How my heart aches. And yet, God gives His peace.
There's a long road ahead. We've only just begun...
Oh the tears we have shed!
Oh the strength that HE gives!
How wonderful to be held firmly in HIS grip.
It appears that Austin's heart has been
compromised far longer than we at first believed.
His 2009 echo-cardiogram (ultrasound of the heart),
upon closer examination, seems to show
impaired heart function, which would mean that
it went undetected at that time.
Hindsight is always 20/20.
This heart condition, it would appear,
predates the earliest signs of Crohn's Disease.
We had no idea.
We could have suddenly lost him.
He is in what appears to be the advanced stages of heart failure.
There are still more tests to be run, and medicines to take.
There is the potential for a pace maker to be inserted in the next little while.
There's a long road ahead. We've only just begun...
Oh the tears we have shed!
Oh the strength that HE gives!
How wonderful to be held firmly in HIS grip.
It appears that Austin's heart has been
compromised far longer than we at first believed.
His 2009 echo-cardiogram (ultrasound of the heart),
upon closer examination, seems to show
impaired heart function, which would mean that
it went undetected at that time.
Hindsight is always 20/20.
This heart condition, it would appear,
predates the earliest signs of Crohn's Disease.
We had no idea.
We could have suddenly lost him.
He is in what appears to be the advanced stages of heart failure.
There are still more tests to be run, and medicines to take.
There is the potential for a pace maker to be inserted in the next little while.
We are waiting for the results of blood work and
will not have all the answers from that for at least another week.
So, we wait.
God is in control. And we rest in Him.
Where would we be without Him?
What a comfort it is that we are not!
I cannot even fathom life here without Austin.
And yet, that is a very real possibility. Not imminently. But, eventually.
Unless the LORD intervenes. We pray that HE will use the means.
And we pray that HE will do the miraculous.
It appears that Austin's heart has sustained irreversible damage.
He has what is known as Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).
The favourable third (in my previous post) does not appear to be his lot.
We know that God is able to heal. We pray that He will.
But, we know that He is still Good if He does not.
We thought we had given our children over to the LORD years ago.
So, we wait.
God is in control. And we rest in Him.
Where would we be without Him?
What a comfort it is that we are not!
I cannot even fathom life here without Austin.
And yet, that is a very real possibility. Not imminently. But, eventually.
Unless the LORD intervenes. We pray that HE will use the means.
And we pray that HE will do the miraculous.
It appears that Austin's heart has sustained irreversible damage.
He has what is known as Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).
The favourable third (in my previous post) does not appear to be his lot.
We know that God is able to heal. We pray that He will.
But, we know that He is still Good if He does not.
We thought we had given our children over to the LORD years ago.
But, this turn of events has shed new light on that.
We must hold them with a light hand. They do not belong to us.
May we live this out. Day by day.
By His Grace. For His glory.
Austin is fully informed. And he is processing it all.
And God is giving him grace. But, he will have to grieve as well.
And then live.
Please pray that the LORD will continue to give him all
that will be required for this journey.
And please pray that we would be able to be a blessing to him as we seek
to point him and ourselves to the LORD.
We must hold them with a light hand. They do not belong to us.
May we live this out. Day by day.
By His Grace. For His glory.
Austin is fully informed. And he is processing it all.
And God is giving him grace. But, he will have to grieve as well.
And then live.
Please pray that the LORD will continue to give him all
that will be required for this journey.
And please pray that we would be able to be a blessing to him as we seek
to point him and ourselves to the LORD.
And, of course, please pray for healing! God is able.
And to think that he says to us ~ "I sure hope you're not losing sleep over this!"
He really has no idea!
Thank you to each one of you for your prayers and loving concern.
We sense the Lord carrying us. He is such a gracious and loving Saviour!
We are blessed.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.
Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."
~ Isaiah 26:3-4 ~
Much love, Camille
**If you have missed the other posts
in this journey, and would like to read them ~
Please click here for the first, and click here for the second,
click here for the next, and click here for the last.
43 comments:
Praying for your sweet family at this time....
Oh my sweet friend. I weep reading this. I weep because I ache with and for you and I weep because you are clinging to the Lord in this. Because you are speaking His truth and I believe He is being glorified. I am so thankful for each of you.
Dear Austin, we are praying alongside your family. We are praying God's peace over and in and through you all. And we are praying that our heavenly Father's good and perfect will would be to bring healing to your body. We thank Him for your confidence in what He has accomplished on our behalf, that we are His and He holds us. That He orchestrates every detail of our lives. You are such a brave young man and I am so thankful for you and for the work of God in your heart.
Camille, I look at that first picture of your beautiful family and I cannot stop the tears. Precious friend, I love you. We are on our knees. We love y'all. We belong to a GREAT and MIGHTY God. To Him be all glory. I love you, friend.
Camille, I ache with you as a mother, and send you a hug as a friend. I am glad Austin is handling this well. That the Lord is comforting him and carrying you. I know it is HIS strength that carries you and holds you all together.
"Dear Jesus, I ask you again and I will keep asking you on their behalf, PLEASE heal Austin. Please make him well, whole and all better. Is there a way Lord? You hold him in your hands and for that I am so thankful. Thankful that HE knows YOU. So please LORD place on him YOUR healing hands and regenerate his heart. Thank you Jesus!"
Thank you for the update Camille. Know you are covered in prayer.
~Cinnamon
Camille~ {{{{hugs}}}} my dear friend. I'm *so* glad that you had opportunity to update us~ *so* glad. I hardly know what to say... I'm grateful that the Lord knows all of your needs and will abundantly meet you at every turn. Oh! How I'm praying~ I guess with my recent and totally unexpected heart problems I am especially empathizing with all of you and Austin. My heart is so full, but I am at a loss for words~ you simply have no idea how my heart aches for all of you.
I am just catching up with this news. I will be praying for all of you and especially Austin. Amazing that the trouble wasn't found earlier but that's in the past and now we deal with the present, my friend. How my heart breaks for you. It's hard enough when a child gets hurt and bleeds and bruises but this is so much different....oh my. Am glad you are leaning on the Lord. You may feel you are in a desert right now but the Lord is with you. Psalm 119:103 "How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth." and Psalm 81:16: "He would have fed them also with the finest wheat; and with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you." NKJV God is sweet in time of pain...as honey. Remember it when you are discouraged. He loves you and cares for all of you. An awesome God we serve and love and honor and praise! Hugs to all of you.
Oh, my dear Camille, I am weeping for you and with you. What a hard providence, dear friend. I praise God for your faithful declaration of His goodness in the midst of it all, and I continue to pray fervently for you all. I love you.
Thank you soooo much for the update. Praying and aching along with you, Camille. So glad we've been brought together over the miles, through blogging, for such a time as this. I'm sure many who love you through your little place on the internet are lifting up your boy. Hang in there.
Love, Heather
Here I am again Lord weeping at the thought. And I plead once again for this precious family. I pray for complete healing for Austin. I pray your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Please God give this family strength...and peace as they live every day with the unknown of the future. And we thank you that you know the future and you are carrying Austin in the palm of your hand.
Please God pour your grace and mercy on this family. Give doctors all the wisdom necessary to figure out each day and what they are to do. In Jesus name Amen!
Thought I don't know you and am new to your blog, there were tears in my eyes as I read this post. I'm a bit speechless, and the exact words, the perfect words to tell you do not come. Maybe because there are not any. However, I will be praying for your family.
Oh, I pray that you will not loose your son! I don't want you and your family to have to endure that kind of grief! I pray that the Lord will give all of you strength and comfort during this time. Mere words I know, but it's all this feeble female human can do for you right now.
I also pray that the Lord will help your son to be strong during this time as well. Please keep us updated, and Mom, God loves you! Take great care! {{{{Hugs}}}}
Dear Camille,
Yes, God is able. Praise Him for His comfort and peace. We are praying for God's healing. May you and your family continue to draw strength from the Lord. We are praying for you all. Hugs.
In His Grace,
Sandy
Dear Camille and Howie,
We just heard about your blog from Tamara & Hans. (we are Tamara's parents)
We also were not aware of Austin's illness. We will pray for you as parents and for Austin. We serve a God that does great miracles. Even if we travel through the deep valleys of this life you will find that He upholds, it is there that you will find the refreshing streams of God's Grace.
Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Resting in Him,
John & Henrietta van Woerden
Chilliwack,BC
I was in tears as I read this today. I don't have the right words…but I'm praying that God would continue to hold all of you close to His heart.
I cry with you~tho i just know you from your blog~we are on a journey with our son also...tho a little different path. May God give you grace, one step at a time. He is faithful!
Praying for you all ~ for daily grace on this journey and healing.
We pray as we can "relate" to some of the same verbage you share...
but, why the Lord allows perfect, immediate healing for some (my husband - very recently) and others not-so-much (your son, here).
Praying for you...for peace that passes all understanding.
I am speechless! Wow...I look forward to seeing how God will provide for and meet this need for Austin, also strength and peace for you and Howie and the family. As scary as it is for you all...God desires is for us to place our faith in Him so HE can fulfill HIS plans and Purposes through each one of each. We have an AMAZING creator!
...and Austin, you are an amazing young man ...may you be blessed as you travel this journey with the Lord as your Fortress!
{{Hugs}} from Julia, New Zealand
Praying for Austin and that he would experience our Father's healing power. Praying for you all.
God bless,
Elyse
Dear Camille,
I just read this and I'm crying. I can't even imagine what you all are going through, but we serve an awesome God...and I'm committed to pray for your entire family as you all go through this journey!!!
Love and hugs, Heather !!!!
p.s. Please keep us updated as you feel comfortable !!!!
keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. We don't know you personally but are friends of the Vroom family.
Camille,
I had no idea this was going on until I read Jane's post. My heart aches for you. How I'd like to bring you a casserole and give you a hug... Courage and strength to you, sweet friend.
xoxo,
Jennifer
Jane sent me to your blog. You and your family are in my prayers.
My heart breaks for you and your family. I am so sorry you are going through this. I know your strength comes from the Lord and you are shining even through your tears and sorrow.
There are no words. Of course God can heal. We know it is nothing for our God to do such a thing. The wrestling match begins with knowing that he may choose not to for a greater glory.
I pray for Austin. Peace, protection, and that God would walk him through his grief, his loss of dreams and while yet giving him new ones.
I love you so much my friend. I pray that you can feel that through this computer. I pray that you will know that I will be praying and praying for you just as you have prayed for our family.
Life just stinks sometimes. Oh, how it hurts. It reminds us once again that this is not our home. We are aliens in this ugly world.
Found you through Jane's blog! Praying for you and your family..God is in control.
Camille, I just found a link to your blog from Thy Hand Hath Provided. My heart breaks for you as a mother, and links with you as you find strength in Him (which is always available and always sufficient). My Bible study has been reading 100 Days of Favor by Joseph Prince. Yesterday's study was on the subject that His love and care for us is personal, detailed and in-depth. Such wonderful truth that He cares intently and infinitely. He cares and He helps. My prayers join with yours and so many others.
Camille, thank you for having the courage to share Austin'story. This must be such a painful one for you to share. Seeing the pic of you all together as a family is a reminder of how much God has given us in our blessed families! He will not let you go in this trial. We are praying that His promises will hold true for all of you especially Austin! Much love, blessings and hugs!!
Oh I am so sorry I am late in reading this....
Dear, sweet, friend...tears are coursing down this momma's cheeks right now. My heart goes out to you, oh how I wish I could wrap you in an embrace right now.
I know what I need to do and can do at this moment is pray and so...
Dear Heavenly Father,
You know the devastation this has brought to Camille and Howie. You know the heart ache. And you know the fear that tries to creep in. Lord, I pray that you will fill both of them with Your strength. I pray for Your comfort and peace that passes all understanding to fill them and overflow. You Lord are their rock, their refuge and their portion. Fill them. Lord, I lift up Austin to you. I pray for healing of his heart. I ask for strength for his body and mind. You Lord are able and so we ask Your healing hand to be upon Him. You Lord, are Jehovah Rapha. We know You have a deep love for Austin that known of us can comprehend. You have plans for Austin and those plans we can't begin to know, but we know they are GOOD. We thank you Lord for who you are. We thank you for your love. You Lord are mighty and righteous. The Lord of lords and the King of kings. We praise Your Holy name. Thank you for Who You are and for the love You are pouring out on this family.
In Jesus' Precious Name,
Amen
I love you, Camille!
Sweet friend....
Praying, praying, praying...lifting you and yours before the very throne of God.
In Christ alone,
Cindy
MY FAMILY ARE SENDING OUR BEST THOUGHTS YOUR WAY AND WE WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOUR SON
Camille
Praying that God would heal Austin and that he would give you and your family much grace as you walk through this difficult time, my heart just aches for you. Praying God will give you and your family peace and strength...much love to you {{{hugs}}} Maryann
Camille,
Jane also sent me your way. I want you to know that I am praying for Austin and your family.
Ps. 62:5-8
Praying for you and your family.
My heart aches for you Camille...I'm so sorry. Can I just tell you...that I see the Lord's strength in you in these photos? I see grace...and strength...and peace. I see God all over you...He is answering prayers always...xoxo
Dearest Friend,
We are still praying, still hoping, and still believing that God's grace is sufficient for all of Austin's needs. HE is the Great Physician, HE hears our prayers, and HE is able to do all that HE said HE would.
Blessings,
Donna
Jane said you needed prayers. Please know that your family is in mine starting today. I pray that God's grace and comfort will be wrapped around you and that His strength will hold you up.
Chris
Thinking of you and your family.
I am so sorry. That's all I can say. For a strapping young man to be given a death sentence must be the hardest thing he (and you all)will ever go through. I couldn't help but think Jesus has already given him a new heart, one that is true to Him. And the Lord never, never, never makes mistakes. His wonders never cease. During this season of Lent and Easter when we remember Who surrendered His life for us, we can REJOICE that the penalty of death has already been paid. As I type past the lump in my throat, I send the words from Paul in 2 Cor 12:9 "And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me." May your family find that greater grace during this difficult time. I join others in prayers for Austin's healing.
Praying, praying, praying. May healing come in this life. May our Lord wrap his arms around your family in the most tangible ways.
Oh, Camille! I've been trying to be good and not be on-line so much, so I missed your first post about this. My sis told me about it, so I came to visit. I'm so so sorry! My heart is aching for you. I praise God that He is with your during your heart ache and time of grieving. What an amazingly strong young man you have. You have done well raising him. He knows where his source of strength comes from because you have raised him to have hope in any circumstance. I will pray for you through this journey. Is he a candidate for a heart transplant? I pray so!
Huge hugs,
Jackie
I don't know what to say, except to again assure you and your dear family that we are praying for you all.
Camille and family, our prayers and thoughts are with you during this time. Hannah told me about your situation and sent me to your blog.
We thank God that you and your wonderful family trust in our Mighty Lord and continue to do so. May He continue to give your family great comfort and mercy during this difficult time.
You are such a blessing!
Love, Tanya and Aaron (Isaiah and Micah)
Thank you for the update...I have been praying very hard for him. I truly hope something good will happen and things will turn around. there seems to be so much that can be done for the heart now.
Praying... sending hugs.
Blessings,
Jill
Dear Friends ~ It's overwhelming to us the outpouring of love and concern that has been shown...thank you to each and every one of you! We appreciate all the prayers and kind words of friendship given. God continues to sustain and give HIS grace. Thank you for understanding my lack of personal attention to you in this comment section and on your blogs...I trust it will just be for a season. May the LORD bless you all!
In HIM,
Camille
Isaiah 26:3-4
"God is in control.
And we rest in Him.
Where would we be without Him?
What a comfort it is that we are not!" This is beautiful and true. I will stand with you in prayer that He will intervene. Blessings upon you!
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