5 hours ago from Stephen:
Our old nemesis, Fever Monster, has returned. He has trudged into our ICU suite wearing lymphocyte boots and tainted our spinal tap. The fear now is spinal menangitis. We are awaiting further testing. For now 103 degrees and rising. Saddle up prayer warriors. The battle wages.
1 hour ago from Cher:
fever is down to 100! still concerned about spinal meningitis, and treating preventively. also concerned the infection has settled in his little lungs. i alternate between total freak-out and alarming calm...calmness comes when i remember that Sawyer Thornton Lair was NO ACCIDENT, that his days were ordered long before this day ever came along, and that God is not surprised by these events. His provision is PERFECT!
feet
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Circumstances part 1
This post isn't going to be one of those "cute babies" post. This post isn't going to be one of those "wow, they do fun things over at the Shelton crib". This is going to be a "bare all, naked, ugly truth/man that girl has issues/no one will ever mistake Courtney for being perfect and having it all together" kind of post. This post has been a long time coming... as in probably since January, to be exact since Zeke was in the hospital over night with pneumonia. It hasn't been written yet because God was working on me... He is still working on me, but I am at a point where I feel like I can verbalize what is going on. So, if you aren't interested in that and all you want is cute chubby babies, come back another day
I feel like I need to give a little background here. Not much, but just a little. I was rescued from an eternity in hell when I was 17. I had been searching for something to fulfill me for a while. When approval from friends, a boyfriend, and competitive dancing did not make me feel whole, I didn't know where to turn. I wasn't brought up in a home where I wasn't shown love and affection. I was told probably too many times a day (according to my older brother once a day was plenty, thank you very much) how much I was loved by my parents. I wasn't brought up in a home that lacked discipline. My parents taught me boundaries and how to make choices that I wouldn't regret (and also how to fear the parent + a spanking). This wasn't something that my parents had lacked in providing for me. What was missing is something that everyone needs. When I discovered what I was missing it was as if Jesus had been running after me and all I had to do was turn around and run to Him. I had to acknowledge that I am in need of a Savior (not an easy task for an independent girl). I had to acknowledge that I can't do things on my own. I had to ask for Him to forgive me for my sins. I have to daily die myself and my selfish desires. This isn't something that I do easily or well a lot of days. I need God to give me strength. I need God to give me a desire to please Him and seek after the things that will bring Him glory. And that is the reason why we are here, why we were created... to bring God glory.
This post is getting to be quite long so to be continued at a later date...
I feel like I need to give a little background here. Not much, but just a little. I was rescued from an eternity in hell when I was 17. I had been searching for something to fulfill me for a while. When approval from friends, a boyfriend, and competitive dancing did not make me feel whole, I didn't know where to turn. I wasn't brought up in a home where I wasn't shown love and affection. I was told probably too many times a day (according to my older brother once a day was plenty, thank you very much) how much I was loved by my parents. I wasn't brought up in a home that lacked discipline. My parents taught me boundaries and how to make choices that I wouldn't regret (and also how to fear the parent + a spanking). This wasn't something that my parents had lacked in providing for me. What was missing is something that everyone needs. When I discovered what I was missing it was as if Jesus had been running after me and all I had to do was turn around and run to Him. I had to acknowledge that I am in need of a Savior (not an easy task for an independent girl). I had to acknowledge that I can't do things on my own. I had to ask for Him to forgive me for my sins. I have to daily die myself and my selfish desires. This isn't something that I do easily or well a lot of days. I need God to give me strength. I need God to give me a desire to please Him and seek after the things that will bring Him glory. And that is the reason why we are here, why we were created... to bring God glory.
This post is getting to be quite long so to be continued at a later date...
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sawyer Update
From Stephen and Cher:
"Well sports fans it has been a day. That is the only way to describe it. Sawyer is coming out of surgery right now and there are tears of joy running down our faces. The team of surgeons made three small incisions to check the pressure levels that had built up in little man's leg. The ankle and thigh were relatively normal and not at a point to cause concern. The calf was extremely high. They then made an incision the length of his calf to alleviate the pressure. The lead surgeon said that with pressure of that level within 24 hrs the entire muscle would have died. There was a bacterial infection that was causing the swelling. They believe the bacteria was a member of the Strep family. Remind us not to invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner next year! They left the wound open and laced it up like a shoe with the intent of tightening it over the next week as the infection abates. Bottom line- Doc says that the worst thing that will come of out of this little shindig looks like it will be an awesome scar to impress girls with in high school. The only remaining source of concern is the abnormalities that showed in some of his tests. They are performing a spinal tap as we speak to insure that the bacteria has not managed to get into his spinal fluid and therefore traveled to his brain. That is, at the moment, a distant possibility but one we are monitoring nonetheless. The prognosis is that we will be in the hospital with him for at least another week so we are not out of the woods yet. However, things are looking up. Way up. When nerves are not frayed and computer time not at such a premium I am looking forward to sharing how much we have been blessed by God through this experience. For now, know that we love you, are thankful for you, have been blessed by you, and that it looks like our little man will be ok."
They still need our prayers, but things are definitely looking better!!!
"Well sports fans it has been a day. That is the only way to describe it. Sawyer is coming out of surgery right now and there are tears of joy running down our faces. The team of surgeons made three small incisions to check the pressure levels that had built up in little man's leg. The ankle and thigh were relatively normal and not at a point to cause concern. The calf was extremely high. They then made an incision the length of his calf to alleviate the pressure. The lead surgeon said that with pressure of that level within 24 hrs the entire muscle would have died. There was a bacterial infection that was causing the swelling. They believe the bacteria was a member of the Strep family. Remind us not to invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner next year! They left the wound open and laced it up like a shoe with the intent of tightening it over the next week as the infection abates. Bottom line- Doc says that the worst thing that will come of out of this little shindig looks like it will be an awesome scar to impress girls with in high school. The only remaining source of concern is the abnormalities that showed in some of his tests. They are performing a spinal tap as we speak to insure that the bacteria has not managed to get into his spinal fluid and therefore traveled to his brain. That is, at the moment, a distant possibility but one we are monitoring nonetheless. The prognosis is that we will be in the hospital with him for at least another week so we are not out of the woods yet. However, things are looking up. Way up. When nerves are not frayed and computer time not at such a premium I am looking forward to sharing how much we have been blessed by God through this experience. For now, know that we love you, are thankful for you, have been blessed by you, and that it looks like our little man will be ok."
They still need our prayers, but things are definitely looking better!!!
Pray for Sawyer
Our dear friends the Lair family is in desperate need of prayer. Please join me.
Below is the most recent update from Stephen (aka the dad). Prior to this update, Sawyer has been in the hospital for 2 days complete with a transfer via ambulance. His first symptoms were a bug similar to hand, foot, and mouth, but has turned into much more as you will read below. Please lift up this family with me.
"Well I would love to report that everything was hunky-dory in Sawyerland but alas that is not the case. Previously on 24(month old)- The MRI took twice as long as we initially thought which was a delightful experience for a waiting mother not allowed in the room. WakeMed will undoubtedly spend thousands re-wallpapering the waiting room from the mother claw marks on every vertical surface. The big concern at the moment was that his temperature would not regulate itself and that the infection was in his bones. The good news is that the MRI showed that the infection is not in his bones. The bad news is that the MRI showed inflamation of the tissue surrounding the muscles in the left leg. This looked to the team of pediatric specialists most like fasciitis. Before you google it they do not at this point believe it is the popular flesh-eating form of the bacteria. Just your garden variety severe bacterial infection of the tissue of the left leg. Good times. This diagnosis would fit nicely with their previous declaration of the interovirus. They think that perhaps the bacteria got into his body through one of the sores around his mouth and headed south to the land of the rising bum. They started a third antibiotic cocktail with the hope that this would reverse the swelling in his leg before any serious nerve damage had been done. Our other concern is that he hasn't eaten anything in around a week. There was talk about a possible feeding tube if his appetite didn't pick up. So last night we went to bed, Cher in the hospital and me on the couch, with a prayer in our hearts and hope on the horizon for a dramatic change of course for our two year old son. Unfortunately, morning brought very little solace. The antibiotics were not effective in reducing the swelling in his leg and the temperature continues to dip down to 97 and slowly climb back up. With the swelling, more pain which brought morphine to help make him comfortable. The situation had rapidly turned from bad morning to horrible nightmare. The pediatric surgeon was consulted last night just in case and today we opened that case. Sawyer was treated to another ride in an ambulance from WakeMed in Raleigh to the Pediatric ICU at UNC in Chapel Hill. I have until this point felt it was important to maintain some semblance of normalcy for the boys at home. Today our priorities changed. My wife needs me. I am here at the hospital now with her at Sawyer's side. We are awaiting the surgical consult to determine our next course of action. As always, our church community has amazed us with their physical support on the ground. The body of believers has certainly embraced us in every conceivable way. The future is a complete enigma at this point. I will continue to keep everyone as up to date as possible. While this is the most terrified that either of us has ever been, we rest in our God who is larger than any situation that could possibly befall us. There is no diagnosis that evades him. There is no bacteria he cannot eliminate, no infection he cannot treat. We love our child more than we could possibly express. Our God loves him more. We cry because he suffers. Our God knows what it means to watch a son suffer. We are comforted by the knowledge that the God who has ordered every aspect of our lives is not a distant force or theory but a present savior who knows and cares for his children and grants us all that we need to endure the course laid before us. Your prayers have sustained us in ways that I am excited to tell you about once these days are past. However, we continue to be in desperate need of his Spirit and pray that he is glorified in us. Thank you for all you are doing. Stephen and Cher"
Sawyer has been taken in for surgery. Please pray for his doctors, family, and of course healing for him.
Below is the most recent update from Stephen (aka the dad). Prior to this update, Sawyer has been in the hospital for 2 days complete with a transfer via ambulance. His first symptoms were a bug similar to hand, foot, and mouth, but has turned into much more as you will read below. Please lift up this family with me.
"Well I would love to report that everything was hunky-dory in Sawyerland but alas that is not the case. Previously on 24(month old)- The MRI took twice as long as we initially thought which was a delightful experience for a waiting mother not allowed in the room. WakeMed will undoubtedly spend thousands re-wallpapering the waiting room from the mother claw marks on every vertical surface. The big concern at the moment was that his temperature would not regulate itself and that the infection was in his bones. The good news is that the MRI showed that the infection is not in his bones. The bad news is that the MRI showed inflamation of the tissue surrounding the muscles in the left leg. This looked to the team of pediatric specialists most like fasciitis. Before you google it they do not at this point believe it is the popular flesh-eating form of the bacteria. Just your garden variety severe bacterial infection of the tissue of the left leg. Good times. This diagnosis would fit nicely with their previous declaration of the interovirus. They think that perhaps the bacteria got into his body through one of the sores around his mouth and headed south to the land of the rising bum. They started a third antibiotic cocktail with the hope that this would reverse the swelling in his leg before any serious nerve damage had been done. Our other concern is that he hasn't eaten anything in around a week. There was talk about a possible feeding tube if his appetite didn't pick up. So last night we went to bed, Cher in the hospital and me on the couch, with a prayer in our hearts and hope on the horizon for a dramatic change of course for our two year old son. Unfortunately, morning brought very little solace. The antibiotics were not effective in reducing the swelling in his leg and the temperature continues to dip down to 97 and slowly climb back up. With the swelling, more pain which brought morphine to help make him comfortable. The situation had rapidly turned from bad morning to horrible nightmare. The pediatric surgeon was consulted last night just in case and today we opened that case. Sawyer was treated to another ride in an ambulance from WakeMed in Raleigh to the Pediatric ICU at UNC in Chapel Hill. I have until this point felt it was important to maintain some semblance of normalcy for the boys at home. Today our priorities changed. My wife needs me. I am here at the hospital now with her at Sawyer's side. We are awaiting the surgical consult to determine our next course of action. As always, our church community has amazed us with their physical support on the ground. The body of believers has certainly embraced us in every conceivable way. The future is a complete enigma at this point. I will continue to keep everyone as up to date as possible. While this is the most terrified that either of us has ever been, we rest in our God who is larger than any situation that could possibly befall us. There is no diagnosis that evades him. There is no bacteria he cannot eliminate, no infection he cannot treat. We love our child more than we could possibly express. Our God loves him more. We cry because he suffers. Our God knows what it means to watch a son suffer. We are comforted by the knowledge that the God who has ordered every aspect of our lives is not a distant force or theory but a present savior who knows and cares for his children and grants us all that we need to endure the course laid before us. Your prayers have sustained us in ways that I am excited to tell you about once these days are past. However, we continue to be in desperate need of his Spirit and pray that he is glorified in us. Thank you for all you are doing. Stephen and Cher"
Sawyer has been taken in for surgery. Please pray for his doctors, family, and of course healing for him.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Thankful
On this Mother's Day, I am thankful. I am thankful for my mama, who supports and loves me always. I am thankful for my mother-in-law who treats me like her own daughter. I am thankful for my husband who doesn't need a designated day to make me feel special. I am thankful for my boys who bring me great joy (and much stress). I am most thankful for a loving God, who has blessed me beyond measure.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
21 months
I am loving this age! Well, there are definitely some aspects I'm not loving, but all in all we are having a blast! Things Zeke is up to lately:
*wearing 18 month or 24 month clothing (yes this time last year he wore 18 month, he is wearing some of the same clothes from last year, weird, huh?)
*wears a size 4 diaper, but we went back to cloth during the days while we are home (hoping this will help with the upcoming potty training)
*will sit on the potty
*LOVES Ben
*going through a clingy stage with mama
*cries when left at church, and if others are picked up before him
*still dislikes weird sounds (blenders, air conditioner, vacuum, hair dryer, etc)
*knows his colors, size words, shapes
*throws, kicks, shoots, and tries to dribble balls
*loves crafts especially coloring, but is getting into stickers, playdoh, paint
*sings along with us
*makes up songs ("Big yellow tractor", "No-nuts, no-nuts, no-nuts", "Praise Ye Crackers")
*Go Fish is his favorite group
*Baby Einstein or Little Einstein are his fave movies
*saying long phrases (like 4+ words)
and I am sure I have forgotten tons
Chilling in his car
Pondering life
Looking like a redneck
Sprinkler!
he played in this tub for 30 minutes
*wearing 18 month or 24 month clothing (yes this time last year he wore 18 month, he is wearing some of the same clothes from last year, weird, huh?)
*wears a size 4 diaper, but we went back to cloth during the days while we are home (hoping this will help with the upcoming potty training)
*will sit on the potty
*LOVES Ben
*going through a clingy stage with mama
*cries when left at church, and if others are picked up before him
*still dislikes weird sounds (blenders, air conditioner, vacuum, hair dryer, etc)
*knows his colors, size words, shapes
*throws, kicks, shoots, and tries to dribble balls
*loves crafts especially coloring, but is getting into stickers, playdoh, paint
*sings along with us
*makes up songs ("Big yellow tractor", "No-nuts, no-nuts, no-nuts", "Praise Ye Crackers")
*Go Fish is his favorite group
*Baby Einstein or Little Einstein are his fave movies
*saying long phrases (like 4+ words)
and I am sure I have forgotten tons
Chilling in his car
Pondering life
Looking like a redneck
Sprinkler!
he played in this tub for 30 minutes Friday, May 7, 2010
7 months
Ben is 7 months old. He is in such a cutie pie stage! Here are some fun things he is up to now:
*wearing 3-6 month clothes, but can wear a few 6 month/6-9 month clothes
*saying mama like crazy
*can say dada, but doesn't often
*babbles baba, beh, and some wierd sucking in his breath type thing
*eating sweet potatoes, yogurt, pears, bananas, white potatoes, mango, applesauce, green beans
*can drink from a sippy cup
* loves his walker
*rolling all over, scooting everywhere
*A-DORES Zeke, literally lights up when he sees his brother
*has some serious red hair...
* and the temper to go with it
*opens his mouth to give kisses
*sucks on my chin (weird, but something I will want to remember because it makes me laugh)
*plays with his toes
*still in size 2 diapers, but wears cloth most the time
sporting his shades
walk like a man
new way to use a paci
Lil man
Love that face
*wearing 3-6 month clothes, but can wear a few 6 month/6-9 month clothes
*saying mama like crazy
*can say dada, but doesn't often
*babbles baba, beh, and some wierd sucking in his breath type thing
*eating sweet potatoes, yogurt, pears, bananas, white potatoes, mango, applesauce, green beans
*can drink from a sippy cup
* loves his walker
*rolling all over, scooting everywhere
*A-DORES Zeke, literally lights up when he sees his brother
*has some serious red hair...
* and the temper to go with it
*opens his mouth to give kisses
*sucks on my chin (weird, but something I will want to remember because it makes me laugh)
*plays with his toes
*still in size 2 diapers, but wears cloth most the time
sporting his shades 
walk like a man
new way to use a paci
Lil man
Love that face
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