Baby Formula

If you recall, during this past February's trip to Haiti, the second day we were on station, an eight day old baby was brought to us that hadn't eaten in five days.. From my examination and the lack of resources (formula, clean water, health care) I can safely presume that the baby died within 14 or so days due to infection and starvation...

Paige Livesay, (you ROCK Paige!!) is heading up a baby formula program for the numerous cases like this that they see each and every month. The follow text is her flyer. Please look into it and consider the impact you can have.

Thanks!

-Ch

_______________________________________________

Lifeline Baby Formula Program

Children’s International Lifeline has been feeding school aged children in Haiti since 1989. We have just begun a new program, aimed at helping babies. The program will allow families with a need for formula to come and apply to receive formula for the first year of the child’s life. In many families the formula is greatly needed, in some families there is no longer a living mother. There is a high incidence of maternal death in Haiti. This program is growing quickly. Your support and prayers are greatly needed.

We ask the you clearly mark your donation “FORMULA PROGRAM”
And send it to:
Children’s Lifeline
16106 Brookwood Dr.
Buchanan, MI 49107
Then, please send a note to this e-mail paigeinhaiti@yahoo.com
(This way we are able to track and request the formula money each month.)

The reason we ask that you send money and not formula is that it is easier to buy the formula down here. This costs a little less. If you are coming to Haiti and can pack formula that would be great too. We estimate that a newborn baby costs $30.00 per month to feed. As the baby eats more it will increase to approximately $45.00

If you are interested in shipping bottles down please send them to:
Troy and Tara Livesay, Agape Flights PAP 17871100 Airport AvenueVenice, FL 34285
(It is also requested that you send a $5 check made out to “Agape Flights” to cover the shipping.)


Thank you, and may God Bless you for your love of these precious little ones.

Paige e-mail- paigeinhaiti@yahoo.com
Program Administrator
Children’s International Lifeline, LaDigue, Haiti

Quick to listen, slow to speak

-Ch

Ultrasound

Seven-and-a-half-weeks. Heart rate of 160, Due date of January 10th, 2008.

-Off to work!

Ch

Post Holiday ERrr

After another night at work in the ERrr, it was clear that summer time had arrived. The pattern played out like this:

Most of the day/night, until 7:30pm... Only a handful of people in the E.R.

8:00pm, everyone must have gotten back from camping or celebrating, or whatever they were doing, but it was apparent that they had to come into the E.R. before having to go to work Tuesday morning.. -Why waste a good holiday weekend knowing your hurt or ill?... Just wait until the weekend is over. (Sentence dripping with sarcasm).. : )

As best I can recall the initial wave sounded something like this:

• Chest pain (s)
• Intentional Overdose (pills and ETOH)
• Dogbite to the groin (Ouch!)
• Thumb Injury (laceration to the hand while cutting potatoes for that wonderful holiday salad)
• Jaw injury from a fight
• Assault
• Fever/runny nose/cough
• Allergic reaction
• Human bite to shoulder
• difficulty breathing (x5)
• Seizure
• 'Feeling pregnant' (while pregnant)
• Fall from 12 foot slide
• Unknown assault (or bicycle crash.. Pt. wasn't sure what really happened)
• Multiple broken bones, multiple patients
• "Sore" wrist

Ect, ect, ect....

That seems to about cover almost every type of bodily insult that I can think of; except for a stroke. Last night was not a stroke night.

This morning after work, I met Tess and Grace at the OB/GYN for our first ultrasound. It was cool seeing the baby's heartbeat at only 7.5 weeks. @160 beats per minute.. God is an amazing engineer.

Although it seems my blogging 'mojo' has been off lately, it's primarily because I've been posting later in the day, (I've been staying up more for the 'things that must be done'). -I'll work on it. I think "My dreams miss me". ; )

-Ch

Happy Memorial Day

"Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13, NIV)
-Ch

Day of Rest

Today was a day of relaxation. Family movie day. So, whatever had to be done today (besides vegging out) will be done tomorrow.

The movie lineup includes:

1. Pirates of the Caribbean (Check! Seen it last night.)
2. Zoom! Super heroes' academy (Check!)
3. St. Peter (To be seen later tonight)
4. LOST! (2 hour season premier) (To be seen AGAIN, and again, and again..)

-Ch

Pre Op Grace

Grace in Pre Op. ..She had no idea of the surgery that was to come



She is progressing nicely and begun drinking fluids and eating quite well.. (I think it might be the pain medicine taking the edge off)

-Ch

Safe at Home

Pre-Op

After an INCREDIBLY long night and day, we ALL are home. The surgery itself went great according to Dr. Hollander. Post Op was a very, very, long and painful experience but, it is done and we are now in the healing process at home. Grace started the day with excitement (thinking she was having a 'field trip where daddy works') ...and then came the long period of misery.

Post Op:

She is sleeping in her own bed right now, no longer struggling to breath. Sore. Medicated. But breathing well. We are all exhausted and are going to bed. Everyone, Thank-you for your prayers. Thank-you to the Baar family for dog-sitting Molly, for helping cheer Grace up enough to grimace through drinking some fluids, and the Hall family for blessing us with kindness. I'll detail all tomorrow.

God bless,

-Ch

Zzzzz

Not much happening last night except abdominal pain(s) and broken bones. I'm on tonight until 4:30am, and then meeting Tess and Grace in the O.R. for Grace's surgery at 05:30am. Will update later.

Be blessed today,

-Ch

Previous Post Conversation

Carl: Hey Tess! C'mere! You've got to see my new post.
Tess: What...?
Carl: Check it out. (plays profiles of mediocraty video from yesterdays post)
Tess: You should have left up the other post for another day..

(Views 'brain surgeon' video post)

Carl: (excitedly) So, what did you think!? Cool huh? Do you get it?
Tess: That was stupid
Carl: Huh? No, it was cool!
Tess: No. That was really dumb. Really dumb.
Carl: (Disappointed) ...I thought it was really cool.. : (

Lukewarm Surgeon, Lukewarm Christian?

Would you want to be...

..Uh, NO!

By-the-way, If you like our blog, or hate it and are just a regular visitor, Make your mark on the GUESTMAP!! (Click on it and give us a "hello!") That way I can feel better about it.. We've only had about 19 since febuary and the site counter has logged over 2500 visits.. Mmmm.. I'm not the smartest egg in the carton, but..

Thanks!

-Ch

Week of ups and downs

So, within the last 14 days we've gotten a puppy (Molly) that Grace just adores. -As a matter of fact, Grace and Molly take turns running through the house chasing each other with screams (or puppy barks) or joy. This dog has somehow taken Grace out of her 'shell of silence' and it's great... ..for the first ten hours of each day. After awhile, the craziness gets a little old. Perhaps it is in preparation for this:

(If you don't quite understand, click on the photos to see them full size, and read Grace's shirt..)

This is a very happy thing for us.

In the past 14 days, we have also learned that it is becoming more and more imperative that Grace gets her tonsils and adenoids out soon. This surgery is now scheduled for this Friday morning at Metro Health Hospital. This makes us nervous, but confident it well help Grace breath better.

In the past 14 days we've also learned that the pediatric pulmonolgist wants Grace tested to rule out Cystic Fibrosis. This is one of those "disbelief" moments. Praying for deliverance and a clean bill of health, the earliest we can get in to DeVos Children's lab for this test is June 20th.. (Which leaves me with a "YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME?!) -No. It's true. Not until the 20th.. So we (I) get to dwell on this for the next 25 or so days.. Grace gets an extra ration of hugs lately..

Also. in the past 14 days (4 days) my Bud, 'Tyler' died; presumably from a massive heart attack while at our church for a missions fundraiser. I am at a mix of emotions about this.

Tyler was one of those "undie-able" types. He was as transparent as anyone could get. His heart was pure and on fire for Jesus Christ. He was the kind of friend that, you could go for weeks without seeing him, and then bump into him and talk like it was just moments ago that you just spoke with him.

Tyler was an accountability partner, friend, brother, father, husband, elder, ect, ect, ect... It sucks because there were 'more discussions to be had'. I am jealous that he is gone. I can't believe that he is gone... The morning after he died, I found myself in church crying unstoppably with chest-heaving sobs of tears. Remember when you were a kid and cried so hard you could hardly breath? -Somehow, that was where I had found myself. -I want to call him a turd for leaving us.

Although childish, I am jealous that God called Tyler back home while leaving the rest of us here. Tyler resembled Jesus (with glasses). Perhaps that's why I loved him so much. ..WHAT IS GRACE GOING TO DO now that each Sunday Tyler isn't there to scoop her up and smother her with hugs?? -I once made a joke one Sunday that 'Grace never makes it past 25 steps before someone picks her up at church'. I counted her steps; 1, through -21, 22, and before I got to 23, there was Tyler.. scooping her up.

I don't have that many "friends" that I know I could unconditionally spill my guts to, and they'd be there through thick-and-thin... Now, I'm down one more. I am rejoicing that he's in Heaven with his Savior, but selfishly, it breaks my heart.

At work we deal with death and dying on a clinical case-by-case basis. Most of the time we kindive know what to expect by the case presentation and what we can do. Unexpected loss always hits in a weird way. Especially when it's someone you expect to always be there.

A Weeks of ups and downs...

-Ch

710

A few days ago I was having some work done at my local garage. A blonde came in and asked for a seven-hundred-ten. We all looked at each other and another customer asked, "What is a seven-hundred-ten?" She replied, "You know, the little piece in the middle of the engine, I have lost it and need a new one.." She replied that she did not know exactly what it was, but this piece had always been there. The mechanic gave her a piece of paper and a pen an d asked her to draw what the piece looked like. She drew a circle and in the middle of it w rote 710. He then took her over to another car which had its hood up and asked "is there a 710 on this car?" She pointed and said, "Of course, its right there." If you're not sure what a 710 is Click Here

Over the Long Weekend

I'm still digesting the events of the past four days. In the meantime, here is a unique x-ray from last night. A 79 y/o patient post-op 10 days with a total hip replacement presents in the E.R. with 'hip pain' after moving in a chair. (Prosthetic hip was dislocated).

Pt. was consciously (MAC) sedated and hip was "popped" back into socket. (Do a google search to learn how we popped it back in) Hint: It took three grown men to accomplish.

-Ch

Too tired to blog

It's been an exhausting 16hours.

I'll try to convince Tess to do the blog later this afternoon, and I'll try to explain everything else later.

Please pray for Debi Damron and children. Her husband, Tyler, was called back to heaven last night. Tyler was 42 years old. Most of all, he was saved.

-Ch

Nice Night of Calmness

Nothing remarkable in the E.R. last night. We had one priority 1, diff breather patient that we intubated and sent to the ICU. The cold/milder weather seemed to slow things down after midnight.

I didn't sleep much yesterday so it was nice to have a slower night. I actually got out of work early and made it home by 07:15.

Grace is up and it's time to entertain for a little while before I get some sleep. : )
Hope you all have a great day!

-Ch

Grace's Pulmonologist Visit

Speaking of fixing our eyes and keeping our perspective right;

Dr. Wubbel, at DeVos Childrens is in agreement with Dr. Hollander. Even though Grace is smaller and younger than preferred, the partial upper airway occlusion is a cause for concern and the adenoidtonsilectory will probably be occurring as soon as feasibly possible. We're not sure when yet. When it does happen, she'll be staying in the hospital for post-op observation because of the age factor.

A sleep study has also been scheduled and, because of some symptoms Grace has been displaying (respiratory issue, lack of significant weight gain, ect) a 'sweat test' to rule out Cystic Fibrosis has been ordered as well. The CF rule out test will be as soon as possible, we've got to call today to schedule it.

Hills or valleys, I'm confident that the Lord has his hand on Grace, and I'm confident that he has great plans for her life.. As a father, am I concerned? Yes. More than you know... We covet your prayers for Grace.

I look forward to passing on good news of relief as it comes.

-Ch

What are we fixed on?

About ten years ago when I finally had been consumed by the reality of the power of Jesus Christ and rededicated my life to Jesus, (seeking what I had felt I had once lost) my homesickness for heaven really began to sink in. Instead of a good Marine that was always ready to die for Jesus, I had evolved to being a man always ready to LIVE for Jesus.

Coexisting in a world of flesh such as ours, guess which was more difficult?

In that time frame I vividly remember driving to church (alone) across town and seeing the empty, starving, and hollow faces in the streets, gas stations, and ways of the city.

They appeared still hazy from the previous night of partying, but there was an even greater unfulfilled hunger in their eyes, like they had been metaphorically and instinctively craving sustenance, but gorged their bellies with everything possible except the sustenance that they had been created to desire. I could easily recognise this because I was once there.

...The hardest part, it seemed, would be that they still believed that the 'spiritual pain' they were experiencing was labeled something else. Anything else, other than what it actually, truly was.

This spiritual void was described by society such as: 'anxiety','heartbreak', 'depression', manic/compulsive, self destructive behavior, blaming, anger, ect. Anything else, than what it actually is.

I believe as Christians, heaven should be the fire in our heart. I believe that we should bless, MORE than we feel we are blessed. Instead of letting ourselves be bogged down by the sicknesses, diseases, and death of this world, we might be better served if we become habitually focused on a few (4) ways of fixing our hearts on heaven:

• Be confidently riveted on His sudden return. Remember, he will come “like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).
  
• Be pure. Throughout the New Testament, the strongest motivation for purity was always connected to the return of Jesus (1 John 3:3).
  
• Refuse to get stuck here. After all, as people of faith, we are “strangers and exiles” here (Hebrews 11:13).
  
• Invest in eternity. Commit your time and resources to kingdom gain and values (Luke 12:33).

For Our Journey:

• Think about the things you did yesterday. What would you have done differently if it had been your last day? How will that make a difference in the way you live today? Be specific. Think of people you should call, or people you should hug.
  
• Are you passionate about heaven? If not, make a list of some things that might be hindering your passion.
  
• Which of the four habits is the easiest for you? Which one is the hardest?
  
• Have you ever thought of yourself as an “exile” on this planet? How does that identity help bring eternal things into focus?

No one is perfect this side of glory. When I find I have days that REALLY get me down, depressed, angry, (and sadly, many opposites of the 'fruit of the spirit'.) I am forced to ask myself "what's going on!?" -When conviction turns to condemnation, know that we are beginning to hear the lies that Satan has laid out for us. Not to sound 'preachy,' But, take a time out. Remember, you look like your heavenly father! You'll be glad you did.

-Ch

Today's the Day

Well, today's the day we might get some answers regarding Grace's upper respiratory condition.

Although difficult because of Grace's age and petite airway size, it was initially planned that she would undergo an adenoidtonsilectomy surgery this past Tuesday morning, however; the Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon called and discussed with us the concern that he wanted to have a pediatric pulmonologist consult with DeVos childrens hospital first. In his words: "I just think that it'd be a damn shame if we went ahead with a procedure and reflected on the situation and said to ourselves, 'I wish we would have done such-and-such, first... -That's just not good medicine". In my eyes, that's an awesome and wise perspective coming from a seasoned ENT surgeon, (rather than a case hungry surgeon.) -My admiration and thanks for this individual just went about five levels higher....

This afternoon we'll been meeting with the peds pulmonologist. Pray that... Well, ...pray that God's will be done, and that God's will is that Grace is healed successfully (miraculously) and in/with the least invasive procedure necessary...

Thanks,
It's off to nap time for me..
-Ch

Is it wrong to say something is wrong?

Not sure how to say this, but it's been stewing inside for some time. Here it is: we live in a culture where it's wrong to say something is wrong. That bugs me. I'd rather be biblically correct than politically correct. And I think the church needs to be a prophetic voice to our culture.

Here is what is frustrating to me. It seems like those with tact lack courage. And those with courage lack tact. How many of us have been publicly embarrassed by something stupid that someone said in the name of Christ? We need some more voices that combine tact and courage. Voices that speak the truth in love. Voices that are rational and revelational.

I was talking about these issues with a Washington lobbyist yesterday. He's one of the good guys lobbying for good things! And I referenced the promise Jesus gave his followers in Matthew 10:11: "Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit".

This is an incredible promise. The Holy Spirit will tell us what to say when we need to say it. The funny thing is that we think of this in preaching terms. But this promise has nothing to do with saying the right thing from behind the pulpit. It is a much broader promise than that.

Does this promise apply to educators who write lesson plans? How about lawmakers as they write legislation? What about journalists as they write their stories? How about programmers who write code? Or screenwriters that write scripts? God wants to speak through us--through our acting, teaching, writing, counseling, lobbying, parenting, and preaching. We need to recapture our prophetic voice.We need to stand up for what's right in a culture where it's wrong to say something is wrong. No easy task. And we've got to do it with a spirit of humility, a heart of love, and a logic that persuades.

(as taken and agreed upon from Mark Batterson, Washington D.C.) evotional.com

The Morning View

....I always appreciate getting home in the morning

Does God Speak?

I woke up during the day and was randomly drawn to these verses:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men"

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should."

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of Grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone".

Colossians 3:23-4:6
--Okay Lord... I hear you. I hear you loud and clear..... ; )

Ch

Obscure or blatant

We waited for the rain last night to cool things down and slow down the tempo at work, but the rain never came. We were moderately consistent with the caseload. It seems, with the onset of warmer weather, patients come in later and later with incidents that range from the obscure, to the intense.

Caseload included a few chest pains, CVAs'/TIAs' (strokes/mini strokes) alot of minor lacerations, sprains, strains, drunks, and one person stabbed 5 times with a 3" blade (3:00am of course). The guy that brought him in arrived in a car that had a flat tire, and blew another tire (throwing smoke and sparks) in front of the E.R. nearly slamming into the hospital security van.

I find that at times that I have to intentionally, and consciously focus on being more empathetic and merciful when 70% of the patients appear to be blatantly lying 100% of the time.


Lastly, I almost forgot to mention; one of our last patients around 06:35am was the driver of a car that was run into a via-duct and according to witnesses, flipped his car three times on US131 and Wealthy area. The patient had a laceration and abrasion on his left knee and scalp from the impact and the roof caving in on him.. That was it. Other than that, he was perfectly fine.
-Just another reinforcer to my belief that, "When it's your time, it's your time".

-Well, it's off to sleep I go. Forgive the typos (if there are any) I'll x2 check after I get some sleep.

Enjoy the day.

Ch

Good end-note reminder for Monday

Off to work. Sleep tight.
-Ch

Good Start for Monday

Will it Blend?

Happy Mothers Day

First, to Tess. Thank-you for being a wonderful wife, mother, and spiritual partner in life.

Second, Happy Mothers day to Grandma Barb, Grandma Vicky, and Grandma Pam. (-The order of listing is only the order of typing.) You are all magnificent, wonderful women who have contributed to our 'life's instructions'.

Thank-you, and Happy Mothers Day!

-Carl, Grace, and Molly.

YEAHHH!!!!! I've never won a lottery!!

I love my country and believe I have served her well. I agree that our justice system is flawed, but it is still the best in the world.

-Is it wrong of me to say "I don't have time for this, at this point in time and cannot afford to "win" this lottery.." -Is it wrong of me to suggest to the Ottawa County Jury Board to 'wait to pick me until we no longer live paycheck to paycheck' like 70% else of all other Americans?

If get chosen I will pursue a huge book deal...............
-Ch

Family vids

Freshly posted daily events with Grace for the family. Weekly family details to follow:




-Ch

Blessed to be back

Some great friends of ours came down from Traverse City this past week for dinner and catch up. Josh and I spent most of the time discussing Iraq, Marine Corps stuff, the FOB, area of operations, and whatnot.. Most of the guys in his unit, I had either known or trained prior to their arrival.

I don't think Josh will mind if I post these.. Here is a big 'shout out' and thank-you to God for blessing Josh and Katie with safety for their entire family. The hummer posted below was Josh's... hit by an IED One week after he got back home.

-Ch (USMC SSGT. RET)

Tonsils and adenoids coming out

Well it's going to happen. Grace is scheduled for her surgery first thing next Tuesday. Because she is so young and small, she'll be admitted into the hospital directly after the procedure to stay the day and night for observation.

We were able to get in to see Dr. Hollander (the ENT specialist I had hoped for). He is a super nice physician. Straight forward, honest, and great with Grace; so, he'll be the one performing the procedure.
Update later.
-Ch

Gas Prices

At first gas prices made us mad, and we thought we would stick it to big petroleum by carpooling..But the prices kept going up, and NOW it is just plain ridiculous!!!

They shoot for the save.. SCORE!!!

The first ECG is on a patient brought into the E.R. by a significant other complaining of chest pain that had begun 20 minutes prior to arrival. The patient was taken directly back to a room and an ECG was immediately performed showing significant ST elevation. (Patient was actively having an M.I. ("heart attack") due to a clogged artery. After getting his HISTORY, we notified the cath lab team and began lopressor and integrelin. "History" is in capital letters, because the patient stated he had just taken Levitra (Cialis, Viagra; same stuff) GENTS', this important to note! Don't be shy about it if you ever experience chest pain... First line meds for symptomatic cardiac chest pain is nitro. If we give you nitro and you've taken the above mentioned, your blood pressure will crash and you may die. ---Yeah. Not cool, eh? Be honest about your medication history..

Anyway, the case went down textbook. The ER staff performed like the stuff commercials are made of... we brought the patient down to the cath lab and the blockage was cleared in near record time.

-I visited the patient in the ICU the day after. He looked 1000% better and could not thank us enough for 'saving his life'... (I just get a warm fuzzy from the rare cases like this). I hope he writes a good comment card!

The following ECG is actually my own! I ran a 12 lead on myself...
It appears I am going to live to see another (or a few more) workweek (s)....

P.ost S.cript:

There are two other cases I reviewed just prior to the 'HiltonLife newest Member' post. I composed it as a draft and finished it this morning. Scroll down to view.

S/F,

-Ch

Newest HiltonLife Member

Everyone, please say 'hello' to Molly. Molly, please say 'hello' to everyone!

This is what happens when I spend three days away.

"Molly" joined our family yesterday!

-Ch

Two of four noted weekend specials

58 y/o pt. presenting with an open left tib/fib fracture. Pt. "fell through a screen door". She was stabilized, splinted, and sent off to surgery for ortho repair.

Abdominal stabbing. 18 y/o male Pt. states that "someone said, 'gimme your coat man'," He turned around and felt like he got punched in the lower left quadrant of his abdomen. The would be thief drew back an 'ice pick'. Pt. took off running and someone noticed him gushing blood. -We did an exploratory cut down to see how far the object had penetrated. The ice pick penetrated the abdominal wall and small bowel. Pt. was immediately send to surgery.

(photos are with permission and courtesy of GRPD)

-Ch

Too tired to post

Saturday night in the E.R. made up for the past three weeks of UTIs', scrapes, cuts, burns, and overall drunken 'whineyness' THREE priority ones and we went two-for-three. I'll detail Monday sometime. -It was the best (most challenging) night I've worked in a long time.

-Ch