I Don't Know Where To Start....

Submitted by Colleen and Derrick on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 12:45pm.

AMAZING!!! does not even describe the enormous act of kindness and generousity that was bestowed upon us this weekend...

"HEALING SPACES" by far are some of the most caring, kind, giving, and talented people we have met. During our stay at Georgetown I was speaking to the social worker... during this conversation I was saying how I was HOPING!! to have my house in order again and do the bedrooms over by September.... I wanted everyone to start the new school year in a positive orderly environment... do to Devins chronic illness his bedroom was in desperate need of a new beginning... My house needed some order in it..... 4 years of doctors, labs, hospital stays, speech, OT, PT, managing medical supplies, and most importantly TWO OTHER CHILDREN.. that needed my time and attention just as much as Devin did and had their own wants and needs... The social worker said... I might have someone who can help!

In June I received a call from Healing Space.. Life was crazy... Travel baseball, trips back and forth to DC, and surgery pending... where would I find time to fill out the paper work and meet with them?? Mark, who was very calm, understanding, and reassuring... patiently convinced me to make the time and do this!! In July, Jane came out to meet us... I told her I was not ready, I needed time to get it all together!! She assured me they could help..

Well..... I don't know where to start... COMPLETE STRANGERS!!! gave their time and came into my house and GOT ME BACK ON TRACK.... I feel sooo good today... I have been completely overwhelmed the entire summer... not knowing where to start and how to begin... these people came in and made a HUGE difference...

**Devins room looks unbelievable!! He loves it!! Yankee mania!!!
**Caitlins room is beautiful... She is so happy with it.. This was much needed for the only girl and middle child..
**Raymonds room got some sprucing up... just enough for a teenage boy!!

Devin got a toy room, which was filled with kids this morning... and my entire house got a little TLC...

Healing Spaces... ALL the volunteers that helped... Words can not describe how much we love what you did and how thankful we are.. You have made a huge difference in our home... THANK YOU!!!

Exciting News...

Submitted by Colleen and Derrick on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 6:15pm.

While we were away having some much needed family time an amazing group of people came in and gave Devin a room makeover... Thanks to our social worker at Georgetown who referred us to HEALING SPACES.....

Tonight at 11:00 CBS news will air Devin seeing his room for the first time. Tune in... log on... and see what these amazing!! VOLUNTEERS!!!! did to make a difference..

Myrtle Beach...

Submitted by Colleen and Derrick on Fri, 08/07/2009 - 10:44am.

Devin is having a BLAST!!!!! He loves the ocean... he loves being wiped out by waves... loves boogie boarding... and spends a great deal of time trying to catch fish in a pond that is created as the tide goes out... this has provided a great deal of entertainment for him and all his little partners in crime.... they have not been successful yet!!

Everyday on the way in from the beach he jumps in the pool then the lazy river... Needless to say he is sleeping very well!!!

Exciting... Devin got to ride a Camel... and last night went on a buggy jump ride... As we snapped picture after picture and laughed as he tried to do a back flip... my sister said " do you think he should be doing this"?? good thought! a little late!!

I will post all the pictures when we get home!!

Our Journey...

Submitted by Colleen and Derrick on Fri, 07/31/2009 - 6:36pm.

I left home Wednesday night with the kids and headed down to DC for Devin's doctors appointment. We hit the most horrible weather... driving rain, hale, thunder, and lighting. It was terrible driving... 4 hours turned into 6... :( The kids were great, I think they were scared.

Our doctors visit was great.. Dr.K was very pleased!! His only concern is Devins weight gain. Although Devin is eating a lot he is not gaining or loosing weight, he is hanging in around 48-49 pounds. We will continue to monitor this. If he does not start to put weight on we will increase the calories of the formula he is on. If that does not work we will give him formula during the night through his feeding tube. Dr. K assures me their is no cause for concern, just something to watch. Being that he is only 5 months post transplant he feels he needs about 2000 calories a day. Thats a lot of pancakes, waffles, ham, hot dogs, and steak...

The next leg of our journey began around 2:00 yesterday, of course after a stop at I-Hop... We left DC and headed south... We sat in bumper to bumper traffic through the entire state of Virginia!!! and the kids weren't so good!! After 6.5 hours on the road we finally hit the middle of North Carolina..

The final leg our journey started at 1:00 today... We again headed south to South Carolina... It was smooth sailing.... until we got off I-95 and headed toward Myrtle Beach... AHHHHHHHH!!! The traffic!

Three kids.... Three days on the road.... what I've learned.... two of them are always fighting, electronic devices are worth more then you can imagine, and don't wait more then three hours for a potty break...

Well, the real vacation starts tomorrow... When daddy arrives via Continental airlines!! LOL!!! The rest of my family will be driving in tomorrow AM.... 26 of us, 10 adults and 16 kids will enjoy quality family time together!! This year it is very much needed... It has been a long year!! and we thank God for the second chance Devin was given!!

May we have a vacation filled with health!!!! and happiness(not always easy with 26 people)

Well....

Submitted by Colleen and Derrick on Sun, 07/26/2009 - 9:30am.

I survived going back to work... although the first hour or so was like riding a bike up hill, I quickly adjusted! and had a great day... On the home front.. they all survived. Devin spent the day in bed with daddy watching TV and sleeping.. Don't you love it!! Caitlin did school work and Raymond had baseball.. So, my lets show daddy how crazy it is staying home all day every day with three kids didn't really work... I was greeted at the car by kids screaming in excitement that I was home... LOL

On Wednesday we will be heading down to Georgetown for a doctors appointment on Thursday morning.. God willing all will go well... and then me and the kids will set out for our first.... large suitcase full of medical supplies.. free, coolers filled with antibiotics and TPN... free, central line... free, and lets not forget waiting for the phone to ring.... free!!! vacation. I don't know how I will adjust to this... I am sure I will find something else to worry about. If ever their was a year we needed two weeks to relax!! and have fun it is this year. It has been a hard year on everyone. It is not easy on Raymond and Caitlin either. Their life was turned upside down and they did wonderful through it all. We as a family now need some down time to regroup before school starts again. We will be meeting 26 of my family member and Derrick. We were all suppose to fly but Dr. K said NO PLANES!! they are filled with germs... So no flying for us. Unfortunately Derricks work schedule doesn't allow for driving.. So mommy will get to connect with the kids for 12 hours.... ahhhhhh LOL

I am hoping and praying for a great doctors visit!! and HEALTHY!!! fun vacation... I will update you along the way... and hopefully get to post some great pictures...

Just A Quick Note...

Submitted by Colleen and Derrick on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 10:47am.

We are enjoying the summer... Things are going well.... He is EXTREMELY emotional and moody!! which is not his baseline personality.. I believe this probably is one of three things, prednisone (steroid he is on to prevent rejection), to much summer fun and he is just tired, or last but possibly the most probable SPOILED!!!!! It is so difficult to set limits and punish him when EVERYONE feels bad for him... Everyone always says, "oh he has been through so much, or maybe he doesn't feel good" all of which may be the truth! But when you are the mom of the "fresh, nasty, and bratty kid" you just want to scream!!!
I am returning to work on Saturday which will be the best thing for everybody, especially me!!!