Brighter Days Ahead

These last few weeks have been extra hard for our family. So many milestones and events have taken place and each one is just as difficult as the one before. It has now been 6 months that Mom has been in the hospital. Six months that have both flown by and drug on. Part of me is shocked that it’s already been six months but then the other part of me is like “Is this nightmare ever going to end?”. I’ve come to realize that it’s not anytime soon. This is our new reality for the foreseeable future. Once we get Mom out of the hospital, we will have weeks and probably months of Rehab ahead of her. After that, we will start the waiting process for a

heart transplant. The days ahead are overwhelming for all of us, especially Mom. So, for now all we can do is live day to day and focus on the immediate goal ahead. For now, that goal is rehab. 

This week the doctors came in saying they felt Mom was ready to go to rehab. This is a huge win for us and something we are all celebrating. Tomorrow, she will be evaluated by rehab to see if they feel she is ready. Please pray that tomorrow is full of strength for her and that rehab will give us the green light. 

For months we have discussed where Mom will be going for rehab. Having an LVAD throws a huge wrench in choosing a facility. Technically, no rehab facility in Baton Rouge will accept someone with an LVAD as a patient. Our Lady of Lake is considering accepting Mom, though. It would be the biggest blessing to our family to get Mom to Baton Rouge. My Grannie and my Dad are killing themselves making sure Mom is never left alone. Getting Mom in Baton Rouge, would allow more of the family to help and give Grannie and Dad a break. Please pray that the Lord’s will be done in this situation. We absolutely want Mom to have the best care possible, but we also want her closer to home. My prayer is that we can have both.  

Mom is finally starting to seem more like herself. It is obvious to all of us now, that the abdominal surgery she had was a must. It completely changed the way she’s recovering. For the first time in six months, Mom is able to eat and enjoy food without awful stomach pain. We are so thankful that the surgery was successful and complication free. Praise the Lord! 

So many of you have gone above and beyond to bless our family. It never fails, anytime I go anywhere and see someone I know they ask about Mom. It means so much to me that people are still caring and praying. Many of you know that Mom is one of the directors of Central Community Theatre. She, Grannie and my Aunt Karen started the theatre in 2007 and have spent the years since pouring into and loving on every child that walked through that door. Mom adores her CCT kids and, y’all, they adore her. Days before her surgery those kids prayed fiercely over my Mom. I’ve never seen kids pray for someone like these kids did. They truly love their Cookie. After all of Mom’s complications, many of the CCT kids wanted to do something for her and they (with the help of Claire, Aunt Karen and Melissa Beatty) decided to host a Broadway Cabaret Benefit in honor of Mom. Aren’t they precious? The Cabaret will be June 8th and will be held at Abundant Life Church. You can buy tickets at centralcommunitytheatre.org and all of the proceeds will go towards things to help with Mom’s recovery. These kids have worked for weeks on their performance and let me be the first to tell you how amazing they are!! I’ve been shown “sneak peek” videos and these kids are rockstars. Let’s support “Cookie” and give them a packed house. 

We love each one of you so much. Thank you for your prayers and following our story. The Lord’s not done here yet and I can’t wait to continue to share with you the miracles He’s performing.