Saturday, October 4, 2008

"COME WHAT MAY....AND LOVE IT"

I was just thinking of how blessed we have been this year. Last year on this Saturday Session of conference Kaidence was admitted back into the PICU with her heart function only at 3-5 %. Ahead of us layed a heartbreaking yet amazing journey that would change our lives forever. I had taken her back into the pediatricians office because she was not feeling well and they told me to drive straight to the hospital and to call 911 if anything happened. I did quickly stop by the house as it was on the way to the hospital so that I could pick up Mike and have him give her a blessing. I felt strongly that this was what she needed before getting to the hospital. I still remember my little baby girl sitting on the kitchen counter in her little car seat as Mike and our neighbor gave her a blessing. I had no idea that it would be that last time that she would be in her house for a very, very long time and that she would be coming home with a new heart. I remeber that as I was driving to the ER I was trying to listen to conference, I needed that peace and comfort. The only talk that I remember from that day was about giving service to to others. Maybe it was because our ward, neighbors family, friends and strangers had already been so great to us and my heart had been so tender to the love and compassion they had shown our family. This was basically the only talk I heard from the whole conference that October but it filled my heart with such love and peace. Kaidence quickly became severely ill within days and this was truly when it all started to unravel very quickly. Kaidence had beautiful blessings and we had complete faith in them but Heavenly Father knew that we would not grow and gain as much if we did not have to struggle and try our faith. The next 3 months were the hardest months of our lives and our faith has never been tested so much as it was then. Having faith in the blessings that Kaidence was given required us having the faith that a medical miracle would transpire. Many caring for Kaidence doubted that these miracles would likely take place but Mike and I had to keep looking forward and with time and patience we have seen MANY medical miracles since those blessings. Miracles that saved our daughters life, time and time again. Miracles that fill our hearts with graititude.

I am so grateful that I could listen to conference today in my house with my 3 healthy children and husband and for the miracles that have transpired, for all of you that helped carry our families burdens and who took it upon yourselves to pray for, fast for and care for our family and "Our little Kaidence." She truly has become a little bit of everyones life.

I try to keep positive and embrace life and truly feel that we have tried to make the best of our trials but I sometimes find myself worrying about the unknown of Kaidence's future. After today's talks I have decided that I need to take upon myself the same attitude that I had when Kaidence was so sick and in the hospital. If I did it then, I can definitely do it now. We will make the best of whatever comes our families way and like one of the talks in today's conference stated "Come what may... and love it!"

16 comments:

Me said...

You are truly my angel on earth. Whenever I need anything all I have to do is turn to you. I have been having some of the same fears with Daxton, I too came to this conclusion and I loved that talk. You have been such an amazing support to me, please know that I will be eternally grateful for you and your support. I am glad your back. I missed your phone calls. Much love, Hilary

angie said...

you try to be modest about it but you are one freaking amazing woman. you are such a strength to so many. we love your guts and your pretty baby too! ok and the boys. now lets hear about your trip!

Unknown said...

I didn't know you were home yet. I hope you had a great trip. I want to see pictures. And I'm with Ang you are one amazing woman! And don't roll your eyes. It's true! Love ya, Paula

Ryan & Brytten Pettit said...

That was beautiful...it's amazing to look back and see how much these kiddos have changed our lives. I remember the day Teagan got sick and thinking I will never get through this and now looking back I see that I am and will continue to and that I can do whatever may come my way... so glad we are friends.

AMES said...

Shauntelle I am so happy for you and how things are going. You are the best!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Shauntelle, I needed your words of wisdom. It has been an amazing year. Our lives have truly been blessed. Even through the heartaches and trials the Lord is there to carry us through. I hope that you and Mike had a restful and wonderful trip. Love to you all, Aunt Deb

Denise said...

As always, we're so proud of you and Mike so the way you've handled this trial. We now understand a little of what you go thru each day and understand the mental stress and decisions that your faced with. We admire you for your strength and most of all your FAITH. We also loved all the conference talks, especially Saturday session. I think it was Elder Anderson that said "Come what May.... And love it".

Much love to all

Love - Mom and Dad

Summer said...

So True! Thanx for this sharing such a wonderful post!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the post it was wonderful hearing from you, You know I find it hard to wright about what I'm going through on my blog because I always think of Kaidence and what she's been through.
In Fact I find myself feeling guilty because I think of How Lucky I' am that Savannah is in almost full Recovery now and yet you and your family have had to go through far more then I ever did with Savannah.
and your still so Unsure with Kaidence I'm sure everyday and your not even out of the wood's yet,Bit please know I think about you and your family and Little Kaidence everyday, Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.
Love, Jackie

Kim said...

Ditto what pretty much everyone has said, Miss Humility in the whole wonder woman department! You are AmaZiNg and inspiring and every other motivational word ending in "ing" that I just can't think of right now...even if you do prefer Pepsi over Coke. :) Love the stuffing out of your cute family.

Melanie said...

It was so great to meet you tonight at the viewing. It's been fun to look over your blog. We are not on Brynn's Heart Hero List yet, so I thought I'd comment on your blog so you can check us out. Our blog address is: www.fourpages.blogspot.com. Again, it was great to meet you and I look forward to more fun times!

Mimi said...

I Love this post!!! It was a combo of what you said, and the song playing. I'm sitting here... in the hosptial just crying! This conference was so powerful for me. And someday I will rely on the stength I am gaining while waiting.

thank you for this post!!!

Stacy said...

Hi Shauntelle. My blog is going private and I just wanted to let you know personally that I would love to keep in contact. I know I will continue to view your blog. It is so inspiring to both Matt and I. If you would ever like an invite, this is my email:
stacyrusson@gmail.com. May the Lord continue to bless your sweet little Kaidence and your family!

Family Scads said...

I have been following your blog for quite some time. My son Beckham had a heart transplant just over a year ago (we found you through Noah's Adventure...Crystal is my husbands cousin and we are originally from Utah) and he is having some similar issue with vomiting as Kaidence did. It has been almost 3 weeks of straight vomiting and 3 hospital stays. WE are now in the hospital until he stops. The doctors are completely baffled about what is causing his vomiting. He is also having other issues and tomorrow we are going to be transferred to the children's hospital in Iowa City.

I was just wondering if they ever found out what was wrong with Kaidence? Any insight at this point is welcome.

Thanks!
-Kim
scadlock.blogspot.com

Family Scads said...

Thanks so much for the info..it helped a lot! Beck is already on Prograf and he was taken off of Cellcept this summer, but I did have him tested for Adenovirus (it was negative) and they are talking about adding calories to his IV.

For now, we are at the U of I hospital and they are looking at everything. He is still vomiting (I am so sick of puke!) and looks horrible (poor baby). I know that we are going to get to the bottom of this puzzle soon. I am not ready to have the hospital as my home again!

Thanks again!
-Kim

P.S - here is my e-mail. I should have given you that before.
kimscadlock@hotmail.com

Becca said...

Hi Shauntelle,
We haven't seen you guys forever! It's so good to hear that everything is going so well right now. I wanted to let you know that I have changed my blog address to: jaredsangels.blogspot.com
I'm trying to make things a little bit safer. Hopefully we'll see you at a Hopekids activity soon!
love, Rebecca