Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Recovering well

Joseph is again stunning us all with his quick recovery and fighting spirit. Last night I was pretty depressed and was feeling kind of listless and weak. Well, within one minute of Joseph waking up I was crying laughing. This boy cracks me up. First, he wanted HIS underwear back on and wouldn't accept the hospital diaper as an alternative. After asking about 10 times, we finally unplugged all the tubes and got the boy his Bob the Builder undies on. Then, he wanted his blue crocs on, which just got me tickled because he has NO clothes on but he wants his shoes on. And, he drank 3 juice boxes and an entire grilled cheese before I left at 9:30 p.m. Allen, ever the sacrificial Dad and husband, stayed by his side all night in a chair and let me go sleep in a bed. Boy, I'm so lucky.
This morning Joseph had his post-op MRI and he's now back up in his normal room without any IVs hooked up or anything monitoring his heart rate or BP. So, I guess that means he is recovering very well since he doesn't need any of that. He and Daddy are both soundly sleeping and Joe's pain seems to be fairly normal and is being managed well with morphine. He keeps saying he's ready to go to sleep now (meaning to be sedated), so he obviously thinks the surgery hasn't happened and he's ready to go get it done. What a blessing he doesn't understand everything that is happening. He is also very irked that he can't move his head and sit up yet. He was like an irrated executive yesterday, saying, "I can't move my head! I can't do ANYTHING!" He knows there is pain there but has no idea where it came from.
Needless to say, we are still very bummed about the news yesterday. But if Joseph isn't ready to quit fighting, we sure aren't either. We will find out the official results of the biopsy then formulate a plan of attack on this horrible tumor that doesn't belong in my baby's head. Thank you all for your notes and prayers.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gillian and Allen (and family) - I am so sorry that your news was not the best but I will keep praying that God will heal Joseph and give you both peace, good sleep, no pain for Joseph, and that you'll all have that fighting spirit that your boy shows so beautifully. I'm thankful for his good recovery so far. With much love, thoughts and prayers,
Brooke and Family

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for keeping the information coming. Everyone is anxiously checking on you all!!!
Love, Karl and Martha

Dee Dee said...

Precious little one. Precious in HIS sight.
Praying for you all.

Anonymous said...

Gillian,

I am a friend of Sarah Jane's from Lexington. I have been following your blog for a while and I just wanted to tell you that I am praying for you guys everyday during this difficult time. Joseph is a very special little guy and God has big plans for him! Stay strong and know that so many people are praying for you daily! Thanks so much for keeping everyone updated on the situation, that in itself is a job!
God bless!
Carey Heid

Anonymous said...

Joe the fighter! What a guy! love, norma & vann

Jennifer said...

Fight on Joe!!!! I love it! I will be there later today and will bring you yummy food that Carol made. See you soon. Love, jen

Anonymous said...

I love hearing the stories of Joseph and his fiery spirit! I am also glad to hear that you are able to laugh at times in the middle of this situation. All of you have been in my thoughts so much the last few days. I hope knowing so many people care for Joseph and are praying for his healing can bring you some comfort or a sense that you are not having to carry this burden alone. If you have any needs right or anything that can make other parts of your life easier please tell us on the blog b/c i have no doubt that there are many people in Memphis and nashville ready to help in anyway they can.

paige c.

Anonymous said...

I am laughing out loud at your description of Joseph. Isn't it true that those you're trying to comfort often end up comforting you instead. Your posts here are balm for us as well, and we will keep on praying.

Brea said...

Crying and praying with you over this thing that should not be, but I agree with you - keep fighting with Joe and for him!

Anonymous said...

I am so extremely sorry you are all going through this again, but glad Joseph is handling it as well as he is and seems to be recovering from surgery quickly. Our family continues to pray for yours all of the time.

Ali Tanner said...

I have ached with you guys as I read this. You are in my heart and my prayers. Listen to HIS voice above the world's. He is THE comforter and THE counselor. He isn't expecting you to be okay but to be broken at His feet and let Him walk this with you.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic news that Joseph is doing so well. Its amazing how children can keep our spirits up. Hoping the doctors come up with good ideas going forward. We are all thinking about you at this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

He is a tough little boy with God in his heart!!! The Booth family is with you and praying for you every day!
Randi Booth

Anonymous said...

We agree with Joseph in the importance of underwear and shoes!
We are amazed how quickly he's recovering and give thanks. Continuing to lift all of you up in prayer. We love you! the O'Steens

courtney said...

Way to go, Joe! Thanks for your updates. We love Joe and pray for him constantly throughout the day. He's amazing-

Courtney

DrEagleRuns said...

Gillian,
My name is Linsey (McDonough) Phillips, we went to Scales together (5th grade?). I have been following your blog for awhile now and just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in our prayers. God has given Joseph the will to fight which is exactly what he keeps on doing. What an amazing little boy you have.

Anonymous said...

Hey Gillo,
I miss you. I was so sad when you were so sad yesterday and wished I was there with you.
We miss you guys a lot and are sorry that we've been gone so long.
we'll have to plan a return trip soon.
Praying for that nasty tumor to be gone. Praying that we would have peace with what God gives us even when we don't understand it all.
I know it all feels like a death sentence, but thank God that it will ALL be redeemed one day.
I love you and miss you

So Blessed said...

Praying with expectancy...

Anonymous said...

What an AMAZING perspective you guys keep. You truly blow us all away!

Anonymous said...

Allen and Gillian and Big Bad Joe!Gillian you made me laugh this morning when you told me about the crocs!!Thats our Joe P.He has such a will to live and be well I think he will surprise us all! Holly-bear made me laugh all day too!She now calls me Pauline!!all the time!!We went to the Y and met the Messners Katie Joseph and little Margot...Holly was thrilled with the company.They lefy about 2.30 and we stayed until 4.30.We went down the slide numerous times and just got drenched under the big buckets Holly was grooving in the pool and singing we did not sit out at all except for rest period a fun fun day..she didnt want to leave and neither did I.Needless to say she is out cold now and its just after 7.Gillian you amaze me with your positive outlook I am right with you.We are going to get this boy well and home in a hurry.He is so loved by Allen and you and so secure that he is healing so well.God is good all the time."This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it"Sleep sound in Jesus" Thanks Allen for letting Gillian sleep last night..you are the best!!Lots of love and hugs and kisses to Joe.P from Holly-bear and Nana-Bear

Siobhan said...

Gill - you said it if Joe isn't ready to quit - none of us are. Keep fighting Joesph!
Much love
Siobhan

Anonymous said...

Gill - You crack me up and make me cry with joy and sadness since not there with you all at same time. You and Allen are truly AMAZING PARENTS....I am in AWE constantly. None of us will stop praying, fighting, hoping for miracles. Thanks for taking the time out of your draining day to update us all...the stories are heartwarming and you should be super proud of your Joseph!!! Abigail keeps asking how his 'head' doing and if the surgeons removed all the bad stuff from his brain...it breaks my heart, but at same time I see God working through her when she gets on her knees each night praying for her buddy to get all better and come 'make a mess' in her room with her. Your whole family have touched me and my girls in more ways that you'll ever know. God Bless you and we always praying and sending you strength. LOVE YOU!

Anonymous said...

We are praying and crying with you, but with hope, also. May you feel the Lord holding you up. Kathy, we are praying for Joseph's grandparents, too (all of you). We love you,
The Fontenots

Lynn T said...

Gill and Allen, Thanks for sharing. Praying for you all tonight. Tell Joseph cousin Will sends a huge hug.
Love you tons.

Jennifer said...

I've been reading your blog for some time now, and wanted to say how precious your sweet sweet little boy is. His strong spirit is amazing. Our family is keeping Joseph and your family in our prayers.

The Browns said...

Gillian and Allen,
Continually thinking of you guys - especially your sweet little boy. He definitely sounds like a fighter. Thanks for always letting us know how to pray for you...
Love, Beth Ann B.

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking of that Irish song- "I get knocked done, but I get up again, nothing's gonna keep me down..."
That's our JoeP!

Anonymous said...

Guys, Joseph sure is a great boy, and you are both great parents. Our prayers and thoughts are with him and all of you.
J.R. and Juliette

Anonymous said...

Hooray for undies and Crocs!

...praying for a quick recovery from surgery and that that stupid tumor would just GO AWAY!!!

Love,
lizzi

Mary Lynn Evans said...

Thanks for great updates and for sharing your heart... gives me good direction in prayer. Continuing to pray for y'all everytime I see your picture on the fridge. Sure miss seeing you... Mary Lynn

The Loeffels said...

Fight on! I continue to weep and pray...weep and pray. Much love and grace to you.

Anonymous said...

Continuing to pray for joe p and your family...

Love,

Melody Lemonds

Our Family said...

I love hearing how spunky your little boy is and am so glad to hear he's recovering well from the surgery. My family continues to pray that God is healing Joseph & the tumor and that the pathology will show that hopefully the doctor was wrong. You're right, that has no business being in your baby's head. We're praying for strength for each one of you and for some peace for Holly as she's away from you all. (Sounds like she's having a lot of fun with her Nana.)
Thank you for all the updates & prayer requests!
The Edwards Family

Anonymous said...

Following your updates-- rejoicing with you in good news (undies and crocs!) and praying for Joe. What an amazing little guy! But no wonder--when we see his parents! Our prayers continue for all of you!
Lynn Culver

Chloƫ said...

I'm crying and laughing reading your blog gill. joe is surely a guy with tremendous will and spirit for someone so little. he definitely knows how to fight for what he wants, here's to that positive spirit. It's remarkable and a privelege(spelling?@!) to learn something from someone so much younger than me! love y'all. chlo. xx