Monday, March 23, 2009

Monday, March 23

Hello to all, it's Joy (Deidra's mom). I am going to type the blog tonight because our last visit was emotionally upsetting. Chance is at home with the boys. He put them to bed and needs to sleep himself. He is leaving the house at 3:00 am to be here in time for the 6:00 am visit. Granny (Jenae's mother-in-law) is at the house too. She will get the boys ready for school. Clay is second case for surgery in the morning. The doctors are planning to take the homograft off of his face and place a product called "Integra" on his face. This will be on his face for at least 17 days and then they will place autografts (own skin) over this. I will have Chance and Deidra explain this tomorrow. They might graft the back of the head also. Once they have Clay under the O.R. lights, they will have a better idea of what needs to be done.
Clay walked during the 2:00 pm visit. He did not want to get out of bed and walk. When he heard the Physical therapists outside his room, he began to cry and shake his head. Clay does not like to get out of his comfortable position. We had to remind him again how needful the therapies are. The occupational therapist made him some mouth stretchers, and a new splint for his right hand to position the fingers differently.
During the last visit of the day, Clay began to cough up mucus through his trache. After coughing some he began to throw up and we were covering his trache opening and trying to keep it clean. It is hard to tell if he is breathing out of his nose or mouth or the trachea tube. It is unnerving to have that happen. It was hard to leave tonight! The words of that hymn come to mind, "What I have no power over, I will leave in Jesus' hands"! We find SO MUCH coming our way that is out of our hands! We are so thankful we can trust in our heavenly Father.

19 comments:

  1. There are so many who lift you up in prayer, both strangers and friends. Try to stay strong during these difficult times.

    I pray that Clay has a peaceful evening and that mom & dad are able to get some much needed rest.

    The Poem, Footprints in the Sand, has always provided me comfort during difficult times:

    Footprints in the Sand

    One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

    When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

    This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

    The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

    ~ Author Unknown

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  2. I am sure leaving is very hard. I just don't have words to express the way our hearts feel for you all. We continue to follow the up dates and pray for you all. We will be anxious to hear how surgery goes tomorrow. Keep strong and encouraged a better day will come. Our Love, Karen and Arlin

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  3. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. Our combined faith believes that Clay is completely whole in every way. The molding of all our lives into what God has designed for us sometimes takes us to places we would never go on our own. God NEVER MAKES A MISTAKE AS with Joseph we believe that He will take this that was meant for evil and turn it into good for all "The Fites" and for God's glory. Have faith and believe. We love and pray continually for all of you. Ben and Carolyn Kee

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  4. As I read your post tonight I was overwhelmed with emotion for all of you. I immediately bowed my head and asked the Lord what I could say that would encourage you. The "Footprints in the Sand" poem came to mind right away. So I thought, that would be something that would be encouraging and then I clicked on here and that was the first thing I read. So, I feel it was definitely from God! I will be praying constantly for Clay in the morning and for all of you as well. I just wish I were there to give you all a hug! Try to rest and eat well! Praying!! Missy and family

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  5. From California: Thank you so much for sharing with us even all the hard things that happen. I am feeling very sad tonight. I also wish I was there to give you all a hug. Please consider yourself hugged! Our thoughts will be with you all night tonight and all day tomorrow hoping for good results from the surgery tomorrow.
    Love to all of you.

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  6. That hymn has been a prayer of ours since we heard of Clay's accident; for Clay as well as for his parents - and his brothers - for everyone around him. We hope Clay had a good night and we pray for success with this new graft procedure and pray God gives you all strength. Love always, Dawn & Pam

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  7. We will be praying for healing, strength and comfort for you all !!!! We love yall !!

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  8. This is the most awful, gut-wrenching roller coaster you'll ever ride. 1 Peter 5:10 is the verse we clung to in the burn center: After you have suffereed for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory, will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. What a comfort knowing He is carrying you through it. We are privileged to be among the many praying for you.
    Mel Birdwell

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  9. Thank you Joy and Martha for all you are doing there. Thanks also to Chance's family. You have no idea how comforting it is to know you are there for Dee Dee, Chance, and the boys. I know there are so many that go through these things without the love and support of family. You people are the backbone that many don't see. Just know that you are loved and thought of daily as well. Chance and Dee Dee...hang in there.
    Love, Lori

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  10. We are there with you all in our hearts and prayers. You are loved and God's strenth will give you strenth to make it through. Hymn 350 has brought me strenth and maybe it will for you too. "Just Cling". Just cling to Him and He will carry you through. Many, many hugs from all of us to all of you.

    Shawn, Sheila, Clayton, Cheyenne, and Conway

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  11. Our dear dear friends, We just have to add our deep deep love and care for you I did not get your e-mail until this morning as it hadn't come through before bedtime. After reading it this morning I have not got words to express our care and love to you all there. We too want to add our thanks to Joy and Martha for standing by at the hospital. We just wish we could do more for you dear folks but just remember you are so deeply in our thoughts and hearts. We will love you forever. Stan and Helen Chipperfield.

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  12. DeeDee, it was good to see you Sunday and get to speak to you some. I found out some about the baby food I was telling you about. Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence is launching a new organic baby food line called Sprouts and it will come in resealable pouches. I believe you can get this at Central Market. Hopefully he will be able to hold this down soon to regain some strength that way. Hang in there!!!

    Sheila

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  13. Just wanted to write a little and let you know you are in our thoughts daily. We hope the day's surgery goes well. There are no words to make things better or to take away the pain from days like yesterday, but you all are very loved and thought of both here on earth and above.
    Sincerely,
    Kari (Bryan) Nussbaum and family

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  14. I just woke up from night shift and we think of you all SOOO Much and hope that our little Fiter
    will keep up the GOOD WORK!!! Your blogs are Heart Wrenching to us all. We shared your story w/ our little grandkids too and they were SOO touched!!! Love you TONS. Marvin and Bonnie

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  15. That has to be so scarey. As a parent all of this can be so trying because you feel you should be able to fix it. Always remember you being there fixes more than you will ever know. Wishing you all a better day and future days. Know that we are all there for your family. Best of luck with Clay's next surgery.
    Laurie

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  16. We are thinking of you during this most difficult time. I especially thought of you and your little family as we sat in Cache special meeting. I remember your 3 precious boys, close to the age of my own from that meeting and also from being at Rex and Martha Taylors for visits. My heart goes out to you. Please stay encouraged and know that we are close in prayer. With love and care, Russ and Evelyn Horton Norman, OK

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  17. Praying for your whole family. May you have comfort through these difficult times.

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  18. Dear Gramma Joy~ No better words, or hymn, than what you mentioned!! "What I have no power over, I will leave in Jesus' hands!" Those words are MUCH easier 'spoken' than they are lived out, but that is exactly what we all need to do in life! It IS often the 'valleys' that cause us to feel so desperate and helpless, and as a result, that is when we are 'more able' to accept those words for ourselves! Thinking of all of you and thankful that God gives strength! WE LOVE YOU! (all inclusive...Wes, Marilyn, Dakota, Darqel, Quinton, Sinda AND FAMILIES!!!! <3 )

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  19. We are praying continually for all of you. WE check the blog daily and praise God for the good news and ask Him for an extra measure of grace when the news is not so good. Take care of yourself and receive comfort in knowing that your are held close in God's arms.

    Praying daily,
    Butch and Carol Willis

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