Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Sweet, Sweet James

As I write this, I'm sitting here weeping. My heart aches. I feel like my world is collapsing, and no matter what I do, nothing can stop it.


I was not prepared to hear that the tumor had spread. We have had a rough few days. James has been progressively worse. I knew that neurologically something had to be going on because of the large seizure. They even told us this morning that brain swelling was a possibility, and it was a cause that could not be treated. I knew that the swelling was an option, but I hoped that maybe something like some tumor regrowth in the pineal region (where his original tumor was) was the cause. Some regrowth we could take care of with chemo. Never did I imagine that the tumor would so aggressive in 2 weeks. No one else did either.


My sweet, sweet angel is lying in the ICU crib, heavily sedated. He has a tube down his throat. His eyes are unresponsive. He has a feeding tube and 4 different IVs are going into his port. His heart rate fluctuates any where between 80 and 200 bpm. He's not stable. The only thing that has finally leveled off is his sodium level, which is now in the normal range. Nothing has changed though, so it seems certain that the sodium level was actually an effect of the tumor, and not the underlying cause of the seizures and swelling.

I am broken. I can't imagine my world without James in it. I realized that I might actually spend more time with James in my womb than outside in the world. 40 weeks, 6 days in my belly. 36 weeks, 4 days on earth as of today. James has always been my miracle baby. For as long as I can remember, I would say to him, "How did Mommy get sooooo lucky that she got a James Camden?!" Jamesie would laugh and I would laugh, and we would "talk" about how the other babies couldn't possibly be as good as a Jamesie. I truly am the luckiest person in the world. Out of all the babies God could have given me, he gave me the most perfect baby in the world. He is the most precious gift, and more than I could have ever prayed for. I have said for the last 8 months that I had to have been doing something right to be so blessed to have James. And I am truly blessed.

Matthew and I were talking tonight, and I told him that I think that James must just be one of God's angels on loan to us. As you can see by the pictures, isn't he the most perfect angel? He came out of the womb so incredibly perfect, and has remained so ever since.


I am so, so blessed to be his Mommy. Even if he was only on loan to me for a little bit. But we do believe that God works miracles, and if He chooses to let us have James for just a bit longer, we will be forever grateful.


I don't know what we are going to decide in the morning. I am hoping that at some point tonight we have peace about the situation. I do know that I want peace for James. I want James to be able to have pain-free days and to be surrounded by those who love him more than anything. I wish so desperately that I could take his place. I would give anything to do so. But if I can't, then all I can ask for is peace for his body.


Please keep us in your prayers tonight and the days going forward. Please pray for a miracle. But I know that sometimes the miracle is in that God just couldn't stand to be away from precious James any longer. I know the feeling of longing he must have to be reunited with sweet James. Thank you so much for your continued thoughts and prayers. We cherish you.

56 comments:

  1. I have no words for you other that I'm praying for you, James has been in my thought every day since I found your blog, which I check no less than twenty times a day each day looking for an update. I have been praying and will continue praying for each and everyone of you especially for sweet James.

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  2. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
    Praying for peace for your family and for James' spirit to feel all the love that surrounds him.

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  3. Sweet friend, Ryan and I are heartbroken and praying for you tonight. I don't think we'll sleep. I'm so sorry, and I wish there was ANY other option for you. James is the most precious, perfect baby, and he's touched so many lives. I know you feel so blessed to be his mother. We are praying for a miracle for him. Love you.

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  4. My heart is breaking for your precious baby boy and for your family. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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  5. Truly, what a sweet little angel. Praying, praying, praying for peace.

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  6. Kara, we are praying for you right now. I am so sorry. My heart is broken for sweet James and for your family. We won't stop praying.

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  7. You are very strong and God is full of grace. I am praying for you all.

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  8. Praying for strength and peace that surpasses all understanding.

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  9. I am a coworker & friend of Jen (McCrady), and have been a huge fan of James since she first showed me pictures after he was born. I am sitting here sobbing for you and your family. I am praying for a complete miracle, and that Jesus will give you the strength you need to carry on.

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  10. When my best friend was diagnosed with an astrocytoma in August last year, she kept saying that such diseases were not given out based on merit (these were her exact words) and there was nothing you can do.
    Your son is perfect - no tumor in the world will change that. Chemo or not, he will remain the perfect little angel he is. Whatever you decide, you are his parents and you know what is right for him. I'm hoping that amidst all this, you'll be able to find peace.

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  11. Just saw Hopsy's post about this.

    Praying for you right now....and I have walked a similar road and know what you are feeling....Just know that God is good and He is holding all of you safe in His loving arms. Love and blessings, Liz Forman

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  12. Jamesie is in my heart. Those eyes, smile, and hair are not easily
    Forgettable.I do not know you or your family personally, but my heart
    Can't help but be touched by Jamesie. Praying your little boy receives a miracle. Cancer is too ugly for a sweet baby like that. Praying for you, the parents, as I'm guessing your exhaustion, both physical and mental, is reaching or perhaps surpassing it's limits. I pray you feel the presence of
    God as you continue on this journey.

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  13. Praying peace over you and your sweet boy. I pray that God gives you revelation and you sense His perfect will. He holds you close as you love on your son.

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  14. Praying for you and your husband here too. What a truly beautiful little man. May you feel God's arms wrapped firmly around. I believe he is weeping along with you, he didn't 'choose' this for you. Give your little angel a kiss from Sydney.

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  15. I have never even met you, and I'm sitting here crying with you. I am continuing to pray for you and your beautiful boy.

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  16. I am continuing to pray for your family and sweet sweet James! He is definitely one of God's precious angels, and I strongly believe in miracles. May you all have peace when making this most difficult decision.

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  18. Asking the Prince of Peace to envelop you in his arms, even now.

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  19. Although I haven't met you, I can sympathize as my wife and I were in a similar situation a few years ago. I pray for peace and guidance for you and your family, and for health and comfort for James.

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  20. James is so lucky to have you as parents, your love for him is overwhelming. You've been so honest in your writing through all of this - a testimony of your strength. Praying for sweet James, peace and clarity, and God's ultimate and perfect will to be done.

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  21. Our hearts ache for y'all. Praying and thinking of you and James.
    - Abbey and Edward Gray

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  23. Crying with you this morning. Dreamed about baby James and your family all night last night. Continue to pray fervently for peace and wisdom for you.

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  24. Praying for James and your family every day. You and your husbands continued faith is such an amazing thing to see. May God give you supernatural peace and wisdom - Tara McCann

    "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us…In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ..What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? … Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Segments from Romans 8

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  25. Praying for you and sweet James. Our thoughts are with you.
    -Beth and MikePisani

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  26. praying for your family and for baby James right now.

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  27. I have no words other than I am praying for your family. My heart aches for you all and I know God has a plan for sweet James.

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  28. I do not know you, but my heart aches for your family. I pray that the good Lord will wrap his arms around your family and pour his love and peace into your hearts.

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  29. My heart really goes out to you and your family - I cannot even imagine your pain. Your James is a beautiful boy and I am praying for and your family during this incredibly difficult time.

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  30. I'm friends with Cheyenne...I'm sending thoughts, prayers and love your way. James is a beautiful, precious boy!

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  31. Kara- I am so sorry. I wish I had words of comfort, but I am lifting up your sweet family in prayers. ~Nicole

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  32. PRAYING for your sweet boy as well as your family!!!

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  33. Thinking about you guys. I remember when you told me you were pregnant. Ginger snap cookies totally gave you away. LOL. I was so excited for you, and you were so sick. I felt like I was a mother hen, watching out for you while we were in Chicago. Good and funny memories. I am totally praying for a miracle. Love you girlie! Nesha

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  34. Praying for you all. I'm sorry doesn't begin to scratch the surface, but please know that prayers are being said for you all.

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  35. Praying for your sweet boy, praying our Lord gives you supernatural peace and wisdom when making difficult decisions.

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  36. Thoughts and prayers coming your way from NJ...I've seen links and prayer requests on so many other blogs that I had to comment, to let you know I was praying for you as soon as I first read about this. Your son is beautiful, and perfect. He is lucky to have both of you as his parents. Praying that your decision brings you peace and comfort.

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  37. Wow, I'm not sure what to say. I don't even know you all but I am fervently praying for your little guy. I have a baby boy the same age so it hits close to home. God can make a way where there seems to be no way! I'm praying and believing for a miracle for the little guy. Also comfort for him. I am also praying for strength for you and your husband. I know it's got to be so extremely hard!!!

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  38. Your baby boy has been on my mind. I am so sorry you have to make this tough life changing decision! As a new mother to a premie born 3.5 months early, let me tell you miracles DO happen! I will continue to keep James, you and your family in my prayers!!

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  39. I found your blog thru my daughter and I will be praying God gives you peace that surpasses all understanding during this very difficult time.

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  40. I am praying for a miracle for James and for peace for your family. Love to you all.

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  41. I do not know you personally but I have prayed daily for you and Jamesie for strength and thanking him for all the prayer warriors that are lifting you up.

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  42. I have never met you, but you have been on my mind since I heard of your journey a few weeks ago. I woke up many times last night praying for you and your decision. I pray for peace with your decision and as little pain as possible for sweet little James.

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  43. I do not know you, James or your family but I just want you to know that since I heard about James I have been praying for you all. I pray for strength and peace. I pray for a miracle for that sweet sweet little angel.

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  44. Praying for peace and comfort that surpasses all understanding... You're spirit is amazing... I found your blog by blog-hopping, but even strangers are touched by James' story...

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  45. I know words are not enough to ease your pain. I am praying for you, your family, and sweet James. My hope is that you feel all of the prayers and find some peace in your decision.

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  46. My heart broke as I read this post - what a sweet, beautiful little boy. Praying for a miracle! God Bless!

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  47. I just found your blog through another that I read. I have a soon to be 8 month old. I will be thinking of your sweet James and praying for God's miracle. He is a beautiful little boy with two lucky parents.

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  48. Just read about your story over at Monograms and Manicures. You, your family, and James especially are in my thoughts and prayers. He is a beautiful baby boy and he is lucky to have such wonderful parents.

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  49. I remember when Jen McCrady first sent me a picture of your beautiful little boy after he was born. I said, "Oh my! There is no way that baby was born with all that hair!!"
    Jen said, "Yes! It is his! The nurses said they have never seen anything like it!" I showed his picture to all my family and friends and he quickly became known as the "sweet little boy with a head full of hair" in our house and we didn't even know you. When Jen sent me a text a couple of weeks ago, I just couldn't believe it. I have been so heartbroken for you guys. I find myself dreaming of James and praying for him in my sleep. He is a precious, perfect, angel, just as you said in your post.

    I will forever have a sweet memory of seeing his picture for the first time. It never ceases to bring a smile to my face. What a beautiful little boy with a head full of hair. I know that you have a million more memories that will bring smiles to your faces in the hard times ahead.

    In constant prayer for all three of you. Nothing could possibly ever prepare someone for this, except for the grace and mercy that Christ covers us with. Praying that you find rest and peace in Him today as you make difficult decisions.

    Love from Arkansas,
    Courtney

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  50. I don't know you personally either, but I am praying for you as well. There are really no words when dealing with something this difficult but know that many people are touched by your story, your son and are sending you love and prayers.

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  51. As the mother of a 4 month old little boy my heart breaks for you. You son is beautiful, and I wish you hope and strength and courage with your journey. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  52. I don't know you but was forwarded your blog through a friend. I'm praying that God will give you and your family strength and comfort to sweet baby James. He is such a precious little boy!

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  53. Lifting your family up to our Father. Cannot begin to fathom what your heart is feeling right now. I pray for some AMAZING time with your little man and I pray that God surrounds you and your husband with incredible support/comfort/encouragement and that you can feel His arms around you through this trial.

    Sweet James is a beautiful tiny angel.

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  54. Kara,

    I do not know you, but I found out about your situation through Jen McCrady's facebook posts. I wanted to let you know that my entire office prayer group has been praying for you and you family and we will continue to pray. Having dealt with a death of someone I love to cancer I empathize with your situation and pray that you stay strong in faith and you will in your decisions. I know they are tough ones to face. I do want to leave you with some words that my father gave to me when we were grieving the loss of my mom and I hoe you can find the same comfort and strength in them that I still looked to today almost 11 years later:

    Hebrews 12:1-2
    12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

    From my Father:
    I suppose that we always wonder whether or not we are making the best decisions, doing the right thing, or should do something differently - and it's not limited to the choices that we must make when someone we care about is sick. The good news is that we all wonder and second guess ourselves, the bad news is that we all wonder and second guess ourselves. The worse news is that we will probably never know. But you know that you are doing your best, that you have the best advice and counsel that you could find, and that you are doing what you had to do when you had to do it. You are making the tough decisions. You had to learn it on the job and you are doing well.

    So how do you go on? How do you get through today, much less tomorrow? It's a challenge. I once asked the same questions. Later, someone asked me those same questions and I answered that you know that every day there are people who will depend on you - family, co-workers, friends, and even strangers - and that you have to do your best for them. You also must accept help. You must understand that it's not just OK to ask for our help, it's a requirement. And it's a requirement for all of us to be prepared to help when we are called. That's what we are here for.

    And I must warn you that you will never completely get over the past few weeks - and that's probably a good thing. Even now, nearly eleven years later, I still wonder sometimes should we have tried this or that, gone somewhere else, taken a different approach to treatment, or any number of things and then the eyes get damp and often more. You and your family will never forget James (nor will I and the rest of your readers) and that's why remembering is a good thing. I wish you happy memories.

    And yes, he and He know that you are doing everything that you can. And they are both proud of you.

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  55. I know your boy has past away now, but I want you to know that he is absolutely adorable in these photos! I also hope you share my belief that you will have the opportunity to raise him in the hereafter. Your time with him is merely postponed. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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