Saturday, July 30, 2016

Steps in the Right Direction!

Thank you for reaching out to us and for caring about Caleb and our family.  Our family, friends, colleagues, & everyone's prayers have helped keep us sane this past week!


 Things are definitely looking up, though Caleb is still at high risk.  His fever finally broke the higher numbers and is hovering around 100.  He's starting to eat and laugh again, which is comparable to a harmonic symphony to our ears.  :)

The IV medications are OVER!!!  He is thrilled to no longer be "tethered" to a pole!

Here's the biggest announcement of all:  he's going to recover now at home!  Specialists feel like he has stabilized.  The important blood counts they're watching are still at "0" and his fever is considered low-grade and no longer a threat.  They have cultured everything imaginable, and all of the tests have come back negative - which is HUGE and fabulous news!

Texas Children's Hospital recently changed their protocol with children in similar situations.  Since Caleb's blood counts are not recovering in the hospital, they feel like he will recover faster in the comforts of home!  His own bed, sleeping through the night without interruptions, all of his favorite homemade foods, and a little sunshine are officially what the doctor ordered.  It is a HUGE responsibility, since he is so vulnerable to infection right now.  We are in the shock 'n awe phase, because in just a matter of days, we've gone from talk of the possibility of an ICU transfer to him going home! We think doctors are spot-on with this idea!
  
As soon as Caleb found out he was going home, he busted out a filter on my phone and started being silly again.  Surely laughter will help build those white blood cells.  I will begin my research of foods to prepare.... I'm thinking super high protein... to help strengthen his fragile body.

THANK YOU for helping get us through this crisis.  When I was sitting in Caleb's hospital room, & he was sleeping all of the time with a high fever, I felt so helpless.  For the first few days of his hospitalization, we tried to keep it quiet and just deal with it.  When things weren't looking up, and we felt like we were going to lose it, we reached out, and you helped get us through it.  Once we started the prayer chain, a peace came over us.  Knowing others "had his back" made us feel like warriors.  It wiped away that awful emotion (called fear).  When we found out that Caleb's favorite radio station, KSBJ had a moment of prayer for him, even Caleb told us he KNEW everything was going to be OK, because he loves their motto:  "God Listens."  We can't wait until this cancer journey is over for Caleb, and he can just be a kid and not a patient, and we can concentrate more on helping others in crisis. 

A Chaplain from our church spent time in Caleb's room encouraging us and praying over Caleb.  It is amazing how God put people on this Earth who know the right things to say and strengthen us in such a beautiful way.

 As a friend reminded us, 
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Caleb's new favorite board game is Disney trivia, so I've got to go now, so he can beat me again!  '-)

38 comments:

  1. Love that you are home, enjoying your new home, now Caleb can recover in his favorite place. We know our God is in control, so relax and let God do his healing. Love to all of you, Auntie Donna

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  2. YAY!!!! WATCHING THE COMPUTER LIKE A HAWK FOR UPDATES!!! STILL PRAYING!! Please keep us posted! Go, Caleb!! Eat something delicious! Tell your mom a joke! Laugh!! We love you!

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  3. I'm so glad to hear the positive report! You are an inspiration to us all! God DOES listen and has a perfect plan for each one of us. Caleb, you are God's warrior!

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  4. Thank you Jesus!!! We have been praying for him and your family. We love you!

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  5. Thank you Jesus!!! We have been praying for him and your family. We love you!

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  6. To God be the Glory Many Prayers for Caleb from Rodney and Stacy from Houston, Texas

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  7. I felt such comfort and joy reading this update, just as I felt comforted by the huge numbers of people I knew who were praying Caleb through this crisis. I feel certain he will rebuild his blood count at home. His body will probably tell him what it needs, so be prepared for midnight pickle runs and other bizarre requests. If he does happen to ask for pickles, just make sure they are fermented (Bubbies is a great brand) so he can get all those yummy probiotics in them. They're in the refrigerated section, just in case! <3

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  8. To God be the Glory. Hallelujah!

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  9. That is awesome news! The power of prayer! Thank you God! Hugz

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  10. This is Wonderful News! I agree that Caleb going home will be a positive impact on his recovery!

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  11. Bless his heart, keeping Caleb and your family in continuous prayers.

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  12. Praise God that Caleb can continue his recovery at home!! God is good all the time! You all are in my prayers all the time. Love you - you are my heroes!!❤️🙏

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  13. That's certainly great news, Melissa! More proof that prayer DOES work!

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  14. So happy things are looking up for your sweet family.

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  15. So happy things are looking up for your sweet family.

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  16. God is awesome and answers prayers. I am amazed and ecstatic at how awesome Caleb is doing. Thank you for the update on him. Although he is still recovering it will be great that he can do this at home. Continuing to pray for him. ����������

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  17. Awesome news! Caleb's fight has definitely touched me and have been praying for him, my son is 11 and I couldn't image to have to go through what you are! You are the real MVP! God bless your family!

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  19. God is awesome! Melissa when I need assurance I read psalm 18:6

    6 In my distress I called upon the LORD,
    And cried to my God for help;
    He heard my voice out of His temple,
    And my cry for help before Him came into His ears. I love looking at your beautiful smile on TV. You smile even though you are going through a lot. Love it.
    Prayers will continue to go up for you and your family.

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  21. Been thinking and praying for you all. Glad he gets to recover at home! Keeping all of you in our prayers!!!!

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  22. SO thankful he can recover at home!! Praying for your family!

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  23. Father, I come boldly before Your throne to obtain grace to help in time of need. I have confidence in Your Word, and I take hold of Your promises to heal me. According to Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24, I resist sickness and disease. I speak with my mouth and believe in my heart that I am healed of all sickness and disease.

    Your Word says that Jesus bore all my sickness and diseases, and He carried my sorrows, so I receive healing now. I know and declare that Jesus is my Healer. I give You all the praise for providing everything I need to walk in wholeness.

    Thank You for satisfying me with long life. Father, I am thankful that You are no respecter of persons. What You do for one, You will do for all who ask and believe by faith.

    In Jesus name,
    Amen
    - Nicole

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  24. Thank you Lord for giving this family the strength to get through this difficult time. God is Great!! He will continue to be with you and see Caleb through this fight. Caleb will be fine. I will continue to pray for you and all of your family. I hope that your father is doing well, Melissa. Blessings to all. ♡♡♡♡

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  25. This is awesome news. We serve an awesome God. Praying for complete healing. ������

    Lisa

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  26. Praising Jesus Name! Lord continue to heal this sweet boy. Make his body new again and cleans the evil trying to attack him. In Jesus Name Amen. This sweet boy will have an awesome testimony of this journey!

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  27. God is good

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  28. I've been thinking about you all weekend. I'm so glad he is going home. Thank God and his great doctors
    LoriAnn Robinson

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  29. May God's Annointing pour through Caleb and Heal his body. I pray for Strength for the Family 'Be Still and know that I am God' Psalms 46:10

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  30. Awesome news. Your strength is incredible. God bless Caleb and your family.

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  31. This is amazing news! We have an amazing God who can make anything happen, and He has.
    Isaiah 40:31
    "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
    May the King of Kings continue to show His mighty powers to you and your sweet child.
    Kathy carrow

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  32. Thinking about you all and asking God's wisdom for his doctors.

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  33. Praying you and your family. I too had to fight low white blood cell count, its no walk in the park.Keep up the fight Caleb God has your back.

    D.Ferguson

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  34. Praying you and your family. I too had to fight low white blood cell count, its no walk in the park.Keep up the fight Caleb God has your back.

    D.Ferguson

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