January 2008

Hello Everyone,

It’s been a while since my last update. I apologize. We are still getting settled and getting things setup here.

Gabriel has been doing well and good. Over Christmas, as is he pattern, Gabe was neutropenic (having little to no immunities to fight infection). At first he had a low temp, which normally I wouldn’t take him to clinic for because he was border line. This time I was concerned and wanted to get him checked out. For some reason Gabe was hot enough to melt his Emla, cream but his temp stay the same. The nurses where concerned and thought it was odd his temp was higher. Any who, his counts where great that day, we got a round of antibiotics, held his chemo (stopped chemo until further evalution) and we went home.

Praise God she did that, because when we went back to the doctor to follow up, his ANC (absolute neutrophil count) dropped. One of his doctors told me, had his chemo not been held, his ANC would have been a lot lower and things would be worst. I pretty much decoded that to her saying, “your son would have had to be admitted for a higher fever and lower counts.” It was a blessing, but my heart was heavy. That day was the rehearsal for the church we’ve been attending Christmas Eve program. I wanted the children to be a part of it. The doctor felt bad and told me he could still go, I needed to have him wear a mask, etc.


That evening, I took him to the rehearsal. Seeing my boys singing away in a manger, he and Justin hitting each other with the stars they were suppose to hold. I was moved to tears. In that moment I saw was happy. What I saw was my son telling the church, “Look at how God has healed me, look at how God has been faithful to me, look at me, a miracle child.” I saw him telling his testimony. Oh the joy to see him testify to Gods goodness! I thought about how he was diagnosed around Christmas, but how God has kept him here. Give our family a gift we can share with everyone we meet. We can share: God will give us strength to make it through anything. Bring me back to the meaning of my son’s name, Gabriel – God is my strength, Nathan – gift of God.

Gabriel’s counts have recovered. I previous emails I’d mentioned the rash Gabriel has had since September. The dermatologists are unable to diagnose what the rash is. The rash on his face and buttocks is eczema. The bumps on the rest of his body leaves them questioning what’s going on. Given his chemo’s, the odd spots the bumps are located, the length of time they’ve been present, the results of the cultures taken from them and the meds they have given hasn’t helped – they have decided to do a biopsy of the bumps this week. Gabe will be starting physical therapy on Friday.

Gabriel dances around the house, his version of break dancing. (It’s cute) Gabriel and Adrielle fight each other now. Boy oh boy, I couldn’t believe it at first. They both have strong wills and love attention. Justin, always the leader, tries to keep them happy. He told me the other day, “Addie is supposed to listen to me!” It makes him mad when she tells him no. They are all doing great. I entered Adrielle and Gabriel into the Regis and Kelly most beautiful baby contest. Semi finalist will be called the week of the fourth of February. I hope to be in New York soon : )


Steven has had three underways since we’ve been here. He’ll leave again the end of next week for a few days. His underway schedule shows Steve being will be home about one week every month until May. In May he leaves for the Gulf until November or December. Our support system is growing much faster here. The military YMCA has given me respite care, they pay for someone to baby-sit, Justin and Addie while I am in the hospital. My cousin watches the children for me. That alone is Awesome!

We’ve found a church we will join soon. www.cvcf.com . If you have time listen to a sermon or two. When I’ve spoken to the Pastor Mike and his wife Pastor Theresa, I feel God’s spirit in them and I always get tears in my eyes. The children love their children’s ministry. Justin tells us he wants to go to church school. Last night after our small group, Justin had a Ziploc bag with water in it and a ball. I asked him what it was. He said, “The ball is Jesus. He went under the water and when He came up God said this is my son, I am pleased.” Gabriel told me this past Sunday, “God can do ANYTHING!”

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. May God be with you always and may His peace, joy and love be found in you today.