5-7-01

Hello to you all,

I have been chuckling.  I accidentally sent out a blank page two weekends ago with the signature on file that Stephen put together for me.(May Gods Grace be with you.)  I have been receiving, God bless you too and peace be with you also...Thank you! I bet you thought, is this all there is...Therese usually has so much more to share....and again I do!  It's been a month since I wrote a letter, this has been one busy month! The events leading up to Easter were so emotional that I wanted to just take some time and try to adjust to the change Natalia is bringing in our life.  I am thrilled to know she has some sort of purpose, and all of the pain and work involved in caring for a special needs child is done with God's guiding hand.

First, let me tell you how Natalia is doing.  She has been much happier since we have kept her on the antibiotic for her colitis.  She is not crying as much, which saves my nerves. She is rolling from side to side and still trying to figure out how to use her shoulders and arms once on her stomach. The kids are having fun with her at this new stage in her life.

The bad news is that she is having tremendous pain after her physical therapy appointments. I was thinking they were working her too hard, but now realize that because she is not moving normally, her muscles are starting to contract.  After her appointments her muscles go into spasms for a day or so...I do try and stretch her in between sessions, but I guess I'm not doing enough...Hopefully this week I can get a specific exercise or stretch program so I am clear what needs to be done daily.  I've been told, I may need to work her out throughout the day...  Pease help me pray that she doesn't experience too much pain with her physical therapy.

Her EEG (brain pattern test) came back abnormal and showed seizure patterns, although she didn't have any during the test.  For now we have her on more medication and hopefully we can keep seizures out of the picture for awhile.

She is still taking medication for her enlarged kidney and reflux.(Someone asked me about reflux.)  Early on, her reflux caused her to spit back up most of her feedings.  Now she is keeping her feedings down but her reflux brings a small amount of her stomach contents up and she tends to blow them out her nose since her palate is open. (Sorry about being so graphic!)  As long as we keep her on Zantac she seems not to be bothered by the stomach acid.

We are still praying for her eyes. I am still asking Blessed Junipero Serra (he started the California Missions) to intercede for us and help us pray for her eyes.  You remember, she had cataracts and her optical lenses were removed.  She wears contacts but does not tract well and we are not sure how much she can see.  I know some of you who are following this story have a problem with asking the Saints or Mary to help us pray, You want to go directly to Jesus.  And I do!!  I also ask the Saints or any other special person I know who is deceased to help me with my prayer.  I'm here on Earth, getting distracted with, material things, traffic, the noise of life.  But our Heavenly family, friends, Saints, and Jesus' Mother, have all kinds of time to help us pray....We are so Blessed to have so many who can intercede for us.  Just as we pray for each other here on Earth.  I'm asking Our Heavenly Mother Mary to help with her brain development. and Blessed Padre Pio with her muscular development(Trisomy 13 children usually don't walk, although I have hope for Natalia!).  And of course, I pray to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to continually circle her with a healing light.

This is the point where my husband, says  "I'm going off the deep end!" I assure you, I am very grounded...I just won't stop praying, I know God can and does Bless many with Miracles...A Miracle might not be what God wants for Natalia, maybe it's just to get everyone praying...I don't know, but I am enjoying praying, not only for Natalia but for others...This whole journey has brought me to a better place in my life, and I am glad I am here.

I am learning to be quiet (hard for me) and to listen...and it's when I am still, quiet, that I can really hear what God wants me to do.

You may remember, I told you that songs kept coming to me, so I began writing them down...I'll back up a bit...

After Natalia's surgery, it was obvious she could hear.  For months I had been humming, talking and singing against her cheek, near her ear.  Hoping she could hear understand something.  I was so excited that she could hear me  after the surgery that I began singing songs at night when she wouldn't sleep...Songs started popping into my head, they wouldn't go away...Almost nagging...I began writing them down.  After a few days, I realized I had enough songs for a Mass..(It crossed my mind, maybe God was preparing me for her funeral...with the songs I had it would be more like a celebration of her life.)  Then last week, I was feeding Natalia in the parking lot at school, singing and it came to me.  I wasn't going to use these songs for a funeral...These are the songs for a celebration----Her Birthday Celebration!!!!  That's right!  I was so excited...  Later in the day I was able to meet with a priest and it looked like there had been a Wedding scheduled, yet the wedding party had changed dates. As the Fr. Michael doubled checked the date change, I was thinking, God, you opened this up for us! At a perfect time, mid-day!   I was so excited.  I then contacted the vocalist and she told me she wouldn't be able to sing for the Mass as she'd be out of town.  She didn't think the band would play without her...At that point last Friday I just did what I'm learning to do...lift it up!!!  God is so good, and he is working so quickly!!!  Sunday, another vocalist just happened to be singing with the music group during Mass.  After the service I decided to just check with the piano player as he plays the Eucharistic Prayer for the Priest.  While checking with him, the visiting vocalist said she may be able to help us...This last week I confirmed a YES!!! Some of the other band members will be joining us also.  God is opening so many doors for us...you just can't say all this is a coincidence.

 

I went to a prayer group last week and was sharing all the wonderful things that have been happening and one of the ladies asked.  How much did the web site cost you.   Well, I am a bit embarrassed to say.  Nothing!!!  My sister's, sister-in-law, sets web pages up for a living.  Ginny asked to put Natalia's story up on the web to inspire others...I said only if it's a prayer site.  As I truly believe she is here due to all the prayers she's been receiving.  Ginny is handling everything. Every change and addition as well as several web links.  What a tremendous gift for all of us.  Thank you Ginny!

 

For months I have been telling you about the wonderful Catholic Family Radio I listen too.  I no longer support the programming of 830am radio.  Monday I tuned to my favorite radio and I was shocked to hear some secular program that I wouldn't want on with my children listening. From what I understand, the owners are selling the station and they think by changing the format they will get a buyer. What I have been told is: We need to pray for a satellite.  Then anyone, anywhere can tune to the support of this network radio programing. I don't know if there is someone out there who can buy this radio station (Does any know that man who paid the Russians millions to go into space!  Maybe he'd like to invest in something that would touch other peoples life on a daily basis?????) We need to get that wonderful programming back, I know somehow, God will answer our prayers.  Please pass this on and pray. I have such faith!!! I know the radio programming won't be gone for long.  But we need to pray!!

In closing, I just want to remind you how well Natalia is doing at this point.

Your prayers have helped her through four major surgeries.  A malrotation of the intestine, G-Tube insertion, two cataract removals, and cleft lip, ear tubes and digits removed.  She has made it through urine infections, abdominal infection, and we're dealing with the colitis infection (this was a Gigantic problem for me-so glad the Doctors figured this one out).  She's eating well and is in good spirits. Someone is praying she sleeps better...You know who you are!!  I am SO Thankful!!   Well, I can honestly say, I feel blessed to have so many friends helping us pray. I have a loving and helpful husband (he makes great coffee in the morning :), good kids, and a special baby...It hasn't been easy, but I am glad I am here at this place in my life...and I love watching as God opens door after door guiding our days.

Whew!! This was a long one...so much too share!! I thank God for all of you, my Family, Friends, Physicians, Pastors, Priests, Teachers and my new email  friends I have met along the way.  May God Bless You all for loving us and helping us pray for Natalia.

MAY GOD'S GRACE BE WITH YOU