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Everybody has always told us that if you need help to simply tell someone because that is sometimes the only way they know.
Well here goes.
On May 9 my 4 week old grandson was brought to the hospital ER with a sudden high fever nearing 104 degrees. He was admitted immediately and diagnosed as having a viral infection. He stayed in the hospital for four days and discharged even though he still had a substanial fever. We were given meds, etc. We got him home (my daughter and he live with us) and within five hours we were back at the ER with him in very serious condition. To make a very long story short...he stopped breathing and began having massive seizures. As a result of testing it was determined that he had spinal menigitis that had spread so much throughout his system that he had also developed encephalitis of the brain. We were were devastated. It took the Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital ER staff nearly 7 hours to get him stabilized for transfer to the Peds Intensive care Unit. Eight times that night the doctors informed us that his condition was such that he would most likely never leave the ER.
Eventually he stabilized and was moved to the PICU. Intial cat scans indicated significant brain damage. He continued to have seizures for four days. Some were so violent that his trashing from side to side actually would lift him from the bed. And he was only four weeks old. It was terrible. After a while the meds controlled the seizures and he was taken off the ventilator and he was able to maintain his own breathing. The doctors placed him in an isolation room so the family could stay with him 24 hours a day. He continued to get stronger and was responding very well to stimuli and his various meds. Then after all he had been through, our world came crashing down on this past Tuesday when he suffered a massive "silent" stroke. The CAT scan shows that all of his left brain and a large part of the right is completely damaged. He now is back in the PICU being made comfortable as best they can while watching the swelling of his brain. Its a terrible thing to sit there day and night and watch a child suffer so much, but with prayers we know that he is being guarded safely.
His long term prognosis isn't encouraging. The doctors say tests indicate that paralysis is most likely with loss of sight and hearing already ocurring. My daughter is only 24 and is in a current state of shock. This being the only way she can deal with what is happening. As for my wife Chris and I, we go on each day as best we can. Both of us have long ran out of sick and vacation days so we have the additional worry now about making the ends meet. But we will survive, I have a small sign shop at our home that I've been devoting nights to turiing out as much work as I can to help.
And of course when it rains it sometimes pours. Now my old plotter has finally kicked the bucket, and its a must for doing my banners,etc. And with no way at present to replace it....well, lets just say its another thing to worry about.
We would like to ask that you and the guys at Letterville keep our family in your prayers. That's all we feel we can ask at the present time. With all thats affecting our lives right now we know through prayer it will work in God's favor.
Update: Sunday June 2
Well today they did another CAT scan and it continues to show more bleeding. His head swelling has increase also. The doctors now tell us that most likely he will soon incur a second "silent" type seizure in the remaining viable brain in which case it would be medically devastating.
God Bless.
Stan & Christine McKinnon
Christian Cain McKinnon (mother-Natalie McKinnon Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital Nashville, TN 343-9643
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Our prayers are with you and your family, God bless.
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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We express our deepest sympathies and pray that the Lord Jesus fill your hearts and lives with His love and touch Christian's life with His goodness.
God bless you and yours.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Keep your chin up and hopefully with all the prayers of Letterville things will change for the better. I really feel for you and your family, it hurts so much when there is not much you can do to help. God bless all of you.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Stan and Chris, you and your daughter and grandson are in our prayers. It's at times like these that language seems so inadequate. Just know that many are praying. If I had a spare plotter Stan I'd send it but I don't. Hope all works out for the best. God bless you all!!
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Stan & Christine, there IS power in prayer!! Our children are our most prized possessions. But, those grandkids .. . .. they are simply awesome!!! You and your family have been added to the President's Prayer Chain that is global. Please keep us informed.
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 817 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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There are so many times as a parent that when my kid is sick I have thought that I wish it could be me instead. This seems to be some of how love functions. I read your message and tear up and pray, but lack the love to wish I could do it for you.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6718 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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My prayers are with you. I will be sending your message to some friends of mine. I had spinal menigitis when I was very young too! God bless you all.
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have an old Roland 24" cutter just collecting dust. It was working fine when we parked it and bought a newer model. Actually it's my brother's, but maybe you could borrow it for a awhile. Email me at stikrz@mchsi.com and we'll see what we can do ok!
God bless and everything happens for a reason, all though we may not know the reasons for some time.
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Ours prayers are with you and Chris,daughter and grandson. May God be merciful and give you strength and comfort you during this time in your lives. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Jeff Vrstal Main Street Signs 157 E. Main Street Evansville, WI 53536 1-608-882-0322 Posts: 670 | From: Evansville, Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2001
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Mr.& Mrs.McKinnon,and family,I know how you feel,the waiting,and wondering whats happening.My son has had major surgery,And will have to have a kidney transplant at 7 he's 3 now,It's hard to see a little guys going thru all this you wish you could take their place. But God wouldnt do this if he didn't think you could handle it.My family sends there best wishes and prayers,I know he'll pull through...kids r tougher than u think. Be strong for him,I know things will look up! Steve Spiry
-------------------- "I can draw anything but unemployment" Steve Spiry Madd Artist Murals&Signs Brandon,Mb. Canada Posts: 66 | From: Brandon,Mb. Canada | Registered: Jul 2001
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-------------------- Desire Rusovsky SDG Signs rue du Lac 24 1342 Le Pont Switzerland desire@sdgsigns.com http://www.sdgsigns.com Posts: 218 | From: Le Pont / Switzerland | Registered: Mar 2002
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Love and support to you and yours from me and mine.
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Add my prayers to the list. Poor little guy. Miracles can happen, please don't give up hope. He sounds like a fighter- let's all fight for him by praying. Love- JILL
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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May the Lord give you peace and comfort in the midst of all that you and your family are going through. We will keep your precious little boy in our thoughts and prayers today. God bless.
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Chuck...that was a very noble and self-less offer. It's good to know that there are good people willing to pray, loan, and outright give when others are in need.
I'd loan you a plotter myself Stan, however, I only have the one I use at the moment. But I will certainly offer up prayers for God's strength, comfort, healing, and courage through these trying times. Expect miracles.
Todd
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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