Thursday, April 16, 2009

Home Again!

Sorry that it has been so long since I last posted. Thank you all so much for all of your prayers offered on our behalf. Reed got to come home this past Monday and boy was it a stressful week at the hospital...that is a separate post for later:-)
A week before Easter, Reed was rushed to Vanderbilt Hospital because he went completely limp at his night feeding and non-responsive. Ryan and I rushed Reed over to our next door neighbor's house, who is a nurse at VU, and banged on their door. Reed never quit breathing but he was very lethargic and totally limp. I cannot explain to you the fear that Ryan and I felt at that moment. I really and truly thought that out little Reed was not going to make it. Of course our first thought was that his heart was failing. I do not know how many of you have ever experienced an emergency situation with your child but it is fear that I NEVER want to experience again!
To make a really long story shorter, Reed had chronic and acute bleeding on his brain and bleeding behind his eyes. We have no idea what caused this and neither do the doctors.
They decided to drain off the blood around his brain on Sunday night around 6 pm. Here are some more battle wounds to add to Reed's many other scars! I think I am going to get Aunt Tina to shave his hair completely except leave a mohawk down the middle! What do you think?!?
The following Monday and Tuesday were very scary for us. Reed was not himself at all. His eyes would go to one side and completely stop for several minutes. They hooked him up to an EEG to check for seizure activity and he was having seizures. The doctors think this may be due to the blood irritating his brain and they can also be caused from the bur holes that were done in his brain to remove the blood. He is now on a low dose of seizure medicine but this will probably be temporary.
Our big prayer request now is for Reed to regain his full sight back. With retinal hemorrhaging, it can take weeks to months for the body to reabsorb the blood back. We have faith that this too will heal itself but Reed needs all the prayers that he can get:-) He is normal Reed but he just does not fix and follow with his eyes so we do not know what all he can see. This is going to require a lot of patience on our part too to patiently wait for his vision to return!
Braden is exhausted too from his brother being in the hospital. I cannot express to you the joy that this little guy brings to us when going through these stressful times. He has made these past 5 months much more manageable for us. Braden has been such a flexible baby to be on the go for so much during his first five months. We are so thankful to have him in our lives with Reed.
Happy Late Easter! (which was spent at the hospital) Hopefully, next year's Easter will be much more enjoyable!Reed at home enjoying his bouncy seat. For some reason, he and Braden love to slide all the way down in their seats and hang onto the bird for dear life. I guess that is why these chairs come with straps! Where Reed gets to sit during dinner when he gets tired of the bouncy seat:-)
Even though Reed does not necessarily look right at us, we can still get that sweet smile out of him! My favorite picture of the week....Reed's skinny foot on the left and Braden's 'full' foot on the right!
Thank you again for all the comments left on our blog....they are such an encouragement to Ryan and me. Please pray for Reed's continued improvement and also for his eyes to regain full sight! God is good!!

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

We pray for your little Reed and your family every day. We just wanted you to know that we are thinking about you. God bless you. Steve and Emily McCoy

The Hadfields said...

I can't imagine the stress and worry you've been through. We'll continue to pray for you, and especially for Reed! Hope you're taking care of yourself and getting some sleep. Keep us posted!!

Sara said...

Oh, my heart goes out to y'all. Praying for Reed and praying for you!.
Sara Jo

Mittig family said...

You've constantly been in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad Reed is doing better-what a tough little boy! I can't even begin to imagine everything you have felt over these last weeks-just know you are on so many people's hearts and minds and we love you!

Stacey said...

I'm so glad he is home and doing well! We will be praying for a fun and quick recovery

martha lynn said...

Camille is so glad her boyfriend is out of the hospital. I think the mohawk is a great idea. Camille doesn't want to be the only one with one.

The Clinkscales Family said...

So glad to hear Reed is home again. I've been thinking of you all daily. We will be praying for that tough little guy!

deidre said...

Keeley and Ryan! Still praying and thinking about your whole family! Love you all so much and I was touched by being in your lives for such a short time. It will all work out!
Deidre

Elizabeth S said...

PRAISE GOD!!! It's so good to hear from you guys and I am glad that you are all back together. YOu have my continued prayers!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear that Reed got to come home! We have been praying for you daily and hope for a quick resolution to Reed's remaining issues. I also vote yes for the mohawk!

Jenny Phillips said...

I know that you are so busy and your hands are full, but it's so great to read an update! What a blessing to have nurse as a neighbor. God is good and has a plan. We're always praying.

Anonymous said...

Ryan and Keeley,
We are so happy you all are home! May you all get some much needed rest at home. We will continue to pray for baby Reed. I have Tristan to pray at night and he says please help baby Reed feels better. Take care!
Kim Pharr (Isaac's mom)

lyla said...

i'm so glad for the update--i have been checking every day wondering how reed was doing. i'm so glad he's doing better and we'll keep praying for his eyesight. he is one tough little boy. i am so sorry you guys had to go through that--you deserve an uneventful rest of the year!

The Parker Family said...

We have thinking about and praying for your family. Thanks for updating everyone on Reed. We will be praying for his eye sight to return quickly.
By the way, I think Reed would be cute with any hairstyle!

Josh and LB said...

Ryan and Keeley,

Your strength and faith is amazing. I will pray that our Lord will calm this storm in your lives. I will pray specifics for Reed and that God will continue to give both of you strength and patience. You are an encouragement to many.

~Lori Beth Walker

andrea said...

Goodness...what a week. We will pray that Reed's eyes recover fully, and he's able to see all of your smiling faces soon :)

Vanessa said...

Glad to see your update and to know that Reed is able to be at home now. It's amazing how children can smile and be happy even in the face of adversity. I am proud of your strength.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the update. We know you've been swamped. Of course we've been praying and will continue to do so. Once again I feel like this is another opportunity for Baby Reed to be an example of God's miracles. About the mohawk, it's my favorite baby hair-do. Although, I've only seen it on my little African-American babies!

Love, Reid Bennett

carol said...

And as he layed in the grass the sun shined upon his beautiful face. And he looked at the petals of a blossiming flower and reached for it. And thought God's world is so beautiful and I will be around a long time to see this miraculous place and make my own statement. In God's word always love gram

mkburcham said...

Keeley-
You have all been on my heart and in my prayers..I can't even imagine the stress and worry that ya'll have been through.. I have checked you post daily for an update. I am happy to hear he is back home and I will continue to pray for him and for all of you--you have blessed my life with your faith and strength in so many ways... Keep us posted. Love Mer

Candie Bowen said...

So glad Reed is home from the hospital! We will be praying for his sight! Love the B & W feet pix- precious!

Anonymous said...

Y'all have been in our thoughts and prayers..love you so much!! ~Bridget

Amy said...

Just wanted to let you guys know I'm praying hard for you guys! Hope things begin to go well and just keep getting better.

Sheena White said...

These pictures are wonderful! We are so excited that Reed is doing better and back home. We are praying!!! Love you all very much!!

Uncle Sean, Aunt Sheena, and Colin

dana said...

We are so glad thay you are all together and that Reed is doing better. We are praying for his sight to be fully restored and everything will be back to normal. But with kids who knows what is normal?!!! We are here for you and are praying for your sweet family. Let us know if you need anything-cookies...just call!!!
Love to all,
Jerry, Dana, Wesley, John & Kendall

Anonymous said...

Keeley
Just wanted you to know that I have been praying for you and your family, especially your little boy Reed. God is good and it warms my heart to see your faith in action.
Ramona Riling(Rachel's mom)

Max's Family said...

We are so glad to hear Reed is home. We think of you constantly and will continue to pray for Reed and for your whole family! Love you, Kelly and John

Eric said...

So glad he's back home. Will keep praying for him and a full recovery to this episode. Love you guys! I'm praying for strength and courage for the two of you.

Anonymous said...

Ryan and Keeley,
I continue to pray for Reed and you both so much. I know God has his healing hands on his heart, eyes, and entire body. I'm excited for the boys to meet their cousin Colin. He is as cute as they are. Blessings and prayers to your wonderful family.

Love,
Mrs.Overson

Amanda said...

WE love you all! You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We are so happy Reed is home with you and are praying for his recovery. Give the boys a "squeeze and a pat pat" from E.C. Love to all!

Natalie Church said...

Thanks for the update! I am so glad he is out of the hospital! I can't imagine the fear that you and Ryan felt as parents that night. I pray that he will recover quickly! Love you!

Anonymous said...

Keeley and Ryan, We are so glad to hear that Reed is home. I can not even begin to imagine how scary your last couple of weeks have been. We will continue to pray for his continued healing and his eyes! love, Josh and Jamie

Jan and Randy Cromer said...

Ryan and Keeley,
We will continue to keep you, Braden, and Reed in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.
Jan and Randy Cromer

Anonymous said...

I pray for each of you in the family. May God give each of you the measure of courage in the face of fear and peace in the face of stress that will carry you through each part of your day. I pray for a hedge of protection around Reed that his healing will be full and that God will be glorified before all who know him and his story. Dawn

Michael and Hannah said...

So glad to get an update... I have been praying hard! I am just in awe of your strength. You have been through more scares and stress than any mom should have to endure in a lifetime! Hopefully Reed is just getting it all out of his system now and the next 18 years will be smooth sailing (here's to hoping!). It's that easy-going Braden that's going to give you fits as a teen! Ha! We're praying that Reed's sight will be completely restored. Please continue to let us know specifically how to be praying for Reed!

Kristen Butler Parker said...

So glad your family is home and safe in your arms! We've been praying~
Kristen Parker

Miss Peggy said...

I was so glad to see your blog this morning!!!!!! I have surely missed it. These two little fellas are just adorable. I love to look at their pictures. What lucky boys they are to have such wonderful parents and a loving and supoortive extended family as well. You are all remarkable. May God continue to bless you beyond measure. Love, Miss Peggy

Julie said...

We are continuing to pray for all of you. I was so happy to see all of you at church yesterday. Please let us know if you need anything. We love you!

Kimberly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stephanie Reeves said...

Keeley- I will definitely be keeping Reed in our prayers. We had a scare with Ruby a month or so ago and you're right about the awful panic that a parent feels. I pray that you will never have to feel that way again and that Reed will have a full recovery. Lots of love to all of you- Stephanie and family

Shelly Pruitt said...

I know we don't know each other, but a prayer request was sent around for you and your family. I am deeply sorry for all of the sickness that sweet little boy has been dealing with. It brings tears to my eyes to see the pictures of him because he must be so tired. From the posts though, it seems as if he is a really strong little boy and I pray that he will get better soon! Maybe soon he will catch up to his brother in size :) Just know that your family is being prayed for by people you don't even know!

knlewis said...

Ryan and Keeley,
I am Natalie Griffith's sister and I have been praying for your whole family. God is good as your blog says and He is in complete control. The Lord will bless your family and little Reed!! They are so precious and I love the picture of their feet. My church family in Clarksville, TN will be in constant prayer for you and your family during these trying times. In Him, Kim Lewis

Segadi Family said...

We have been praying for you all everyday. We will pray that Reid's eyesight continues to improve everyday! You sure are blessed with two beautiful boys!!