Prayers of Healing Needed

[Lishy]

I am new to the forums, but I have always found my fellow rennies to be some of the most amazing people known to me.  I have always been able to come to them and know I would receive not pity, but love and understanding and prayer.  I need it now.

My son was born 3 months early, at only 27 weeks.  He was a tiny 1 pound, 14 ounces.  The doctors told us if he went home alive, he would most likely be sick continuously or severely mentally retarded, maybe both.

JT is now 4 years old.  He is overall very healthy.  We recently (after 4 years of me begging the doctors to find out what is wrong) got a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.  It is a blessing to us to finally have an answer, and to find out it is a mild form that can be overcome with therapy and time.  He doesn't walk yet and is small for his size, but he is an absolutely joyful child with such a sweet, loving, exuberant spirit- always full of laughter and mischief and affection.

Now the other side of the coin.  I am 26 and have had Juvenile Diabetes since I was 10.  Ive always had a tough time controlling it, and over the years it has taken its toll- especially on my kidneys.  I don't have health insurance (thank God, we have medicaid for JT), and my medical costs are pretty high.  The only way for me to truly control my blood sugar is to be on the insulin pump, which runs us about 1000 a month for supplies and medication.  We are working on the insurance thing - but its slow going.  We're in that spot so many Americans are- we make enough to get by but not really enough to keep affording all this plus my doctor bills, and too much for state assistance.

Please, pray for JT and I.  That my own health doesn't make me too weak to take care of his.  Im so utterly exhausted somedays, and I know I haven't fought as hard for him as I should have.  Pray that maybe, just maybe, I can quit blaming myself and instead focus that energy on his wellbeing, and my own.

I appreciate those of you who have taken the time to read this.  Your prayers are a blessing to me.  Im feeling a little worn down and frustrated right now, but I know that God will carry me through this.

Thanks.

[Ferret]

Loving prayers sent for your strength to help you with the miracle that is your son.
Ferret

[Fairyfly]

You and your son are in my thoughts.

[ADraeger]

You and yours are in my prayers and thoughts.  God bless you and your family.  

[lordwriothsley]

Lishy you and your son are in my thoughts and prayers,and you are right God will help you through this.Just have faith M'lady.

[Amras Elfwine]

Your own personal trials have made you stronger for your son.
May the Supreme Being continue to watch over you, and to strengthen you for the efforts to come.

Bless you!

[RenRobin]

Lishy, you and your son are in my prayers.

[Lady Amy of York]

Lishy,
  my heart broke  for  you  when i read  your  post.    There are not too  many people  on here  who know  this  about me,  matter of  fact maybe no  one, but i am about  to share  something  with  you, cause i felt  i needed  too.
   I  was born   with  mild  cerebral palsy.   The  doctors had  to use  forceps  on me  when i was  born  and  thus  I suffered  a brain  injury.
  My mother started questioning that something was  wrong  with me    when  i was two years old.   I  was  a bright, cheerful, happy  child, but she  noticed  my  coordination  was not quite  right. She  mentioned  this  to the  doctors  who told  her not  to compare me  to  my  three older sisters.
  Not until i was in Kindergarten   , and  my teacher noticed  something up too,  that  my mother finally was able to convince  the  doctors  to test  me.
   They  told  my  mother i had an extremely  high  IQ,  but  that i did  have  a mild  form  of cerebral  palsy  that would  affect my balance  and  coordination  on  my  left  side.
     During grade school i went to speech class, cause  i had a slight lazy  tongue.      other then that i was  happy active  child.  I  could  not  do gymnastics , or take part in gym or  ride  a bike   because of  my balance  , but i was happy.       My parents  got  me  into horse  back  riding  and  swimming, and  dance  class  which helped  my balance  and    when i was  12 years old  i surprised  them  by  riding a bike  for  the  first  time.
       During highschool, i took part in softball, and  the highschool drill team. I continued  to excel in  my horse  back riding. I  was very smart in school and  got  good  grades.  I  exceled  in writing,   history,  and  art.  (  they say children with CP  often have  very  high  IQ's ).  The only  problem i had  was i could  not  do certain  things  in gym glass that required  good  balance  and  dexterity, and  i was  some  times teased  by  the  other kids, but i  survived.
     I  graduated from highschool with honors.  I  learned  to drive  a  car.   I went on to college  and  then worked as  a nursery school teacher .  Despite  my balance  problem  i    did  some  professional  modeling  and  acting, and  then got married  and  had a  child  of  my  own.   
  So life is  still manageable  and  bearable  with  mild  cerebral  palsy.
       If anyone looked at me  today, it would  be hard  for  them  to tell that i had a disability, except  for  when i am out somewhere and  have  to do  steps  or  stairs.   i can  not  do  steps  or stairs  because of my balance  . i always  use  a elevator.   But other then that i have  manged  okay.
   So hang in there.      There is  so much  they can  do  for  CP  today !
I advise  getting your  son  into some  kind of  physical therapy  routine  or  some  exercises program  to keep his muscles  strong.
  Good luck, and if  you need to talk  let  me  know. I  would  be happy  to listen.
  Oh,  and i am also a diabetic. I  develop it when i was  pregnant with  my  son.   I'm not on insulin , but it is  still a  pain  maintaining a strict  diet.
   So like i said, if  you need to talk, i'm here  !   Hang in there  !

[Rani Zemirah]

Oh Lishy, I just found this thread, and I'm sorry I didn't see it before! Of course I'll be sending prayers and healing energy to the both of you, and your whole family, as well. I know how difficult it is to keep your energy up with diabetes, and having to be there to take care of your son makes the stress level even higher! If there's anything I can do for you, sweetie, just let me know.

Lots of love coming your way, hon!!!

[Tygrkat]

Lishy, my thoughts of strength and healing are with you and your son 

[Lishy]

I just wanted to thank you all for your encouragement and warmth.  It fills me with strength and energy to see so many people who care about me, and about Jeff.

I am hoping to get a website up soon with a little about Jeff and I and his progress with CP.

Thanks again to you all.

Blessed be.