Well just a little update, we will be heading out Saturday monring. Travel plans are made and all that is left is the packing! Mattie has not been feeling well. I'm very proud of her because even though she was not feeling well, she got up and went to school this morning. Please pray that she will feel well enough to finish out this week of school since we will be gone all next week.
We can't explain how greatful we are for all the love, prayers, and financial support to help us along this journey. God has blessed us though so many people; alot of people we don't even know. Thank you all for your continued prayers! Will try to blog daily next week with updates.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Happy St Maddie's Day!
Today makes 9 years since Maddie's kidney transplant. We celebrate the life that she received and call today St. Maddie's Day! One of her doctor's names is Maddie so it only seemed appropriate! So make sure you tell everyone Happy St Maddie's Day and wear your green bracelet.
Two more weeks and we will be on our way. Maddie is getting nervous so keep her in your prayers please. Have a great day!
Two more weeks and we will be on our way. Maddie is getting nervous so keep her in your prayers please. Have a great day!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Prayers are Pouring In!
We are getting closer and closer to going to Cincinnati. All of our travel plans are starting to take place and come together.
I would like to say a special thanks to everyone who is praying for me and my family. We can trully feel the love! Thank you Aunt Barbie for speaking about me at First Baptist in Amite Sunday. They had a special prayer for me! I hear there are alot of churches that have me on the prayer list that I don't even know about. We can really feel the peace that comes from the prayers.
More green bracelets will arrive this week! I love to see everyone wearing them. Thanks again and remember God is good ALL the time.
I would like to say a special thanks to everyone who is praying for me and my family. We can trully feel the love! Thank you Aunt Barbie for speaking about me at First Baptist in Amite Sunday. They had a special prayer for me! I hear there are alot of churches that have me on the prayer list that I don't even know about. We can really feel the peace that comes from the prayers.
More green bracelets will arrive this week! I love to see everyone wearing them. Thanks again and remember God is good ALL the time.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Kind Hearts and Itenerary Received!
There have been so many great things done for us in the past few weeks. And we like to share what we can. I would like to share today about a very kind young man named Dalton. Dalton got green reminder bands to sale at school. Dalton is so giving instead of selling them, he bought them all with his own money and passed them out so people would see them and want one and ask what they were for. God has trully blessed Dalton with the gift of kindness and a giving heart. Thank you Dalton!
We received our itnerary yesterday. I'm going to list the doctors by name and appointment. Please pray for them that God would grant them the wisdom and understanding to figure out what syndrome Mattie has!
4/2/12 - Dr Paul Willging - ENT
4/3/12 - Dr. Rene Vandevoorde III - Nephrologist
4/3/12 - Dr. Jose M Garza - GI
4/4/12 - Dr. William Balistreri - Liver
4/5/12 - Dr. Robert Hopkin - Genetics
Thanks again for your support and prayers! God is smilling down on you!
We received our itnerary yesterday. I'm going to list the doctors by name and appointment. Please pray for them that God would grant them the wisdom and understanding to figure out what syndrome Mattie has!
4/2/12 - Dr Paul Willging - ENT
4/3/12 - Dr. Rene Vandevoorde III - Nephrologist
4/3/12 - Dr. Jose M Garza - GI
4/4/12 - Dr. William Balistreri - Liver
4/5/12 - Dr. Robert Hopkin - Genetics
Thanks again for your support and prayers! God is smilling down on you!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Prayer Warriors Come in All ages!
God is working overtime through people that are willing to pray for our family and me. Today was a very special day. My sister Mickey made a huge banner for me a month ago that I didn't know about. People have been signing it and I didn't know it. Tonight before our game they gave it to me and I was so happy I cried. We played Madison tonight and they laid my poster on the table for everyone to sign. A group of sweet kids from Madison that I had never met before saw the poster and wanted to meet me. I was working in the press box and came down to meet them. They wanted to pray with me. Katie, Brady, Justin me and Mom formed a circle and held hands. Mom asked who wants to pray and precious Katie said I do. They are trully prayer warriors at such a young age. What a tesitmony to being faithful to God. My Nana called to tell my Mom that an entire church got up during church and went to the alter to pray for me....the whole church! Ms JoAnn our cousin's Bible Class had a special prayer time for me this weekend and my Mom's boss, Ms. Carol, went to a Women's meeting this weekend and they had a special prayer for me. God is showing off again and I can't wait to see what He will do this time! Please continue to pray for healing and answers. And remember no matter what God is good ALL the time. Thanks again my new friends, Katie, Brady and Justin!
We got more green reminder bracelets in today that Aunt Betty ordered for me! And thank you Ms. Tina for sitting there and selling them to everyone tonight!
We got more green reminder bracelets in today that Aunt Betty ordered for me! And thank you Ms. Tina for sitting there and selling them to everyone tonight!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Mattie's Story!
God has laid on my heart to share Mattie's story with what happened as it is a testimony to HIM and how HE can use you in what could be a dark hour. It may be a little long but worth the read!
When Mattie was born she was sick all the time with regular illnesses, but they were constant. It seemed as if we were at the doctor every two weeks, but nothing major or life threatening. On Mattie's 5th birthday my Uncle who had watched her from birth to 3 years looked at her and told me something wasn't right that her color was funny. She seemed thirsty all the time and her color was pasty white but other than that she seemed to be playing and having a normal birthday party. I took her to a new pediatrician the next day and he did a urinalysis and thought that Mattie had diabetes. He asked us to come back the next morning for blood work to make sure. We went the next day for blood work and then went back to work and school. Within two hours, the doctor's office was calling me to tell me to take Mattie to New Orleans to Childrens Hospital that she had a kidney malfunction. We packed two days worth of clothes and headed to New Orleans thinking he meant kidney infection. When we arrived, the Nephrologist was waiting for us in admitting and kept rushing the ladies that were admitting us. I thought to myself, wow what a hospital that the doctor would come wait for us in admitting. Little did I know what we were fixing to find out. Mattie was then taken to get an ultrasound and that's when we found out her malfunction was renal failure. She had one kidney the size of a pea and the other was covered in cysts. She was then taken to get a biopsy as they were hoping they could find out what caused this. We kept hearing over and over they may never know. At the time, I could not fathom not knowing what was wrong with our sweet little girl. The biopsy only showed that the kidney's were too far gone to tell. She then went immediately to have surgery to place a tube in her stomach to go on dialysis. After that surgery she was bleeding internally and they had to go back in to find out what was bleeding. They found it and stopped the bleeding and she started dialysis. I believe this all happened within a one day period. Now for the good stuff. Our first night there I was in the little room getting a cup of coffee and a met a wonderful creole woman named Janice. She was at the hospital with her daughter, Asia. Asia had down syndrome, and a liver disease and was on dialysis. Asia case was much more complex because of the liver issues and because it was just Asia and Janice, there was no other family there with them. At this point all of our family had come and we had people everywhere. As I talked with Janice, we became friends. The next few days were touch and go because Mattie had to have 5 blood transfusions and was now all of a sudden very sick. During these days, we had people that drove hours to come see her and pray with us. It was such a testimony because everyone around us could see the people that were coming in droves to pray for Mattie and our family. It was quite amazing because Janice became friends with our family and would often ask someone to come pray over Asia. Not only did the patients notice, but so did the doctors and nurses. Everyone was in awe of how God was working during this difficult situation. We had to stay at the hospital for two weeks to learn in home dialysis so we could bring Mattie home. My sister, Betty stepped up and was my partner as it takes more than one person to hook a 5 year old up to a machine for 14 hours! During our two week stay God showed off in more ways than one. We had a church that drove an hour to come annoint Mattie with oil and pray over her. I knew two people from a group of 20 or better. The nurses and doctors are watching these special prayer services take place and it touched many. It was funny because when we had a good day Asia would have a bad day and we would be able to be there with Janice as a single mother and pray with her. When Mattie was having a bad day, Asia would be having a good day and Janice would be there for me. We met many other precious children and parents. We even had to be there one night when one mother lost her precious child, it was so sad but we were all there together. Every day the big part of the day was the morning, because they would draw labs and then the doctor would come in with the report which would tell us if Mattie was getting better and if the dialysis was working. We made friends with the Chief Resident while we were there. One morning after labs she came in our room and was crying. I told her it will be alright just go ahead and tell me what the labs are, we can deal with it. She looked at me and said its not the labs, my brother is missing and I need you to pray for him. Now imagine this, we are in the hospital with our child who needs a kidney transplant and God had showed off enough that a doctor was comfortable enough to walk in our room and ask me to pray for her brother. Come on people, that never happens! I went with her to the window seal in our room, we got on our knees and prayed for her brother. Later that night, she came back in to let me know that he had been mugged and beaten up but was going to be okay. God was really showing off that day. After two weeks, we came home on Christmas Eve day to set everything up and get ready to start dialysis at home. I can't tell you how many people dropped Christmas gifts and food off out our house. It was amazing. The next three months were spent getting ready for a kidney transplant. What a blessing as I was a match and on March 17 I was able to give Mattie a kidney. So March 17th became St Mattie's Day at our house as one of Mattie's main doctor's name was Mattie! We stayed in the hospital another 2 weeks and Mattie came home doing well. We had to go back to New Orleans every few days for labs and check ups for the first two weeks and Mattie couldn't go anywhere other than the hospital. No one but immediate family could come in our home. She had to give her dog away because of germs and we all had to wear mask. God was still working as every day someone would drive through our driveway and drop off food even though they couldn't come inside. I don't think I cooked for a month.
After we were situated with the new kidney and back to some sort of normal routine, we moved to McComb as that is where my husbands job was. I got a job at the school eventually and was able to be with the girls when they were out of school. It seemed as if we had some normalcy back at life. Then the sinus problems started. Mattie about every two years has had to have sinus surgery in which they would go in and cut out 20 - 30 polyps. They were sure she had cystic fibrosis but dna testing said she didn't. So now we have another problem and no answers. We still trusted that God would let us know when it was time.
When Mattie was 8 her liver enzymes started to be elevated every month. So for the last 6 years she has had liver problems. She has had two liver biopsies and they are still unsure what it causing it. They believe she was born with a rare congenital disease that is attacking different organs. We have never seen a geneticist but will get to see one in Cincinnati. We have always prayed that we would find out what is going on in God's time. We are hoping this is God's time, but if it is not, as hard as it is we will be we will be patient and wait on HIM! Because God is good ALL the time.
The reason I know God wanted you to hear this story is to pray for Mattie, but most importantly, remember no matter what situation you are in HE can use you for HIS glory. So embrace whatever situation and reach out and be a witness to others and HE will bless you for it.
On another note, Janice rededicated her life and reconciled with Asia's father so she is no longer a Single Mother! Praise God.
When Mattie was born she was sick all the time with regular illnesses, but they were constant. It seemed as if we were at the doctor every two weeks, but nothing major or life threatening. On Mattie's 5th birthday my Uncle who had watched her from birth to 3 years looked at her and told me something wasn't right that her color was funny. She seemed thirsty all the time and her color was pasty white but other than that she seemed to be playing and having a normal birthday party. I took her to a new pediatrician the next day and he did a urinalysis and thought that Mattie had diabetes. He asked us to come back the next morning for blood work to make sure. We went the next day for blood work and then went back to work and school. Within two hours, the doctor's office was calling me to tell me to take Mattie to New Orleans to Childrens Hospital that she had a kidney malfunction. We packed two days worth of clothes and headed to New Orleans thinking he meant kidney infection. When we arrived, the Nephrologist was waiting for us in admitting and kept rushing the ladies that were admitting us. I thought to myself, wow what a hospital that the doctor would come wait for us in admitting. Little did I know what we were fixing to find out. Mattie was then taken to get an ultrasound and that's when we found out her malfunction was renal failure. She had one kidney the size of a pea and the other was covered in cysts. She was then taken to get a biopsy as they were hoping they could find out what caused this. We kept hearing over and over they may never know. At the time, I could not fathom not knowing what was wrong with our sweet little girl. The biopsy only showed that the kidney's were too far gone to tell. She then went immediately to have surgery to place a tube in her stomach to go on dialysis. After that surgery she was bleeding internally and they had to go back in to find out what was bleeding. They found it and stopped the bleeding and she started dialysis. I believe this all happened within a one day period. Now for the good stuff. Our first night there I was in the little room getting a cup of coffee and a met a wonderful creole woman named Janice. She was at the hospital with her daughter, Asia. Asia had down syndrome, and a liver disease and was on dialysis. Asia case was much more complex because of the liver issues and because it was just Asia and Janice, there was no other family there with them. At this point all of our family had come and we had people everywhere. As I talked with Janice, we became friends. The next few days were touch and go because Mattie had to have 5 blood transfusions and was now all of a sudden very sick. During these days, we had people that drove hours to come see her and pray with us. It was such a testimony because everyone around us could see the people that were coming in droves to pray for Mattie and our family. It was quite amazing because Janice became friends with our family and would often ask someone to come pray over Asia. Not only did the patients notice, but so did the doctors and nurses. Everyone was in awe of how God was working during this difficult situation. We had to stay at the hospital for two weeks to learn in home dialysis so we could bring Mattie home. My sister, Betty stepped up and was my partner as it takes more than one person to hook a 5 year old up to a machine for 14 hours! During our two week stay God showed off in more ways than one. We had a church that drove an hour to come annoint Mattie with oil and pray over her. I knew two people from a group of 20 or better. The nurses and doctors are watching these special prayer services take place and it touched many. It was funny because when we had a good day Asia would have a bad day and we would be able to be there with Janice as a single mother and pray with her. When Mattie was having a bad day, Asia would be having a good day and Janice would be there for me. We met many other precious children and parents. We even had to be there one night when one mother lost her precious child, it was so sad but we were all there together. Every day the big part of the day was the morning, because they would draw labs and then the doctor would come in with the report which would tell us if Mattie was getting better and if the dialysis was working. We made friends with the Chief Resident while we were there. One morning after labs she came in our room and was crying. I told her it will be alright just go ahead and tell me what the labs are, we can deal with it. She looked at me and said its not the labs, my brother is missing and I need you to pray for him. Now imagine this, we are in the hospital with our child who needs a kidney transplant and God had showed off enough that a doctor was comfortable enough to walk in our room and ask me to pray for her brother. Come on people, that never happens! I went with her to the window seal in our room, we got on our knees and prayed for her brother. Later that night, she came back in to let me know that he had been mugged and beaten up but was going to be okay. God was really showing off that day. After two weeks, we came home on Christmas Eve day to set everything up and get ready to start dialysis at home. I can't tell you how many people dropped Christmas gifts and food off out our house. It was amazing. The next three months were spent getting ready for a kidney transplant. What a blessing as I was a match and on March 17 I was able to give Mattie a kidney. So March 17th became St Mattie's Day at our house as one of Mattie's main doctor's name was Mattie! We stayed in the hospital another 2 weeks and Mattie came home doing well. We had to go back to New Orleans every few days for labs and check ups for the first two weeks and Mattie couldn't go anywhere other than the hospital. No one but immediate family could come in our home. She had to give her dog away because of germs and we all had to wear mask. God was still working as every day someone would drive through our driveway and drop off food even though they couldn't come inside. I don't think I cooked for a month.
After we were situated with the new kidney and back to some sort of normal routine, we moved to McComb as that is where my husbands job was. I got a job at the school eventually and was able to be with the girls when they were out of school. It seemed as if we had some normalcy back at life. Then the sinus problems started. Mattie about every two years has had to have sinus surgery in which they would go in and cut out 20 - 30 polyps. They were sure she had cystic fibrosis but dna testing said she didn't. So now we have another problem and no answers. We still trusted that God would let us know when it was time.
When Mattie was 8 her liver enzymes started to be elevated every month. So for the last 6 years she has had liver problems. She has had two liver biopsies and they are still unsure what it causing it. They believe she was born with a rare congenital disease that is attacking different organs. We have never seen a geneticist but will get to see one in Cincinnati. We have always prayed that we would find out what is going on in God's time. We are hoping this is God's time, but if it is not, as hard as it is we will be we will be patient and wait on HIM! Because God is good ALL the time.
The reason I know God wanted you to hear this story is to pray for Mattie, but most importantly, remember no matter what situation you are in HE can use you for HIS glory. So embrace whatever situation and reach out and be a witness to others and HE will bless you for it.
On another note, Janice rededicated her life and reconciled with Asia's father so she is no longer a Single Mother! Praise God.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Dates confirmed - lots going on!
Children's of Cincinnati called Mom today and confirmed our dates. We will be going for our first appointment April 2 and see doctors all week. We are not sure when we will get to come home because it depends on what if any procedures they want to do.
I have been home sick for three days and was dehydrated. Mom called my kidney nurse and she said I have to drink 3 liters of liquid a day. As Paw Paw would say, "Gas Up" so I feel like I'm going to drown from drinking so much. I am feeling a little better and hope to be back at school Monday.
We will start with Guest Services Monday making all the travel and hotel accomodations for my trip. Its exciting and scary all at the same time. We have more bracelets coming in as we ran out! We should have them by Monday or Tuesday.
Remember to pray for healing and answers and God is good ALL the time! Thanks for the prayers keep them coming.
I have been home sick for three days and was dehydrated. Mom called my kidney nurse and she said I have to drink 3 liters of liquid a day. As Paw Paw would say, "Gas Up" so I feel like I'm going to drown from drinking so much. I am feeling a little better and hope to be back at school Monday.
We will start with Guest Services Monday making all the travel and hotel accomodations for my trip. Its exciting and scary all at the same time. We have more bracelets coming in as we ran out! We should have them by Monday or Tuesday.
Remember to pray for healing and answers and God is good ALL the time! Thanks for the prayers keep them coming.
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