Kyle was good today - got another smile from the doctors! They went down on his breaths per minute. They did the echo today but no results until tomorrow. The NICU was really busy today - but in the afternoon the traffic slowed down and I got to hold Kyle AGAIN! We had a great time! He did great while I was holding him. I don't think unless you have done kangaroo care with a 1 pound and now 14 OUNCE (just a little bragging there!) preemie you can imagine how scary it is to unhook this little guy from his vent and watch a nurse carry him and literally about 50 cords over to you then get him hooked back up and hold him and his vents and today two pumps that give him meds and food just right while you love on him, pray for him, sing to him and just chat a little too! Don't get me wrong - none of this is complaining - it is AMAZING but scary at the same time. I must admit I feel like I might be getting good at it! I am blessed and changed each time I touch is little lion body and smell his little lion smell! I love him to pieces! Please keep praying for Kyle - also he is having trouble with his oxygenation - lots of desats - please pray for this to stabalize - this can be a symptom of the pda (the hole in a heart) or of chronic lung disease. Also please pray for his nurses - they are amazing. Please ask the Lord to bless them in their lives and to be insightful, attentive and full of wisdom as they watch over kyle.
oh ... back to the subject above - Tonight I came home from the hospital early to spend some time with Jadon and Jack. We had a great time playing cars, reading stories and decorating for christmas with Dad! I really think this is the highlight of Jadon's year. I let them both stay up late selfishly just to spend a few more minutes with them! It is so hard to be away from them this much but I am feeling it is even harder for them. Tonight as john was tucking jadon in to bed Jadon became so overwhelmed with that just truly sad cry. Big tears that seemed to come from nowhere but I know came from a building of little boy stress. He said that he did not feel special. My heart sank to hear that coming from the other room and to hear that great big cry again. Talk about a tough family moment! It was just one of those cries that needed to come out. So john spent the next 30 minutes reassuring jadon of how special he is and that God made him "b/c he wanted to". and reminding him of the fact that he was given to us as a gift and oh how we treasure him! Jadon (being incredibly verbal) told us that he was having some "not so nice memories" and those made him sad. We talked through all that and then after lots of hugs I laid down with him. We planned out the week and organized what time I would spend with him and he let me know he can't wait till kyle gets home so we can be a family that lives in one house. We prayed, I sang his song, and then laid down with him - as I was telling him one more time how special he was and how much I loved him I began to hear the faintest little snoring. He fell asleep in about 30 seconds.
All of you on the wall tonight, please pray for Jadon. His name means God has heard.
I am so deeply thankful to whoever you are that is reading this right now. Thank you for doing life with me.
Kyle's NICU Story in Pictures
22 comments:
Oh, my heart is overwhelmed with compassion for your precious family. I pray Zephaniah 3:17 over each one of you tonight. I praise God for the presence that He has in your family...that the LORD your God is with you...I praise God for the deliverence that He has provided for each of us through Christ. What a miracle?! I praise Him for the miracles that He is doing in little Kyle with each setting sun, with each ounce gained, with each safe trip downtown and back home for his tired Mommy and Daddy each day...that He is mighty to save. For Jadon, with such a tender heart, I pray that he will know that God will take GREAT DELIGHT in him. God I pray that you will quiet Jadon's little heart with Your love...That YOU will sing his song over him tonight. I thank You for reminding me that You are singing over John and Kelly. You are singing their song, quieting their hearts. For little Jack, I ask that You also quiet Him with Your love and that You will rejoice over him with singing. Thank you for the reminder that You love us. Make that real to Jadon tonight. For all of the Sherrills.
I read these posts daily and pray for your family so many times throught the day! You don't know me, I go to WoodsEdge and that is how I heard about your family! My family has been close to where you are, we know the NICU at Texas Children's and Memorial Hermann way to well, so I know where you are coming from when you talk about the NP and the wires, and the shift changes!! I also know what it feels like to have a child say they "don't feel special" becuase you are spending so much time gone with the new baby!! There is no more of a crushing feeling! But I want you to know there is hope!! There is an end! We serve a BIG God who is working miracles daily!! We serve a God who works in ways we may never see!!! Hold onto the promise of 1 Peter 5:10 which says "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” You are in the prayers of so many people, people who you don't know and may never meet!! It's an honor to be able to intercede on your behalf and watch how God is working miracles daily, even in the smallest ways!!! Stay encouraged and keep your eyes on the Creator!!! He is walking with you, crying with you, rejoicing with you, and holding you through this!! May God continue to show himself to you and continue to strengthen your faith!!!
Wow, Kelly, you are so amazing...I sit daily and have so many different emotions run thru me as I read your's and Johns writings...I am so touched by the strength of your precious family...I know little Jadon and Jack are sad to not have you with them all the time...My heart aches for all of you...I bought something for your family today...It is a TY stuffed animal...I saw it and had to pick it up and buy it because it made me think of yall...It is a big green FROG...and I was just overwhelmed with thoughts of you and John and how you are truly
F(fully) R (relying) O (on) G (GOD)
I hope to be able to bring it to yall soon...
Still praying for little man several times a day...
Love ya,
LeAnn Smith
PRAYING!! So glad Kyle is having good days. Praying for every member of your family!
i was "on the wall" for 11-midnight tonight. i am journaling each week as i pray for you all. this is one thing i prayed tonight. "Father God, please show Jadon and Jack Your love for them through all the people around them. As young as they are I pray You are instilling in them hearts of compassion for others. Once again I pray they will never resent Kyle or be jealous of the time he has with their parents."
I didn't read your post until after I had spent the hour praying. I will go to sleep praying even more.
Yes Lord.
I praise the Lord for yet another good day for Kyle and the whole family! I am so happy to hear that you all got to spend some quality time with the "older" boys!
Still praying, still believing and still EXPECTING healing!
Candy Humber
Oh my gosh, 1 lb 14 oz ! ! ! WOW WEE HIP HIP HOORAY YOWZA GIG 'EM WHOOP YEE HAW !! How exciting! I kept wondering what his wt was now. We were in Houston (Spring) to spend Thanksgiving w/Matt & Meg'n & I wanted to go meet Kyle but it didn't work out. I kept thinking of him (& all of the Sherrills) & thanking God for allowing Kyle to spend this time with all of us. Please post pictures. I love pictures. I scroll through them just to remind myself of how precious all of you are. I continue to grow in my own relationship w/my Lord through your journey & your unfailing faith & trust in Him. Continue to rest assured that hundreds are praying for all the Sherrills all because of a little lion named Kyle. Love & hugs ~ GranMammy B Barbie Weller - Mansfield TX
John and Kelly,
When my mom and dad told me about Kyle my heart sank for the both of you. I love you all and your family and am praying day and night for your presious little angle from above. I know that God has a plan for all things and that Kyle is here for a reason.
Amanda & Cody Cornatzer
What you guys are doing is akin to taking a drink from a fire hose. Your family is a strong unit of one with five parts, each with individual needs to be met. You guys are doing a great job of meeting those needs. Take care of yourselves physically, spiritually and emotionally. you will, with Gods help, come out even stronger.
I will pray for peace and comfort for Jadon that only the Lord can give. That both Jadon and Jack will hold every moment with you and John as special and know that they ARE loved and special. I pray for strength for you and John each day as you are pulled in every direction to be there for your boys. I know the Lord is looking over your family through this refining fire time and your family will come through this time stronger than ever before. You are a true blessing to me as I check in daily and pray for you.
Prayed for your sweet family today. May God continue to uphold each of you and strengthen your hearts like only He can. May He wrap His arms around all of you today! Cannot wait to see His miracle continue to unfold in your lives and that of your little lion.
Praise God for Kyle's progress! I know EXACTLY what you mean about kangaroo care being wonderful, exciting, and scary all at the same time. Reading your blog brings back so many memories our our first baby's time in the NICU.
We will continue to pray.
Hi Kelly. So glad to hear that Kyle had a good day AND is getting closer to the big 2 lb mark - won't that be a good day?!!
I must admit that you are doing so much better with kangaroo care than I did. The fear would be so overwhelming for me that sometimes I just couldn't do it. It's funny how people respond differently to things, isn't it? We had friends who had a 25 wkr several weeks before Max was born and compared to me she handled things so well. She never missed a pumping session, didn't have to spend every minute at the hospital and...GASP...even went back to her normal life while her baby was still in the hospital. :) Don't get me wrong, she is a GREAT mom and we are great friends to this day - we were just completely different when it came to life in the NICU.
Okay, this had nothing to do with your post but just thought I would throw it out there to remind you that you're doing a great job and to keep on truckin' along! And tell Kyle to keep on truckin' along too! :)
Take care,
Jennifer Clardy
(better known as Max's mommy)
Read something cool that made me think of you guys:
"This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the battles ahead. For the battle is not yours, but God's...You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you... Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'"
2 Chronicles 20:15-17
My heart is filled with so much love and compassion for your family right now. Praying for all of you guys!
John and Kelly, don't know if ya'll remember me - my maiden name was Jen Brimm and I graduated from SHSU in '99. I learned of Kyle through Ross and Mandy Newman and have been praying for him since. He is also on my church's prayer list here in South Carolina. God truly works miracles all the time and I am praying that he continues to work them in Kyle's life. I have a friend in Utah who delivered her baby boy at 24 weeks - he is a happy 2 and a half year old today and another wonderful example of God's strength. Thank you for your posts.
I'll continue to pray for health and peace, for you and the Sherrill boys...all four of them! You have an army behind you, Kelly.
The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
—Proverbs 28:1
I AM ON MY KNEES TONIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND AM PRAYING CONSTANTLY OVER EACH ONE OF YOU BY NAME UP. I WILL PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR JADON TONIGHT TO FEEL THAT HE IS SO SPECIAL TO YOU AND SO MANY OTHERS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THAT HE WILL KNOW GOD CREATED HIM FOR YOU WITH HIS PERFECT AND PLEASING PLAN AND THAT GOD CREATED HIM TO BE BIG BROTHER TO JACK AND KYLE. GOD KNEW HIM BOFORE HE CREATED HIM AND KNEW THE NUMBERS OF HAIRS ON HIS HEAD WHILE HE WAS KNIT IN YOUR WOMB. HE IS LOVED SO VERY MUCH.
PRAYING.
My husband and I named our daughter Jadyn for the very reason that it meant "God has heard." The specialists told us to terminate because of the risks to my life - that was not an option for us. She was 1lb. 9oz. when she was born and I am now reliving some terrifying and beautiful moments while praying for your family and for Kyle. To see her eyes become unfused, watching to see which breaths were hers and not the machines, praying that brain bleeds would resolve and so desperatly wanting another 30 gram weight gain. I understand. When I did Kangaroo care with Jadyn I would sing to her "Jesus, Saviour Pilot Me." It was my daily (minute-by-minute) prayer then just as it is to this day. I am praying for you now as I watch my own Jadyn, who is 18 months old, splashing around in the bathtub, looking at me, smiling and saying "hi." It is the most unbelievable thing to watch the finishing touches of God's creation right refore your eyes. The day our Jadyn came home at 82 days, she hit the 4lb. mark for the first time. These tiny ones of ours are so strong, they should be dialy examples to each of us how we are to continue the fight. Blessings and peace to your family. We live here in the Woodlands as well, one day what a beautiful thing if our two miracles could sit and play. God truly has heard!
Stephanie, Jeffery and Jadyn Armstreet
Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to him belong
They are weak but HE IS STRONG
Yes Jesus Loves Kyle
Yes Jesus Loves Kyle
Yes Jesus Loves Kyle
The bible tells me so!!!!!!
Paula Seale
Hi there! A friend sent me your link. I am the mom of a former 28 weeker. My son stayed in the NICU for 96 days. He's 2 years old now and doing fabulously. He came home as a BPD baby - bronchiopulmonary dysplasya (sp) and was on O2 at home for about 6 months and the heart monitor till 1 year. It'll be totally different that what you are used to, but God is holding your little one in his hands, just like he did for my little one. Take care, thinking and praying for you.
Amy Dillon
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