We’d like to thank everyone who has prayed for Callie and our family as we’ve dealt with her back pain. We were referred to a palliative care clinic at Brenner Children’s Hospital that deals with medically fragile children. Managing pain is one of their specialties, so we’ve been trying several combinations of medicines to try to find a magic solution.
A new, much bigger concern we have is that Callie needs dental surgery. For many people, this would be a basic, outpatient procedure. But with Callie’s high aspiration risk and her inability to protect her airway, this procedure will require general anesthesia, and she’ll have to be admitted to Duke Hospital.
Callie at the beach earlier this month. (Photo by Debbie Bagwell.)
This presents a few challenges for us. First of all, Callie has major anxiety related to anything medical. She loves her pulmonologist, Dr. Kravitz, yet still cries and begs to go home constantly when she has appointments. Another challenge is the fact that when she’s taken off the breathing machine after surgery, she’s likely to need her Bi-pap machine – which she hates. So we’re working with her now to try to get her to tolerate it.
We saw Dr. Kravitz last Friday, and as always, he’s already planning. As soon as he heard from the dentist that Callie needed dental work, he contacted one of the pediatric anesthesiologists and a doctor who leads the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Dr. Kravitz likes to plan for every worst-case scenario, then hope for the very best. Having him around makes us feel a lot more secure. He says that hopefully, she’ll wake up in recovery, need her Bi-pap minimally, or not at all, and be out of the hospital in 24 to 48 hours.
The procedure is scheduled near the end of August. For the past few weeks, and likely for a number more, we’ve felt overwhelmed, stressed and worried. We’ve seen some things worsen quickly, such as not being able to ride in a car seat more than 15 to 30 minutes without having to be repositioned due to pain and discomfort. Some things we can’t really pinpoint.
On a positive note, we had a wonderful trip to the beach a couple weeks ago. Callie loved sitting in the water, looking for sea shells and playing in the pool. It was nice to have such a good respite before the chaos of school begins.
You all have the gift of calm presence, and that must be such a blessing to Callie & the boys. T&P for peace and a smooth and quick recovery.
Faye and I pray things go well with the procedure. Glad you had a good beach visit.
Our prayers continue for Callie, and each of you as you try to prepare for the unknown. My prayers begin and end with requests for a miracle. God says He will give us the desires of our heart, and my desire is for total healing. He knows how I am, and understands. I will send you all the pics in a day or two, I’m going out in the morning and pick up a couple more thumb drives so I’ll have enough space to hopefully put everything on. Looking at Callie is like looking at you…just a few years ago. Both beautiful. We love you all bunches and are honored or have been included in your family vacation. I’ll treasure the time you’ve allowed us to spend with your kids always. We love you.
Mike & Debbie
Always praying for you guys and Callie. But will pray especially for this surgery.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all continously. We love the entire Golden family.
Our prayers are for all of you especially Callie!! May God give her the courage that she will need to get through this and give y’all the strength to help her during this time. I will keep in touch with Carol and will continue praying also. We go to Calvary Baptist Church in Ware Shoals, and I will get her on our prayer list! Please keep us updated as things go along.
Becky Smith
Praying for Callie and her family. May God give each of you the strength and comfort you need!
Will be praying things go well and that she can have calm nerves as she prepares and goes through surgery next month.
I saw this picture of Callie on Facebook yesterday. She gets prettier and sweeter every day. Please tell her that I am cheering her on! I know this is quite an undertaking and I admire you all for being such an example for us. I am so glad that you all got to the beach…what a special time for your family to be together and for Callie to enjoy such wonderful pleasures of the summer.
Love,
Anne
You have our prayers for each of you as you face these new situations with Callie. You are beyond fortunate to have such wonderful doctors and hospitals in your area. You’ll be in our thoughts, as you always are. Take care. God’s been good to all of you despite all the trials you’ve been through.