 |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Spencer’s Story - continued from page 5 THIS WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS SEASON, JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON AND GIVING COLORS THE HOLIDAYS WITH HAPPINESS... As I was going through the email saved from THE SPENCER PROJECT files, I came across these wonderful snippets of love and caring to share with everyone. This is an email from me to Dawn K who sent a beautiful dress for the Samantha doll for Nanny that Kim W sent. “ Thank you so much for this wonderful gift, it is here and I told Jack and Brenda that it is ready for them to come and get for Christmas for Samantha. They are so grateful for your kindness and love you have shown their daughter. I have asked Jack to take a picture of Nanny with the doll and your beautiful dress Spencer is holding his own, but seems to have trouble with breathing by himself. The doctors are trying to either stabilize him to go home with a ventilator or without if he can breathe on his own. Pray for him, please :-) Here is an email that had me in tears. This wonderful lady has worked with Newborns in Need for years, through thick and through thin, she has always been ready to assist when needed. “A box coming to you either Thurs or Friday- I'm finishing it tonight. Most of it is for the Lewis Family but there are a few items marked for NIN Home office. A few are stocking stuffers, but not many. I was planning on buying some toothbrushes and things needed but didn't get to- I'll explain that in a minute. How is Spencer doing? Is there anything he could use I might already have or I could make? He is already in my prayers and thoughts. I'm going to be doing good sending this box; I lost my job this afternoon so am going to have to watch my spending very closely til I get another one. I am going to beg and see if my parents will help with postage in return for getting this stuff out of the house. Merry Christmas- the season has started!! Please pray I find another job soon- I can't do my NIN and other charity work much less pay my bills with no money coming in. I am upbeat and looking though. Only plus side is: I have more time to finish things around here and my charity stuff for a few days, and clean up some stuff that needed to be. This isn't what I had in mind when I said I needed a vacation though!! LOL Talk to you soon!” This wonderful volunteer knows and understands charity work, she sees other’s needs over her own, and responds with everything she can. In the huge box that came were presents for the entire family, much needed warm clothing, blankets, Christmas stockings and special goodies. What touched me the most is that there was a beautiful handcrocheted afghan she had made herself for the family. May God bless her for her love and true charity and setting such a good example for the rest of us. OUR SWEET LITTLE SPENCER.... Spencer is very much aware of what is going on and when he gets upset, Mommy can soothe him right to sleep by singing to him and stroking his feet. He is the cutest little angel and has touched the hearts of people all around the world. His next operation isn't for at least 9 months so they are trying to stabilize him to go home. The main concern is his breathing. He is ADORABLE!!! MEDICAL CHALLENGES...
TRANSITION TIME... 1/28/04 We have all been waiting and expecting Spencer to come home soon and he is now transitioning from the hospital to a step down center in readiness for his coming home. This email from Brenda explains this next step: Dear Carol, Thank you so much for loving Spencer so much as you do. I wish I could have you hold him. He is so special! We have a change of plans for him---we are going to have him taken care of for a little while at a place called Ranken Jordan www.rankenjordan.org . We are having problems with in-home nursing agencies and I feel very uneasy about bringing him home right now. Because he is improving, there is great hope, but he needs good supervision day and night and in-home nurses are going to be the challenge right now. Oh, how I wish we could have him home. We prayed about this decision and feel that this is right. The goal of this step down hospital (rehabilitation) is to get him home. Love you lots! Brenda The reply back: This sounds like a wise and wonderful step to take, I am sure you will be glad to have him out of the hospital environment making another step towards coming home. Have they said anymore about the surgery to correct his cleft palate in the hopes that he will be able to breathe on his own? My prayers are with you every step of the way, I know God is walking down the hospital hallways with you. Hugs Carol Hi Carol, The cleft palate has not even been discussed lately. The last I have heard on this is that he needs to be at least 7 months old and possibly a year or more to give his mouth time to grow more. This site is very interesting and relates to the Pierre Robin Syndrome that Spencer has. The cleft palate is part of the whole "Pierre Robin" problem.http://www.widesmiles.org/cleftlinks/pierre.html Love you! Brenda As you can see, our precious little Spencer is getting closer to being able to come home to his family who loves him so much. Keep checking back to this website to hear more about how he is doing. This sweet baby has captured hearts all over the world. CHALLENGES CROP UP..SPENCER IS IN HIS 5TH HOSPITAL IN HIS SHORT LIFE.... 2/4/04 - Spencer has just developed medical problems that won’t allow him to go to the home care facility at this time as hoped. It was serious enough that he has been transferred to a hospital in St. Louis to try to stabilize him. This has been very hard on the family and disappointing, but a necessary step to get Spencer the very best medical care available. Please pray for Spencer and his family as they adjust to the new challenges they face. The 4 children still living at home (there are a total of 8 children in the family) homeschool and it is difficult to keep them on target. We are working on getting a laptop for them to use their Switched on Schoolhouse programs on. These marvelous programs help Brenda keep track of each child’s progress and even grades their work. The Lewis’s managed to find the Switched on Schoolhouse Alpha Omega programs they needed on Ebay for only $15. The current challenge is to be able to find a laptop so the children can continue to work at their school work as they go with their mother to visit Spencer who is 2 hours away. If anyone knows of a way to receive a donation for a laptop or has a laptop to donate for the Lewis children, please email carolgreen@newbornsinneed.org A donation is tax deductible, and donors may be listed on the sponsor page on www.newbornsinneed.org The website receives 3/4 million hits per month and is great exposure for businesses. Please help if you can. |
|
|
|
[Spencer] [Spencer's Story] [Page 2] [Page 3] [Page 4] [Page 5] [Page 6] [Photo Gallery] [Reborning Spencer] [Happy Thoughts] [You Can Help] [Message Board] [Links] |
|
|
|
© 2003- 2004 U.S. Cybertek, Inc - All Rights Reserved |