This is Gabe is October, 2006, at age 2 months.
This is Gabe in January, 2007, at age 4 months. In the PICU for respiratory distress. :(
Again, Gabe in February, 2007, at 5 months of age. He was, by all appearances, a healthy little boy. We did not know at this point yet that he had no immune system and would need a bone marrow transplant. He struggled with breathing and struggled to gain weight here.
Two years, almost to the day, March 2007. Out to eat for my husband and bro-in-law's birthdays. Gabe contracted sepsis the next day.
April, 2007... Gabe began to lose his smile. (It's been a long road). He is receiving chemotherapy and getting ready for his BMT.
May, 2007... Gabe slipped into the coma on this day.
May, 2007... So much uncertainty. One thing we know, we are not alone. We felt the presence of God even in the darkest hours.
June, 2007. The first day Gabe opened his eyes again. I do not take lightly sharing this picture with you. I have never shared it with anyone. It was very, very hard to see our little boy open his eyes again and see...nothing in his eyes.
July, 2007. One of his first smiles again :)
Fast forward through a year of...... well, you know. Nursing problems, insurance problems, headaches, sleepless nights, illnesses, hospitalizations, infections, temper tantrums, fights. By the grace of God, we got HERE. July, 2008. Massanutten, VA. By this time, Gabe was a functioning immune system and we are more easily able to travel with and take Gabe out.
July, 2008. One of the amazing blessings that's come into our lives, Lisa.
August, 2008. Another blessing, our angel in disguise, Nurse Diane (2nd from right). She's not working here; we're at the American Idol concert with my mom and her daughter:)
August, 2008. Our tender-hearted Brooke with her favorite little brother.
December, 2008. Gabe's sisters playing and working with him (with the guidance of Lisa). They are great at interacting with him now...
Summer, 2008. My dad with his grandson. He loves him to peices!
2008... This is Gabe.
"Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." St. Francis of Assissi
"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Oh my. I could go on and on. I hope this gives you some insight into our Gabe... I totally didn't mean to do such a long post... I have to get up at 5am, when our nurse leaves.
Please pray for Gabe, he is getting sick with a cold. Please pray for Shaun and I. Pray for us to find joy in daily life and to trust the Lord. Thank you all.
6 comments:
What a long journey he's had. Bless your heart... I'm praying for you all and that he stays healthy.
Rachel,
What a great post. It's so amazing to see how far Gabe and you all have come in the past few years. You talk about Lisa being such a great person, but don't forget how amazing you are, you've come so far, and endured so much, and are still standing. You've accomplished what most would say is impossible, you've managed to learn how to split your time between your children when it was needed, and yet still all your children felt your love and support the entire time. You've learned that you are much stronger than you thought you were or could ever be. You've learned to cling to your husband and family and friends for support, and they've been there for you, because they couldn't stand to see you go it alone. You've become such a strong, "never giving up" person. For that, I commend you!
Love You Guys,
Bridget
First of all, I am praying for you and your family. I pray Gabe gets better quickly.
Thank you for sharing those pictures. I understand how hard it must have been for you to share some of them. Gabe is such a handsome little man, I admire his strength to be able to go through what he has in his short life. I also admire you and your strength Rachel. You are an amazing woman.
Blessings to you,
Alicia
What a special boy Gabe is. Giving all control up to God is such a difficult thing to do. You guys are doing a great job with him. You're always in our prayers.
Jenna
Rachel...so many tears, so many prayers...I know God has caught every tear and heard every prayer. You're doing a great job leaning on Him. I'm so proud to call you friend. That picture of Gabe...took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing it...I know it was hard, but it's such a huge part of his story.
Rachel, thank you for sharing Gabe's story through his pictures. It's a remarkable journey, to say the least.
Much love,
Ann
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