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Give a gift in honor of this child.
Christian C.
Christian's Guest Book
 
UPDATE: 2-12-09
Family, Friends, and Prayer Warriors:
I talked with Melissa in Canada tonight, and she told me that Christian went to be with Jesus January 28th. She asked that I convey her appreciation to everyone who has been praying for Christian. Please hold this family close in your prayers. Melissa will be posting an update explaining all the details of what took place. I will say that Christian's death was not in vain. His parents donated his heart and liver to two other children who will now live. This will not fill her empty arms and hurting heart, but it will prevent two other families from experiencing that emptiness and hurt. Death may have taken one child, but in so doing life was given to two. I can not begin to imagine how difficult it was to make that decision, and I commend Melissa for having such courage in such a time of loss. We all rejoice that Christian is now in the arms of Jesus and will live forever. Our prayers and hearts are with his family as they grieve his precious loss on this earth. Earth's loss is Heaven's gain.
Please take time to drop her a note and give her the Christian support she needs during the loss of her "Christian."
Thank you as always for your dedication, love, and prayers for our children and families.
God Bless,
Elizabeth
UPDATE: 9-12-07
Per Melissa's request, I am relisting Christian's page and she will be updating soon on what God has done in their lives.
Elizabeth
UPDATE: 11-21-05
Dear Friends,
Blessing and Peace to all!
Just thought I would send along a little update on our sweet Christian.
We went to Toronto to see the Immunologist @ HSC he did bloodwork and it does appear his immune system has some issues. He already is considered to have Primary Immunodeficiency Disease, but perhaps there is more going on than thought we return to Toronto soon. He may receive a transplant.
At Ortho Clinic he was referred for AFO's, which I am very pleased about! Christian is doing very well on his own but really needs some extra support!
He is thriving in his Rifton Gait Trainer and quite honestly growing out of it , if you can believe that!
He is now around 12 kgs but he is very tall/long :-)
He can maneuver all over the bottom floor of house in it.
Christian is able to roll and scoot all over the bottom floor room to room also. I am truly amazed that he navigates those door jams so well. He is truly blessed!
December 5th we finally get our long awaited Turtle and indoor base for the Kimba. His stroller/chair is so small on him it also required to be re-adjusted, the therapists couldn't believe how we "squeezed" him into it with his snowsuit on!
Since getting the ear tubes in August Christian has improved 100%!
Christian is now sitting for short periods of time, and doing Hi-5's. He is starting to color with crayons, use puzzle pieces and turn pages of books.
Cognitively he has become very aware of his environment and people around him.
Christian is making strange with new faces and is showing an excellent sense of humor.
We are going to Feeding Clinic in December and I hope we have a change in formula as the one he is presently on has allot of fiber and causes him digestive trouble frequently. Christian remains NPO = nothing by mouth but likes to taste occasionally. He laughs and makes noises but still is considered without language, but for a little boy that knows what he wants when he wants it, he certainly can communicate it to us STAT! LOL On a side note just lately he starting to make certain sounds purposefully as in his play time . We are starting music and speech therapy combined in January 2006 and we couldn't be happier about it. I think he will blossom in it.
We also will be setting a new communication system for him.
We decided to try Reflexology Nov 28th. Now that he has ear tubes we have put off swimming until the spring when it is warmer.
Christian's twin attends daycare fulltime and Christian will start going for a nursery school program a few mornings next month which will be wonderful for him! As you may recall he did fantastic when he attended before. Issues are with the worker availability as usual LOL
We utilize our special therapy center still whereby Christian attends 5 days 4 nights per month. This program has proven that he has attained goals we never thought possible he gets intensive therapy 5-6 hour hours a day we/total communication. Observations and reports prove his amazing results! Thankfully this is totally funded by our Ontario Healthcare.
On a personal note: I am working full time for my parents company, as a office manager, the funny thing after 7 years of college and already working in the health care profession here I am back with the folks LOL. I enjoy seeing my mom who is now 72 and dad 70 working every day. We have a thriving computer company for the last 15 years, I had left to change of career as I had already been to college for business. I hope to either take the business over or we will sell it. The day care and business and where we live are all within 5 mins driving time so it is working really well for us.
Well I have gone on long enough,
Thy Will Not Mine Be Done
Melissa & family
UPDATE: 10-28-05
Christian continue to progress despite all the medical issues and illness's
, he is truly "more than conquerors"!
Although we have many struggles and challenges on a daily basis God
continues to provide for us!
Christian is an absolute joy and I thank God everyday for allowing me such
honor to be his mommy for one more day!
Here are a few of pictures of me and the twins!
Praise God complete healing for Lleyton's tumor!
Melissa
UPDATE: 8-18-05
Dear Friends,
Please keep Christian in your thoughts and prayers, as he is again in hospital today.
As we do not have our Immunology appointment until Oct.12, 05
I am praying that this is NOT the bugs that got him so seriously ill a few weeks ago.
We should have cultures back in maybe tomorrow.
Thank you and wishing you all another healthy happy day with your child and families!
Melissa
UPDATE: 7-26-05
Dear Friends,
Christian is home and doing a little better. Praise Jesus!
I have a huge decision to make regarding the care of the twins, please ask for God's Will to be done in our life.
I cannot explain at this time, He Knows All, and I need His direction and guidance.
Please pray that God shows me the way................
Faithfully in His Service
Melissa
UPDATE: 7-19-05
Dear friends,
Christian is doing a little better, still on i.v, he got clear heart scans last Friday .
They took him to Children's in London for the tests and brought him back to the hospital he is in.
Praise God!
Christy is starting to pull his i.v. out so they put a hep/sodium lock in his arm. He has started back on his feeding tube and his collapsed lung is getting better, he is down to 4 lung treatments per 24hours. ( he was every 3 hours before)
I on the other hand have a bad chest and conjunctivitis of all things. I had to stay away from the hospital today as a result of the germs.
Tomorrow morning I go for a parent tour of the new "accessible" daycare right beside the college. I am having a challenge keeping up with my studies this summer, as I am doing advance sciences and requires my every concentration.........yikes
The older children are at camp, and Lleyton is having attachment issues without his twin.
Sadly his AVM tumour has been slightly increasing again.
Once Christian gets better and returns home, he will go for his pre-admit Aug 18 and Aug 30 for his ear tubes.
We have new referrals for many doctors appts, a GI specialist for reflux, some kind of bone doctor his sternum looks really funny, a immunologist, neuro again to see about a proper cerebral palsy diagnoses and feeding clinic for a stoma check and gtube assessment.
Our healthcare system also just started covering a new formula called Pediasure Plus with fibre and he is doing really well so far.
I ran out of medical supply funding and God found a way, and we got funding until our next allotment time starts Jan 2006! Praise Jesus!
His new Rifton Gait Trainer is ready to be delivered (they called today) we are thrilled!
The town we live in had a golf tournament and I offered some suggestions for therapy switch toys and other equipment I couldn't afford. They stated they may have as much as 1000.00!
I hope he gets the Creepster Crawler! But God knows what he needs more than I.
The Ladybug Corner Chair came in from a wonderful Christian family from WI, and before he got sick he loved sitting in it. This family also donate a tadpole wedge for his arm work. I paid for all the shipping and customs. PTL
We have on order the other equipment for daycare, the Turtle floor sitter and the Spider (indoor) base for the Kimba wheelchair. (funded by local charities) PTL
I paid my Nursing tuition for Fall, and it leaves us completely broke and without a savings for a van but I know that God will provide a way and a van when we need it.
I can hardly wait for the family to all be together once again!
Thank you for all that have prayed for us, supported us and stood by this family
we could not do it without you!
Each and every one of you has helped make a big difference in our life!
Thy Will Not Mine Be Done
Melissa and Christian
UPDATE: 7-18-05
Just thought I would let the SW Ontario folks particularly CK families there has been yet another tragedy this week.
One of my closest friends Noreen came to the hospital 2 days ago and stood with me at Christian's bedside and prayed for us, lost her husband in a tractor falling over in a pond and pinning him under the implement this morning.
They have 3 children from 9 to 4.5 yrs. They are also peach farmers along with his parents.
The reason Noreen was in the hospital was that her father in law was critically ill and she saw me, and came and found us.
The children witnessed the accident and it took quite awhile to get him out of the accident scene.
Her mother in-law was taken by ambulance after the tragedy with a suspected heart attack
This family are good God fearing people active in their community and church.
Please keep these children and Noreen in your prayers.
I am in shock. My heart is just breaking for this family.
I know this community will be deeply affected.
Its hard to understand how such bad things can happen to such good people...........................like them - like us...- its time's like these i only think like this...........
Grateful to have my own son's and daughter here one more day.
Thank you God!
Melissa
Mom to Christian
UPDATE: 7-15-05
Christian is being sent to Children's Hospital tomorrow to see a Cardiologist. It seems his heart may have some trouble, the bug he has may have affected it.
Melissa
UPDATE: 7-14-05
Everything happened so fast.
Christian got sick last week on Monday with fevers. Thursday we saw the paediatrician he had his monthly ear infections.
Friday he started declining, Saturday he as admitted with a collapsed lung and pneumonia.
He went unconsciousness, and his O2 sats dropped, he had irregular heart beat, and i.v.
By Monday it was discovered he had a staph infection. Kidney ultrasound done, unresponsive still.
Tuesday lumbar puncture thought he had mengitis. Added new antibiotic.
Today he was up for abit, I hugged him, and kissed him endlessly.
Appears the 2 antibiotics are showing improvement.
Friday he will take an ambulance to the Cardiologist (heart specialist) he may see the Infectious Specialist also at CHWO in London, Ontario.
Sorry i couldn't get to a computer sooner, I have been in shock quite honestly.
No one knows where this came from? yet............
Thank you Jesus, for letting my little boy live another day and was able to wake up and see me.
He IS Faithful
Melissa
UPDATE: 7-13-05
Just a to let every one know that Christian is going to be in hospital for an extended period of time. He had a lumbar puncture this afternoon at 4 so its not good news, whether it is meningitis or truly septicaemia. His kidney ultrasound yesterday was negative.
He has responded to the new antibiotic and did wake up a little last night.
Nevertheless he will be on i.v. for quite some time to come.
A funny thing though he has been sucking (his tongue), something I have never seen LOL well thank God for little raindrops of miracles...........
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers,
It means alot to us,
Melissa, mom to
twins Christian & Lleyton,
Zoe and Dylan
UPDATE: 6-19-05
Dear Friends in Christ,
I apologise for the long delay in updating. Life got very busy with my clinical
placement 5 days (38 hours) a week plus nightschool (14 hours a week),
fortunately I made all A's (PTL).
Christian had been hospitalised several times in the few months for resp &
ear infections.
Overall he is doing much better. As you may remember the twins started attending
daycare in March as of last week they are away from daycare until September
when I return to Nursing School fulltime.
Daycare was very successful Christian has improved in many areas, with the
strong daily program I set up for him and his 1:1 workers. He is now sitting for
25 secs, bearing weight on his legs for 1 minute YES standing, pivoting and
tripoding, understands around 10 ASL Signs, has much improved fine motor
control, is trying to make some sounds verbally and cognitively much more
aware of his environment and just delightful with a funny little laugh and
good sense of humour.
The twins will attend a new daycare in September as Christian requires
more accessibility for his equipment. The daycare is right beside the
college YAY!
Christian is having a set of ear tubes put in August 30 due to all the recent infections.
He has been tested for hearing and vision and tests show he is all within normal range.
Lleyton's tumor although greatly reduced is showing signs of growing again,
we will see the specialist again this summer, and eye doctor.
On another note I have been praying for months specifically if its is God's will
to start a specilialised therapy with Christians specifically ABR. It is an intensive
3 hours per day physical therapy. God has revealed to me that it is time to start,
and I wrote the clinic in Montreal Quebec Canada last night.
If we are accepted Christian and I would stay at the Ronald McDonald house
for a few days and so I could receive the training after Christian's evaluation.
The instructors teach the parents how to do therapy and the parent/caregivers
provide all the daily therapy.
If anyone would like to help Christian for the therapy I will provide more
information when I hear back from them. I am also looking locally for some
fundraising ideas, people to assist me.
Dylan and Zoe are doing well, and will be attending a Pearce Williams
Christian Camp on partial bursaries for approx 4 weeks each this summer,
this will give them the much need break from all the stress surrounding the
twins and give them a chance for Christian Fellowship and outdoor activity.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support
He IS Faithful!
Melissa & Christian
I am enclosing a picture of Christy taken at the daycare!
UPDATE: 4-15-05
Christian is home from hospital but still ill, looks like he needs ear tubes.
I am exhausted tonight, talk to you soon!
Thanks
Melissa and the children
UPDATE: 4-8-05
Dear Friends,
Christian was rushed by ambulance to hospital yesterday.
He has severe flu. This is second admit to hospital in the last 4 weeks.
His left ear is abnormal and requires a tube.
Lleyton also has the flu. The hospital ward is full due to flu!
Please keep the babies in your prayers,
Flu can be serious for out little ones.
He IS Faithful,
Melissa
UPDATE: 3-30-05
Dear Friends,
I have a simple prayer request please.
As Christians only voice and advocate I have been trying
so hard to speak up for him on continuing issues such as
continuity of care, equipment, specialised daycare workers
and funding.
We have had some successes but it appears this is a long
and hard road.
Many issues have come up in our family and I really need
your prayers, for strength and guidance for His Will for
me, and the power to carry it out.
Christian continues to fight on going infections, he had
RSV a couple of weeks ago, was on oxygen in the hospital.
It has been a long winter. Lleyton's tumour is stable
still Praise God!
My eldest son Dylan with ADHD has had 5 medication
changes in the last 8 months, this is very very hard
on all of us! I cannot go into details but my son needs
a touch from the Father.....
Please pray for me, my 3 sons and my daughter. Sometimes
its so hard and I feel so alone, but I know all you people
help carry me this far, I know I can see it through with
your prayers.
He IS Faithful,
Melissa
UPDATE: 3-2-05
Dear Friends in Christ,
Today we rejoice as Christian attended his first day of "inclusive" daycare!
Our God is an Awesome God, and I give thanks with all my heart and soul to be able to share this moment, this day with my precious son Christian and all you wonderful people!
I prayed and advocated for months so that my son with severe disabilities to have the opportunity to be included and accepted in a normal setting. I had tremendous obstacles both through regulations, personal and professional to overcome to make this happen.
Christian smiled, played and laughed just like a regular toddler.....
He also had all his appropriate medical care, and g-tube feeds as per my training to the workers, I am confidant that he will grow and
blossom into the wonderful and precious little flower that he his with God's hand's on him to guide and to keep him.
By the way his twin's tumour continues to shrink, it looks like a a total healing of the arterial venous malformation is near PRAISE GOD!
Thank you Jesus! Thank you Prayer Warriors!
He IS Faithful
Melissa
UPDATE: 12-24-04
Merry Christmas !
We just received the Christmas Ornament, I am in tears, it is so beautiful and thoughtful.
Its has been so hectic the last few months. I just finished my nursing exam.
I am sending along a couple of pictures of the twins that were taken recently. The one is the special Rifton that got from the United States for him! (Its just a try out) we will see what the Lord says about it in the New Year along with the therapists.
By the way Lleyton say the specialist at Childrens Hosp last week, and the tumor on his face has decreased again, and his eyesight has improved Praise the Lord!!!
Christian continues to progress (at his own pace) with our Father's Hand on him, there are no words to express the joy in my heart to see my son thrive, compared to his bleak prognosis.
He IS Faithful!
Melissa and the children
 
UPDATE: 12-02-04
Here is a couple of pictures of Christian at therapy last week.
I just wanted to share what miracles of healing the Lord has blessed this sweet boy with.
Last November 29, 2003 this child was dying in intensive care on life support. They asked me for a code status, I remembered that God keeps his Promises, and He did. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
Thank you so much for your faithfulness, prayers and websites and to all the prayer warriors we couldn't have got through the last year without your interceding for us, when I was could not do for us because of sheer exhaustion of the situation. Thank you again!!
In December the therapists are going to try to Christian in a special gait trainer from your wonderful country.
As they do not make the one he needs here in Canada. I have been advocating to get this device approved and funded from our government, its has been a very hard and a decidedly difficult battle, but I think if it works for Christian in 2 weeks they will approve it. The one below in the pictures is a loaner for home. Thank you Jesus!
My eldest son has had remarkable improvement with this ADHD on the new medications and everyone seems to be settling in to our new home. I am doing well at nightschool and will go on to college during the day 2 days a week starting in January.
Christian is an inspiration to me on a personal level and I so grateful that our awesome God continues His work.
For me its an amazing place to be, having a daily front row seat to God's divine work in this boy of His.
Thy Will Not Mine Be Done,
Melissa & Family
 
UPDATE: 11-17-04
Dear Friends,
Sorry about the long delay in updating.
We have moved in into our new home, had computer virus's, I am in nightschool working on a degree plus all the regular ups and downs of life with 4 blessings I call kids, and 2 of them special needs.
Anyhow, Christian is doing well. We saw the Neuro today and it appears that no dx of cp is to come yet. The dr stated he feels soemthing else is going on his brain causing the gross motor delays. He stated he feels he WILL WALK independantly on day! Thank you Jesus! He is sitting and getting stronger everyday. His dx is that he has global hypotonia still. The dr is concerned and worried about the fact his language has not kept up with the other skills. We will be working on this and the fine motor skills vigilently.
He is on Pediasure tube feeds which are going well, and he is 21lbs! His head/brain size and growth in general are all in 50% range for typical children.
He will see the eye doctor soon, it appears it may have a distance sight problem.
We are adding more suportive services and professional to Chirstian's agenda, and transferring some services to London, Ontario to TVCC. The childrens centre there has more lending equipment and support services especially in therapy. We are hopoing to have a gait trainer and a stander in the home soon.
Christian's twin Lleyton is almost walking and saying bye bye! His tumor is shrinking and maybe God is still working on it as I write this update. We continue to pray for healing as we would not like for him to endure the surgery this year.
My eldest Dylan has had many medicaiton changes int eh last month and now is on Adderall for his ADHD. This child needs a touch from the Father. I am having a challenge with my boy, he has a heart from the Lord, but there is evil afoot, and trying to worm its way into my precious son's life.
Please keep Dylan in your prayers.
My daughter Zoe is doing well and is a good girl and a good student. She is my sweet darling daughter, please lift her up for contiuned blessings.
The twins will be going to daycare soon, Lleyton starts next week, so Ic an owrk more intensively with Christian before I start full time next semester at school. I am working on 2 diploma's concurrently.
Please pray for me, for continued strength to carry out His will for me and my family and the power to see it through.
Thank you Jesus, for allowing me to be a mommy, daughter, friend and sister in Christ,
Thy will not mine be done,
Melissa
UPDATE: 10-5-04
Dear Friends,
A quick update Christian was admitted to hospital today.
He is on IV and IV antibiotics.
Please keep me and the children in your prayers, it is the twins 1yr birthday this Friday.
He is Faithful
Melissa
UPDATE: 9-9-04
Dear Friends in Christ,
Its been awhile since my last update.
School finally started in Canada this week for the older ones, what a relief!
Christian has been doing fairly well. He is growing and gaining weight. He is vocalising well and sitting with support!
He is such a brave little boy, he is truly an inspiration for me, he tries so hard to move his arms and legs in the ways he wants them to go. He is bearing more weight on his legs than ever, and is scooting on his behind all over the room!
Christian loves his blankie, and knitted doll. He can see and hear well and enjoys watching Boohbah and Barney on tv.
Christian's right hand and arm appear to be greatly affected and I suppose we will be getting a diagnoses of cerebral palsy soon. He is still hypotonic and it appears he might have athetoid cp.
He was measured for a wheelchair stroller which hopefully we will have soon. Praise God this was completely funded by our governmental healthcare, as I have no private insurance.
I have gone back to nightschool to complete my Nursing Degree, I only have a few credits to go,
so I am not working at the moment.
Lleyton's Mri was completed in July as they took him early. The results are that the tumour appears to be a rare one and is encapsulated. Which means it may be operable. We see the Radiologist on Sept 15 at Children's Hospital to see what the next step is and the course of preferred treatment is to be.
Lleyton is almost walking and doing very well considering he is a preemie twin. He appears to quite smart, finding out how to open up all of mommy's kitchen cupboards and play with the pots and pans. (smile)
I also have meeting with the Personal Injury lawyers for Christian next week on the 16th. I hope this will bring some positive news regarding whether they are going to proceed or not.
As I approach their 1st year birthday coming up I am very sad, its like the whole year as seemed to pile up on me emotionally. I am very physically tired, this is a tremendous task that the Lord has appointed to me.
I have been truly blessed, and thank God for every person He has put in our lives.
Some days I feel unworthy of such awesome love, and pray that I may continue to do His good work.
Oh I almost forgot! Most importantly we found a house! They say the Lord works in mysterious ways, well here's what happened. My mom and stepdad decided to move from their house and into an apartment so the children and I could live in their home. It is a large Victorian home with about 5-6 bedrooms. So we have a room for everyone, and my parents will benefit because the cost of heat etc, was too much for them, as they are on a pension.
I am moving the end of October and will give more details in my next update the house some wonderful features!
Thank you Jesus!
He is Faithful,
Melissa
UPDATE: 8-16-04
What is wrong with people today?
I have had new neighbours that for the last 2 months straight have been smoking and drinking outside my duplex along with very very loud music almost every night.
BTW they are the new superintendents. :-(
Being slightly sleep deprived on a good day I usually end up putting up with it, realising there wasn't much I could do. Not only that this man is quite loud and aggressive and I was scared to complain.
I finally broke down and gave an anonymous noise complaint to police about 2 weekends ago cos the music was going 7 nights a week instead of 3 or 4 nights.
Last week this "man" confronted me verbally being very loud and aggressive demanding to know if I made the complaint and why I didn't bang on his door and tell him to shut the music down.
I ignored him and went in the house I was scared and shaken. He was very angry.
Now today after leaving early this morning going to church and then to an Easter Seals picnic and just getting home at 5pm. he accosts me in the parking lot, ranting and raving in a drunken about that I am "rat" b/c I called police and ranting with profanity to my children. He was again very angry and verbally abusive this time.
Duh, if you play concert level music in a family duplex what do you expect?
So I call 911 and stated my complaint to the sympathetic officers, (they did speak to him)
I have been looking for place for months (lease is up soon), but I haven't been able to find anything as large as this for what I can afford.
Please keep my children and I in your prayers for a safe, clean, reasonable place to live as I
I fear this individual will retaliate again.
Thank you
Melissa
UPDATE: 7-28-04
Dear Friends,
I just got a call this morning from Children's Hospital they are taking Lleyton tomorrow (thurs) at 3pm for his MRi of the tumor.
We saw the Ophthalmologist Monday and the she said that his vision appears to be unaffected at this time, but is far sighted in that eye but its unrelated.
Today we go to Children's to see the Plastic Surgeon who is heading up the case. They are going to start radiation I'm not sure when I will let everyone know when I find all the details out.
Christian is thriving and we thank humbly God for every day we have with him, happy and healthy.
Thank you, Melissa
UPDATE: 7-24-04
Dear Friends,
Christian is doing very well and was able overcome his latest hospitalisation with no setbacks! Thank you Lord!
He just got back from his out of home therapy week, and has gained weight, is transferring toys hand to hand, grasping, and actually purposefully playing with toys. He goes once every 4-5 weeks for an intensive 4 days (which is covered by our healthcare system) The progress from this therapy as well as with my program at home (which I created) that is implemented by my primary workers and myself is showing excellent and continuing progressive results. He is getting so strong, and now is starting to bear weight on his legs appropriately!
Christian has 2 teeth, lots of curly auburn hair and is such a joy! He laughs and smiles and is really developing his own unique personality. I am so honored to be a part of this earth angel's life. Thank you Jesus!
Its truly unbelievable, a real miracle in progress! I know this would not have been possible except for the prayers that all you wonderful people have been keeping my sweet little boy in!
Lots of doctors appointment coming up this next week for his twin, who is doing equally as well other than the tumor which is not subsiding. The older children just got back from a wonderful Wilderness Christian Camp and are going to Arts and Drama Camp there as well next week.
We are planning day trips this summer in which we will take the twins and attend MarineLand and a local Zoo,
we are also spending time when we all are healthy enough at the swimming pool.
I am going to send some new pictures next update, the twins LOVE the water, bless their hearts!
I have never had so much joy in my heart as I do right now, I thank God everyday for having a second chance at life, I am truly grateful for all my prayer warriors and support team I couldn't do it without you all!
My home bible study for Mommy's is going well and it is my desire to add Special Needs twins to our prayer list.
Please email me with the details to add some "twins" children.
He IS Faithful
Melissa
UPDATE: 7-9-04
Dear Friends,
Tuesday night Christian was admitted to the hospital,
for severe respiratory distress, high heart rate, and high white cell count.
He has been on supplemental oxygen. To make a long story short he has been fighting colds
and chest infections for quite a few weeks. He never has really gotten better.
Now he is on more antibiotics and steriods and aerosol treatments every 2 hrs.
Christian had also got some teeth finally through all of this as well as his twin who has been doing reasonably well.
His hospitalisations are getting more difficult for all us because Christian knows now he is away from home.
I cannot be there alot because of my repsonsibilities in the home. I feel very bad about this.
He is so sad and lethargic it breaks my heart.
A friend in Christ who has the gift of healing from Windsor Ontario
came and laid hands on Christian the night before he was admitted to hospial.
Lleyton's appointment with the specialist's for his tumor is on July 26 and 28th.
The older kids are going to start their camp sessions.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Mommy Melissa
UPDATE: 6-26-04
It is awesome! Today we went to the paeditrician and got Chrisitian's EEG report - NORMAL~ PTL
I feel like this child has the hand of Jesus on him. I have no words to express my feelings and no way to explain how and why he is doing so well other than it is truly a miracle. What an exciting journey!
Thank you for everything!
Melissa
UPDATE: 6-25-04
Dear friends and prayer warriors,
A quick update on Christian- he was evaluated for speech and language in May.
I received the report this week and it states that he is "within normal range for receptive language" and "mildly delayed for expressive language" . As you may know this has been my special prayer request for him, that he may able to communicate his needs.
Praise The Lord! If I hadn't seen his wonderful progress with my own eyes, its scarcely beliveable, except for those who love the Lord know that anything is possible through Him.
I know Christian is progressing as a direct result of prayer! Thank you with all my heart!
Our miracle in progress is laughing and smiling and a very happy and contented baby. In the NICU/PICU days he cried relentlessly 20 hours a day for 3.5 months. When I look back to those dark days, I just kept telling everyone, he needs to be with his mama everything will work out, and praise Jesus it has!
Thank you for supporting us along our journey, I have very little family and friends and knowing that I have you all as extended church family, has made the difference in my succeeding as a lone parent in xtreme circumstancs and rising to the occasion with a positive attitude and manage these exceptional needs with strength that only could come from above than not being able to cope at all. Amazing grace.............
PS: The photo is of the grandparents and the childrenand I, (grandma is holding Lleyton and I holding Christian).
The mistake man made, but divine intervention occurred
He is Faithful,
Melissa
UPDATE: 6-19-04
Praise the Lord! Finally some good news friends!
This past week has been very hectic, but I still managed to get in our appointment with our infant stim consultant.
After coming bi-tri-weekly since February she scored Christian's levels for infant development.
I didn't reveice a copy so I didn't remember all the categories but here goes:
1) Gross motor skills early 4 months
2) Fine Motor skills 6 months
3) Language 5 months
4) Social 6 months
Christian was hospitalised for the first 4 months of his life (never came home), and weighed around 4-5 pounds (didn't grow) for almost 3 months, he was also hospitalised 2 times since first discharge. This was a baby who was not expectd to make it!
He is 7.5 months corrected age for prematurity
Ironically his twin is at 9 months for everything, it is so hard to see the gap between them becoming ever wider. I am happy for Lleyton but heart just breaks knowing that this was all preventable. I am aggressively seeking more medical treatment for his tumor, "thanks to my prayer warrior" :-)
I pray that Christians' twin will in time be a source of inspiration, encouragement, and a challenege for him.
I have special prayer request really only for myself, I am back at work and I feel like I am running a marathon evryday and night. All these months I haev been going round the clock and its starting to catch up. Although I do have respite it still never enough, I have 4 children and alot of repsonbilities. I humbly thank you all.
The mistake man made, but divine intervention occurred
He is Faithful,
Melissa
Mommy to ICP miracle twins Christian (HIE) and Lleyton 10-03,
Zoe 10-94, Dylan 12-92
UPDATE: 6-13-04
Dear Friends,
The last few weeks has been very challenging for me. My primary in home care giver left us for a full time position. I had to stop working in order to care for the twins and we have had many doctor appointments which left me on my own to take the twins to all these appts. I find I am tired physically. I have a lot of responsibilty on being on my own. I feel like I am running a marathon everyday with my all children, housework, all the labor intensiveness of my son's medcial issues. Its has been stressful.
Thank you for Father! You are Faithful, and sent new friends in Christ to us. Sometimes I need to remember that it is His Plan for us not mine.
The babies are growing and doing reasonably well they are both around the same weight 8kgs/17 lbs.
For Christian he had the 6 month corrected age check up with the Neuro was positive and the doctor said" he is making reasonably good progress in spite of the grim prognosis". He also stated that if he was going to have high tone (spasticity) we would be seeing it by now and that it is minimal at this time. Praise the lord!
Our Father continues to bless Christian and his little accomplishments. for this we are truly grateful.
On Monday we are going to Childrens Hospital for him to have an EEG, they suspect he may be having seizures.
He will also be fitted for a seating insert. He continues to get stronger and can now tolerate sitting in a exersaucer without support but his muscle tone is still quite low. Little Christian laughed today for so long I cried, Thank you Jesus!
His twin brother Lleyton however has a tumor on his face which has been growing considerably in the last two months to the point wher it may start impeding his vision soon. He has an Arterial Venous Malformation. The appointment with the eye doctor and plastic surgeon are in July. He is on a cancellation list for the Mri otherwise it will be December. This is increasingly concerning me. I have done quite a bit of research on it and it can be more serious than folks realise. So I pray these tests get moved up quickly to ensure a better outcome.
We got a brand new air conditioner sponsored for us because of Christy's BPD = Lung Disease Thank You Lord!
My older chidren were sponsored and approved for 2 weeks at a fantastic summer christian camp for children, and they were also sonpsored for an extracurricular activity each year round by our local govt. Thank You Jesus!
I sincerely thank God for the this wonderful website and all the prayer warriors who help all of us families with medically challenged children. This has been truly life altering for me and my family.
It gives me hope and strength, and I love to reach out and pray for others, and support them by writing them also.
It helps me to feel like I am sharing the blessings I have received, and share with other parents what we all go through together.
He is Faithful
Melissa
UPDATE: 5-24-04
Dear Friends,
Just thought I'd send a long an update as its been awhile. Christian did not get better as per my last letter.
He did get continually worse and was subsequently hospitalised. Seems he had rotovirus as did his twin.
He has been home now for a little over a week and continues to improve. Both twins are now in good health Praise God.
Throughout the last few months since his birh injury most doctors gave little hope that he would be able to "do " much.
As he was stillborn, and his future very unclear.
Well the Lords Miracles never cease, yesterday I put Christian on his Gymini mat on the floor and I noticed him trying to roll over!
I was shocked! I didn't touch him but encouraged him verbally. Next thing I know over he goes and is layingon his tummy!
So then he didin't like it being on his tummy and tried to roll back over again! He couldn't mange this so I helped him.
But as soon as he was on his back over again he went! he did this 4 times! Thank you Lord!
PRAYER WORKS! He also continues to improve in other ways such as he was diagnosed with little chance of being verbal he is now vocalising! Christian has learned to smile and giggle and laugh!.
These things don't seem like alot to most people with babies, but for Christian these are miracles.
He also is exhibiting good head control, and found his foot!
He continues to progress at his own rate and for this we are truly grateful.
We had a swallow study last week iat Childrens Hosp in London On, and although he still has complicated suck, swallow issues he continues to improve!
We have an appt with our neurologist this coming week for his 6 month (corrected age) check up.
(The twins are almost 8 months of age chronological)
He is Faithful!
Mommy Melissa
UPDATE: 4-24-04
Heavenly Father we thank you! I have been truly blessed by this wonderful website and all the prayer warriors. Thank you Jesus for this site and Elizabeth! Thank you Jesus for the “Quilters from Florida”! Thank you Jesus for the wonderful support workers and team we have!
It’s been long week but He is faithful, Christian has had his first cold and lung infection, but thanks to all of you prayerful people, he has overcome it and is doing better.
It was a close call; pneumonia is always looming in the back of my mind, and makes me feel panicky. We went to CPRi in London, a place where they are going to set up and formalize Christy’s OT, PT so we can reproduce it in the home. Also we need to see an opthamologist (eye doc) as they think he has Neurological Vision Impairment and orthopedics for his feet, legs. This week I had to have his twin brother Lleyton seen about a swelling on his face, he was diagnosed with an arterial venous malformation just under his eye. He will require a Mri an be followed by a specialist. PTLA . We will keep you posted.
Here is a little picture of the two them. You can see Lleyton is in navy blue and on his right side of face the tumor.
 
Update: 4-13-04
On October 8, 2003 I gave birth to fraternal twins; one of which went into fetal distress 6 weeks early during a routine NST, emergency c-section was performed in London, Ontario.
During the course of the delivery the twin who had gone into fetal distress “Christian” was deprived of oxygen. He was born “flat” “stillborn“without an apgar score” no heartbeat or respirations. They revived him within 15 minutes, but he had gone so long without oxygen that he has become brain injured. He was not expected to survive. He has gone through tremendous invasive and intrusive medical procedures to save his life.
He was in intensive care for 8 weeks, he was intubated (on a ventilator) had abdominal surgery for a gastrostomy tube (g tube) is hypotonic (low muscle tone) and more.
He has the diagnosis of (HIE) Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy by way of perinatal asphyxia. Both the twins are at home and I have nurses coming in weekly. His baby brother name is Lleyton.
The most important part of this story is how these babies came to be, I had in desperation when I found out I was pregnant on June 10, 2003 went to terminate this pregnancy.
(I am and have been a born again Christian for 15 years and was at the end of my rope.)
I was just finishing college (a mid life career change) am divorced with two older children and was completely despondent, embarrassed and humiliated. The day I went to the clinic I didn't know I was expecting twins; I thought I was only a few weeks along. They did an ultrasound and told me I was 19 weeks and expecting twins. I started crying and suddenly the light in the room changed and I felt a warm glow and the Lord spoke to my heart and told me that if I did the right thing He would not forsake me.
I walked out the door and never looked back.
Even though this medical emergency happened I am closer to Him more than ever. I have these precious boys to love and cherish, The Lords Baby Boys. When I look into my son's eyes I see God, when I listen to my son trying to swallow and move I see God, I see the Lord all around me. He has not forsaken me, and I have been truly blessed by this child and experience.
Please continue praying for me to have strength to cope with all the children and in meeting their earthly needs, and that His Work will continue in little Christian and that my son will continue overcome his obstacles both medically and cognitively. Special prayer that little Christian will be able to talk to express himself, so that if he is to be disabled that he could advocate for himself.
Thank You Jesus! Thank you Heavenly Father!
Melissa Anne
ADDED: 4-06-04
Diagnoses HIE = Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy,
Comment: Medically fragile and technologically dependant – tube fed- compromised airways, hypotonic, dysphagia, premature twin (boys)
 
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