A Christmas to Memory...
Today, Momrn2 of My Quiet Corner was thoughtful enough to host a little get together where she would like us to join her and share our A Favorite Christmas memory. She wants us to pull up a chair and grab a warm throw. She's got a fire burning, warm drinks ready, snacks to munch on, Christmas music in the background, and warm hearts of friends sharing a quiet moment of Christmas together in "My Quiet Corner".
A Christmas Memory...It was Christmas Eve, 1982 and I was admiring some of the Christmas decorations on the wall. I could hear Christmas carollers outside of our room. I was in awe over the cute little 12 inch Christmas tree the nurses had set up for me and my precious little baby Terrence. It was so thoughtful!
It had been almost two months since Terry had been admitted into the hospital. Everyday seemed to go by so slow. When the doctor told me he had less than a 35% chance of making it and they were rushing him to University hospital in Omaha, 3 1/2 hours away, as I road in the ambulance, I just trusted with all my heart that God's will, would be done, and I prayed often to please let my little baby boy live.
This being Christmas, I missed my hubby and my oldest little boy Kevin, who wasn't even two yet. They were back home, three and a half hours away. It would have been so nice to be together for Christmas. However, money was so tight that we just really couldn't afford it. I had already lost 35 lbs which was quite a bit in two months, as I could only afford $2.00 a day in meals, sometimes not even that. Every night, I slept in the recliner next to Terry's metal hospital crib. They had trained me to take care of his central hyperalimentation line that went directly into his chest, around the clavicle and into the aorta and pulmonary arteries of his heart. If the line ever came apart we had seconds to shoot it with heparin as the germs would more than likely kill him instantaneously.
He was looking so frail and had been through so much in his young life. It was hard to believe my precious little baby boy was 6 months old and weighed only 9 lbs. He had lost all of his Ville (little finger like things that help you absorb nutrition) in his stomach. So the line bypassed his stomach and gave the Ville a chance to grow back. Terry had a severe allergy to all milks, breast milk, soy milk, progesterone, you name it, we tried everything. Because he didn't take anything orally, he didn't use the muscles in his mouth so the doctors said he probably wouldn't talk until he was 3 years old.
Terry had been placed back in private ICU for Christmas Eve. This was for his protection as he had just gone into convulsions over a allergic reaction to penicillin, and absolutely couldn't be around germs. So imagine my delight when suddenly there was a tap at the door and who would appear but jolly ole St. Nick himself! Santa just brightened our room that night, it was like a gift from God as little Terry's eyes just lit up and danced with delight! Then Santa left so many much appreciated and thoughtful gifts, just when I had accepted there would be none...I was awe struck and a bit shaken by so many stranger's immense kindness and sweet generosity.
The nurses even collected money to pay to have my clothes all dry cleaned and pressed. It brought tears to my eyes because I had no way, other than washing them by hand in the hospital room sink, to clean them, there were moments I felt so ashamed. It was truly a blessing to see so many people think of those less fortunate to go out of their way to bless us with the kindness of the human spirit, my heart was truly touched.
I still to this day remember sitting in that room with no windows, alone, and seeing a glowing light at the foot of Terry's crib that to me will always be that of an angel. I truly believe there are angels among us! God sent an angel to watch over us that night!
This Christmas taught me how important it is to think of others and to be loving, and kind, and not so judgmental of someone who isn't dressed so nice and to reach out and
be giving, not condescending. Most of all, never ever lose faith, but rather trust God with all your heart! We are so blessed and have so much to be grateful for every Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ...We are humbled by Glod's loving mercy on our family.Pictured upper left, Terry's Going Home party thrown by the nurses. Pictured right, Pamela with her two little boys, reunited and full of giggles, laughter and hope for the future!
Forward:
Our son Terrence is now a healthy 24 year old handsome young man and was miraculously healed by the grace of God. He did start to talk just when you would expect a baby to talk. Little did we know that our lives would be changed forever; that he and I would spend everyday and every holiday up until his birthday in June of 1983 for seven straight months in the hospital. I got to ride the train home twice and my In-laws picked me up once and took me home for a weekend visit. Otherwise, the days were long but Terry was so happy and always had a smile on his face. When you held him he just melded against your body. It was so endearing.
Finally, after months and months of asking when...can we go home? I/we were given a police escort with sirens and lights in June, of the following year, to get our little boy home with Terry on an Imed machine, that was hooked up to an NG line that went down his nose and into his stomach. I took care of filling and replacing the line every four hours. I gave him shots and cared for his dressing. With little money and only one car I was not able to get out and socialize. Having our family back together was an enormous joy! Words cannot describe how much I value our family and little things just don't mean that much to me anymore, I just don't entertain petty problems for very long. Life is so precious! I couldn't have been more grateful and felt more blessed that God chose to let our little boy live.
That week I let my wonderful hubby know that we were going to be blessed with another baby!
So, it's just the two of us ever so humbled and grateful for all of our blessings and wishing you wonderful blessings this Christmas season, as well.
posted by Pamela @ 4:53 AM
24 Comments:
Touching story! Ok, when I read the line where you said you spent everyday until they let him out in the hospital, i thought, "that's impossible." Then I read the line where you got to go home twice. And I thought, "that's more like it" Because if I did my math right, I was born in December of 83...sooooo....yea.... :)
No seriously though, I know that must have been really hard on you, but I also know that now you look back at it in victory, knowing that Terrence is a healthy boy, and a wonderful son and brother. What great times we have had. i couldn't imagine my life without him.
That story, your story really touched my heart this morning Pamela. What love. A tribute to your care and love that your wee lad made it home. I especially like the photo of the two boys with you- your eyes are all sparkling and speak a million words!
Bests
A great Christmas story.
really a touching story indeed. its feels so nostalgic to get back to the age old days. keep up the good work. will look forward for an interesting post next. you can check my blogif you want to know about christmas. wish a very happy christmas.
Hi Pamela ~ A lovely Christmas story about the miracle of your son's revival. Thank you for sharing that with us. Glad you liked the joke of the man changing places with his wife.
It was a good one. Take care, Love, Merle.
Pamela, what a touching story. You wrote and shared it so well. You sure went through a lot! The Lord gave you a tender heart from it, I can tell. So thankful the Lord choose to heal Terry! This story helps me appreciate all that I have:) Have a blessed day!!!
Pamela, that's such a precious story. It just seems like whenever one of our children is suffering, there are no limits to what we can do on their behalf. I'm so glad he was healed (I DO believe in those kinds of miracles) and that he's healthy and happy today.
Thanks for sharing such a lovely story.
What a sweet, touching story. I'm so glad the Lord healed Teery and brought you through that traumatic time. I'm so glad for this remember to reach out to others.
I can only imagine the joy in your heart when Terrence was finally released from the hospital. No wonder you have such a tender and compassionate heart. You've been through so much!
((hugs))
Oh Pamela, thank you for sharing that today...you have touched the very depths of my heart this afternoon.
He is truly a miracle! God was so good and showed you many blessings through such a difficult time.
I'm keeping it short today because I am so touched you have left me speechless~and I am not trying to be funny.
Thank you for sharing Pamela!
Love, Amy
(((hugs)))
I loved your Christmas memory...now I know why you are such an encouragement!!
What a rough start Terry had and how blessed you all are to have him healthy and grown now. Your story made me cry just thinking how it felt to have to be away from home and not know anyone. This truly shows what a great mom you are. Who else would sacrifice so much to be by a childs side. This is why God made mothers.
Yes, healthy days to all!
What an amazing story Pamela. I can't imagine what you went through during that long seven months. I imagine there is a very special bond between you and Terrence. Your faith and sweet spirit are inspiring. A wonderful Christmas memory.
Wow - what a story! Blessings to you and yours.
The thought of you in that windowless room with a desperately ill baby and that tiny tree just chokes me up, Pamela. But what a happy ending. I can't begin to imagine how you made it through that scary time.
Oh, that's such a sweet, sweet story. I'm wiping away tears. I love to hear testimonies of how God comforts His children and grants His peace when we need it. Thank you for sharing that. I can't imagine what those months were like for you, but that picture with your boys is so joyful. I'm so glad he is healthy today. What a joy.
Wow, this is such an incredible story. You handled yourself with such grace and hope during a very difficult time. I am so happy to hear your baby boy is now a healthy young man. What a great God we serve! Thanks for sharing your beautiful memories with us all.
What a wonderfully amazing story! I can't even imagine what that must have been like to seperated from family for that long... esp. over such prominent holidays and celebrations.
Thanking God that little boy is now a grown man.
Thanks for participating and sharing this story... absolutely wonderful!
Aww, Pamela this story brought tears to my eyes! It's so touching & so inspiring on many levels. I'm so happy you kept your faith & sweet personality while going through all of this, it must have been so hard! I can't even begin to imagine. What amazing things God brings us through, right? I loved this post! =)
Have a lovely Friday!
Dear Pamela...I could feel every one of your emotions while reading this story...the loneliness, the despair, the hope, the shame, the joy, etc. It's amazing what a mother will do for her child and we never regret any of it, do we! God was certainly watching over you and your little boy all through these months and what a delight to know that he grew up to be a big strong man:-)
Beautiful story. I am allergic to penicillin so my mom and I went throug similar situations. I love the pictures, as always you look great with a big smile!
I was checking your post for Today and oh boy what a pretty ornaments you got decorating your tree and house. Have a great weekend! I am going out Tonight and I can't wait!!
Oh Pamela what a Christmas memory you have there! Miracles do happen and thank God for healing Terrance and that you were finally able to go home!
I remember when I came with Mom, Dad, and Debra. We were so shocked by how thin Terry was but you are right he still had a smile on his face all of the time. We prayed a lot for him during that time. We were so happy that he came through it all ok. It truly was a miracle.
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