Kyle's NICU Story in Pictures

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

The Nannies are Back - Carol

The Nannies are back on duty! Jadon and Jack are settling back into their routines, and the Sherrill Family is back to the "new normal." Jack has graduated to a big boy bed, as we all prepare for the day when Kyle gets to come home. Please pray for this time of transition in his life as he makes this official move from being "the baby." It's going fairly well right now, but of course, we've only had 3 nights of it. Also pray for Jadon who will be sharing his room with Jack soon. That will be a pretty big adjustment as well.

And pray for Kyle. That seems crazy to say. But I think sometimes when we (I) read the blog and the update is so good, maybe, just maybe, I am not so desperate to pray. Maybe I say, "Wow, thanks God. Way to go, another good day for Kyle." And while it is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, we have to keep remembering that Kyle is a baby in the NICU. Healthy babies aren't in the NICU. Really sick babies are. He is still fighting to learn how to breathe, how to regulate his own body temperature, how to pee and poop like he should, and so much more. He should still be tucked away in his mother's womb. He doesn't drink out of a bottle or nurse. He is connected to a feeding tube. He is connected to a machine that helps him while he learns how to breathe. These are not things that healthy newborns do. He is a preemie in the NICU.

I don't say any of those things to be a "debbie downer." I just want you to remember to keep begging God for Kyle to be whole and healed. THANK HIM for all the miracles He has already performed, but also beg Him desperately for Kyle's brain development, his lung development, his gut development, his eye development. Beg Him to give Kelly and John rest and comfort as they both work through this.

And finally, don't forget that this is still a family in need. They have received a freezer for Kelly to store her breastmilk in. And lots of people have sent in grocery cards. But they have about 2 and half more months in the hospital. The hospital bills mount up by the thousands, daily. They still eat at the hospital many times a week. They still park in a very expensive parking garage every day, and still pay exhorbitant gas prices to travel the 150+ miles a day they drive.

Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to remind you to pray. And if it's okay for me to ask, would you pray for me and Traci just to have the stamina to continue to nanny two very precious little boys with love and patience, to find time to hang out with our own families, and to be the women of God that we long to be in all of this?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU GOD FOR THE SIGHT OF THAT PRECIOUS LITTLE FACE...THANK YOUR FOR YOUR CONTINUED HEALING IN EVERY AREA OF HIS TINY LITTLE BODY..HIS BRAIN, EYES, LUNGS, DIGESTIVE SYSTEM, EARS, NOSE, TASTE, HIS LITTLE TUMMY AND EVEN HIS ABILITY TO TEE TEE AND POO...THANK YOU FOR PERFECT WHOLENESS OF HIS LITTLE BODY...
AND FATHER WE PRAY FOR ALL THE BABIES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE NICU...PLEASE HEAL EACH OF THEM AS ONLY YOU CAN DO...
WE THANK YOU AND GIVE ALL PRAISE TO YOU AND IT IS IN THE NAME OF OUR PRECIOUS LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST THAT WE PRAY AND GIVE ALL PRAISE...AMEN

John and Kelly...He is looking so good...he has come so far and his skin looks wonderful and I know you are totally pumped about him coming home soon....I hope it will be much sooner than you think...I pray for that for all of you...
love ya,
LeAnn Smith
lulibell60@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Thank you Carol for reminding us all of some very important points. I too had found myself comfortable with where Kyle was at because he has been doing so "good." However, the Lord recently reminded me that Kyle has a long way to go and there are still specific things that I need to pray for.

Still praying, still believing and still expecting continued healing and growth.

Candy Humber

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much Carol for the reminders...I needed it! And I will be more mindful to pray with the same urgency that I felt when I first heard of a little boy born at 23 weeks & 1.5 lbs... Yes, I have to remember he is really only "33" weeks out of the 40 weeks he's supposed to be to actually be "out in the open"... Again, thanks so much for the reminder.
NOW, I have to comment on that precious boy - golly he's beautiful. Those eyes reach out & grab you & I feel he has so much he wants to say!! Yes, THANK YOU Precious Lord for all you have done for Kyle AND for all I believe You still have for him & John,Kelly,Jadon&Jack!!and all the others that are right there each day "in the mix of their day". Help me to remember them throughout my day so I can pray for them!
Thank you Sherrills & Nannies for pouring into my life!
Praying for you ~ GranMammy B
Barbie Weller - Mansfield

Anonymous said...

Thank God Baby Kyle is getting better! I'm not in your situation but one of my best friends had twin preemies born 1.10 & 1.12(born at Texas Womens Sept 1st, 2006) who are 16 months old now and doing AMAZINGLY GREAT. While reading your blog i read about parking, gas, etc. You may want to check with the hospital about medicare/medicaid(sorry they confuse me, but the one for babies should help cover you...EVEN if you make too much money). From what my girlfriend said...they will cover any child that's birth weight is under 2 lbs. Please check on that..because i'm sure any little bit will help. My friend also said they covered her mileage...and paid for gas. Just some insight form what i learned from my friend. I will keep praying for your beautiful family...
Many blessings!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

What a cute little face peeking out!!! He looks so good. I'm so glad that is continuing to to do well and progress. Thanks to good friends who continue to help with Jadon and Jack. I agree with Brenda, dont hesitate to ask and or seek out financial help. Please dont feel like you need to carry this all by yourself. THere are programs and systems in place that are ready , willing and able to help with almost all of the aspects of having a child in the NICU. That is why they were created to help families just like you guys. We continue to pray for Kyle and for all of you.
Blessings,
Brandie

Anonymous said...

Regarding gas money - check with the early intervention program in your area. I am an early interventionist in Colorado, but I can see what I can find out about Texas. I am thinking that they will give gas cards, etc. for parents to go see their preemies. Check it out!

Anonymous said...

thank you for the sobering reminder of Kyle's state and the need to press in and pray w/ vigilance..you are so right....it's easy to think 'things are good' and ,sure enough, prayers become less intense, focused and desperate.

Man, you always know exactly what to say and when to say it...blessings to you all..

Anonymous said...

Like Brenda said, while the family is definitely incurring extra living and other expenses during this time I think it's fair that when asking for donations that people know that babies born under 2.5 lbs qualify for medicaid and in Texas get 100% of their NICU medical expenses covered. So donations are needed for the family but not necessarily to cover the mounting hospital bills. This is an awesome blessing to have.

Praying for Kyle and his family daily and so thrilled at his progress!!

Click below to go to my Personal March of Dimes Page

Our Story

This story begins with 5 people. John, Kelly, Jadon, Jack, and Kyle (he is only 23 weeks old... and he is still safely tucked away in his mommy's belly) In an hour's time Kyle made his way into the world. 1 pound, 3 ounces- 11 and a half inches long. This family will never be the same. This child is a warrior. He has the spirit of a Lion, and more courage than a whole pride. He is fierce, and fearless- and he is teaching us to fear the Lord- and to believe that God is in our midst and healing even now. Join us as pray, as we praise, and as we journey through this life as lovers of God and all His glory.

Kyle is in the March of Dimes Promo!