Katie and I have just come from a care conference with Lucy’s Cardiologist, her Palliative Care doctor as well as other team members involved in her care.
It was a difficult meeting, but a helpful one. There is no treatment being given in the hospital that is not also available at home. We have decided to bring Lucy home tomorrow and continue her care in as comfortable a manner as possible both medically and environmentally. She likes being at home more than in the hospital, and being together as a family is important to us.
The sad reality is not if Lucy will die, but when. Hear weak heart just cannot keep up with her body’s needs anymore. Part of this care conference was to form a plan for giving Lucy the best quality of life she can have until she dies.
This involves helping her manage the fluids as well as medication for pain and discomfort. It also involves spending time at home making some more memories with her (which I’m sure will involve many more educational shows on PBS!).
This is a hard and very scary path to travel. We need your holding prayers as much as ever now. We know you all love us–and Lucy–and we ask that before calling or visiting, in love you give us a few days to adjust to this “new normal” as we have done so many times before.
We are choosing to affirm life for however long Lucy is with us, and we are choosing not to view her death as a failure. Strangely, after so many unanswered questions, death’s certainty is relieving. Even more comforting is death’s defeat by Jesus, and our hope of Lucy’s resurrection.
God is always good, and we are in his hands. +james
James, Frank and I are praying.
Praying for comfort for all your family. Your last paragraph reminded me of
I Thess. 4:13-18, especially v18 – Therefore comfort one another with these words.
“My God, my God . . . But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted You, and You delivered them. They cried to You and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed. I was cast upon You from birth, From my mother’s womb, You have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help.” (Ps. 22)
Peace be with you all.
My family and I have been praying for your family and Lucy since the beginning . We will continue to pray for strength and comfort.
Praying.
Josh and Wendy
I am a friend of David Doyle, who long ago offered up your blog to those of us who want to pray for Lucy and the rest of you. I have been doing so since that beginning blog. Although I have not commented, I have continued to read and pray for Lucy, as well as the rest of your family. I will continue to do so. Lucy’s journey through this life, and her parents’ faith, have been an inspiration to me. God loves you all. Prayers for you all. It cannot have been easy, but thank you for sharing this journey with us.
Dearest Friends…just praying and lifting your whole precious family up before the throne of grace…that grace would be abundant as He is faithful! We love you! Scott and Melissa
Katie and James,
I deeply admire your great courage and your deep trust in the Lord and in His goodness. You are in our prayers – all of your dear family during this difficult but precious time.
In Christ,
Susan Nowlin
We are praying.
The McClures
Travis and I are praying for your little sweetie pie and your whole family. My heart aches for the pain you guys are going through, but I’m overwhelmed by the peace that leaks through your words. God is so good, even when there is nothing to understand, He is still good. I’ll be praying for you guys daily.
James and Katie. We continue to hold Lucy and all of you in our prayers. May God give you some very good time together this side of eternity.
Continuing to pray for all of you.
James and Katie,
We have been praying for Lucy each day. We will continue to pray for her and your family. We know, as you do, that God will care for all of you. Jesus will be with you through this part of your life and if it is God’s will to take Lucy home we know that you will be reunited in heaven.
May God bless and keep you all in His loving hands.
Your friends in Christ,
Stan and Paula Wehling ( Lois Eatherton’s parents)
Dear Precious Jarrett Family,
You know we have all grown to love Lucy so very much. Thank you for continuing to share your lives with us. My heart is broken for you, and I pray for the gift of time for each of you.
much, much love,
Susan Lewis
Jarrett Family,
We have been praying for Lucy since the beginning, and will continue to pray. My heart is broken for you all, and pray that you all would just feel the arms of Jesus wrapped around you in a big hug!
I also am a friend of David Doyle’s and have been brought to your family through his love. There is no way to measure the love that has been magnified throughout the world from the prayers and love for Lucy and your family. It will abide through eternity.
James and Katie:
You have been and will continue to be in our prayers. Your walk with God throughout this experience has been a source of strength for all who know you. May God surround your family with many happy memories at this time.
Richard & June Tesauro
James, you are in our thoughts and prayers! Lucy has a beautiful smile and we are thankful for the many memories you have and will continue to create while she is still on this earth!! You have done a wonderful job of loving on this precious baby!
My Dear Friends,
This news breaks my heart and yet your FAITH shines like a beacon in a dark room. Lucy is the luckiest girl in the world to have the both of you as parents. I continue thinking of you often, your heartache, pain, suffering, love, inspiration… Thank you all for not only being my friends, but also being a GREAT example of how I should be living my life. Bless you all!! Love, Alan
I am praying as always for Lucy’s healing. I will not stop storming heaven until the Lord calls her home. My prayers are also for her family. Beyond that words just fail me.
James and Katie,
When words fail me, I usually turn to Scripture or songs based on words of scripture to give me comfort. This is a piece that our choir in college sang at every concert and it gives me comfort through the trials of life. I hope that it does the same for you.
Despair not, my soul, nor to sorrow give way,
Remember that God is thy friend every day.
Though now you encounter misfortunes unnumbered,
Soon follows the sunshine in glorious rays.
Content thee, be cheerful, all sorrow: Away!
Much fretting and weeping will bring no relief,
Who trusteth in God will soon comfort receive.
His Spirit console Thee, Oh, ponder His mercy,
When life is perplexing, unhappy, and sad,
Look upward to heaven, and you’ll soon be glad.
To God I commit me, my body and soul,
He’ll grant me contentment and blessing untold.
To Him my defender, myself I surrender,
And though I must walk through the valley of death,
I know He’ll protect me and do what He saith.
(Anonymous, Edited by Walter E. Buszin)
In Christ,
Lois Eatherton
My wife and children and myself are praying that God does another miracle in Lucy’s life, even healing all the things wrong with her body. In doing so, all point to Him as the Great Healer. We are also praying that if He elects to bring Lucy to His presence that she and you have all the grace and mercy necessary for this experience. For first request again, is for our King to heal Lucy. Praying for each member of your family as well.
We are praying for you all every day.
The Uy Family
Paul and I are praying that the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. We love you.
Paul and Susan
James and Katie,
Having experienced a similar journey with our “mighty little Paul”, we take great comfort in knowing that even though we may feel we did not love him well enough, there is One who does and always will. Paul took us so close to the thin veil that separates us all from eternity (living as he did from day to day) that it seems familiar, a breath away. I know Lucy has already communicated more to you about the spiritual realms than you would have learned in a lifetime. Praying, as He unfolds Lucy’s story before your very eyes, for peace, comfort, and joy in the hard places.
Loving, crying and praying with you. May God keep you close and comfort you all.
She is following Aslan home. May He give you comfort as you travel this journey with your daughter. Praying for all of you.
Many prayers & love! I thank you so much for sharing your trust in the Lord throughout this with all of us.
~Robin Kintz
Dear James and Katie,
The Quine Family is praying for you. May the Lord cause all grace to abound to you. With love,
David and Shirley
The Gradles are praying for you guys.
Doris and Randall Gradle
I have been blessed to know such a wonderful little girl & her family. May the Lord’s comfort, love & serenity enfold you more then ever. May you find grace & peace knowing that you are & will forever be a beacon of love, faith & compassion to your children & those who know you. God gave Lucy the gift of you two.
Shae, OT
Praying for your family! Thanking you also, that in the midst of your pain, God has given you the precious gift of encouragement to others as you point to His glory and His plan in this. Thank you for sharing your faith.