Saturday, June 14, 2008

Good, just a little Tired (physically that is)

Well, day 2 is coming to a close. Your prayers were answered it was a pretty "boring" day, just what the surgeon prescribed! Our parents got to go in and see Baby Cate for the first time today, she remained steady throughout the day. I made the mistake of saying she was "stable" while in her room and the nurses looked at me like I was stupid and that didn't notice that my child was on a ventilator and that her pulse was a flat line. They said, "Charlie, I would'nt say she "stable." So, I simply explained to them that if she wasn't stable, they weren't doing their job and I was cutting their pay by 50% until they could get her stable, to which they laughed and kept on working. Cate has two full-time nurses at her bed 24hrs a day. She kinda has alot going on with her all at one time. The Doctors and Nurses at TCH in the CVICU are some of the most knowledgable, deligent, patient, and encouraging medical personel that I have ever met. If the surgeon says he was her blood pressure at 40/over whatever, if its 41 they are frustrated with themselves until they can get it right, and they usually figure it out within a couple of minutes. Cate had some blood drainage problems from her chest today, probably from when Ali was singing to her and Cate about flung herself out of bed, to which she got a quick shot of sedative, needless to say Ali didn't sing to her again today. They did an ultrasound on her brain this afternoon and everything was CLEAR!!!! I am not sure if that means they did not see a brain, which she is my daughter, it might just be hard to see, or there was no swelling or bleeding, I am going assume it was the latter of the two. Dr. Salazar came in this afternoon to see about the bleeding problem, he and his crones cleaned house in Baby Cate's chest and then left her alone. Now, here is where the serious prayer request begins so pay close attention. Tommorrow morning Cate will be with the Surgeon and his team again. They will begin around 8:00am. They are going to try to ween Cate off the life support and see what happens. They will allow her heart to fill with blood because right now it is completely empty. Our hope is that it will begin to pump! If it does they will sit back and watch it pump for about an hour, monitoring it very closely. Most kids who are on the Echmo machine are on it for 3 to 5 days, by tomorrow morning Baby Cate will only have been on it for a day and a half. The surgeon turned the machine down a little this morning to allow a small amount of blood into Baby Cate's heart this morning and it began pumping, so he wants to see what will happen tomorrow. He said he will not leave her off the machine if he is not 100% confident that she will be able to manage on her own. He also said that we should not be dissappointed if she is not ready yet, she may need more rest. This procedure will take about 4 hours. So, from 8:00am-12:00pm we ask that you pray and you pray HARD!!! When the procedure is done I will post an update on the blog to let you all know what the outcome was. Dr. Salazar told Ali and I that we needed to take a break this evening and rest, I think he could see that we were both exhausted and he has confidence in the team in the CVICU to take care of Baby Cate. Ali and I got to go to dinner, OUT SIDE THE HOSPITAL, our family stayed back in case they called the waiting room for us. Ali and I relaxed, had dinner at one of our favorite resturants and then headed back. We stopped in kissed our sweet angel good night and are taking the night to get some sleep. Before I go I wanted to tell you all what happened today to Ali, because it is too amazing to make up and we both know that it was a confirmation from our Loving Father! As you know the title of the blog this morning was "Let the Storm Rage!" Ali's sisters, Jenny and Becca, showed up this afternoon from Louisiana. They went in to see Baby Cate and then they made Ali go outside and take a walk with them, just to get out of the hospital. They were walking down Main Street in front of the hospital and there was a Bible on the ground a ways in front of them and the wind was literally ripping the pages out the Bible. There were pages of scripture just blowing in the wind. Ali stopped and picked ONE page off the ground and this is the first thing that she read:

On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"

Praise to you Jesus Christ, Our Calmer of the Storm! As the seas rage in the life of our family we know with CONFIDENCE that you are at the head of our boat. We love you with all of our hearts and we place ALL of our trust in You! And most of all we place our sweet Baby Cate in your hands. Thank you!

We love you all! Please keep praying! Our Heavenly Father is confirming your prayers today!

29 comments:

darla said...

Happy Fathers Day Charlie - you are a most wonderful, protective, loving dad to Ella, Dude and Cate. My last prayer for the night is for your family, especially for Cate as she has a big day tomorrow morning. We love you and Ali very much. "The Almighty has done great things for me; Holy is His Name" Luke 1:49

Anonymous said...

praying as we head over to covecrest! we love you guys!! so glad for your date and to hear your humor!! it brigs peace to those of us reading as we see how God truly is carrying ou guys!! we love you so much!! praying 8-12 specifically!! Most sacred heart of jesus...

ben, maria and girls

Anonymous said...

sorry for typos..feeding baby

Anonymous said...

Houma's got your back Charl-o.
We love you.

Anonymous said...

Our prayers go out for a great Father's Day for you, Charlie, and a complete healing of your baby girl.

Anonymous said...

Keep running the marathon--we are with you here. Jamie and I will be praying extremely hard. It is 12:19 so Happy Father's day big pappa!! Your lucky to have such a strong daughter, beautiful family, and wonderful wife. God will bless you in His way.

Much love,

Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Happy (early) Father's Day, Charlie. What a gift you and your family are to us. We pray Cate's fight continues to be a gift to all. The prayers continue...
all our love,
jeremy and courtney

Anonymous said...

Charlie,
My husband, Chris and I met you today in the waiting room, we are friends of Hudson's family. I just wanted you to know that we are going to be deligently lifting Cate and all of you up in prayer especially tomorrow.

Your blog brings to me the song by Mercy Me, Bring the Rain. That was the theme song for our family when we almost lost our son 2 years ago after what was supposed to be a routine surgical procedure. After a long fight in the PICU God brought our son back to full health. God is so good that he does bring on storms in our lives but also pulls us through to the sunshine on the other side. We will continue to follow Cate's progress through the blog. Prayers and Blessings to you all!
In Him,
Chris and Denise Perry

“My Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19

Anonymous said...

Sunday's Gospel
Matthew 9: 36-10: 8
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness...."As you go, make this proclamation: ´The kingdom of heaven is at hand.´ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
God is so good.
jeremy & courtney

Anonymous said...

still praying...but adding a little praise mixed in!!! thank you for your faith...it is a light in the darkness of this world. i can feel His love radiate thru your blog. happy father's day Charlie!
hugs--Betsy, Trey and Fenton

Anonymous said...

Ya'll remain in our prayers and we will be lifting them up especially again tomorrow for your precious Cate and especially the doctors and nurses caring for her. Happy Father's Day Charlie.

Ashley and Jeff Wagner

Anonymous said...

Thank you for taking the time to keep us all posted. Please know you and your family are SO loved. I am praying for you guys, and especially little Cate.

Anonymous said...

Happy Father's Day!!!! May it be an amazing and blessed day!
Wendy

NET Ireland said...

Know that you were all offered up in a prayer metting in Australia today!! I LOVE y'all so so much and am getting the world to pray for you and Baby Cate!! I look foward to meeting her one day soon and pray for y'all during this storm in your life. But as God already told Ali, HE is w/ you!
Happy Father's Day Charlie. You r such an amazing dad. I remeber seeing you in the hospital right after y'all had Dude and just looking at the LOVE you had for Ali and this little bundle of joy. I remeber being so blow away, going down to the chaple in the hospital and thanking God for friends like yall. And praying that I too could be like Ali and marry an amazing man who saw me w/ such great love, and would be such an amazing holy Father to my children.....
I admire you and Ali so so much!!
Please know that Matt, Liam, and I are praying for you and if you need anything more, just ask!!
Love Always,
Cameron

Anonymous said...

That is so beautiful, Charlie and Ali, that God gave you that confirmation! It made me weep...your faith is touching all of us...God's goodness is reaffirming your faith. We love you and are still praying for Cate each minute.

Anonymous said...

Well, there is no doubt that the theme song for this experience is "Praise YOu In The Storm" by Casting Crowns. If you've never heard it...listen. Bring a hankie though!

I love hearing what the docs and nurses are telling you. It all makes sense. Sounds like you are being well informed.

Lafayette is lifting all of you up. You have the Big Guns - Carmelite Nuns in Adoration for your baby and entire family. I believe every one in this city is praying. When things are calmer, I will tell you of all the people who stopped what they were doing to run to various Adoration Chapels on Friday. Their love for your little family and their faith in Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament brought me to tears. We are all soooo blessed.

Monday - 8AM to 12Noon - Praying harder than ever!

We love you - Happy Father's Day!

Lila and Isaac said...

I must have hugged my daughter 60 times after I got Ali's email. I have thought about your family and Baby Cate 600 times since I read the email. I am AMAZED by your strength and courage. PLEASE know that we are on a prayer marathon for Baby Cate and your family.

Chrissy said...

What a moving update. We will continue our prayers. Our thoughts, prayers and hearts are with you.
Brian and Chrissy McCarthy

Ed and Crystal Moody said...

Happy Belated Birthday to Ali and Happy Father's Day to you Charlie! Just wanted to let you know that we are praying extremely hard for little Cate. Good luck in the next four hours - I have faith that all will go well, especially knowing that she is a little fighter! Also, please know that we are ready and willing to help you guys in any way possible. Ed and I would love to get Ella and Dude over for pizza and a movie, especially after reading about how accurate Marsha's description is of Ella and Dude. They truly are precious children - I think it is a result of such wonderful parents. Hang in there guys, we love you....

kelly said...

i'm blown away by what your faith during this time is doing in the hearts of the people in your community...one that spreads all over the place. you are even ministering to people beyond your community. thank you so much for sharing this with us...for allowing us to be a part of the journey. we are with you. we are praying. i love yall so much.

Anonymous said...

Happy Father's Day Charlie! Ella and Dude are awake now and as happy as ever. Dude is outside with "Hunter's Dad" as he calls him and little Ella is cuddled on the couch with her blanket, milk and a biscuit. She is wondering why Addie is still asleep and is inquiring about the wherabouts of Hailey..the dog. She is not too fond of her. For the most part Hailey remains under my bed! But she always asks before she ventures off the couch! Picture their happy little faces as you face the next few hours....let them help you through. Oh...Dude just came back in and found a guitar....I am sure Addie will be up real soon! LOL!! You guys may have some real talent on your hands!! And I can say I knew him back when!!! Love and prayers to both of you. Give our love to Cate.

Anonymous said...

Charlie,
On this Father's Day, you are among a minority of dads having the role of a father to its maximum today. May you be given the strength and wisdom like that of the Father to guide and protect your family. Our prayers are with you and Ali and all who are helping your family and Baby Cate. We love you guys!
Alyssa, Justin, Audrey and Meredith

Anonymous said...

Charlie, Ali, Ella, Dude, and Cate,

May God's amazing Love bless your family today with grace and perseverance as you weather this storm. Little Cate, know how God has His loving arms wrapped around you, and know how much your Mom, Dad, and family love you. Charlie, your words bring light to the great father you are, I thank you for your inspiration and love you show us. In prayer, in His Love and presence, God bless...

Mo

Msgr. Bill said...

I can't imagine how you are feeling. There must be a mixture of fear, aniety, hope, anger, helplessness, trust, frustration, and many more. I know you must be very tired right now. You are doing what a father [and mother] do at imes like this. It perhaps is a taste of what God the Father felt at times during Jesus time on earth.
My prayers are with you now and I will pray for Cate at Mass tonight. Be sure to hug Ali tightly. Your love for each other is the best gift you give to Cate.
Pax!

Teresa said...

I've been praying with Ben, Maria, and girls all weekend and will continue to pray for all of you as our Father holds little Cate in His everlasting and untiring arms, our Mother Mary sings to her, and the heart of our Saviour Jesus beats for her with steadfast, victorious love.

Anonymous said...

Tears fall down my face now as I come to the end of today's post. Know that we are praying. Rest tonight knowing that you aren't alone. Your words are beautiful. The gift of today's Eucharist is inspiration. Blessed Father's Day (happy, no) but truly blessed! God love you guys. Thanks for sharing your journey. Until tomorrow....hail Mary full of grace....

Tonycat said...

Hi Charlie and Ali,
I received the prayer request for Cate from a friend at the Seelos Center. I would like to share a short story with you.
Little Aidan came into the shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos yesterday and was running around and his parents had to constantly run after him, although things were not always like this. He was born 11/29/2004 with a disease called Pierson's Syndrome in which his body did not make any red blood cells for the first 2 years of his life. Every 2 to 3 weeks from the time he was born he had to receive blood. The doctors surgically installed a port in his chest for this. Also, his immune system was very low which made him susceptible to colds, flu, etc. He was always sick and lethargic, clung to his mother all the time. Before their first visit to the shrine at the end of October 2006, things weren't improving.(another reason to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and not the circumstances surrounding us). It's a long story, but to summarize, Aidan started making blood shortly after asking the intercession of Fr. Seelos and within a few months of this, his body was making all the blood he needed and the transfusions were stopped. I tell you this because we are to proclaim God's mighty works and deeds and I have come to realize that God is the God of miracles. He is not just the God of Hope, He is Hope itself. As St. Paul said in Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit."

We have been privileged to see many miracles at the shrine. You are in my prayers as we ask Fr. Seelos intercession and we will expect a miracle, all according to God's Will.
God bless you Baby Cate, mom and dad
Anthony Catalano
Volunteer-Seelos Center

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to let you all know that we are praying and thinking about you all every single day. We are checking the website daily, and telling everyone we know to pray for Cate. We cant imagine how physically exhausted you all are but listen to the advice of your friends and try to rest....easier said than done I know...but God will provide. We love ya'll..
Mandie,Corey,Luke and Elizabeth K.

Anonymous said...

Ali, you are such a strong, amazing woman. Charlie, I have never met you, but I can tell from your sweet words that you are just as great. Cate and your family are in my prayers. Your words are very inspiring.....you just might be God's instrument to help others know him more/better. Thanks for sharing your story with us all. You are also being prayed for by my mother's prayer group. May you stay strong! Thanks again Ali for ALL you did for me :)

Love, Katie Prather