scott

is doing much better today. He walked down the hallway twice. He has eaten a little bit more today. I am meeting with his surgeon at the CRACK of dawn in the morning to discuss when he may go home. They are monitoring his hemoglobin closely, because it dropped again today. If it stabilizes or goes up, there is a CHANCE he may go home soon. He will go home with TWO home health care nurses.


I have to say that he will be better off at home, (or actually he will be staying at his mom and dads.) His mother and I have taken better care of him than MOST (not all) of the nurses there. I have been less than impressed with the staff at GHS. I hate to say that, but it's very true. For example: Kim and I have changed his linens, we have "bathed" him with the warm wipes that they give you. Not one nurse/PCT has asked to do that. Talk about unsanitary...no wonder people are being infected with mercer and staph. We call the nurse for various reasons during the day and they MIGHT show up anywhere from twenty minutes to a whole HOUR later. It has really been pitiful. Again, we have had one or two really good ones, but as a whole, it's terrible. Please understand that we know Scott is not the nurses only patient, but when your I.V is backing up and they decide to check it FORTY minutes after being paged three times, that's crazy! Sorry..I had to get that off my chest!

I will continue to update when I can. Thank goodness for laptops and WiFi!!


Goodnight.

SCOTT: Scott's actual surgery went very well! His surgeon was extremely pleased with everything and he lost very little blood. He has been very sick the past few days. His blood pressure has been really low and his hemoglobin has dropped a few points. As of now, we are still believing that all those things come with a major surgery. Dr. Rex and the nurses are wonderful and continue to monitor him closely. Now for the good stuff....Scott got out of the bed everytime today by himself!! This is HUGE! He has eaten jello and applesauce. He tried a few other things, but didn't handle them very well. His nurse is happy that he's eating at all, so we are too! He is drinking like a fish, so that's the most important thing for now. Overall, he is doing pretty well. We knew going in to this how long and painful the recovery road was going to be, so we are prayed up and ready to make the trip!

JP: My little man has handled things much better than I had anticipated. He went back to school this morning. Despite the fact that he is being passed around from person to person, he is happy and seems to be oblivious to the changes so far.

ME: I am doing fine. Sleepy, but fine! I have done nothing but pray for God to keep me grounded and strengthen me. He has definitely done that! He reminds me daily of how much worse things could be. I have the greatest, LARGEST support system, it's hard to be too down! I thank all of you for your thoughts/prayers/emails and those who have stepped up and helped me take care of JP...you are God-sent and appreciated. You know who you are.

VISITORS: We had asked that no one visit the past few days due to the private nature of the surgery and how sick he's been. When I left tonight (Wednesday) he was much more alert and a little more upbeat. I think that if those of you who have emailed/called and inquired about this wanted to drop in for a short time now, it would be fine. I do have my cell phone and it works pretty well in the room. If something changes in his condition, I will update you.

I guess that's it for now. I will post again when I am able!

anyone have a paper bag??

it is not abnormal....

for JP to run a fever with a head cold. However, if you have a minute PLEASE stop and ask God to touch him and make him well. He is actually acting just fine. He has just had a low-grade fever for most of the evening. For obvious reasons, I CAN NOT AFFORD FOR HIM TO GET SICK!!!! I've told God that!! lol

I just wanted to request prayer! Thanks to those of you who read and are praying!!!

random thoughts & a few misc. pics

I am so tired. Emotionally, physically, and mentally. I just had to say that. I do not have much to write about. The only thing that has occupied my thoughts and prayers is Scott's upcoming surgery. I sure don't want to post about that everyday! (Trust me, you don't want me to either!)

JP is doing well. We've had a few minor issues at pre-school, but nothing out of the ordinary for a three year old boy who's never been in a classroom before. We are working through it. I am going to try to keep you guys updated as much as possible over the next few months, but I am not making any promises. Just please don't give up on me!! Our life is going to be very unpredictable for a long time. I will do my best to blog from time to time, so keep checkin'!

This is JP sitting in Aunt Laurie's room watching a movie.

Mommy and JP buried in a mountain of animals!

overwhelmed

I have so many thoughts running through my mind this morning. Church was the most awesome yet! I think I say that each week, but whatever! I will give a short version of the sermon another time. It was incredible. I will say that it all tied in to baptism. The pastor answered three questions about baptism:

1. Why? Because Jesus said so. Period. After EACH person in the Bible met Jesus and received Him, they followed in believers baptism.
2. How? By emersion. Again, why? Because it's what Jesus did. Period.
3. When? This was the most awesome part....his answer to "when" was NOW! Today! He went through a list of excuses, "I wasn't planning on it," "I don't have clothes," etc....The church took care of EVERTHING. There was nothing holding you back from taking part in baptism if you met Jesus today or if you knew Jesus but had never followed through with getting baptized. They had t'shirts,shorts,sports bras,underwear...you name it, they provided it.

Right there on the spot, the whole church walked out into the parking lot to a "pool" and watched people get baptized. I have never seen anything like it. It was amazing.

YAY, God!!!!!!

bjay & holly's shower

Mom, Rose, Sherry & I gave Holly and BJay a shower this morning. It was a beach theme since they are getting married on the beach in Charleston. It turned out really nice and Holly got some nice things! They are getting married the first weekend in October and JP is the ring bearer. I can't wait. Here are a few pics...

The bride. Holly and her sister (maid of honor).

Me and Kathi

The food was great! Thought the grapes were so cute in sand buckets!

Mom used beach towels for table covers.

Congrats, Holly and BJay...can't wait until the special day!!

all Yours God

Things are moving right along in the Beam household. We are counting down the days until Scott's surgery and trying to keep our minds busy until then. Scott is actually counting down the hours/minutes...literally! :)



JP has continued to do well in school. His teacher has started a chart that she posts next to their cubbies so that you can see how they did that day. I am proud to say that MY baby boy has gotten a smiley face every day so far in September!! He is happy when I drop him off and happy when I pick him up. He seems to really enjoy it there. Thank You, God!!



The other night we were on our way to WalMart. Scott recently bought a new CD by Steven Curtis Chapman. We were listening to the song, "Yours." I do not know how JP knew the words, but from the back seat he was singing loudly, "It's all Yours God, Yours God. Everything is Yours!" He had the biggest smile on his face. Other than just being precious, I was reminded that EVERYTHING IS HIS. My family, job, home, child, husband, and this upcoming surgery. It all belongs to God. My "part" is to handle things in a way that is pleasing to Him. That's hard. Especially when some days I just want to curl up in my bed and cry. I am afraid of what's coming up in my immediate future with Scott. Scott is afraid. Having said that, God used JP's voice the other night as a vessel to let me know that my problems/cares/concerns and worries are His.



I'm thinking that I need to hop in the back seat with JP, sing at the top of my lungs and let God "drive."

final pictures from the weekend...

Molly looking for a place to pee outside, probably wishing JP would leave her alone...

I love picture!

Our friend, Nathan, is here from Guatemala raising money for a boys' home that he and his wife are building in Guatemala City. We are housing him and his friend for two nights. Here he is with mom and dad.

Scott, Nathan and Nathan's friend, Charles eating YUMMY lasagna.

JP playing with Charles.

Here are my favorites from the day. I cannot explain what it did to my heart to see Nathan and JP together. The last time Nathan saw JP was when we were picking him up in Guatemala. Since then, Nathan and his wife, Claudia have had another baby boy. Levi is four and Caleb is almost a year old. Claudia was sad that she could not join us....we missed seeing her too!! Oh well, I guess we'll have to plan a trip soon!! Our families have always had a connection, but it's even stronger since JP came along. We love you guys so much!!!

more from sunday...

The things you do for the people you love.....

weekend at bernie's...i mean, tyler's

We are staying at Tyler's house this weekend. Sheryl and Michael got to get away for a weekend in Charleston. We are doing favors for one another. Scott and I are sitting with Tyler and Molly (the dog) and they are opening their home to our missionary friends that are here from Guatemala. We are having fun so far even though JP and Tyler argue and fight most of the time!!

Papa Jack and Nana Faye came over and brought dinner last night...

Scott's mom and dad gave him an early Christmas present yesterday. They ordered him a Nike driver that he has been wanting. After surgery he will probably have to give up golf for about a year, so they wanted him to be able to play with it some. Below is a picture of him holding it while watching t.v... This is a picture of the two lovebirds together! (Please note that when I ask Scott to take a picture with me, he whines about it...he begged me to take pictures of him and the @**! golf club!)

So happy together!

Me and Tyler.

Pretty Molly.

Tyler calling people on his cell phone!

Nanny, JP and Tyler playing UNO.

JP loved Tyler's wheelchair accessable shower!