12/27/08 - Giving Back!!!


Kayleigh wanted me to tell everyone "Thank you." I'm serious, she turned towards me tonight and said, "Hi Daddy! Please tell all those wonderful people out there that I am so thankful to be here and it is because of their prayers that I am alive." Ya know, If Kayleigh really could talk and say what's on her mind. I think she would be saying those exact words. Maybe, she would tell us how crappy it is to have one tube in one nose, another tube in the other and an even bigger tube down her throat. Do you realize how big of a baby I would act if I had to put up with that. I complain when I have to get one IV and she has several. What do you think she would be saying if you could hear her talk???

Sweet Kayleigh is doing good today. I feel she has not looked as good as she did today in a long time. Her color was good and she was satting great for several hours that I spent watching her sleep. She did wake up a couple times when I let go of her hand and looked around as if she was checking to see if I left. Once I placed my finger back in her hand, she squeezed it and fell quickly back to sleep. Kayleig weighed in at 6 pounds - 4 ounces. So that is a true weight after getting rid of her swelling and is off the Lasix (diuretic) medication. We are pleased to see that she really did break the 6 pound mark and is on her way to outgrow this disease that is trying to kill her. She is on continuous feeds of 2 ml's/hr, so that should help put some more weight on fairly quickly.

As of right now, her jg-tube procedure is scheduled for 12:00 noon(est) on Monday. If we have any doubt that she is not the best she possibly can be for this procedure, we are going to pull out and hold off until she is. We can not risk this procedure taking her life right now. She needs this procedure to reduce the damaging of her lung tissue, but we don't need to risk her dying because she is not ready yet. It is so hard to consent to these procedures because you know she needs it, but only if Kayleigh could tell us whether or not she is well enough to handle it. Please pray that this procedure is successful and we can continue down this road to recovery.

I wanted to take the time to shine the light on two wonderful people who I feel need a helping hand with the journey God has placed before them. If we ever had a question, someone out there has an answer. God has placed all of you in our life to help us and for that, I feel like I want to do the right thing and give that to someone else.

The first couple that I would like to mention, are Michelle and Jessie Jump. They are from Illinois and have been following Kayleigh's story for a while now, but have been blessed by God to start a family of their own. Unfortunately, Michelle too has Pulmonary Hypertension and is not able to have children of her own. But, with a loving family and a great Christian organization behind them, they are going to adopt a child in the near future. They asked me if I had any friends or family that have been through this process to help guide and prepare them for what's to come. So, I am asking ALL of my friends and family, which are ALL of you out there who have ever met someone or experienced this themselves, to help this beautiful family with their decision to adopt a child. Michelle and Jessie can be reached at (JMJump_04@yahoo.com) God Bless you guys for not letting something get in your way of growing a family and I will be sure to pray that you will be overwhelmed with emails, guiding you in the right direction. God Bless!

Second, You all know Rachel & Ryan. (Carly and Hannah's Mom & Dad). Well, if you don't, you must read both blogs of their precious angels and see what this beautiful family has been through over the past two years. We are so blessed to have gotten to know Rachel and Ryan through Kayleigh's journey. Even with the troubles in their own lives, they have been able to reach out and be a shoulder for us when we needed one. Carly approached me last week with an idea to give back to the NICU and it is one amazing way to help those who are in need. She has designed a onesie drive to donate outfits to the preemie's at the hospital where Kayleigh is right now. There are over 100 preemies in there right now and if it weren't for us bringing clothes for Kayleigh, she would be naked and wrapped up in towel that has been washed million times. They usually rely on people to donate clothes and since the market has been tight for most people, the clothes there have been slowly diminishing. You can read more about what this amazing family is doing on their Onesie Drive Website. Thank you Rachel and Ryan for everything you are doing and we will pray that your Onesie drive is a success. God Bless!

"Thank you God for blessing us all with your love. Your word is so obvious through Kayleigh and the supporters from all over the world. I pray that you give us the strength to continue in this journey by holding you up high in front of us to lead the way. Give us wisdom and time to find ways to help those in need, even when all of our plates seem full"

"In Your Precious Name!"

Amen!

The Freemans :)

46 comments:

Samantha said...

6 pounds! that is wonderful! Her pictures is so beautiful!

Katie Anderson said...

Wow, 6 pounds 4 oz. that is wonderful. I was so glad to wake up and see your post. I just had to re-lay George down to bed and he said as I laid him back down pray for "Aiylee" thank you again for the impact you have had on all of us, especially my 2 year old. We love you guys and want you to tell Kayleigh that we love her too.

kristyo15 said...

Kayleigh looks AMAZING in that picture! That 6 pound mark is such a blessing!

God Bless,
The Owens

Alexandra Mikaela - Awareness Warrior said...

She looks great! Wow, minus the tubes I'd guess she's a "normal newborn"!

I had no idea about NICUs needing onesie donations! Next time I find a sale I'll have to stock up and take a trip over to the local NICU!

"if [only] Kayleigh could tell us whether or not she is well enough to handle it"
Even better than that is God telling you...call on Him, and listen for the reply...He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He knows Kayleigh better than she knows herself =o)

Anonymous said...

Yay 6 pounds!! She looks GREAT! What a difference from a week ago! I will be praying that she well come through the GI placement with flying colors!

Anonymous said...

We are so happy that she gained weight. We will continue our prayers for you and your family. We will continue to pray that she will gain more wight and be in the right conditions to have the jg tube procedure done. God bless!!

Mary said...

I just found your blog through another blog and have been reading for a couple of hours now. I just wanted to let you know that I will now be adding little Kayleigh and your family to my prayer list. I also am going add your link to my blog if that is okay. I am glad that you had a great Christmas and pray that Kayleigh keeps improving!

Anonymous said...

Praing Daily for Kayleigh. I hope when she goes home that you will continue to update,when you have time. I have a yahoo360 page and have posted a blog,along with the link to this one, asking for prayers for your little peanut!

Kudos Kayleigh.........WE LOVE YOU

Kristie,Tony,Justin,and Rebecca in Alabama

4 Lettre Words said...

What a blessing! I'm so happy that sweet Kayleigh had a great day and I'm praying that they continue. She is just so beautiful in that picture!!

(We will be praying for the friends that you mentioned.)

Anonymous said...

That's a wonderful picture of Kayleigh!

Anonymous said...

How awesome that Kayleigh is doing so well!! Praise God!!! Could everyone please also pray for this poor little peanut? www.mycharmingkids.net
He really needs our prayers...now. Thank you and God bless you all..
God bless you Kayleigh and Adam and Aimee

Anonymous said...

Yeahhhhh! Over six pounds!!! Keep growing Kayleigh! I will pray that you will do well with whatever comes over the next couple of days.
With love from Southern NH!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful picture of Kayleigh. She looks so peaceful. I will be praying continuously for Kayleigh and that her procedure tomorrow goes well. I wish there was a way she could tell you if she was ready, but God knows if she is ready. I know he will put all things in place to help her get through this with flying colors. Call on the Lord he will help lead you in the right direction to what Kayleigh's next step will be. I have 100% faith that He will continue to carry her forward. She is over the 6 pound marker that is so wonderful. Every morning when I wake up and go to sleep I look at my own child and then think of Kayleigh and I pray that she will be home soon sharing the love and joy you guys have brought to all of us out here in cyber land. I feel like I have known you for years but yet have never meet face to face. That is the power of God bringing people together to help each other in a time of need. Take care and enjoy that little cutie pie (give her finger a little squeeze for me).
God bless you

Amber

Anonymous said...

6 lbs Wow weee! Grow girly! I will be praying for her durring her next procedure! She will do great because she is a fighter! Take care!

Anonymous said...

Praying for Kayleigh that the right decision is made on Monday. Keep putting on that weight and taking cute pictures baby girl!

Mel said...

Wow, 6 lbs.!!! Way to go big girl! Will continue to pray, she looks great in that pic
Still praying in OK, M

Anonymous said...

6 pounds wow what a wonderful milestone to reach. shes a beautiful little girl. I too hope she does wonderful for the jg tube placement, i know in my heart she will, i will continue to pray for you and your family and may god grant you everything you pray for.
in jesus's name
amen

nancy said...

Wow! Great weight and a GREAT picture. She looks so good and I could immediately tell how much better she must feel too. :)

Anonymous said...

Kayleigh looks so peaceful in her picture. We are praying that Monday finds her strong and ready for the procedure.
We'll be sure to talk with the Jumps. We adopted our oldest daughter and my mother works for VOA in adoption so I will put them in contact with her.
We will also spread the word about the Onesie drive.
Hope you guys have a wonderful day!
Love, The Nadeaus

Adam and Sherry said...

WOW OVER 6 LBS!!!! I am still waiting for that day with my little Matthew but I look at him and think of Kayleigh and her struggles. I don't know how you get her to keep her tubes in. I can't even get him to leave his apnea monitor leads on :) You are still in our thoughts and prayers every minute of every day!! The lord will let you know if it is ok to do the procedure I know that. You are close enough and have enough faith that it will all work out don't worry.

Anonymous said...

I was happy to read about Kayleigh's weight being over 6lbs! That is wonderful! The "plan" is progressing. I pray that she is stable and strong for tomorrows procedure, and that the right decision is to proceed is obvious. I know how difficult it is to make these types of decisions for your child. God is with you, which is so comforting. My thoughts and prayers will be with you tomorrow, as they have been from the beginning.
Pat

Anonymous said...

Great work Kayleigh, keep putting on those ounces!! I will pray that everything goes smoothly tomorrow!! Keep going strong Kayleigh!

Kimberly (Anthony's Mom) said...

WHoa WHOA!!! When did this happen? Kayleigh is over 6lbs now!!?!?!?! Thats fantastic! I just know she's going to keep growing and this blood pressure issue will right itself. She's too strong and been through too much to let something like that take her! She's amazing.

I hope you don't mind. But Anthony wanted to make some dinner for Kayleigh. He though she would enjoy some chicken! LOL After all, hospital food isn't the best! LOL

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/3141404403_ac6c325d80.jpg

Anonymous said...

When things go wrong,
as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low,
and the debts are high,
And you want to smile,
but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
when he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem their worst that you mustn't quit!

JaMean said...

Kayleigh! Way to Go! We are SO proud of you baby! Keep it up!

Adam & Aimee, you are amazing!

Anonymous said...

She looks so good in that picture!

Anonymous said...

What an adorable picture! Keep putting that weight on little girl.

Hope you had a great weekend. The Patriots won - so we certainly did :)

Dee H said...

Wow She looks great and if she could talk I believe she would say, "Thank you and I love you" she is a very lucky baby to have such a devoted and loving family. Keep up the good work and keep up your strenth. God bless - This too in time shall pass...

Amanda Hoyt said...

Praise the Lord that Kayleigh is doing better.
Praying for Monday's jg-tube procedure.
Hugs,
Amanda

Katie said...

Despite the tubes, Kayleigh for the first time looks like a "regular baby" to me in this picture! It is obvious she has gained weight. Her little face looks round and healthy. =o) I am so happy for her and for your family tonight. I will continue to pray for wisdom as to her jgtube procedure, and for her little body to continue to grow and gain strength so that she can handle this. She is such a sweetie pie!

The Five Pennies said...

Looking good sweetie. I would be cranky with all those tubes too. Thank you lord for your blessings on sweet Kayleigh. Please hold her extra tight during her upcoming procedure. Prayers your way! Nana C.

liz.mccarthy said...

Hi A&A, Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.

I've posted before, but wanted to invite you to our Micro Preemie Support group, all of us have been through so many similiar experiences and I thought we could be here to help in any way for support and to ask any questions you may have.

Best of luck with the gj surgery monday if K is up for it.

We have a few gj tube mommies in our group.

Here's the link to join:

www.MicroPreemies.com

Liz (mom to an angel micro preemie and her twin sister, Kaitlyn)

Anonymous said...

6 lb 4 oz - that was my Little Man's goin' home weight, after 6 & 1/2 mo in the NICU. It must be a good sign! :o)

Good luck with the tube procedure tomorrow, if it happens. We will pray for you all to make the right decision and for God to be present in the OR if it goes ahead.

She looks wonderful. What a beautiful girl...

Ada Floyd - with Love from Ft. Smith, AR

Judi English and Uncle John Wojtowicz said...

How wonderful is our God. This weight gain is exciting. Uncle John and I are so thankful for this news. We will be praying, as we do every day, for the doctors and nurses caring for this precious gift. I hope you are feeling better Aimee, and just know that we are keeping you, Josh and the children in our thoughts and prayers. Judi and Uncle John

hollylorec said...

Wahooooo Kayleigh!!! You look great I came on to see how my little angel was doing and had to look twice my praying worked. You look so butiful hunny. You keep up the growing and look forward to the g tub you will be a sugsess on that. Please tell Kayleigh we love her and keep eatting and mom and dad everythings going to go great its just we got to go SLOW. You have abutiful girl.

Love the lorec's

ps PLEASE give her a BIG hug and KISS from us.

hollylorec said...

Wahooooo Kayleigh!!! You look great I came on to see how my little angel was doing and had to look twice my praying worked. You look so butiful hunny. You keep up the growing and look forward to the g tub you will be a sugsess on that. Please tell Kayleigh we love her and keep eatting and mom and dad everythings going to go great its just we got to go SLOW. You have abutiful girl.

Love the lorec's

ps PLEASE give her a BIG hug and KISS from us.

hollylorec said...

Wahooooo Kayleigh!!! You look great I came on to see how my little angel was doing and had to look twice my praying worked. You look so butiful hunny. You keep up the growing and look forward to the g tub you will be a sugsess on that. Please tell Kayleigh we love her and keep eatting and mom and dad everythings going to go great its just we got to go SLOW. You have abutiful girl.

Love the lorec's

ps PLEASE give her a BIG hug and KISS from us.

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is amazing how she is growing! But of course she has always amazed me every day! Keep growing fast Kayleigh!

Good luck with your decision tomrrow and I hope the procedure if it is done goes VERY smoothly!

Karen
cincymomof4

Erica said...

She's 6 pounds and 6 months! Yeah! Praying that she is up for the tube insertion surgery and that it goes awesome and that you have peace in your decision!

Kate's Mommy said...

She's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

She looks great!

Let your friends now that if they want to contact me about adoption, I'm an open book (we adopted our first two kids because we were "infertile" for 10+ years -- Hannah was our miracle baby!)

Cathy Holt said...

Kayleigh looks so beautiful and peaceful in the photo. She is in my constant prayers and hopeful thoughts.

mrsrubly said...

grow Kayleigh grow! i pray this morning that you will be in the best health today to get this procedure done! you are so such a such beautiful baby. looks like ya'll had a wonderful christmas! thank you jesus! i too would like to donate the onsies. i will e-mail you on the address etc to send them!
Jesus, i come to your sweet throne this morning. i pray that @ 12PM today this little girl has the strength of her lord and savior to go throug this surgery w/out any complications. lord just be her health professionals who are doing this procedure and give the courage and wisdom, be w/ with a peaceful presence her w/ wonderful parents that they too just will be @ peace through this unknown. i love you jesus! a big enourmous AMEN!

Anonymous said...

God is good! Kayleigh looks stunning in her new picture! My family will be praying harder than ever over the next few days. Look how far she's come... your little girl has a purpose on this earth and will stop at nothing until it's lived out!

Anonymous said...

God is good! Kayleigh looks stunning in her new picture! My family will be praying harder than ever over the next few days. Look how far she's come... your little girl has a purpose on this earth and will stop at nothing until it's lived out!

Anonymous said...

This may be a little late, but I have just found Kayleigh's story and I must say that I was shocked to hear that people are actually threatening and being rude! Humans have certainly lost their way. If it's in regards to donations that your may have received, that's just foolish. If I had anything to give you, I would. If I had the means, I would give me the greatest pleasure to give it to your, who are struggling day after day watching your beautiful daughter struggle. Please ignore any negativity. I truly believe those people are jealous of the strength you guys have in each other and your family.