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Sep 16, 2009

UPDATE - Back to Shands ~ HOME

UPDATE:
Sorry to say, there may be a problem, so the surgeon wants us back for a cat scan. We're leaving but hoping to come back home soon. God has not left us, of that I am assured. We don't understand what is happening but we know God is good ~ always.
Please pray this latest thing is not serious. Please pray we can come back home for a few days after all. Andrew needs your prayer for hope and encouragment. I want him to smile today.

We're home. Yesterday was very hectic and followed a night of little, if any, sleep for me. My husband had stayed up all night Sunday so he slept on the sleeper chair. Andrew had a difficult night Monday due to a roommate being brought in around 10:30 p.m. It was a stressful situation. No details because I want to put it behind us. But because of information that is supposed to be private, yet how private can it be with a curtain between one patient and another, Andrew was frightened with what he overheard. He cried silent tears then asked me, "Why am I going through this?"

I lay as close to him as possible, trying not to cry myself. I did everything I could do to comfort him, protect him and help him relax. Then I stood guard throughout the night. Praying. Crying. Watching.

The next morning I became the "squeaky wheel" to get out of there fast. We were discharged around 10:30 a.m. but couldn't head home until we met with the doctor at the cancer clinic.
We also picked up a wheelchair to use when out of the house this week.

Yesterday was 21 days since the first visit to the family doctor. And here we are.

More later today...

37 comments:

  1. I don't know why you are going through this, but I strongly believe that God's hand is right with you. I believe in miracles.

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  2. so glad God got y'all out of there.....so sorry Andrew was yet again frightened.....

    Suzanne

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  3. So sorry you had a bad night. I'm praising God that Andrew is under your watch and has such a prayer warrior for a Mom. Let us know specific things we can pray for on your next update. Love and (((hugs)))

    Under His Wings,

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  4. Wow, it doesn't seem possible this is 3 weeks already, though I'm sure it seems like a lifetime for all of you! You are all in my prayers constantly. I'm sure it is wonderful to be home!

    Psalm 103: 1-5
    Bless the Lord, O my soul:
    And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
    Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    And forget none of His benefits;
    Who pardons all your iniquities;
    Who heals all your diseases;
    Who redeems your life from the pit;
    Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion;
    Who satisfies your years with good things,
    So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

    God bless all of your beautiful souls today Melanie!

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  5. Thankful you are home and pray you all can rest today. My heart just tugs each time I read your blog as our boys are the same age. God has a big plan for your little one, and he has already touched lives...I pray the Lord Jesus will remove the sting of the fearful memories and make them less predominant in his mind. Praying for a restful day for all of you.

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  6. Melanie, it has been a long, exhausting 21 days. I know the Lord is guiding you with wisdom to protect Andrew and to insure he gets the best care possible. No doubt he is very happy to be back home where he knows he's safe, and it must be easier for you as well; I pray you and hubbys get rest today. We're praying continually for Andrew's miracle. I believe with all my heart that he will get it.

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  7. Praying for Andrew's healing.
    Praying for you - as you try to be strong for him. May you be intimately aware of the LORD's presence and strength in you!

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  8. Melanie,
    I'm so sorry that things are so bad for you all right now. I am continuing to pray and lift you up to Abba.

    Blessings and love to you,
    Dawn

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  9. I am very sorry for the rough night you had, but praising God that you are home now. Prayers and love to you all.

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  10. I have been following your updates on your son and am constantly amazed at the amount of faith you are showing everyone, especially your son. We don't know why we go through awful experiences like this, all we do know is that our Lord loved us enough to die for us and to heal us. I'm praying for your son and for you as you continue to stand guard over him. I love how you phrased it. Shouldn't we all as moms do the same? May you find comfort today in being home with your son!!!

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  11. (((hugs))) Standing with you sis. The song Praise You In This Storm keeps coming to my heart....

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  12. Pounding the Heavens with prayer for your family.

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  13. Sorry to hear you are back at the hospital. Praying for you all, especially for Andrew that the Lord brings him joy today and smile to his face.

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  14. Prayers are with you, keep us posted. May all be well ... Hugs, TTFN ~Marydon

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  15. I am so very sorry you had to go back to the hospital. Asking God to let you be able to come back home for awhile, and I pray that you will see a smile on precious andrew's face. I love you.

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  16. I'm sorry about the roommate stress. We were spoiled in Memphis, where every single room is private with an adjoining room and bath for the parent.

    When you return, maybe you can stay at Ronald McDonald House:
    RMH Family Information

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  17. Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope). Paula and I were on the phone when your update came along. She read it to me and we prayed...God gave me this word Gaudium et Spes and we prayed this over Andrew...tears of joy and praise went from bodies to the throne of God on behalf of Andrew.

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  18. Bless your hearts! We continue to lift y'all up in prayer. Nothing is too hard for our GOd!
    Hugs,
    Susan

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  19. I was hoping your time at home would be restful for all. God, please continue to lead them to victory over this illness. Andrew you have many people covering you in prayer. B

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  20. Melanie, you are so strong and such an example for us all. I appreciate your updates and openness. I'm sure finding time to relay messages isn't easy but you are so good at keeping all of us in the loop. WE are praying for strength, wisdom and assurance. Close you eyes and relax a bit and allow us to lift your arms in battle. We are all here for your family as we KNOW you would be there for ours. We love you.

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  21. Just wanted you to know I'm praying and believing. :)

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  22. Hard is not a strong enough word for what it is you are going through. Why? I do not know. I only know what you know already- that God knows you, sees you, loves you, cares for you and Andrew. So unexplainable.

    I'm thankful that you know Him. Like Kelly said first above- I believe in miracles. I'm following your story and following it up daily with prayer.

    Godspeed to a brighter moment-
    Heidi @2 Thinks to Share

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  23. You keep squeaking as only a mother can do, and we'll keep praying for God's strength to be your abundant portion this week. These are hard days of faith. What else can be said?

    You are well loved and thought about this day.

    peace~elaine

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  24. I'm assuming by your top paragraph you are at the hospital again? I've been praying. I'm sorry to hear about the battle.

    May the peace that passes ALL understanding guard your hearts and minds.

    Love you

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  25. Praying for sweet Andrew even now...Our God is big enough to handle his questions. God is building a mighty story in a young man, one that will touch thousands!

    Praying you return home soon. Praying for a good word. Praying rest, strength, protection, deliverance, healing because we know God is good all the time.

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  26. Your faith in our ALMIGHTY GOD is being tested and tried! But in all of it I pray that you will each be found faithful in your TRUST of our JESUS!

    Andrew - sometimes God wants to teach you things when you are young so that when you are old [like some of us] you will know Him and His proven faithfulness to you. God's word for me today has been PERSEVERANCE - so I pass that on to you! TRUST HIM! Even the 'set-backs' - He can turn that out for GOOD! HE IS GOOD - in Him there is no evil!

    Choosing JOY, Stephanie
    [JESUS - For His Name's Sake]

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  27. Melanie and family,
    Joy Broughton shared your blog site with me two days ago and I cannot stop reading it. I haven't seen you for a while, but I remember meeting your precious children years ago at one of the Williams reunions. I know that God's glory will be revealed through this situation. I have lifted many prayers on your family's behalf since Monday. I will continue to and will check your site daily. What an inspiration you have been for me and I plan to share your story with my bible study group tomorrow. I came across this scripture today and wanted to share it with you and Andrew: from Isaiah 58:8 "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." I pray that you and others will see His glory through Andrew's Healing and I know who is your Rear Guard.

    In His Mighty Love,
    Stacie Pittman Duncan
    (Carolyn Williams' daughter)

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  28. Oh I am crying thinking about that precious little boy asking why he is going through this. I'm still praying for all of you, and now I've added a prayer for God to give you the words you need when Andrew is crying out. What stress you and your family have experienced over the last few weeks, and yet, your attitude remains wonderful. God is obviously holding you up through all of this. Thanks be to God. laurie

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  29. Melanie - It was so great to meet you in person today. I had no plans to come in, then had a little question about Valerie's head, so they told me to come in earlier today - my husband got really held up a long time and didn't get back in time, but I decided to come to Shands anyway...I am just amazed that the Lord put us right next door to each other in Dr Pincus's clinic. (there were 10 other patients back there). The Lord's timing is amazing. I spent the drive home praying for Andrew and you and your husband. Andrew looked great!

    I have been the squeaky wheel to get private rooms, get out early, etc....keep on fighting as the Lord leads for what you feel is best for Andrew.

    We will be in Gainesville until Sunday, then will come back on the 2nd of October. If there is anything you need while you are in Gainesville, please let me know and I can email people from our church if we are not in town.

    Valerie Grace is doing amazingly well....I really wondered if I would get to see her walk, then wondered if I would get to see her run, then wondered if she would be able to see....and well, you saw her today - I look at her and am just amazed. I am praying that the Lord will completely heal Andrew, I am praying that through each day, He will reveal Himself to you in a new way and that this all will only draw you all closer to Him and each other. I pray that a great peace covers you all in the midst of all of this - that His peace covers you supernaturally.

    Love,
    Celeste
    (Valerie Grace's mom)
    www.valeriegrace.com

    "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God ha scalled me heavenward in Christ Jesus"
    Philippians 3:13-14

    "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuiness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ"
    1Peter 1:7-9

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  30. Hey Melanie...you are on my heart and mind so much!
    Tonight I was at a football game where the coach lead everyone in a prayer of intercession on the behalf of a boy from the team named Logan. He is in the 7th grade and just went in today to remove a tumor...He is not responding and they took him back in for an emergency surgery tonight...God we lift another one of yours to the your throne....may you be glorified in his life...
    I once again thought of your precious Andrew. I will pray again for you Mella Bella! May God give you his strength as you face tomorrow. May his grace indwell you as you continue to wait on him.

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  31. You are in our prayers each and every day as is Andrew. I know God is in control although we may not know or understand...but He is sovereign and in control and He can be trusted. I know He is your strength and I pray for all fear and all negativity to go in the name of Jesus. We continue to pray AND BELIEVE......HE IS ABLE TO DO ABUNDANTLY...ABOVE....AND...BEYOND...

    you are in our hearts

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  32. You are in my prayers. Our family prayed for Andrew last night at the dinner table, too. I believe that God loves you all very much and is holding you in his precious hand. I will continue to check in for updates.

    Jane

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  33. Sorry to hear about the roommate situation... My prayers are with you. Pass my hugs and lots of blessings to Andrew!

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  34. I know it is late in the evening, but I am still at my computer and I just read your post. I made me sad. I am thinking about all of you right now. I am lifting you up to God in consecrated prayer, each of the five of you while you are going through this deep valley. I wanted you to know my heart and prayers are with you.

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