Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Quick NICU Family Update

I finally saw Nalin's family for the first time in about 10 days last night. He continues to hang on, but the doctor's still don't know what to do to help him. Please, continue to pray with me for a miracle for him, and that God will give his family peace during this time.

Joe and Kendra
's boys seem to continue to do well. I can't imagine having to go to work every day and only being able to visit evenings and weekends...I'm sure it's rough and I know they'd appreciate your continued prayer.

Thanks.

Nate

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Praying for Nalin's family and Joe and Kendra. Also, for an early morning visit from the transplant team with GREAT news!

Thanks for the update, Nate!

Give Tricia a squeeze from her cyberfamily!

Anonymous said...

I lift Joe & Kendra and boys and Nalin and his family to our heavenly Father. That God would strengthen, protect and encourage all these parents and children. Also that Gwenyth continues to thrive and that the steps for Tricia's transplant fall into place.

Anonymous said...

Love to all.

marcia said...

Continuing to pray for these families...and for YOU, that God gives you all you need to minister His love to all of the people He brings into your path at Duke each day!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the update. I have had a heavy heart wondering about both families. I'm praying.... praying for many miracles!

Anonymous said...

Hi Nate and Tricia,

I'm Bethany, an old friend of Trish's from NJ. I just wanted to let you both know that your choices to keep walking by faith are very encouraging to me. It's so natural to 'walk by sight' but I'm finding myself entering a whole new world as I truly walk by faith... God is so REAL there, so much more than when I was walking by sight. It is so encouraging to read your story and know that I'm not here alone. I am grateful to the Lord for His kindness in leading you step by step... your choices to continue following Him step by step are encouraging.

So... thanks. And, it is such a blessing to feel like Trish is back in my life again... I ALWAYS thought you were GREAT!

love, Bethany

Melissa Dovel said...

Praying for your NICU families:)along with Tricia and Gwenyth and yourself.

I know that U probably dont care for questions but I have one and if you dont or cant answer ill understand.

When Tricia is placed on the list do they give you some sort of a time frame. I am sure they can't say for sure just wondering if they say anything.

Melissa

Anonymous said...

Hey Nate -
I've never commented on here...but your post brought up a topic that has weighed heavy on both mine and my husband's heart as we have two surgeries coming up for our 12 month old twin girls. We would do anything to be there for them (in the hospital)...to both be at their bedside every waking minute- but, financially, one of us has to work to pay our current bills. How do you do it?? How can you not work and still have a place to live, money in your pocket, able to buy things you need. If there's some secret to not working and surviving - we're desperate. I know this is somewhat a personal question, but I also know thre are so many families who have children/loved ones who are ill in the hospital that read your blog and are touched by your words.
Thank you for your time - God bless you an your precious family.
Kim
Wilmington, NC

Q's NEWS said...

Thanks for the update, I was afraid that no news meant not good things.

Also, in case you accidentally forgot, I am sure I speak for many when I say we are anxiously awaiting Part 10 of your story...................

I hope today is a GREAT day for all 3 of you!!!

Susan in WV

Coach Prentice said...

Thanks for the reminder to keep these families in prayer and for you, Nate, as you interact with them.

Anonymous said...

Tricia & Nathan
I am praying that your doctors give you the news you are waiting to hear (SOON)
Happy to hear all is going well for Gwyneth Rose.YIPPPEEEE
I do pray for the children & families you meantion...
As always praying for your families while....
Showering you all lovingly with prayers
L.I.N.Y.
XOXOX FOR BEAUTIFUL GWYNETH XOXOX XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOX

Anonymous said...

I just want you to know that I am praying for all of you from Franklin, TN. I LOVE the fact that you are so open and so real! I love the fact that you respond to the crazy comments that you get! This is YOUR blog and your way to express your feelings and noone has any right to question that! Thanks for keeping us updated-I pray as you lead me! -Missy from Franklin

Unknown said...

Praying for Nalin and his family, Joe and Kendra and their boys.

Tumbleweed said...

Thank you for the update. Please let Nalin's parents know that I think about how he is doing, often, and say daily prayers for him.

Jane said...

still praying for all!

Anonymous said...

Praying for you and all the NICU families. Miracles happen everyday. I am grateful for our little 24 week miracle. Your strength is very uplifting.

Kristin and Baby Grace
www.caringbridge.org/visit/gracestoffel

Anonymous said...

Trust me, your situation is truly unique in that you don't have to go to work and can be there 24/7 for your wife and new daughter. When our girls were in the NICU, not only did my husband have to continue to go to work, but I had to return to work after my 6 week maternity leave was up. It was very difficult not being able to see our babies every day. I cried myself to sleep many a night. But, I knew that we could not afford to care for our girls and to pay off all the mounting medical expenses,without us both working full time. We also noticed that it was quite the norm in our NICU, (located in New York), that the majority of both parents had to go back to work.
You are truly fortunate in that you can be there every day. Cherish that!

TheRagan3 said...

Thank you for the update on the other NICU families. It is hard enough being in there without the extra added pressure of work and other stresses. These dear families are in my prayers daily.

To Kim in Wilmington - My husband and I had twin boys in the NICU for a long time - short in comparison to some however - and I didn't work. We had to take out loans against our tax shelter and our 401K program to make it by. I was only out of work for 4 months and it was simply the grace of God that we were able to get through financially.
We also had incredible insurance that took some of the weight off as well.

You are in my prayers as well, Kim. It would be easy to have feelings of guilt and frustration about your situation but God knows it - He knew about it before time began and HE will give you the strength to do what is necessary for your children, even if that means continuing to work. I know it is not easy - but I pray for God to sustain you and to cover you with HIS peace and comfort.

Erinn
MD
feel free to email me if you want to chat
bolivia00@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Good question, Kim in Wilmington! I, too, wondered the same thing but was afraid to ask! I just assumed that he was just living off the donations to Tricia's fund so that he could be at the hospital all the time with her. Or maybe his father's church is using their tithe to pay for his living expenses. But, however he is doing it..god bless him that he can be there constantly with his girls! He is way lucky not to have to deal with the stresses of a job that would limit his time with his beloved wife and daughter!
Kelcie
Philadelphia, PA

twin power mommy ♥ said...

when my twin girls were in the NICU for almost 4 months, my husband had to continue working. I was able to stay in Los Angeles (where the girls were born) while he stayed back at home (almost 2 1/2 hours away). i stayed at a Ronald McDonald house that charged 7 dollars a day to live there. it was a blessing to be able to stay there and be with my girls on a daily basis. i would pray for those babies whose parents weren't able to make it daily. it made me sad for those families because i couldn't even imagine how it would have been to leave my girls for such long periods of time.
staying with them in the NICU was a full time job. i remember going in around 8 in the morning, taking a lunch break around shift change and then staying until around 9 or 10 at night. i would just sit there and watch them grow, breath, and sleep.
we were so blessed to have had amazing insurance that paid fully for the girls' NICU stay. i couldn't imagine having to even pay partially for their million dollar stay (each).