Update: Day 9

Super late…as in we’re technically already on Day 10 according to Michigan time.  It was such a busy day with Everett’s team really pushing him to work hard today and I just never got around to getting a post up.  His main goals for today we’re to ween more meds and really work on doing some breathing on his own.  They want to get him extubated soon.

He did two “sprints” where he breathed mostly on his own for about an hour each time.  He will do another one around 3am and then tomorrow morning the goal is to try and extubatne him, but this will also depend on how his little body handles everything.  Overall we had another uneventful day and we are just crazy proud of him.  Makes me weepy thinking about how strong and brave this boy is.  I tell him all day long these truths.  One of the reasons we chose the name Everett is because it means brave and strong.  He encompass those words.

He also got a new chest wrap to help cover all his wires and his incision.  I told him I loved his new floral tube top and then I chuckled.

In other news, 3 things:

1. I finally left the hospital today.  That may sound really small, but after watching Everett go into cardiac arrest and his team jump into action, I just couldn’t do it.  I could not physically bring myself to leave the building.

Today Ashley really encouraged me to get out and finally I did.  There’s a beautiful little park area with trails just across the street from the hospital so I went for a run.  I walked some too and I could snag photos of all the beautiful flowers.  It was perfection and I listened to the new Hillsong United album Wonder…big time thumbs up!!!!

While running I played the moment when Everett coded through my mind and thought about all the details.  I don’t really like doing that, but my mind finds itself there a lot.  I remember only saying out  loud “please God, please God, please God” over and over and over again, but in my head I remember saying “I need him.  God I need him.”  And in that moment I felt the Holy Spirit say, “No, you need Me.”

Everything in me wants Everett to be here for a long long time and I want to watch him grow and flourish.  As I struggled and still struggle to physically leave his side I have to remember he is God’s and what we both need is simply Jesus.  I’ve got to trust Him with Everett.  I’ve got to take Him at his words and promises.  One thing I keep telling myself repeatedly is that God does not change based on the outcome of Everett’s surgeries.  His goodness and love and grace and mercy will not change based on the health or lack of health of any of my children.  He is good no matter what.  He is faithful no matter what.  And if the whole thing falls apart right in front of our eyes, He is still all those things.

2.  I ate my very first reuben sandwich today.  All the staff here at Mott are amazing and several of them have been giving us food recommendations.  Today we tried Zingerman’s Deli and whoa, just whoa.  It was absolutely delicious and I will totally be eating another reuben sooner rather than later.

And 3.  Ashley and I ventured into a gift shop on our way to the cafeteria for lunch today.  It was like a small time warp.  The hospital is already a giant time warp in and of itself…you go in and emerge days, weeks or months later like “What just happened and what day is it?!?!” but throw in their gift shops and it’s a time warp within a time warp.  30 minutes and $32 later and this is what I had to show for it…not pictured some meds and new tweezers 🙂

Thank you guys again and again for the prayers.  They just mean the world to us and we feel all the love, support and encouragement.

19 Comments

  1. Melody vaudrey says:

    That little warrior just amazes me. I am sure has big plans for Everett. The Strong and Brave !!! We believe Everett! You are going to do big things, all for His Glory!!

    • Jennifer Collett says:

      If we know God loves us and is always right then we know we can handle whatever he puts before us no matter how big!! Knowing God is caring for us every second is amazing

  2. Christie grant says:

    Love all your insights throughout this journey! These are truths that are so hard to for real understand. Thank you so much for sharing with joy and conviction. All we need is Jesus. All our trust is in him,

    So proud of you!! A run and a reuben! The world’s best sandwich when done well. Welcome to the reuben club.

    Everett is so strong and so loved. Prayers continue for him, you, the entire Kelly crew and all the staff and medical tram at Motts. So much to be thankful for. Hugs upon hugs. Feel the love.

  3. Stan Cunningham says:

    Brave little warrior and brave little mommy. God bless you both with strength and peace. Thank you for continually reminding us of the truly important things.

  4. I’m awake and thinking Everett and his Momma and medical team are working around the clock. Praying now for the extubation to go smoothly! Oh and he’s styling with that floral tube top!

  5. estrada_h says:

    Thank you for being so raw about what God is teaching you. It’s one of those things we all say in our head but struggle with in our hearts when it comes down to it. I’ve been praying for your mama heart because I can’t even imagine the thoughts and lingering anxiety of going through this and it’s really great to see God watching over and speaking into and through you like this!

  6. This is really powerful:

    One thing I keep telling myself repeatedly is that God does not change based on the outcome of Everett’s surgeries. His goodness and love and grace and mercy will not change based on the health or lack of health of any of my children. He is good no matter what. He is faithful no matter what. And if the whole thing falls apart right in front of our eyes, He is still all those things.

    Thank you for modeling what it looks like to be real and honest with your pain and suffering, struggling through thoughts and feelings and reminding yourself of the truth you KNOW, even if you don’t feel it.

    God has been recalling Romans 5 to my mind lately, about suffering producing perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope.

    1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
    2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
    3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
    4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
    5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. – Romans 5:1-5

    Praying for sweet Everett! I laughed at the “I love your new floral tube top” comment. May today be uneventful and full of small wins for your little guy!

  7. I love all of these things! Glad to hear you were able to “take care of you” today, too – so important! Continuing to pray!

  8. Go Everett… be strong today and meet those goals buddy!
    Thank you for the inspiration and reminder that God is good. All the time. In our weakest & most vulnerable moments we tend to forget that and at times blame Him or hold Him responsible. He has a bigger plan and He is in control. He is good.
    Continued prayers for your family

  9. Frances Dunaway says:

    Laura, you are brave and strong,also. You have made my faith stronger. I wish some day you would write this journey in a book and I could buy a copy to read over and over.
    So thankful that precious boy is making
    Progress. God is so good !!!❤

  10. Thank you so much for your transparency on this journey! I so appreciate it. Your Holy Spirit reminder is just what I needed this morning. I continue to pray for Everett and all of you! Prayer abound and God is good. Thank you for the update!

  11. Debb sanders says:

    God is good all the time…. So thankful for your posts and that precious child . I know God is using Everett’s journey to draw people closer to Him. Continuing prayers for his complete recovery

  12. T Haggerty says:

    Our hearts remain with you. Our hope is sure AND strong –like Everett! God afterall IS his strength. ❤️

  13. You are a very strong and brace woman. God has got this!!!! Praying!

  14. Hi Laura, I found your post through a friend. I don’t know you but I do know what it feels like to be a mother crying aloud to God for their child’s life. I’m sure there are many of us that know that feeling. My heart is full of compassion and Godly love for you and your family. I am also full of encouragement from your words to us. I’m praying for Everett’s healing and for God’s strength and comfort for you all.

  15. Leah TOMLINSON says:

    So encouraged by your authenticity in the struggle. You and Everett inspire me to get real with myself and give it all to Jesus and completely trust Him with it ALL.
    Fight on, brave and strong Everett, fight on!
    So glad to hear of your strength and courage to get out and go to the park. Fight on, Laura!
    Praying today for successful day, strong independent breathing and healing! Asking God to show His healing might, faithfulness and presence.

  16. Grace greene says:

    Thank you for these updates. Thank you for the reminder that Jesus is all we need. It is every parent’s worst nightmare that their children will get sick and die, and thank you for living out your faith & showing us that Jesus is all we need & that He is still good & loving, even while watching your child code. It makes me love Him & trust Him even more. We are so thankful Everett is having better days & we continue to pray for his healing!

  17. You don’t know me, but I happened across your posts by accident. I grew up in Ann Arbor, although we live across the country now. My first job was at Mott Children’s Hospital. I am now a pediatric nurse. I worked summers at a canoe livery on the river across the street from the hospital. So much of your post is familiar. But mostly, my heart has been stirred to pray for your boy. You’re right-he is a brave warrior! Prayers for healing and rest for Everett, and a strong heart for both you and him. <3

  18. Heather says:

    Anytime my little girl has been in the hospital it is so so hard to leave the room, so I agree Huge step! Good for you! Much needed I’m sure of it. I’m continuing to pray for Everett and your family.

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