Jacob ended up having a migraine when I picked him up from school, so the doctor could see what an active migraine for him was like. He really had a bad one with eye pain, and he was throwing up all day and into the night. I wonder if it wasn't a stomach bug he had, but either way I had three sick boys and Kera and her worsening symptoms to deal with. My dad came up that day to stay with Kera while I took the boys to the doctor. Friday the boys were still feeling pretty sick, and Jacob was supposed to go on a scout overnighter, but had to miss it. My mom came up that day to stay with the boys while I took Kera to her appt. at primary childrens. They wanted to examine her symptoms and check her counts. Her counts were normal luckily. :) I was glad because with all the sickness in our home, I was afraid she would get sick too. She has been doing better these last few days and her symptoms have been manageable. After the doctor I took Kera to Color Me Mine to use up the last of a gift card we had. She made a cute bowl that she said she will use for her macaroni and cheese. These steroids she's on make her so hungry that all she wants to do is eat. I try to keep healthier choices on hand, but a lot of times what she wants is sugar or macaroni and cheese and stuff like that. I give her a lot of wheat toast and try to give her lots of fruits and veggies and smoothies too. She finishes something then 5 minutes later wants something else. It's a full time job keeping her fed!! ;)
Saturday the boys were getting better, and we were able to do some projects around the house. Dave took Jacob ice fishing that afternoon, so he was feeling better. Kera even went to church with us today and stayed for all the meetings. She was tired when she got home, and I notice that when she's tired is when her breathing is more labored and it's harder for her to talk. I also think that her rapid weight gain is making it harder for her to breath and get around. Poor little girl. :(
It was very difficult to manage everything with all my kids being sick and needing me all at the same time, but we got through it, and I'm hoping this week is much better!
I was reading an article today from the March Ensign (a magazine our church puts out which you can check out here at www.lds.org/ensign) that was titled "Trials, Tribulations, and Trust in the Lord" by Elder Bradley D. Foster. He shared a story about a young couple who went out on a date one night and left their 18 month old girl with relatives. The little girl ended up falling into a canal and floated face down in the water for about a mile and was helped out by a farmer who performed CPR on her. She was taken to the hospital and remained in critical condition for about a week. She had many prayers on her behalf and received one priesthood blessing in particular that was talked about in the article. It said,
"While she was in the hospital, Preslee received a blessing in which she was told that countless people would be drawn to her story and that she would continue to influence others for good. When Ashley heard this, she thought her daughter would recover. “How else could she continue to influence others?” she asked.
Ashley had no idea that her blog, which has had nearly seven million page views, would continue to grow. An author of one of the many comments on her blog stated:
“[Preslee] has taught families to draw closer, love harder, look at each other a bit differently, and appreciate what they have. She has taught people that what they make big deals of in their lives may not be that big after all. Your family’s faith and perseverance [have] taught people to step back and reevaluate their own lives, and maybe live a bit differently, and with more purpose.”
Even on the darkest days, Ashley and Pat still rely on the Lord and testify of the healing power of His Spirit. They have experienced a measure of the peace that only He can bring."
I feel this way about Kera and our trials. I know that we have learned so many important lessons throughout this whole ordeal with Kera's tumor. I know that the Lord has a plan for our family, and that Kera's trials have brought our family closer together. I hope that by reading about our family's trials and about the hard times we are facing, we can all stop with the business of life and take time to enjoy our children and be grateful for the blessings we are given. Each one of my children are unique and possess their own individual spirits. They are all so precious to me, and I know I am their mother for a reason. I know that faith and the power of the atonement can allow us to return to our father in heaven. I know he loves my children and knows them even better than I do, and he wants the very best for each of them. If we remain obedient and worthy, we can all return to Him again and be together for eternity. Trusting in this and in Him is what allows me to get through each and every day.