Julian Family

~ I have prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him ~ I Samuel 1:27 ~ For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you hope and a future ~ Jeremiah 29:11 Lilypie2nd Birthday Ticker

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Easter Seals

"But now, this is what the Lord says - 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:1-3

"Do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are true and honorable and are right and pure and beautiful and respected. Do what you learned and received from me, what I told you, and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you."
Phil. 4:6-9

Today was a very weird day for me. I was on the parent side of the special education team. I am used to sitting in on conferences with therapists and hearing their evaluation reports, so you would think that I could have handled all the information that I was given. I couldn't. I sit here now feeling very overwhelmed and unsure of everything. It makes me feel really bad for all the times I sat in on conferences with parents and overloaded them with information and then said, "call me if you have questions." Of course they had questions. Because they, like me, are devastated at the thought that their child isn't "normal" so you miss all the details of the information you are being given. Why didn't I take the time during all of those conferences to make sure they felt like they knew everything there was to know about their child and to be more sympathetic to what they were going through? I'm sorry that I can't give you much details from today. I know that I didn't hear what I had hoped to hear. I had hoped to hear that Max is great. That he is doing everything developmentally on target. The occupational and physical therapist both said they noticed higher tone on the right side, which they thought was odd since the Grade 4 bleed was on the right side. In case you don't remember, with a Grade 4 bleed, that means blood has gone into the brain tissue. For Max, it went into the area of the brain that affects physical movement. With it being on the right side of his brain, you would expect to see the left side of his body affected by that. Thankfully, the tone on his left side was good. When I asked what it meant to see higher tone on the right side, I was told that it indicates that there is damage on the left side of the brain. From that point on, anything that they said really did not sink in. They reviewed his test scores with me and the normal range was between 7 and 13, so you would hope to see a score around 10. He scored mostly 7's in all areas, so he barely made the normal range. They said that he would probably not benefit from therapy at this point, but gave me things to do at home. He scored within the normal range on the speech evaluation. There don't seem to be problems with that at this time. They will come back in 2 months to work with him again and see if he would benefit from therapy at that time. I'm sorry that I don't have more information. We will get a written report from all 3 therapist in about 2-4 weeks, I will give more information about the evaluations when I have it. We thank you for your continued prayers.

We keep praying,
Kelly

17 Comments:

At Thu Sep 28, 04:26:00 PM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

God bless you. I know this must have been a very difficult day as you were hoping to hear more positive news. However, what you indicated on the blog sounds as if he is mostly in the normal range - even if it is on the lower end--it is still normal. Of course, you know more than I do about the evaluations. But, I still feel very positive and know God will bless little Max. We, too, continue to pray for all of you. I just know that God has great plans for Max.
Love,
Aunt Dana

 
At Thu Sep 28, 07:48:00 PM PDT, Blogger Bryan and Sarah said...

Kelly and John, I will continue to pray for you and for Max. May God wrap you in His loving arms and hold you tight.

In Him,
Sarah

 
At Fri Sep 29, 01:48:00 AM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

kel i wish i could just be there to give you a big hug. i called to leave you a message earlier but your phone wouldn't let me. i've been thinking about yall and praying all day and night. just like "aunt dana" said, his readings were still within normal range, so that is good. I will pray that he will continuously improve. you are such an awesome teacher, don't ever doubt that. your love for God shows through to so many of the students and families that you come into contact with. You have made such a difference in so many children's lives, and you don't even realize it. I wish that I had your special gift to do what you do. I admire you and learn from you every day. This was my quote for today (Friday).

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:13, 14

I know that all this seems like such a waiting game. We have to trust in God and his precious plan that he has for Max's life. We must wait on the Lord. I love you and I will be up all night studying. If you check this while you're up feeding him or if you can't sleep then call me if you want. Give Max kisses for me and tell John i love him too.

 
At Fri Sep 29, 05:59:00 AM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kelly and John,
I can tell that you all are disa ppointed by the check-up. I too was at first, then I thought of how far Max has come and how he has defied the odds and even some doctors' diagnosis. I will continue to pray that God will heal Max and keep all of your family in his care.

Love,
Auny Phyllis

 
At Fri Sep 29, 07:59:00 AM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with Dana and Phyllis. I know it wasn't the news you wanted to hear....however, 7's are still in the normal range. As far as Max has already come, I believe he is a real trooper that will just continue to amaze everyone. God has plans for him! We will continue to pray.
Love,
Cousin Robyn

 
At Fri Sep 29, 09:28:00 AM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kelly and John, I talked to you both yesterday and wanted to make you feel better. I said basically the same things that Dana and Phyllis said (and Robyn agreed with). After little sleep last night and much thinking (and, yes, I did go on the internet), I feel even stronger this morning that whatever deficits (if any) that Max may have will be overcome. He is so precious to me, as are the two of you. I couldn't ask for a finer son, daughter-in-law and grandson than the three of you. God has blessed me. I love you and God loves you. Max is a mentally strong little baby and a fighter. God will continue to answer our prayers.
Love,
Nanny Di

 
At Fri Sep 29, 09:31:00 AM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kelly and John, Just remember there was a therapist in the past that made a wrong diagnosis, and it is possible for that to happen again. Look how far Max has come and how much farther he will progress. I have faith in God he will fully recover from all of this. Besides, 7's are still in the normal range. Max will get there! We will keep praying. Love, Aunt Marilyn

 
At Fri Sep 29, 10:08:00 AM PDT, Blogger Lindsey Eason said...

Kelly - we're praying for you and John and definitely Max! A song came to mind while I was reading your blog:

God didn't bring us this far to leave us, He didn't teach us to swim to let us drown, He didn't build his home in us to move away, He didn't pick us up to let us down...

I have so much faith that God has Max in the palm of his hands and all we can and need to do is believe that God will heal Max completely and fully! On days like this, when you're confused, overwhelmed and worried, just lean on your friends prayers, love and support! That's why God gave us a christian community!

 
At Fri Sep 29, 10:54:00 AM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At Fri Sep 29, 11:19:00 AM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with Phyllis, Dana, Robyn, Kristin and Marilyn.

A friend gave me this scripture yesterday: “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalms 27:14

We will wait and we will have courage!

Veronica and I both wrote long messages that somehow got lost!! 

I will try to remember what I wrote!

The jist of my message was this- God is in CONTROL and he has a wonderful plan for Max as well as for you and John. The therapist most certainly could be wrong just like the one that gave us the bad report before was. God and Max are going to show them how wrong they are!

I think Satan must be furious that hundreds and hundreds of prayer warriors are lifting Max (as well as you and John) up to our glorious Father. I think he is trying to throw doubt and fear and weariness beyond description at you. But we will show him!

I love you all so much and my heart aches because I know yours is. I can’t wait to get back out there to give you hugs and to hold and rock our precious Max.

Kelly, please try not to be so hard on yourself. You have done an excellent job. Your Christian example has touched so many lives. As far as feeling what the parents felt- there is no way you could. And when you go back to teaching special education you will have such an awesome understanding and compassion to help your future parents.

I love you all so much, Mom

 
At Sat Sep 30, 05:13:00 AM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kelly
your mom is right- try not to be so hard on yourself- your are a great teacher-I have seen you with students and parents and you do a WONDERFUL job being there for them! Northside Elem misses you!!!
stay strong and sleep when you can.
still praying
ss

 
At Sat Sep 30, 02:27:00 PM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kelly and John,

I know that the Lord is with us all, all the time, and I know that he is holding your family in his arms right now. He has healed Max in so many ways already and continues to be with you now. Our prayers are still for a complete healing for your precious baby.

Kelly, I have no doubt in my mind that you are a wonderful teacher and so appreciated by the parents of your students. I hope that you can feel that, too. Try not to be hard on yourself. God doesn't want us to feel guilty when we have done the best that we know to do.

I still believe that God has great things planned for Max and for your family. May you have peace and joy as you raise little Max. God bless you.

Love and Blessings,
Uncle Bill and Aunt Frances

 
At Sat Sep 30, 02:39:00 PM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kelly and John,

I am just catching up on the blog after having not read it for a couple of days. I love Max in the Fearfully and Wonderfully Made shirt. He is so handsome!!! He IS wonderfully made by God's own hands. Wish that we could be with you. Even though we are praying here, I wish that we could pray with you as well. Thanks for keeping us all informed. We love you all and are so proud of the example that you are to all of our family. Max is awesome!!!

Love and Blessings,
Uncle Bill and Aunt Frances

 
At Sun Oct 01, 11:41:00 AM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Kelly,
It is okay for you to go through all these feelings and emotions and doubts! These things are what make us search even deeper for the wisdom and understanding that God so generously gives. My preacher calls that "wrestling in the pit." God is there with you and He will bring you out of it, and you will be stronger in faith and in your love for Him. You just keep telling us how you feel, and we'll keep praying for every step that Max goes through. You are wonderful--a testament to faith for us mother's--and little Max is mighty, I don't doubt for a second that when it comes time that 7 will turn quickly into a 13. God's glory is being revealed in Max everyday, it shows in all that Max has been doing, and it will continue to be revealed as Max grows.
We love you and are still praying!
Jenni and Kevin Chism

 
At Sun Oct 01, 02:24:00 PM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kelly, John, & Max -

What a handsome baby! I am so glad his little "fearfully" shirt fits. We have been out of touch with the blog for a week or so but you haven't been out of our thoughts or prayers. We love you and know that God will continue to be your safe haven and strength during this time.

Love,
Brent, Ashlee, Will & Sam

 
At Mon Oct 02, 08:39:00 AM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just wanted you to know we're still praying. Max is blessed to have you as his parents. I love the pics you posted... he is just precious. Praying for many blessings for you three today.

 
At Tue Oct 03, 06:11:00 PM PDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just read all the comments from our family, and I too wanted to say that I am praying for you and Max also. Hope you are doing well.
Love,
second cousin Christen

 

Post a Comment

<< Home