My friend Heather warned me that she would be very swollen today. I should know this stuff but all of my medical knowledge goes out the window when it is my child. I appreciated the heads up because she was so very swollen when we got here this morning. Ugh, this is hard to see.
I usually take the pictures in our household but Mike has been in charge of the camera on this one.
Actually, I admit that I don't have as many pictures of Presley as one might think. I have always despised seeing the evidence in each photograph that confirmed how sick she was. Understandably, I can't stand to see the I.V.'s and tubes in her. As the weeks and months have progressed, I have seen her swollen, tired, ashen, restless and have felt helpless through it all. I know people still take tons of pictures of their child even during times like these but it has always been difficult for me. I just want so badly for it all to go away and to never think of this time again. However, I realize that this is not my choice really. This is Presley's life and as her mother I should record her journey. Perhaps one day she will want to know every detail, I have to imagine that she will. And despite the fact that I am a mommy who longs to be past the heart ache of seeing my child going through so much, I do want to remind my sweet girl all that she has had to endure to be here with us. I want her to forever know how strong and special she is. Having said all this, I very reluctantly post this picture of her immediately post op yesterday. It is so unbelievably difficult to see my sweet child like this and even harder to solidify it forever with a photograph, but I have. I am holding off on posting any of today, they are much more difficult to see, until I have happy ones to go along with it!
This amazing child is such an inspiration to our family. She is so strong and so precious and as mad as I get with God at times for putting her through this, I can't help but praise Him when I look at her. What did I ever do in my life to deserve something so magnificent!? I shall never know but I am surely thankful.
Thanks for the continued messages and comments of support. We are so very grateful of the kindness we have been shown.
20 comments:
Sweet Presley..... when momma emailed me this picture yesterday and I opened it up,I wanted so much to wish all the struggle and pain away.Instead I prayed for you.Prayed that recovery will be quick and your discomfort eased and soon fade with each passing day.As difficult as these pictures are for us to see,they will become a reminder one day of how very far you have come. These unbearable days will become distant memories before long and be replaced by all the wondrous things that await you.Let that fighting ,courageous spirit take over during the up coming days Presley.Keep it up butterfly,your almost there.
She looks really good!
Praise God that all this is over and each day will bring new strength....she will be coming home before you know it. Thanks again for keeping us updated.
No matter what kind of picture you may post she is still a beautiful butterfly. When you look back at these pictures you will remember to praise GOD for her life and for what you went through to get her strong and in your arms, the many blessing he has gave you. And how GOD has made you and your husband into the strong loving family you are. Can't wait to see that beautiful smiling face of her without tubes!!!!!!!! Hold her and give her big kisses from "House" Soon Presley soon!!!!
Happy 6 month birthday baby girl! This is the beginning of another 6 months for you to finally be on the road to good health and going home! G.Aunt Patsy is still counting the days until I can finally meet you. Everyone at work was praying for you yesterday, but I'm not surprised that God heard all of us. Love you peanut! Yes, PEANUT! I have my own nickname for you now!
Happy 6 month birthday precious girl. I am so proud of you for yesterday. And your mommy and daddy too. Lots of people sure do love you. And as for the picture your mom posted of you post-op, well you will find out as you get older that you have some kind of weird Aunt Kim and I don't think like everyone else, but when I saw that picture last night I LOVED it. Yes, I hate to see you all bandaged up and tubes running out of you but to me, I was grateful for them because they represent you overcoming a big hurdle and means you will be home, where you belong, soon. Love you baby girl.
Aunt Kim
Presley it's hard to believe you are already 6 months old! The next 6 months will hold so many wonders for you!! I can't wait for you to go home with your Mom and Dad, brother and sister. You have already amazed them and now you will bring them so much day to day joy! We are praying in Kentucky for a fast and complete recovery from your surgery! You are loved little girl!
she looks beautiful to me. i know that she probably isn't feeling well and neither are you, but she has come a long way. presley has fought every step of the way and continues to cross every hurdle put in front of her. and while i can imagine there have been times when you and mike have felt like calling it quits, you never have and that takes a lot of strength. strength that i don't think a lot of people have. i hope that presley gets out of the hospital soon and we can all get together. if there is anything i can do for you and your family let me know. i'm an email/text/blog/phone call away ;) God gives us only what we can handle, it is what we do with his givings that makes us succeed or fail...and you,mike, and presley are succeeding!!!
Though it must be so hard to see your sweet baby all hooked up to tubes and lines and what not, just remember this is what's keeping her going, monitoring and strengthening her. Someday it'll all be a memory but for now God has blessed us with modern technology and we're lucky enough to be able to use it.
Such a sweetheart she is, I'm glad she's able to rest, even if sedated. It's so hard to see the picture so I know it's doubly hard to be there in person. My mama heart cries out how I pray for a quick recovery! Kitty in Vermont
so glad to hear she is doing ok. I have been checking in for updates. I think she looks really good even though she has all the tubes, etc! hang in there, she is a fighter and will be home before you know it!
A Butterfly goes through many changes before it becomes the winged beauty that we so much adore. Some growing pains ache more than others. All that know Presley and the rest of her wonderful family, know that this aching will soon be over. It will soon be time for her to flap her wings and fly. I can't wait to meet her in person. I have held her so tightly in my heart, now I want to hold her in my arms.
Love to you my Kele and the rest of the family.
Love, Melinda
How amazing this picture is. I love our God and am amazed by the wonderous work he can do. Presley is more beautiful today than any, as today was the first day of her new life with a repaired heart. Presley, you are more beautiful than you will ever know.
Love you.
Cruz
Sweet little one, we are praying hard for you. Keep on fighting beautiful girl!
She looks great. She's gonna do some amazing things in her life. Look out world, cause here comes Presley!
*smooch*
I think the picture is incredibly beautiful!
Kele, I completely empathize with your comment about finding it hard to take the pictures, I felt the same way when my son was sick and in the hospital. I only wish I had handed the camera over to my husband as you have...you are wise. You will not regret having every tube and scar recorded to remind you of how far she has come...
Happy 6 months baby Presley
The Foremans in CA
I know how tough it is (well kind of). It may have been easier for me to take pictures during our time because our hospital stay wasn't as long. One day you will be glad you have those pictures though. You can share your story and help another mom, and tell her it will be okay. You'll see! I have been praying again today for you all. Sorry, I hadn't been by until now. I worked this morning and then dealt with a migraine when I got off of work. God Bless you and your family!
Praise God that Presley is now through with surgery and can begin the process of healing and going home! What an amazing gift you have been blessed with, Presley is a very tough little girl. I was sorry to read the issues she had before surgery. Many, many, many prayers sent your way for complete and total wholeness and restoration for Presley, and much needed peace for you and your family. Happy 6th month birthday to your sweet little butterfly, blessings to you for the many years to come. Big hugs to you!
Elizabeth & McKayla
Presley is so beautiful, she will recover soon. The two first days post-op are the worst and then It will be better. God bless her always!!!
Luciana
Kele, I am so proud of you. I'm proud that you are doing so well. You say, what???? Doing well???? Didn't you see my blog the other day when I was doubting and heartbroken? Yes, I did, but that's exactly why you are doing well. God never promised easy, He promised to carry us through HARD. He didn't make demands on our emotions or even our struggle. He just said to let Him in. You are doing that. You are mad, and heartbroken, and that's ok. Would you believe that He is, too? He understands the limitations of our fallen world and what He has allowed for us, but He still loves and He still weeps. John 11:35 says just that: Jesus wept. So you weep as I wept for you as I read and saw Presley's bittersweet picture. It's a picture of our fallen world, our very human and limited existence. But it is a picture of the very reason that God doesn't just erase it all. She is showing us all how to live. Your 6 month old miracle is showing us grown "mature" adults just how God wants us to live. To wake up every day, to fight today, and to believe that every trial has a beginning and an end. God has appointed that time. This will end. And I believe that it will end the way you envision, with your butterfly flying home to bubble baths, movie time in bed, pj's all day and backyard play time. Don't give up. Keep going. Presley is. Can't you see that in her picture? I can. Thank you thank you thank you for sharing with us. You show us what is important and this is proof that there is nothing on this earth more important than the people in it. Bless you all. Kathy Turner (Kacey's mom from Mikah's MDO class!)
1 comments:
Janet Wommack said...
Praise and thanks to God for a successful surgery!! I'm in Athens with Jordan this week of inservice and I check Presley's website often. I also pray often during the day as she comes to mind. My prayer now is that her recovery will be quick and she will soon be at home to make your Giles Family of Five truly complete.
August 20, 2008 8:18 AM
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