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I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

My Arms are Full...


My arms are full!  The best way to describe yesterday is that the day was full of God.  We could see and feel Him everywhere.  Just as I was about to wrap my arms around Carter, He had His arms wrapped around us.  Carter slept well the night before, which means I was able to get a little sleep.  Brandon and I both got our showers early, and we got Carter ready for the day earlier than normal.  Carter was scheduled to go to the Operating Room at 9am.  At 8:15, the Anesthesiologist came in and said that things were ahead of schedule and he would be going to the O.R. early.  Anyone that has been in the hospital knows that this NEVER happens.  The Anesthesiologist noticed our accents. He had one too, and we began to talking to him.  He left our PICU room for a few minutes and returned with 2 hats, 2 gowns and 2 masks for Brandon and myself.  He allowed us to go back to the operating room with Carter, and we were able stay with him until he was completely asleep.  He then told us to go back to our PICU waiting room, so we could be in the room when Carter woke up and we could hold him.  Normally parents, even if they have a PICU room, are required to wait in the surgery waiting room.  Anyone that has read my blog knows that I really wanted Carter to wake up in my arms.  Housekeeping came in and cleaned our room. As soon as she was done cleaning, they called and said that they were on the way back to the room with Carter.  Our nurse and myself hurried to get Carter’s room ready.  We moved all of his equipment, so that he could see out the window from his bed.  Carter came back from the O.R. and the anesthesiologist, nurses and PICU Doctors hurried so I could hold him. 

Carter was asleep when he was put in my arms.  Still asleep, he immediately turned towards me, smiled and held onto my shirt as tight as he could.  It was an amazing feeling.  It was a similar feeling to holding him for the first time after he was born. Although, I think it may have been better.  This time I could feel Carter’s worries slip away.  Carter was having uncontrollable shaking when he was laying in the bed (from all of his medications and anesthesia), but as soon as he got in my arms, he stopped.  He stayed asleep for about 30 minutes, and then he woke up happier than he has been since March 27th. 

Carter has been absolutely miserable for the last 8 weeks.  He constantly cried and held his arms up multiple times a day for Brandon and I to hold him.  If the curtain was open in our room, he would repeatedly point and tell us he wanted to go out.  We had to keep all of the lights off and the shades pulled down over the window, so that he would sleep as much as possible.  The look of relief on his face when he woke up was unforgettable.  He immediately started smiling, dancing and laughing.  Everyone that came into the room left with tears.  They could not get over the fact that none of his medications had been changed. The only difference is that now, he can be in our arms. We held him until it was almost time for bed. 

He does not have much head control, and he is going to have to learn how to sit up again. Those are things that will all come with time.  His legs are casted from his thigh to his toes. They have a bar attached to them that keeps him from being able to close or spread his legs.  This morning they decided to go ahead and pull Carter’s ureteral stents, and they did an ultrasound this afternoon to make sure his kidneys are functioning well.  He still has his supra-pubic catheter, and he will continue to have it for a while.

There were many first yesterday. I was able to hold him for the first time in 2 months. He was able to put a t-shirt on, and another HUGE first was that I changed his diaper for the first time in his life without doing a dressing change to his bladder.  I am still feeling like I forgot to do something!  We know all of these things would not be possible without God.  He has given our Urologist, here at Johns Hopkins, the skilsl to save children’s lives that were once deemed inoperable and sent home to die.  We were reminded today just how rare Carter’s birth condition is.  We were informed that Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital is celebrating 100 years of treating children this year.  We were also informed that Carter is the 100th Cloacal Exstrophy closure performed at the hospital.  Johns Hopkins is the leading hospital for closing Cloacal Exstrophy with the second leading hospital recently only closing their 54th Cloacal Exstrophy child.  We were amazed that the hospital is celebrating 100 years this year and Carter is the 100th Cloacal Exstrophy closure.  I think God is just showing out.  We spoke with the public relations department today about sharing the news. I will keep everyone updated on what they come up with. 

They gave Carter a break yesterday after he returned from the operating room.  It was so nice to have our happy baby back. They started aggressively weaning all of Carter’s medications today.  We can tell he is not feeling well, and he is having a lot of issues with vomiting.   Right now, everything is manageable.  It is going to be a long process, but we are ready.  We are so thankful to each and every one of you that read and pray for our sweet Carter.  We honestly could not make it without all of your support.  Thank you and as always… To Him be the Glory!!!

My arms are full!
Daddee's turn!
 Carter was able to get out of his room in the PICU for the first time today.  He went on a wagon ride around the unit.  His eyes are still sensitive to light so he wore a hat.  He had a great time!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." ---Isaiah 43:2

18 comments:

  1. Look at everyone's smile. I'm so glad that yesterday finally came for y'all. God Bless.

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  2. Oh! I have been waiting for an update. Praise God!

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  3. This is a wonderful picture of all of you!!! God is so awesome and all of this is in God's time. Tears in my eyes while reading this, BUT this time it was happy tears. I know your little man has a long way to go but he has come a long way as well! We will continue to pray for all of you and thank you so much for all of your post!!!

    Thoughts and Prayers for you all,

    Marie Ross

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  4. God is good all-the-time...all-the-time God is good

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  5. So, so happy! I have tears just reading so I can only imagine the ones of the people blessed enough to be in the room with y'all!! Praise God!

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  6. So happy little Carter was able to hold you in his arms and yours in his. What a beautiful sight and amazing family. I know seeing this precious smile meant the world to you. Prayers daily for Carter.

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  7. What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing. May today be even better.
    Shirley

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  8. To God be the Glory - great things he has done and will continue to do for Carter and you.

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  9. I am praying for you Carter. Trust in the Lord, for He is good.

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  10. We share your joy and praise God for his care and healing. Through tears of joy we pray for God's continued love and healing. GOD IS SOOO GOOD!!!

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  11. God Bless that beautiful baby and the both of you. God is so Awesome. I will pray for Carter and for you. I am sure that God has great plans for Carter.

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  12. What blessed news! May God continue to work His miracles and make the weaning process easier and swifter than expected for Carter so you can come home soon!!

    "Thank the Lord and sing His praise; tell everyone what He has done. Let everyone who seeks the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name. He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in joy with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia!"

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  13. Absolutely wonderful!!! I am so excited for all of you and was brought to tears as I read this. I hope each day is better and easier for all of you.

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  14. So excited for the Cline family, I can't imagine how hard this has been for you, Brandon and Megan, I'm so happy that you can wrap your arms around that beautiful young child. Praying for you guys and looking forward to your trip back to Mississippi.
    Liz Grimes

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  15. Oh! this is a day I have been praying for--to see happy smiles on your precious faces. God is right on track and is doing wonderful things in all of your lives; your lives and your faith in the Lord is truly amazing and a witness to his mighty love and power. God bless and continued prayers are lifted up in your behalf. Cris

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  16. Such a beautiful picture!!! I've never met you, but have followed Carter's journey for over a year and have been so blessed by your deep faith, especially throughout these past couple of months. I will continue to pray for Carter's healing and for special strength and encouragement for you, his wonderful parents. God has special plans for your precious little boy!!

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  17. God bless! What a glorious day.

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  18. I am so happy for you guys! To God Be The Glory! I know your brother through the military and I always ask about Carter and you guys! Prayers to you always! Keep the Faith..God is a Gracious God! Michelle

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