A friend's gift

What do you think of the new layout? I'm so incredibly happy with what Carla did to Gabe's blog. I have no talent whatsoever to do anything like this, so when Carla mentioned how much she enjoys making blog headers, I asked her if she may be able to make one for us, and she was SO kind to oblige. Thank you, Carla!!!

I'm so blessed by the "friends" I've met through Blogger and Carepages, who have been a tremendous source of strength and support. (I put friends in parenthases because I've never met them face to face but undoubtedly call them friends). It's not like there is a support group for parents of children with such complex issues, or even for parents of children with ventilators, OR for immune deficiencies. When Gabe first came home from the hospital in August '07, it felt like there was no one to talk to or relate to. Thankfully Lisa came along, who is not only Gabe's nurse but whose daughter also has a trach and g-tube, so she knows what it's like to deal with nursing, supply companies, hospital visits, etc. She and the nurse who formerly worked here, had been like therapists for the past 2 years often helping sort out emotions, fears, thoughts, worries, questions, etc. While Gabe was hospitalized, I relied greatly on the Carepage to stay connected with my friends and family, even strangers, who reached out to support and encourage us.

Then there is Gabe's blog, where I first met Ann. I googled "tracheostomy" when it first looked like Gabe would have to get a trach, and Jack's blog was the first one I saw...really the first exposure I ever had to the world of trachs. I'm so thankful Ann came into my life, she is a veteran now in caring for Jack for 10 years now; ventilator, trach, g-tube, surgeries and all. She's my go-to gal when I have a question about anything related to Gabe's medical care and fighting for him. Last year she blessed Shaun and I with a weekend away through the foundation she created called The Willow Tree Foundation. Ann really has a heart of gold and I am very thankful to call her friend.

I have adored getting to know Hope (mom to Ava), Alicia (mom to Marissa), Jenna (mom to Mikan), and Jen (mom to Faith), all of whom have children of their own (many right around Gabe's age) with medical issues. I only wish we weren't spread across the country, and that we could form our own IRL (in real life) support group. Then there is Dana, mom to Laneah, who actually lives in the same state as us, but we have yet to meet. I am very much looking forward to getting together with you both, Dana!! I met Carla through my friend Kelly, they both have little guys with mastocytosis. Please feel free to check out all their blogs as they all have very special angels and we all need all the support we can get. Please forgive me if I have left anyone out... every single person who reads Gabe's blog is so appreciated and loved, especially when you leave a comment :)

My camera is still broken, so I hope the massive number of blog links will suffice, at least for this post.