That is really the only positive thing right now, it seems.
She really feels she cannot go on. I told her that I ABSOLUTELY KNOW SHE CAN! I told her that if that means she has to watch him writhe around in agony after another surgery or another, she can do that. I told her if that means that someday she holds him close as she lets him go, she can do that. I CAN SAY WITH TRUE CONVICTION THAT SHE IS THE STRONGEST WOMAN I KNOW. She can do anything her baby boy needs her to do. I have so much faith in that - I have so much faith in her. I just love her so much... and Mark - wow... he is so sweet he just about flatters me to death every time I talk to him. Sometimes when I am talking to her, I just pray that the Holy Spirit tells me what to say... tells me how to comfort her. Lots of times I just murmur, "I know... I know, sweetie". Often I think of all of you guys. Faceless names that I feel so connected to in this strange medium we communicate through. I draw strength from you guys. I feel you and I know you are there and so does she. You guys are so important to her. You must not ever feel insignificant. When she asks me a question that is impossible to answer, when she breaks my heart with the aching in her voice, I really do think of you guys and what you might say..., how you might respond. Dawn, I wish I were as eloquent as you - so many of you others are so passionate. I feel so bumbling sometimes, but I must serve a need, because she keeps gracing me with her phone calls. Pray for me - pray that the Holy Spirit is SUPER active in me to guide my words and actions. Pray for me that as I pray with her on the phone that I will say the right words to touch her heart and dissolve her anger. Just pray.
Affectionately,
Kristina
Update from Kristina:
Send everything to their P.O. Box. They have people checking it daily and Mark goes home twice a week.
Backus
P.O. Box 229
South Prairie WA 98385
Gift Ideas:
Jen - She likes to soak in a tub. She would really enjoy bubble bath, bath oils, lotions, shampoos and conditioners and fancy soaps. She REALLY needs Bravado nursing bras, size medium/plus plus. She would also like someone to take the kids for an afternoon or bring their kids to the hotel where they are staying and everyone can go swimming. She is desperate for some alone time with Mark at Samuel's bedside. They have some things to decide (explanation following). She really needs a laptop computer but would never ask for it herself. I just think it would be so awesome to communicate with you guys whenever she wants to or to surf the net in the wee hours. It never hurts to ask, right?
Mark - He is an avid reader and would freak out for a Barnes and Nobel gift certificate. There is one right near the hospital. He says in his dreams he would love an electric razor, but he knows they are very expensive. He also would like a CD of the group Audio Slave. That would be nice to listen to with all of the driving. He would also appreciate gas cards.
Daniel and Kaysha - They would like games for their Gameboys that a special Santa already sent them last month. They already have Mario World, Donkey Kong, Disney Princess and Crash.
Samuel - All he needs right now are prayers.
For the family - Gift certificates for the following: Walmart, Target, Starbucks, Azteca, McDonalds, Subway, etc.
Samuel's surgery was not a success. He can't walk, talk, sit, etc. Last night fluid started leaking from his brain, and they have determined that the third ventricle that they were draining into isn't absorbing the excess fluid from the two huge ventricles. They want to put another shunt in with it draining into his abdomen. As you may recall, the last time they did this (the original shunt) an abcess developed at the drainage point secondary to all of the scarring in his gut from the chemo drugs and resultant removal of most of his intestines. They docs tell her that they may be able to position the drain in a better, less damaged part of his gut, but... as you can imagine, Jen is freaking out. This is the straw that appears to have her questioning the Lord. I didn't know what to tell her. I said, "I know the Lord is there and I know that he loves you, but I can't explain to you why this is happening." She just doesn't know how she can do it. She is in the hotel room right now, separated from Mark, Anna is crying, the kids are bored and mildly naughty and her son is possibly dying. She is just hanging on by her fingernails. She is living life in five minute increments. She is not ready to give up, but the thought of him going through surgery again is just about to give her a stroke. Speaking of strokes, Mark's dad had his second mild stroke in a month last night. As if there wasn't enough going on.
On the up side, the older kids are doing better this week after spending lots of time with mom. That is really the only positive thing right now, it seems.
She really feels she cannot go on. I told her that I ABSOLUTELY KNOW SHE CAN! I told her that if that means she has to watch him writhe around in agony after another surgery or another, she can do that. I told her if that means that someday she holds him close as she lets him go, she can do that. I CAN SAY WITH TRUE CONVICTION THAT SHE IS THE STRONGEST WOMAN I KNOW. She can do anything her baby boy needs her to do. I have so much faith in that - I have so much faith in her. I just love her so much... and Mark - wow... he is so sweet he just about flatters me to death every time I talk to him. Sometimes when I am talking to her, I just pray that the Holy Spirit tells me what to say... tells me how to comfort her. Lots of times I just murmur, "I know... I know, sweetie". Often I think of all of you guys. Faceless names that I feel so connected to in this strange medium we communicate through. I draw strength from you guys. I feel you and I know you are there and so does she. You guys are so important to her. You must not ever feel insignificant. When she asks me a question that is impossible to answer, when she breaks my heart with the aching in her voice, I really do think of you guys and what you might say..., how you might respond. Dawn, I wish I were as eloquent as you - so many of you others are so passionate. I feel so bumbling sometimes, but I must serve a need, because she keeps gracing me with her phone calls. Pray for me - pray that the Holy Spirit is SUPER active in me to guide my words and actions. Pray for me that as I pray with her on the phone that I will say the right words to touch her heart and dissolve her anger. Just pray.
Affectionately,
Kristina