April 28, 2012

The Long Road ~ An Update

We were at Children's Hospital yesterday.  All day.
Austin was booked for an MRI of his heart.
He also had a follow up appointment with the Cardiologist ~
Complete with another Echo and ECG.

Austin was in the MRI *tube* for well over one hour ~
perhaps closer to one and a half hours!
They wanted to be thorough.  And they were.  What a blessing.

The MRI will reveal something of the long-term prognosis for Austin.
We will not know the results until our next appointment ~
A month down the road.

But, as the Cardiologist pointed out, those readings are to show what
Austin's heart has become.  Barring a miracle, it will not change.
(We do know, however, that our Great God is able to do anything!)

At the moment, how he responds to the heart medication is the big question.
We wait and see.  God already knows.  HE is already there.
Oh how thankful I am for this!


The Echo showed an improvement in heart function
compared to the images obtained last month.

The hope would be that it would not have changed for the worse.
Or, at least have stayed the same. But, there actually is improvement!
What an encouraging report!  We praise the LORD!

It would appear that Austin is responding well to treatment.
He does not need to have a pacemaker inserted at this time.

The LORD has done this!  He has used means.
But, ultimately, He is the Great Physician.  He does the unseen.
We praise Him for His work in Austin's heart!
Both physically and spiritually.

The most dreaded disease of all has been dealt with.
That malady is sin.

For that, we are eternally thankful!  It truly is a comfort.
The LORD knows what He is doing.
We rest in His Sovereignty.

Where do we go from here?  The road is long.
And it is still uncertain.  We must be patient and wait.  We continue to pray.
Thank you to all of you who have lifted our son up before the Throne of Grace.
God hears.  He answers.  He does all things well.

Even when we don't feel like what is happening is for the best.
It is.  All of it.

Austin has been gaining weight.
He regains a little more of his strength each day.
He reports that he feels better than he has in a long time!
Oh how it warms my heart!

As we move forward, the dosage amount of one of the heart medicines is to be increased.
Double now, double in two weeks, and so on.
In some cases, this process can result in worsening of symptoms.
We pray this will not be the case!

Each day continues to be a gift.  Each day has grace enough.
Each day has strength enough.  Each day, the LORD is with us!
How Precious He is!

"O taste and see that the LORD is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."  Psalm 34:8

Thank you for joining with us on this journey.
Your kind words of encouragement do not go unnoticed.
The LORD has used you to bless us.
The prayers prayed on our behalf are greatly appreciated.
Thank you all so very much!

Many Blessings,
Camille

**Photo of the pier by Calvin ~
Thank you my love! xo

30 comments:

Lady Farmer said...

Thanking Jesus with you, Camille, on how He has wrought an improvement in Austins heart function! And praising Him for His blessing of helping Austin "feel better than he has in a long time!"
God is Good!
I continue to pray for Austin to respond well to the medication and for that miracle, if it be the Father's will!

Beautiful photo of the pier, Calvin!

Be Blessed today, my friend!

Misty said...

I am so glad that your son is feeling better and that his test show his heart is functioning better...-Praise be to God :) Praying for you and your family!!

Patty said...

Good to hear things have improved. May the Lord continue to heal. Blessings.

Camille said...

Dear Raeann ~ Thank you so much for entering into our joy and for praising the LORD with us! Thank you also, my friend, for continuing to pray...it's such a blessing to know that you are! :)

Dear Misty ~ I do appreciate your kind words and prayers my new friend...thank you! The LORD truly is worthy of all our praise! :)

Dear Patty ~ Thank you my friend! It's a blessing to belong to HIM, isn't it? :)

Blessings to you each one!
In HIS Love,
Camille

Hopes Handcrafts said...

oh PRAISE THE LORD Camille! He is so faithful and merciful....I am rejoicing with you my friend! I will continue to prayer for Austin :0)

Wow too, Calvin's photo of the pier...it is stunning!

God bless you and your beautiful family, Camille {{hugs}}

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

So thankful there is some improvement. Oh the joys getting an MRI. I had one a year ago and sang and talked to myself to keep from going crazy with the noise. If you do it right, you can sing to the beat of the machine...your own drum set! HA! Glad that Austin is feeling better and hoping meds don't make his condition worse. Never figured out why a patient would have to take something that could possibly make symptoms worse but at the same time, needs the med? Who knows! Am praying for a miracle as well! Hugs and virtual cookies from me to you! Can you taste them? Love ya!

Heather@Cultivated Lives said...

Rejoicing at the work of the Great Physician in Austin's life! Continuing to pray for His hand to heal Austin's body and bring {spiritual} heart healing to those that your family comes in contact with through this trial.

Maryann said...

Praising God for the improvement Austin has had. Such a difficult journey for your family, continuing to pray.
I know it does a moma's heart good to hear Austin say he is feeling better than he has in a long time
Blessings to you

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

I'm so happy to hear there was an improvement in Austin's test results, Praise the Lord! He is good! I continue to pray that things will improve. Your family is a wonderful example of faith. I know God will continue to use your testimony in a mighty way. God Bless! Jackie

You Can Call Me Jane said...

Thank you so much for this update! We are praising God right along with you for the encouraging results. Please tell Austin his name is often mentioned at our dinner table before meals:-).

Camille said...

Dear Julia ~ Thank you so much for praying and for rejoicing with us my friend...it is a blessing! :)

Dear Becky ~ Yes, indeed...meds that help and sometimes hinder...it is a mystery! So far, so good, though. The LORD sustains and daily gives HIS grace. Thank you so much for praying. Thank you as well for the yummy cookies. ;-)

Dear Heather in AZ ~ What a blessing to know that the LORD is in complete control! And yes, may HE save those who need HIM! Thank you for praying for our family...you bless my heart! :)

Dear Maryann ~ I appreciate you so much! Thank you for praying and for your sweet friendship. :)

Dear Jackie ~ May the LORD indeed use all these things for HIS glory! HE alone is worthy. Thank you for your kind friendship and for remembering us in prayer. What a blessing to my heart! :)

Dear Jane ~ What a sweet and encouraging thought it is that you remember Austin around your dinner table...the LORD is SO Good! I appreciate you my friend. May the LORD bless you all this week! :)

In HIS Love,
Camille

Unknown said...

Praise the Lord! I just read this to the whole family! We're praising God this morning for the improvements in Austin's heart! He is so good in everything.

Trisha said...

Praise God for His infinite mercies, Camille! I know you are treasuring each moment together. I continue to pray for much grace, peace, and mercy to be poured out on all of you. I love you, my friend!

American Home said...

Dear Friend,
This sounds very encouraging! God is so great and able to do all that we ask. We are holding Austin in our prayers and continue to lift him up at church. Please let Austin know that his friends in Oklahoma are praying for him.

May God give you a miracle! This is our true prayer.

Love,
Donna

Camille said...

Dear Jenn ~ Thank you for entering into our joy with us my friend! Yes, the LORD is always good. Even when things don't seem to be going *our way*. :)

Dear Trisha ~ How precious our LORD is! Thank you for being such a sweet friend. :)

Dear Donna ~ How wonderful it is to know that the LORD's people are praying! Please thank your church family for us...what a blessing! I appreciate you my friend! :)

With Love,
Camille

Heather said...

Oh, praise the Lord for improvement!
That He is already there, as you say, is so comforting. Thank you for the update and we'll pray for the MRI results.

Jill said...

So glad to hear some good news! Still praying and thinking of you all. Please continue to update.
Hugs.

Blessings,
Jill

Camille said...

Dear Heather ~ Thank you so much my friend! Yes, it is precious to know that HE is outside of time!! What a blessing to belong to Him! :)

Dear Jill ~ Thank you for your kind words and for wanting to know the updates...it's a blessing to call you friend. :)

With Love,
Camille

Tami said...

LOVE this report, Camille!!! Praise God that his heart function has shown IMPROVEMENT! Oh my goodness, between that and your very simple, yet very profound, "God already knows. HE is already there." - tears of joy for our great God and His loving care in our circumstances...it's not just that He already knows what will happen, He is THERE. Oh friend, that hit me in the most profound way. Thank you.
So thankful for your good news. I continue to pray for your sweet boy and it is a privilege to walk this with you.
Love from NM -
Tami

Camille said...

Dear Tami ~ It's always a blessing to hear from you my sweet friend...thank you for your encouraging words! And for entering into our joy. How Great our Wonderful LORD is!!

With Love,
Camille

PippaDavies said...

Hello Camille,
It is so encouraging to hear that Austin is making signs of progress and is feeling so much better, and does not need the pacemaker. What a wonderful testimony! I can tell that you are being held on God's wings here Camille as your community of loving friends pray for you. Likewise I continue to lift you all up in this process with prayer, so that you will feel His ever loving lightness and tenderness. Love and blessings Pippa

Camille said...

Dear Pippa ~ How Great our Wonderful LORD is! Thank you so much for your sweet friendship and for your prayers for us during this trying time. I will be lifting you up in prayer this morning. The Lord hears and answers. May HE be your portion this day.

With love,
Camille

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

God is amazing and I am so glad that you are looking for the blessings and the lessons within the pain.

My heart is next to yours on this journey even though ours is different. The journey remains the same. Trusting in God when life really, really hurts and the future is uncertain.

Thank you for your sweet note of encouragement. You made my day!

Love you!
Stacie

Camille said...

Dear Stacie ~ Yes, the LORD truly IS Amazing! What a blessing to belong to HIM! How wonderful to know that HE does all things well, and to rest in that knowledge. Thank you for your sweet friendship and encouragement. I continue to pray for you too. :)

With Love,
Camille

Sandy said...

Dear Camille,
Praising God with you!!! May the Lord continue to give you strength in this road that He has prepared for you. Our God is good, I thank Him for all that He knows. Still praying for you all. :)
Hugs.
In His Grace,
Sandy

Camille said...

Dear Sandy ~ I'm still praying for you too! Thank you so much for lifting us up to the Throne of Grace...it is a blessing. God truly does all things well and yes, HE has chosen this path for us! Very well said my friend. I appreciate your sweet encouragement. Hugs to you! :)

With Love,
Camille

Barbara said...

That is great news, our God sure is an awesome God, he knows, he cares, and he works behind the scenes, praying for you all there

Patty said...

Camille, just stopping over to say hello. You and your family have been prayed for today multiple times as you have been brought to mind. Hope all is well ~ God bless.

Farmgirl said...

God already Knows- He is already there! - Thank you for posting that comment Camillle - it jumped out at me! A good reminder that no matter what may happen, even later today, God knows- He is already there!
I'm praying for you my friend!

Camille said...

Dear Barbara ~ Thank you so much for your prayers and for your encouragement! It is such a blessing to our hearts. :)

Dear Patty ~ What a blessing to know that you have been praying for us! Thank you so much for your sweet friendship. :)

Dear Heather ~ Thank you so much for praying for us my friend! Yes, indeed...the LORD is Wonderful! :)

Many Blessings,
Camille