Yes, we can

That's what I want to start SCREAMING at people every time they tell us "you can't do that". I am getting tired of how negative a lot of people are towards us. They're negative about us having a sick kid, living in an old house, not making millions, being content with what we have (most of the time), not trying to get out of Salina. I'm just tired of it. I want to have people around who are the type of people that rejoice with our triumphs and weep with our sorrows. We are going to do what we feel is right for our family, and I'm sorry if people don't agree with it, but that's why it's OUR family, not YOURS. We have a sick son. That's most of our energy. So yes, other areas are going to slack in our lives, so that we can give him the best life possible. We have to make decisions based on what we believe, what we like, and how we feel. I know that God is going to take care of our family, no matter what. I trust that. I also know that in the end, those that love us will be there, and still loving us.

9 Months/Kidney Disease/Training Buddy

I'm going to try to make this post quick!

Levi was 9 months on Tuesday!!!! I can't believe it! I'm totally that mom that's thinking "It seems like yesterday...". I'll get the 9 month photo up ASAP. Stats will also go up on Monday, that's our follow up appointment for the feeding tube.

I had no idea how bad kidney diseases were in our country before Levi had them. I don't know if that's naive of me, or if it's just something that's hard to diagnose, therefore hard to publicize? March is Kidney Disease Awareness Month, and I'm thinking of something BIG! I'd like to get other kidney mama's involved. I would also like to start devoting more posts to kidney disease awareness.

I keep putting off starting to run again. I tell myself things like; no time, it's too hot, I don't have a training buddy, God didn't create me to run, why should I run? Well, this week God whacked me in the face with answers to my excuses! The weather has gotten beautiful! We're up every morning kind of early, so we'd have time to jog outside, also, I have a FREE gym membership. Duh. As for a training buddy, I have Levi. Jogging with him in the stroller is good for him too. He loves it! So, I'm going to start Couch to 5K again. Also, God may not have built me like a runner, but He gave me a son whom may require one of my kidneys one day, and I need to be healthy enough to give it to him.

The food is in!

Levi finally has his feeding tube! I know this sounds like an odd thing to be excited about, but, we are! He now has an easier way to get the nutrients that he needs into his body. This week was a long week, since we spend Monday-Thursday in the hospital. Monday morning we had to be at the hospital, in Wichita, by 6:30am. My good friend, Meghan and her daughter (4 months old), Eisley, came with us. They picked us up from our house around 4:15am. We ended up at the hospital WAY to early, which was fine. That's better than being late! The procedure was scheduled for 8:30. Here is a picture of Levi right before surgery

As you can tell, he has no idea what's about to happen. They got him back, Pastor Kent came up, and we all waited around. It was a relatively quick surgery, only about an hour and a half. After surgery they stuck him in the PICU for about 24 hours. Then we moved to Peds, once we were there my sister-in-law, Allison came up. This was on Tuesday. I spend Tuesday-Thursday night in the hospital. I don't think that is something that I will ever get used to, no matter how often I do it! They released us on Thursday afternoon. We now have to feed Levi every 4 hours. What he doesn't take by mouth, we push through the tube. Overnight he gets a continuous feed through his tube. Part of that means I go to bed late and get up earlier. If you know me, you know that's not a good combination for me, I need sleep! In a few weeks, Levi and I will go back to the doctor and get this tube taken out, and then get his Mic-Key button put in. That will be much easier to use than this current tube is.

John is doing GREAT with the tube feeds. He helps me out so much. He was at home this whole week, and I know that could not have been easy for him.

We are blessed beyond belief to have the friends, family, and church that we do. They have helped us pull through this procedure, as they will the rest of them. I cannot emphasize enough to people how important a good, strong, supportive church family is. At a time like this, they gather and strengthen us with their prayers, gifts, and visits. I sometimes wonder if God really has us in the right place, but when they come together for us, I know that He does.