Goodness, Mike and I are overwhelmed by the emails, texts and comments we are receiving. Each of you doing so, PLEASE know that the two minutes it took for you to send words of encouragement have helped us beyond what I can explain in a post. We feel so embraced, thank you.
After hours on a table, before an earthly man who performs miracles, Presley is now done with surgery. That is right, she has a 'band aid' by her name as I write.
The surgeon just came out and said that all went very, very well. Her valve was pretty compromised but he did what was needed and the operating room echo showed a perfect repair.
So now that the earthly miracle worker has done his job, we continue to let the real miracle worker, the great physician above, continue to hold her closely. I am sure He has felt inundated with requests from below in regards to this little girl. Mike and I can't thank you all enough for that.
I must go for now, I have a Lil' angel awaiting 10 dozen kisses.
Much love and thanks sweet friends of Presley, I will post more tomorrow.
Presley's story...
Hello, my name is Presley & I was born February 19th,2008. My mommy was having a difficult pregnancy due to increased amniotic fluid so at 28 weeks she went to see a specialist who told her I had something called duodenal atresia. Due to this intestinal problem it was certain that I would have to have surgery after birth. The specialist also said this condition indicated that there was a possibility that I could have Down syndrome & that mommy should have a test to be sure, which she did. One week later mommy started contracting & bleeding and went to the hospital. That morning mommy's doctor confirmed that I did have Down syndrome. This scared & saddened my parents. Later that evening I was born, washing away much of the sadness. The next day they looked at my heart & said I had a heart conditon, common to Down syndrome babies & that I would require yet another surgery to correct this. Mommy & Daddy got sad again. Since then, the 1st 6 and a half months of my life were spent in the hospital, along with three surgeries, a ton of prayers, alot of tears, plenty of smiles & more blessings than my parents could of ever imagined. You see, at first all anyone could see were the diagnosis & all the fears that they entailed. BUT NOW!?! Now they see me! And well, I don't wanta brag or nothin' but it is kinda hard to think of bad stuff when you look at me!!
Mommy's story...
Hello, my name is Kele & I am the proud mother of this little butterfly. Presley told the story pretty accurately. However, I choose to share some of the more personal emotions & thoughts in regards to this journey the Lord has felt to put me on. When we initially received the news of Presley having Down syndrome, I truly felt as if my life, as I had known it, 'perfect' & uncomplicated, was over. I mourned the loss of this 'perfect' life for weeks. This whole idea of having a 'special needs' child threw me into the darkest & saddest place I have ever been. I would wake in the middle of the night only to realize it wasn't a bad dream...it was my reality. I have never cried more tears in my life. To be brutally honest, there were many times that it wasn't even about my sweet Presley & her well being at all, it was just about the fact that this messed up MY idea of MY life!! You see, my life was supposed to look like that Estee Lauder ad, where this beautiful, perfect family all lay on the beach in matching wool sweaters. Have you ever seen that ad? LOL! I mean, it was all pretty wonderful so far. I was lucky enough to be a stay home mom, 2 adorable, healthy children, married to a hottie, great family, good friends, nice home...seriously, all I needed were the wool sweaters. In some of my darkest times I would go online. I wouldn't necessarily search for medical things regarding Ds but more personal things. I stumbled in to the world of 'blogs'. Looking into the lives of families that also had children with 'special needs' & I found myself saying "wait a minute, this family is adorable" & "Wow! what a cool family". Every night, for several hours, I would do this - visit these family blogs, I was truly addicted. It was then that I realized that so many of these families were amazing, beautiful, 'perfect' families and most times, not in spite of their 'special needs' child, but often times because of that child. The stories on their blogs were touching & profound, the siblings were usually wonderful & amazing. Then I realized...maybe this 'perfect' life I have dreamed about doesn't have a damn thing to do with those wool sweaters...I mean, I live in Texas for God's sake!! Maybe it has everything to do with this little girl...this new little butterfly who has fluttered her way into our hearts. She has already taught me so much since the day the clouds parted for her arrival into our lives. I have no doubt the best is yet to come & that is why I created these two blogs, PresleyandT21.blogspot.com to chronicle Presley's journey. And as for our family blog? Well, where as I certainly invite you to join the fun & would feel honored if it inspires someone in need, as I was, it is truly a site created for me. In case there is ever a night in which I am doubting that my life is any thing less than amazing, incredible, full and yes....'perfect', I won't have far to go... Gilesfamilyof5.blogspot.com
WELCOME ALL...
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27 comments:
Thank you God, Thank you God, Thank you God!!!!
That is BEYOND great news!! So, so, so happy to hear it. Give her a dozen kisses from me, Jason & Devlin. Tell her we love her!!
Kele and Mike,
That is such WONDERFUL news!
Our God is truly amazing!
Kiss that precious little butterfly for us!
Love,
The Poteet Family
Thank you God for giving this doctor the skill and your guidance to do the surgery! I knew it! HE is with Presley and always will be.Kele, give her another dozen kisses from me and Great Grandma!
Was there ever doubt.
Love Melinda
Oh,my gosh,just got off the phone with you and all I can say is thank you Lord!Take a gigantic deep breathe.I cannot wait for you to see her,to kiss her. I cannot wait for all the people that love Presley so much, to get the chance to see the miracle this surgery has just given her.It is rebirth.For that we are so grateful for all those who had a part in seeing Presley this far and now we our focus ours prayers for a quick,easy recovery and then girl,it's home!Presley,you keep up that undeniable,courageous fighting spirit.We are all so proud of you.Wow those doctors there and show them how it's done!
Wonderful! I have been thinking and praying about this all day and I am overjoyed to hear such great news!!
I have been praying for Presley all morning. God is so very good. Thank you for taking the time to keep everyone updated.
Thankful, thankful, thankful! We will continue with the prayers!
Kele--I am so happy, happy, happy for you and Mike. And the little angel Presley. Please give her the biggest kiss from her Aunt Kim and tell her I love her so so much. And give yourself a big kiss too and tell you that I love you so so much! This is a great day Kele and you must feel like you have 50 pounds off of you (not that YOU need it, damn you). My hope for you is that you sleep like a rock tonight. Mike too. And know that the prayers are still coming.
I second what Brenda Brown said "Thank You, God!" I will be saying more prayers for her tonight because I want her to have a perfect recovery and be able to come home to her real home soon! Home with mommy and daddy and all of her siblings is the best place for her once she has healed enough to be there! I'll pray that that is very soon! So glad she is doing well and he was able to fix it so well! (((HUGS)))
What wonderful news!!! We have checked the blog site regularly today to get updates on little Presley, so I was so excited to see that you have wonderful news. We will continue to pray for you and Presley.
Love,
The Wommacks
Thank you Jesus!!! Much love to you; give her 10 dozen more from the Carlton's.
I could hardly wait to get home to read updates on Precious Presley. I'm so excited to hear the good news. I continue to pray and keep each of you in my thoughts and prayers. Phyllis Holloway
We are sooo happy!!! As Zach would say...."She's a Giles" :)
I'm so happy to hear your daughter is doing well after surgery. Our prayers are with Presley and your family.
Lisa
We are so glad Presley is out of surgery and all went well!!
I vote for new signs...though the band aid is kinda cute. I vote that they have a sign outside her room with angel wings as God sends angels to sit outside her door as she heals...and then when the angels have done their job there, a new sign should post with a little house that reads...Going Home!!! :)
Cheering for Presley,
The Foremans
WONDERFUL news!!! I am so glad she is doing so well! Please know that you guys were in my thoughts and prayers all day today. I'm so happy to hear this! Hugs & kisses to that precious baby girl!
Like so many others, I have been thinking of and praying for all of you today. I am so happy to hear that things went well and I look forward to the post one day soon announcing that little Presley is homeward bound.
~Shelby
Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wonderful, wonderful, news! What a little trooper! And so are you Mommy! I'm so happy for you all ... this is a great hurdle!! Now on to prayers for a speedy speedy recovery and you getting your little butterfly HOME!!!! Can't wait for the blog on that one!
Much love, Patrick & Nikki
Oh my heart is SOARING!!! I am so happy that things went well.
Also we have a little something for you, in our never ending process of paying it forward.
Can you please email me when you get a chance? mom2rhett@hotmail.com
Thank you so much, and don't worry about doing it quickly, it will be here for you whenever you are ready.
Give that sweetheart a bunch of kisses from Rhett.
God is amazing, he has shown us this time and time again, never loose your faith...
((HUGS))
Pam and Rhett
Kele,
"Exceedingly, abundantly, above ALL we could ask or think!" Thank you GOD! I thought of you guys when my alarm went off this morning, and several times throughout the day. I am so glad to know that it's over and Pres is 1 step closer to going home. GREAT NEWS! Keep us posted. I am so thrilled for you.
Love and prayers from your new friend in Alabama,
AMY:)
Dear Kele & Mike,
What an amazing day! Thank you for giving Theresa and I the opportunity to be with you 2 today, and sharing in this wonderful news we received. It was a blessing to us, and I hope you didn't mind us coming and staying with you both. GOD is a wonderful GOD and he will take care of his children. You 2 are amazing people, and GOD has put Presley with the right parents. She is blessed and so are you to be her parents. I seen two completely different people today from when we first saw you this morning, and the little glow and bright smiles on you 2 when the surgeon and cardio doctor came out. What a load that was lifted off you both, Theresa and I could see it. What an amazing team of doctors and of course the amazing butterfly you have, she is one fighter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We can't wait until the day she comes home what a celebration it will be. The "Presley Giles" home coming celebration with banners, balloons and of course butterflies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Theresa and I are here for you if you need anything for the other 2 precious kiddo.
Love and Blessing to the Giles Family
Joella & Theresa
I found your site and saw the request for prayers from All4MyGals. I am glad to see your sweet Presley has pulled through her surgery. I will be praying for her recovery. I have a daughter Sydney with T21 who just turned one year old. We are also in Texas. Blessings to you and your family and I will be watching Presley's progress.
Praise God for your miracle!!!!
So happy to hear this! God is good!
Keep the strength, people you dont even know are rooting not only for Presley, but your entire family.
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