Thank you for all of your prayers. My mother told me that I probably had the whole country praying for my sweet sweet sweet (did I say sweet?) Samuel. I could feel it. His GI Doctor is amazing – I have only wonderful things to say about him, and feel so blessed that Samuel is in his care. The nurses and anesthesia team were outstanding. And I had my dear friend, my rock, Amy right there by my side. I am so grateful for her.
Again, short and sweet, as I’m tired. Samuel slept wonderfully last night. He did great until the last 30 minutes or so when he was really hungry. I got to bring him back to the operating room, and held him when they put him to sleep. I kept telling him (loud enough for the room to hear) how much I loved him and how much I TRUSTED everyone in the room to take great care of him. Then I had to leave. That was hard…that was so so hard. I just walked out and didn’t look back. I don’t think my weary heart could have handled that. Just seeing the screens and monitors with his name everywhere was overwhelming. I can’t even type without tears…
We’re home now, and Samuel is sleeping. The tears just keep coming — you’d think I’d have cried enough by now. In fact, I cried in Trader Joe’s this afternoon to the sweet lady behind the coffee/juice counter. She was just commenting on how cute Samuel was (I had to stop there on the way home to get him food to eat as they told both him and I go on a gluten free diet) and another lady remarked about how he must have just got out of the hospital. So I told him that he was sick, and probably had Celiac, and then I started to cry.
In the middle of Trader Joe’s. By the coffee and yogurt and nuts.
Bless that woman — she didn’t stare, she just came around and gave me a hug and told me that she’d be here for me every time I came in. She took my veggie chips and put a big heart on them and wrote — no charge, gift from Trader Joes.
That little act of kindness was a huge act of kindness for my aching momma’s heart.
I don’t know the results of the biopsy. I am bracing myself for the diagnosis of Celiac Autoimmune Disease. The surgeon had a nutritionist visit me who handed me a 45 page photocopied book with info regarding Celiacs. Then, when the biospy was done, he came in carrying a pamphlet detailing Celiacs disease. Honestly, I am so tired of testing and know that if it came back unsure that we would have an even longer road of tests (even scarier than Celiacs) that I’m actually hoping that it is just Celiacs.
I can do it. God will give me strength. And I’m a fighter.
Thanks again for praying. Again, your words mean so much to me. More than I could ever write. I am blessed by each one of you. My friends.
41 comments
I am so glad everything went well today and that Samuel slept well last might. I prayed every time I thought of you guys and that was a lot! God will give you strength to deal with whatever is to come. I’m continually praying.
Oh Rachel, my heart is breaking. I do know that God holds little Samuel and you in the palm of His hand. I am praying also for a diagnosis, and I am also continuing to pray that God would heal Samuel.
Yes, you are a strong woman. There is not much I can do here, but I will continue to pray you through. This is not too difficult for God. He will give you what you need.
Love you my dear sister!
I pray that it will be a sure diagnosis and no further testing will be necessary. I’m glad this part is behind you and I have no doubt that you will go forward with the same zeal that you do everything. May our God supply all of your needs and give you the extra strength that you will need in the days ahead. Hugs to you!
You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! You did it today and you will when the doctor calls with the results. Continuing to pray for you all and that dear sweet boy of yours! Yes, he is SWEET!
Rest well tonight.
Much love,
Stacy
I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you, Rachel. I’m like literally in tears as I read this post. Praying, praying, praying. For you and for Samuel and your family.
With love,
Hannah
Those pictures just break a mother’s heart! Sweet, sweet, Samuel. Lord, bring a diagnosis. Clarity. Grace. Strength. Resiliency. Sleep. Peace. Joy. Glory to Your name.
The picture of your precious Samuel is too much…so innocent. When I kiss my sweet Landen tonight, I’ll say a prayer for your beautiful son.
Much Love,
Nicki
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:'( Poor Rachel. Poor Samuel. You’re tired and overwhelmed, but God will help you deal with everything one day at a time. Think about Samuel all better… because if it is Celiac and you get him off of gluten, he will get better!
I’m praying for you again tonight .
Hugs friend.
Love,
Lynnette
Hang in there as your emotions are running strong right now. I am so glad to hear that Samuel slept well last night and the tests were smooth.
I am praying for you all.
God Bless,
<><
Oh, those pictures, just makes us all cry!!!! And OMGoodness, I think the Trader Joe’s coffee lady is actually an angel sent straight from Heaven above!! You’re strong, you’re a fighter and you’re Momma’s right: you have prayer warriors ALL OVER this country!!! Love you and your whole precious family!!
You and sweet Samuel were on my heart and in my prayers today.
Tomorrow is a new day, with new graces, new mercies, and new strength just wait for you from the Lord.
Sweet dreams.
Oh sweet Rachel, I got teary reading. What an angel of a gal at Trader Joes. She was exactly what you needed. I’m thanking God for giving you the blessing of her today.
I’m so glad that the GI doc is so wonderful. Praying that the diagnosis will be firm so you can move forward.
Hunter has the egg allergy and I get overwhelmed just by that. So I can only imagine how overwhelming it must be. The good news is that you and Samuel will be eating very healthy! And you get to shop at Trader Joes. That’s such a great place.
I hope you get a good dose of rest this weekend. Praying for you, my precious friend!
Glad everything went well and that you had your friend to be there with you. I love Trader Joe’s and after reading your post I love them even more. I went G/F for about a month and it was pretty easy if you shop at Trader Joe’s. I know that is different than Celiacs but you will do whatever you have to.
Much love to you, friend 🙂
Oh, dear sweet baby. Mama, you’ll make it through this! You’re doing such a good job taking care of your little boy.
Wish I could give you a hug. You are one tough cookie, you know it? Hang in there. Samuel and you remain in my prayers.
Glad you made it through–I am praying for you guys and am thankful for the many ways the Lord is revealing His tender loving care to you both in the midst of this!
I am so sorry for the trials you and your family are up against right now. Two of my cousins have Celiac which was diagnosed when they were toddlers. They are both grown and have children of their own now. If it is celiac it is something that can be controlled by diet and by keeping gluten out of the system. I am praying for you all. Hang in there! Hugs!
Our family will definitely be praying for you! God be with you and touch you and your precious son!
I can’t even imagine the stress and worry you are going through right now. Keeping your family in my prayers!
Sounds like it was an exhausting, emotional day for you. Snuggle in with your sweet baby boy. Praying that the news is good.
oh, your sweet boy is so precious. I hope you guys get answers soon.
*sniffle *sniffle… Your mom is right; and you have the whole world crying with you, too! You are all so in my prayers!!! I love your little family, and I don’t even know you; It surprises me to realize how true it is… it but I really do love you… I really do.
Hugs,
Corine
I know you’ve been broadsided but the Lord IS going to get your family through this!
Stopping by to let you know I’m still here praying!
Psalms 59:16-17 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
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Rachel,
{{HUGS}} I hope everyone there rests easy tonight. So much all of you have been through…more to come.
praying for you, my friend.
Amy
Know that I’m praying for Samuel and for you and your family, Rachel!! {HUGS}
<3,
Lindsay
there are things in life you never thought you’d hear yourself say…and “i pray that it’s celiacs” is one of those things…but today i mean it!
Gen
Rest in Him. Just rest.
Hello,
I have been a lurker on your blog for a while. I have been un-officially diagnosed with Celiac for two years, and last month I had the biopsy. Don’t worry, it will get better! The best cookbook ever is called “Gluten-free Baking Classics”. If you only buy one cookbook, this is it! I’ve been praying for y’all as you go through this.
Love,
Abby
Love the part about the lady at Trader Joe’s…just what you needed at that moment. I’m still praying for you and Samuel…sweet boy. God will get you through this…continue to lean on His strength.
what a precious photo of a lovely
boy. he is very blessed to have you
for a mommy!
i will remember him in my prayers.
you are an amazing momma and Samuel is sooooo sweet, thanks for sharing…and it warms my heart when a complete stranger can give a hug to a complete stranger…Jesus does that doesn’t He? He knows what we need.
Your mama’s heart choked me up. I would feel the exact same way.
I love your attitude towards the end of this post. God will not give you more than you can handle. I know this full well now after my own surgery.
He will give you wisdom on how to deal with this and I pray that even this disease might bring glory to His name. I pray of course first, that God would completely heal Samuel. I believe He can if that is His Will.
Get some sleep!
Blessings,
Stacie
Thanks for the update…it had me in tears…what a wonderful act of kindness…
Continuing to pray!!!
I just want to let you know that you and your son are in my prayers. I’m a newcomer to your blog, but my son had to have a colonoscopy and ended up being diagnosed with celiac. Hang in there – you can handle this!
Blessings to you and your family –
Tori B.
Hey again. Just wanted you to know that they tested my daughter for Celiacs as well, and when her results came back negative, we discovered that she had a severe milk protein allergy. Also, a friend of her from daycare has celiacs, and her mom said that once they got used to the daily life adjustments, it really isn’t that difficult to manage, so please know that there is hope for your precious boy. Praying for you. 🙂 -McCall
Praying!!! :*(
Reading back over your blog as I am a new reader. This is all so familiar to me. Tears are running down my cheeks reading your story. My sweet Nathaniel has celiac disease and we have been through this. He was hospitalized at 16 months for Salmonella and we found out that he had celiac in the months after. All the tests all of the blood work and dr visits. Agonizing. But now he is 5 and growing and catching up developmentally and I love him so much it makes my heart shatter. I am now so grateful that we found it when he was so young. For him, this is how life is. The other day someone offered him a candy and he said “I’m sorry but I can’t eat that. I don’t know if it is gluten free.” So proud of him! Best of luck to your precious little Samuel and to you.
Yes, you DID DO IT. And look what a blessing you and sweet sweet sweet Samuel have been to so many.
I am looking forward to meeting you 🙂
Oh, my gosh—let me be another adding to the prayers coming your way. There is so much support out there for you and, of course, the strength inside you. Don’t forget to lean on those who love you when you need to and I know as a reader of your blog that you never forget to cuddle with all those beautiful and amazing kids! I know that is sometimes the only thing that gets us through the tough moments in my house! All the best to you and yours!
Rachel, I am so very sorry that Samuel is still sick! Having been through many medical trials with my older 2 children, I really do understand how you feel, and I’m terribly sorry that you and Samuel are having to go through this hard time! I’ll be praying while you wait for the diagnosis.
Hugs to you, my friend!