Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Pneumonia and RSV are no match for this warrior .....




This sweet child of mine continues to astound me with each passing moment.Her fighting spirit,that very same spirit that has seen her conquer countless other seemingly insurmountable obstacles,once again is seeing her through another medical crisis.Anyone who walked into her isolation room today,simply marveled.Her two new diagnosis' hardly matched the smiling,engaging child that sat before them. Well,of course the circles under her eyes and pale skin were somewhat of a give away.She sat so tall and smiled so sweetly and blew gentle kisses and looked at us as if she were saying ...."Is that all you got?"To which I say:DO NOT ASK THAT ZOEY!!!!Zoey's medical resume since birth is extensive enough and I do not know how much more this tired old mom can possibly stand.The long and short of it is this:In a little more than 48 hours Zoey has proven to be in the process of outwitting the current nasty bacterial and viral onslaught to her already compromised tiny body.Completely overcome them ... certainly not.However, they feel fairly confident that she is probably past the worst of it at the moment.Her bone marrow has managed to produce healthy fighting cells ... that has made all the difference.Which is a miracle.We are only 12 days out since round 4 chemo ended and at a time when her counts should be at rock bottom or at the very best in recovery,instead super baby changes things up and her body does what a typical,otherwise healthy child would be doing,fighting off the foe.On the 4th floor, fever,pneumonia,RSV and infection are some of the scariest things a parent can hear.Any of which could absolutely land you in the PICU in a moment.We feel completely blessed.Again.And proud.Again.For two years we have seen Zoey dealt,to some,a most unfair hand.But if we choose to focus on the unfairness than we diminish the life we know as Zoey's.An amazing life.A life that continues to offer opportunities each and every day to see God and His hand in all that happens.Opportunity to listen to the subtle and sometimes not so subtle nudges to see beauty amongst the chaos and uncertainty.We are thankful and ever mindful of how lucky we are.Daily there are reminders of those whose walk is far more difficult and those who's journey has veered off on to dark and frightening paths.Tonight we have two little buddies who are in the PICU,courageously trying to pass through and beyond unexpected scary times.Pablo and Sarah,stay strong and fight on.More to come tomorrow on Miss Zoey.Praying for a restful night for her, as sleep right now is some of the best kind of medicine.Thank you for rallying around us once again and lending prayers of strength and peace for us all.Those prayers sustain and nourish us, as always.

29 comments:

Loren Stow said...

Way to go Zoey!
I arrived at work this morning to such great news - this has made my day!! :)
Thinking of you from over here in Sunny South Africa!

Anonymous said...

Heather - you truly are a gifted writer as well as a super mommy! What beautiful words to read, that Zoey is fighting through another HUGE crisis in her amazing, amazing way. To see her sitting up and smiling is tuly a blessing to see. Way to go Miss Zoey!

Love and hugs to everyone

Bluebelle

Anonymous said...

Forgot to mention in my post - LOVE that green top with the smiling bumble bee on it!

(Maybe because it's 4:30 am and I'm not fully awake)!




Bluebelle

Kelli said...

Zoey is precious, and quite a fighter! God's blessings to her each and every day.

P.S. I love your quotes in your sidebar!

stephanie said...

Good Job Princess!!Keep up the good work! So glad everything is getting back on track.Hugs and prayers, Stephanie

Karen Owens said...

Praying hard!

Anonymous said...

Heather - am finally getting back on track, Kim had emergency surgery last week, so I'm a little off my game. Everything is fine, but as I was sitting in the hospital (9 hrs, 13 hrs & 3 hrs / day) I just kept thinking of you guys and how amazing you handle it all - again, Zoey was my inspiration and thoughs of her and you kept me going and kept me sane. Kept thinking that if you and Zoey can do it almost a month at a time, I can do it for 3 days! We continue to send our love and prayers and thank you so much for sharing your experiences - I know circumstances are way different, but because of your writings I was able to hold it together (even though Kim is MUCH older - she's still my kid!! and I still worry about her all the time) - That little one of your's is such a warrior - kick butt little one

Prayers and love from Otisco Lake!

Robyn

Hope said...

Yay Zoey!! Fight, sweet girl, Fight! I'm her cheerleader=} Heather, I agree with everyone else, You have a gift.

My name is Sarah said...

To Zoey, The Bubble Bee Fighter, You are my hero sweet little girl.

The VW's said...

What a sweet and precious fighter! Keep showing all of us, Zoey! We are so proud! Praying!!!

Danyele Easterhaus said...

that face of zoey makes me grin from ear to ear...i can't even tell you how much joy she brings to me. ahhhh, fresh air of love!

praying for you all still. i love how happy and delighted she looks...she is stinking amazing!

Junior said...

Zoey, you are a little hero, keep up the fight brave girl. Your smile just made my day.
Keeping all of your in our prayers.

Lacey said...

go Zoey go. Its true that you would never this girl has virtually no immune system. The smiles tell all. That she is going to kick cancer's butt. See you in a few days.

Melani said...

Way to go Zoey! Keep fighting little champ! Our prayers are with you.

Gerry Adams said...

Keep fighting Princess Zoey!
My prayers are with you. :-)

~KC: said...

Zoey Grace, May you be HEALTHY and STRONG ~ . Soon this challenge will be behind you and you will continue to live your wonderful life to the fullest. You ROCK Zoey Grace!!!.
Lots of Happy times are ahead ~

Sending HEALING ENERGY, lots of PRAYERS and POSITIVE vibes your way, every single day :)

Love and Peace ~

Kisses For Noah said...

Heather~ I'm sure you hear this a million times over but this blog is truly inspirational. You have an amazing gift. Your writing speaks to the heart!
As always, we're sending tons of prayers your way. Fight on, Princess Zoey....you and your mama have a book to write when you get past this!

Alisha said...

WAY TO GO ZOEY!!! I swear, that girls smile just lights up the room!

Cheri said...

You go little Zoey...such a fighter you are!

Sophie's Story by Elaine said...

Wow Heather...your little Zoey is just absolutely amazing. How can you not rally behind that little fighter of yours!!! She is an inspiration to us all.

Devon said...

Oh I just want to squish and cuddle her, she is too cute!! What a fighter!!! Keep it up, Zoey!!

Victoria Strong said...

Thinking of you always sweet Zoey!

Kele said...

ARG! So sorry to hear about the Pnemonia and RSV. Presley just got diagnosed last week with RSV as well... haven't even posted about it, I am just so tired of all the winter cudies!!!!
Zoey looks so good tho, I am with you, she just takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'!
Love to all and prayers are always coming your way from us!

Kelly said...

Fight On, Miss Zoey!!!

Ivey's Mom said...

You go girl!!! That my little warrior! Hang in there mom-

Ivey's Mom said...

OH, and I forgot to tell you that I was in California last week....

Scrappy quilter said...

WTG Zoey and Praise God. This little tiger continues to amaze me. Continued prayers for Zoey and your family Heather.

Jennifer Ortiz said...

I pray for Zoey all the time!

MJMILLS said...

still praying for sweet zoey everyday. My grandpa is sick with pnemonia in ICU too. He had gotten rid of lung cancer, but it's back which puts a whole other scarey edge to the pnemonia! stupd "pn" word! lol