Saturday, July 26, 2008

Look Around

As I sit in the PCMC PICU I look around and once again feel grateful for my own trials. I see a sweet 20 year old girl spend day and night next to her 21 year old boyfriend/fiance who is in critical condition with lung cancer awaiting the day when they can be married. I see a very young single mother who is from Alaska who just gave birth to a baby diagnosed with HLHS and has just had his first surgery who's support system (her parents) have to fly back to Alaska tomorrow. A family who's daughter has HLHS and their nephew passed away from HLHS. A family fight to get their son well enough to get home to spend his remaining days at home while fighting with HLHS. A little boy who is critical after having been hit with a pipe bomb. A boy surviving on the Berlin Heart while he waits for his transplant. A baby girls family watching her endure her first open heart surgery after being diagnosed with a CHD that has NO survivors. A girl who thought she was just getting a hip replacement and now has thyroid cancer. A baby girl with a serious CHD that after being told it is time to let her go is preparing to go home to be with her family. A baby boy who needs a heart and just got taken off the list because of a infection. And after hearing of three abused children who only one is still here barely hanging on. Also many more rooms and floors of children and grieving families I don't even know. Lets just say I'm very thankful for a pretty restful day and no big events. Teagan has just rested most of the day with an occasional eye open to see his loving family waiting patiently by his bed side for when he can be in our arms once again. His lung has re-inflated and they beat his chest every six hours to get the crap out (he is sounding much better). They say maybe tom. or Mon. to try extubating again, but like they said it is up to him. We all understand we live on T-Time and when he is ready we will know.

8 comments:

Natalie J said...

I am so glad that he has had an uneventful day. My heart was breaking as you were relating all the other families' stories. It is sad that there is so much sadness there, among so much hope. I never knew (before Teagan) that there were so many babies with HLHS.
We are still praying for you Teagan! Keep on fighting!

Kathy said...

Brytten
I know I have said this before but you really are so inspiring to me. I can't imagine watching what you have up at PCMC, it just breaks my heart hearing those stories. You have a strong little boy who wants to be with his loving family for a long time!
Kathy Eby

Stoney and Jen said...

Brytt, you and Ryan inspire us. We read your posts everyday and are amazed at your strength and the positive perspective you continue to have. Thank you for sharing the other stories. It truly makes you want to love a little better those around you. We continue to pray for Teagan!!

Chelsee said...

We will continue to pray for all the PICU kids. Thank you for sharing your insights and prospective. Love you so very much!

Unknown said...

I'm so glad that T's lung is filled back up. How scary all the things that could possibly go wrong, other than his heart. Stay strong. You continue to amaze me.

Sunshine Marketing said...

That really is the magic of the hospital, isn't it? INSIGHT, awareness tat your trials are yours and yours alone. That everyonw is facing some kind of unhappiness in their life. It definately shows what kind of man and woman you are when you come out the other end unscathed. So man people lose sight of the big picture and think the grass is greener on the other side, but that is only becuase they are not watering their own grass! I hope that you guys continue to take care of each other and realize that your focus is on your family unit as a whole and not individuslly. We love you guys and even though we went through some of what you are going through....we are a mazed every time we see your family and how wonderful and supportive you are to each other. It is truly inspiring. My kids pray for Teags at the dinner table every night and pray for you all every night before bed. I will try to get up there before our fiesta!
Much Love,
Tami

Anonymous said...

Each day is filled with Teagan as I can never forget about him and I am constantly praying for him but especially today I have realized something amazing about him. Today at church many things were said about him. It is so touching to know that we as a family are not the only ones who are being touched by this experience. I am so grateful to all those who have prayed for us and been there for us. It just proves that Heavenly Father will never allow us to be alone.
Love Ya!
Coke aka Elmo

Em said...

I remember being grateful that we were not facing a heart transplant while Ryker was there (Kaidence was on the Berlin heart awaiting a transplant) and going home and telling Mike how grateful I was to be at the point where we were. I think you have a wonderful perspective, and I am a strong believer to the saying "be kinder then necessary, because everyone is fighting some kind of battle". Teagan is amazing and we pray for him every night!
Hope to see you this week!
Emily and Mike