Sunday, September 20, 2009

Sunday, September 20th, 1:50 am

Today begins the 10th day since Micah was admitted to the hospital. It has been quite a whirlwind. Sometimes we don't know what day or hour it is. It has been just over a day since he was moved from the critical care unit to a regular floor. He is on a couple of medications. One is to control his thalamic storms which greatly reduces the intense posturing that had been occurring. The downside of this is that it makes him sleep a lot. We are trying the find the happy medium where he does not have so much of the drug that it inhibits his brain activity but too little of it will result in the recurrence of the posturing. The other drug is to help him maintain a steady blood pressure. The tooth that is lodged in his esophagus is going to be removed using a probe. We have decided to let the doctors put a G-tube in him. It will make it easier to feed him and get the tube out of his nose which seems to bother him. While under sedation for these procedures they will also make a cast for his teeth so they can form a custom bite block. He has loosened one of his lower front teeth and has already busted out two of his molars from grinding his teeth. Fortunately they were baby molars.
       Our care conference with all the doctors concerned brings us no surprises as Tina mentioned in an earlier blog. Unless the Lord restores Micah in a miraculous way, we are looking at a severe long term disability with some progress through therapy and all that stuff. No one can predict what that entails. Has this affected how we pray or believe? NOT ONE BIT! But we are faced with some decisions to make as long as his current state exists. He is unable to do anything for himself. He still has to be fed, cleaned, given physical therapy etc. etc. So how do we reconcile what we believe with present reality? This is always a pivotal point in our understanding (or the lack of it) on the part of God's will that He has not made clear. I have come to the conclusion that while we wait for the miracle, we must respond to what is clear in the present. This does not mean in any way that we are compromising what we believe. I am beating with a sledge-hammer on God's door. He will never have to say that I didn't ask, seek or knock! My tears flow steadily in His throne room. We are spent at the end of each day. I am being transparent about our frailty because I want you to see that the Grace of God and His presence overshadows it. We are able to still believe, still pray for others, still keep pressing on because of His presence.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2Cor 12:9)
Thank you for all your prayers, comments and encouragement. Continue to believe and pray with us for Micah's complete recovery.
May the Grace and Peace of our Lord be with you.
Thomas

17 comments:

  1. Thomas and Tina,
    I've just read all your posts and wanted you to know that I'm praying for you and Micah and the rest of your children.
    Though it is difficult to understand why something like this would happen, I am sure of one thing...God IS being honored by your faith. I'm sure that many lives are being touched by your great attitudes and the evidence of Christ in you. He gets the glory!
    In Christ,
    Robin Evans (from Winkle)

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  2. Thomas and Tina,
    I continue daily to pray for you and Micah. Your blog which suggested specific ways to pray was very helpful. Today I give thanks to God for Micah being moved from Intensive care to a regular room, for G-tubes, for medicines that reduce thanlmic storms, for medicines that control blood -pressure, for custom bite blocks, and especially for your faith and for God's grace which is more than sufficient. I also thank God that I can be one of His thousands of prayer warriors for Micah.

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  3. Thomas and Tina as you know I am praying for all of you. I had Melissa set down today and read the blog just so she could out strong your faith is..

    God knew that you two are the kind of parents that he could trust with such a situation as this. God knows your heart and hears your cries.

    I want so much to do something for you all but I know that prayer is the most important thing now.

    Tina as a mother I don't know if I could have been as strong as you have been. As you know God gives us what he knows we can handle not what we think we can handle.

    I love you both,
    Sally Newton

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  4. Thomas and Tina,
    Our Sunday School is lifting up both of you and Micah in prayer.
    As an earlier poster Praised God for, I also Praise God for "Michas being moved into a regular room, medicine to reduce the Thanlmic Storms, medicine for blood pressure, custom bite blocks, G-tubes, your steadfast faith" and more. Yes the Lord be Praised!
    But I need you to know, that I thank God for this Blog and to read what you just posted today. Brother in Christ I thank the Lord Jesus that you have posted it and it has stengthened me in our stuggles.
    I do not like the idea that your struggles is what was needed for me, but know your being led to be so transparent in your posting has helped and I lift you, Tina and Micah even now more in prayer to our Wonderful Jehova, El Shaddi.
    God Bless,
    In His Name,
    Clyde Hollis

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  5. Tina and Thomas,
    I was so sorry to hear about Micah and am so glad to hear that he is doing better. It sounds like he has come a long way. It will be a long road ahead, but you, as well as Micah, are all very strong. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and I've asked my friends to keep you in their prayers as well. We love you. Dana, Ron, Brandon and Nick Hanebutt(Shawnee, OK)

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  6. Thomas & Tina, I know this is so hard on your whole family. If you get a chance and have time, could you post the names and ages of your other children so that they too may be prayed for in this time. I know they too are going through a very hard time and will need much prayer. Sometimes when I don't what to pray, I just say Micah's name and Jesus for he knows the groanings of our hearts. Your faith is amazing and such a testament to the power of God. Thanks for keeping everyone informed. We love you.
    Tom and Gail Mapes

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  7. I will sing praise
    I will lift my voice
    I will sing praise
    Ive made my choice
    I will sing praise
    In all I do
    I will sing praise to you

    No matter the storms that come my way
    No matter the trials that i may face
    You promised that you would see me through
    so i will trust in You

    Hope these lyrics speak to yall. He has promised that he would see you through so we all are trusting in him that he is going to and is now healing micah.

    ~Courtney Davis

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  8. Hi Thomas and Tina!

    I just wanted to let you know that we prayed for your family this morning at Jackson First UMC. May you feel the presence of God with you as you journey through this time.

    Blessings...

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  9. Dear Thomas, Tina and Family,
    My husband and I are believeing with you for God's miraculous healing of Micah! For now, our daughter is blind and multi-handicapped. We too have struggled with many of the emotions you are feeling at this time. All we know is that God is still on the throne and His grace truly is sufficient! We love you all and are so thankful that you do know in whom you have believed! We will continue to stand with you ....believing!
    In Christ,
    Anna Smith
    Love & Truth, Jackson

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  10. Thomas and Tina,
    I pray for Micah and for you every time the Lord brings you to mind which is often. Your faith is a testimony to all. Please let Pat or I know of anything you need.

    Roger Poindexter

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  11. you guys are loved so dearly; we haven't been able to stop thinking about/weeping with/praying for you. may you, in the midst of the storm, feel God's compassionate and loving arms embrace you and carry you. May the lord bless you and keep you--the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

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  12. T & T, I thank God for the trust in Him that you are exhibiting through this difficult experience. Know that you are daily in my prayers and that my family is available to you in whatever capacity is needed.

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  13. Thomas & Tina

    I once again sit here and wonder what to write that would be encouraging. I find words hard to come by and I think it's because of your unbelievable faith. You are blessing me more than I could ever bless you with ANY words. As has been mentioned by others, we know not the WHY. But I DO know that you both are making such a positive impact for God. You uplift us. I know your hearts have to be hurting, but you still are strong and such an example of what it means to "put your faith and trust in the Lord". I'm still praying for you all. You are NEVER far from my thoughts. May God, our Creator, our Father, the Lord of all...bless you with peace of mind, rest for the body and a continuing singing in your soul.

    Lottie

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  14. Thomas and Tina,

    We are praying for you and with you everyday. We are here for you if there is absolutely anything else we can do; all you have to do is call. You and Tina are such a blessing to all who of us who feel so helpless to help you. We praise God for His all sufficient grace which is so evident in your lives. Though we know this must be more difficult than we can even begin to imagine, our faith is strengthened by seeing yours.

    With much love, Dirk and Chris

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  15. Hi Tina and Thomas,
    I sent an Email yesterday which I hope you received. I/we continue to pray for Micah everyday. If there is anyway that I can assist you all in Micah's care, rehab, singing, etc. please let me know. It would be a great honor.
    Mary Pom

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  16. Tina and Thomas, we still have you in our prays today and everday as well. When I went to work today, I said a little pray for all of you,about every 20 minutes today (I made time).
    With love, Your loving neighbors Larry and Judy Pratt

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  17. Thomas and Tina- We pray for Micah and your family daily. Our church is praying for you as well. Reading your blogs is truly an inspiration of faith to all. We can know that God is a shield and refuge that surrounds Micah every single day. He is ever-present in our lives and His miracles confirm that. Our Lord will provide you with the strength that your family will need in the upcoming days. We never know what God has planned for Micah but we can be assured that he answers our prayers in times of need. We can wait with hope in the Lord that he will heal Micah and continue to arm your family with the strength, courage, love and faith that you and your family possess.

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