Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Wednesday, February 18

Talking to Jeff this afternoon he said the day could best be described as frustrating. Yesterday they made a decision on Taylor’s surgery. None of the Duke University Hospital Doctors are comfortable with recommending the surgery in the condition that Taylor is in, so they have elected to not do the surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery was a requirement for Taylor to get admitted into the Pitt Memorial Rehab facility.

This basically left two options. 1) Duke University Hospital is petitioning Pitt Memorial to accept Taylor into the rehab facility even though she still has the NG tube. 2) Jeff and Tammy would take Taylor home and people would come to the house for the rehabilitation. Both options will require that Jeff and Tammy learn how to give Taylor her meds through the NG tube.

Unfortunately, Pitt Memorial denied the original petition to admit Taylor. And it appears none of the professionals in the area are willing to come to the house to work on a 4-month old baby with cardiomyopathy. Which more or less left them with no options.

Jeff talked to the Doctor at Duke again to try and get some resolution. It’s got to feel pretty helpless to have to plead someone to simply help your daughter. It doesn’t seem very fair that you have to fight the system to get the care that your baby needs.

The doctor talked to Pitt Memorial again and they have agreed to accept Taylor on a two-week trial period. If she doesn’t make progress after two weeks they will be forced to release her. It isn’t a done deal yet, one more doctor has to sign off on this, and they are checking with the insurance company to see if they will cover it. Please pray that Taylor is accepted, without rehab her difficult road will be even harder to climb. She really has so many needs. I trust the Lord has a plan for Taylor and that she will get the help that she needs. Duke is recommending at least 6 weeks of rehab for her. Jeff is confident that if she is accepted she will show some improvement.

They did another echocardiogram today. Taylor’s heart has dropped from operating at 36% down to 31%. I pray for Christ to embrace Jeff and Tammy and give them strength and hope and calm their fears. I lift Taylor to the Lord, fulfill her needs, and heal her heart. Surround her with the Holy Spirit and bring her comfort as well. I know there is a bigger plan for Taylor and I trust in His plan.

I was searching the web, looking for inspiration. Children have always held a special spot with Jesus. I believe there is an old hymn that begins like this:

I think when I read that sweet story of old
When Jesus dwelt here among men,
And called little children like lambs to His fold,
I should like to have been with them then.

I wish that His hands had been put on my head,
And that I had been placed on His knee,
And that I might have seen His kind look when He said,
“Let the little ones come unto me.”

God Bless
~

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen...what you have said is simply beautiful. Children do hold a special place with the Lord...and he indeed has a plan for Taylor. I feel like given a chance at rehabilitation, Taylor will astound the doctors and others that will work with her, Taylor has not come all this way for nothing. Tammy and Jeff, once again I commend you. I am so in awe of you, at the grace, patience, faith, determination, and love you have shown in Taylor. I can only imagine the pleading in your hearts as you advocate for Taylor. Be tenacious and unwilling to accept anything but what Taylor truly needs. You are wonderful parents, and role models for all of us! I am in awe of Taylor as well, for she had put up such a fight and perservered. She has fought longer and harder than most of us will ever have to in our whole lives, and she keeps going, giving all her little body can give. There is a plan...keep the faith, we all are. Whatever shall happen, know that the Lord is with Taylor, loving Taylor, doing what is best for Taylor, and protecting Taylor. He has his hand in this whole thing...for HE knows.
As always, faithfully thinking and praying for your family...
The Buckley Family
Allison, Bill, and Liam

Anonymous said...

We are praying throughout each day for God to bless Taylor and heal her. Tammy and Jeff, we pray for your strength and wisdom to make the right decisions for Taylor. We pray for Tanner and Tate for good health and understanding. We love you all so much and wish there was more that we could do to help. Keep the faith! God is faithful and just and will see you all through this difficult time.
Much love, Evans and Angela

Anonymous said...

hey mrs. whithead i'm sorry to hear about this situation tell tate taylor and your other son i said it will be ok tell taylor i said i love her i'm relly sorry about taylor and i hope yall have a wonderful day love you.

Unknown said...

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about Jeff and Tammy, Taylor, and Tanner and Tate. I have no idea what they are going through and I wish so badly there was something we could do to help, but I think prayer is what they need more than anything! I keep trying to remind myself that God has a plan that we don't understand and we aren't supposed to understand. He is going to give Taylor what she needs, not what we want for her. Keep the faith everyone and soon we will see what His plan was from the beginning!

With love, Sarah Collins

Anonymous said...

This precious prayer is from Sandy Haasin Frederick, Maryland. We are going to see Taylor's complete recovery!!

I am praying! I agree with you in prayer -by Jesus' stripes Taylor was healed -restoration Lord in every cell of her being-in Jesus Name and every curse spoken against what God's Word says is cast down. Lord, give the Whiteheads supernatural faith for total and complete healing for Taylor...set a guard around them so they do not even hear any discouraging words-lift their eyes to You and Your Word-believing and speaking God's promises are Yes and amen to them that believe. Send many believers across their path to uplift them and speak truth into their situation. Thank You Dear Lord.

Love and blessings, we're all battling alongside you, dear Whitehead family!
Anne Chick

Anonymous said...

Ephesians 3:20 says: "Now glory be to God who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes."
I think this is a wonderful verse, and I pray this for Taylor, Jeff, and Tammy. Lift the whole Whitehead family up Lord, and hold them close to you, and help them deal with the burdens they are facing each and every day. I love you all! Aunt Jan

Tabitha Dickerson said...

Jeff and Tammy,
We continue to pray for Taylor's healing and for God to give you the strength needed to make the decisions that you need to make for Taylor. You guys are wonderful parents and your children are extremely lucky to have you both on their sides! Taylor is an amazing little girl that is continuing to teach so many people what it means to be strong and continue fighting. Your family is truly showing people how trusting in God can help give you strength that nothing else can. We pray that God will continue to keep you both strong for each other, Taylor, and the boys. Keep your heads up and continue to trust in the Lord!
We love you guys,
Jamie, Tabitha, and Kamdyn

erinannepro said...

God is the amazing healer and He can do all things. We will continue to pray for you and your family and that Taylor may be healed and that you all may find comfort and strength knowing that so many throughout the country are lifting you up in prayer. God does have a plan. Ephesians 3:20 says "Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." Anything is possible with hope in Him. Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God-those whom he has called according to His plan." May God bless you all, Erin Provenzano (friend of Kate Ramsey's, Iowa)