This past year has been difficult. Time at home with my family was at a premium and when we were all home, care for Lauren took a lot of time. When she was 1st home we would hold her and feed her for as many as 16 hours out of 24 hours. The greatest burden of this investment of time fell on my wife. Most of that time was spent bouncing on an exercise ball to keep her calm. Most of the time when we would feed her it would take 1 hour to get the milk in, then 30 min. to hold her to help her not throw up all the milk that just went in. After the 1.5 hours of feeding and holding she would often throw up all the milk anyway, and we would start over. If she kept in down we would need to start feeding her again after a 1.5 hour break.
Then at her weight checks the doctors would question why she gains weight so slowly. As I think back to those days, I do not remember much at all – We were really tired! I am thankful that feeding Lauren has gotten WAY better. She has a G-tube and an electric pump to give her food, and she gets formula continuously all night at a slow rate. We (mostly my wife) feed her 3 – 4 times a day and that takes a total of 4-5 hours.
I am thankful that she can sleep through the night and is happy a lot of the day. I am thankful too that she seems mentally aware and even bright, in spite of her body not doing what her brain wants her to do. I am thankful for Abby being such a good big sister through all this, she loves her sister and helps her and plays with her. Abby is so smart (she knows all Lauren's doctors and what kind of doctors they are – like pediatric gastroenterologist) and she is fun to be with. Most of all I am thankful for my wife who is a faithful servant to both our kids and her husband – she has a big load to carry and she does it without complaining.
With my busy schedule and ministry obligations she finds herself alone with the kids too often. Our church family and friends have been great helping out every way they can. Our strength comes from the Lord, which is rather obvious because we sure don't have it. Psalm 112 has been encouraging to both of us over the last year and to others facing hard times. I am thankful that this life is not all we have to look forward to, and I am thankful we do not walk this road alone. Have a great thanksgiving!
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