It looks like you have learned alot of medical terminology already; I am only in my 2nd year of training (in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics), please know that you can call or email me anytime if you have questions about anything at all related to Justin and I will do my best to help.

Love,
Lisa

From the outside looking in, I think to myself…Nathan and Justin could not hope for better parents. Despite the early challenges in Justins life, he has your love, your laughter, your faith and your strength. He has family, friends and prayers in his favor. He is very much loved and so are you.

Love,
Tammy

Thinking of you, Johnna

Hmm. Your comment about Loi being at the hospital every day made me think of my experience about 3 years ago when my dad was in the ICU for about 2 months, had emergency surgery and nearly died twice. I don’t know that it will help any, but I’ll share it just the same… I was at the hospital every day. I somehow had to be. I was far more anxious and depressed when I was home, where the fact that he was gone and the unknowing about his condition pierced me like knives. It was comforting to me to be there in his room–even with all of the unpleasant smells and frightening sights and sounds–to see how things progressed, to monitor his vitals, to examine his food tray (the nurses kept bringing the wrong thing) and to make sure someone came running when anything went wrong. My sisters, both of whom love Dad just as much as I do, reacted very differently. One of them preferred to visit him fairly regularly, but stayed mostly in a waiting room nearby where she didn’t see all that was happening. Her sacrifice was helping out at home where so many things were left undone, since mom was dividing her time between work and the hospital. My other sister was incurably optimistic, even when we had been told he wouldn’t make it, and watched from afar, praying, calling and visiting when she could, and ALWAYS telling us that everything would be fine, even when I couldn’t believe that myself. Each of us expressed our love and support differently, and what was hard for my sisters was what gave me strength to keep going. What was hard for me was something my sisters could handle. That’s the beauty of going through difficulties with others you love. You sometimes find strength in unlikely places, and each of you can cling to the bit you can do… the bit you can give. When dad pulled through, he was incredibly grateful for each of our sacrifices and each of our gifts of love for him. Each of them was a treasure for him, and he cries when he thinks of them to this day.

Praying, watching at the bedside, believing, holding… all of those gifts are amazing. Each of you have something you can offer, and your prayers are such a strong, beautiful gift. Your strength as a family is remarkable to watch. Each moment that you are unable to be with him in person, you are still there in a way that is somehow just as real. At at every moment your precious child is cradled by angels. Justin is so blanketed in love and prayer. He’s so strong. He has a purpose to fulfill. It may take a while, but I’m quite confident that you will all find a new “normalcy” together, and I pray you will have all the comfort and strength you need to weather whatever may come between that day and this.

Love,

Nikki

Praying for you always,
Yvonne