Tuesday, October 30, 2007

He is doing really well-- the doctors are surprised how fast he is progressing- He still has a fever- They say this is normal for about 48 hours after surgery. He is off the ventilator and has talked a few times. He is wiggling his toes. He responds when you ask him questions-- usually by shaking his head yes or no or opening his eyes-- Almost always talking about Hayes and Grace will get him to open his eyes-- as well as if he wants to see if ha has a package at the Ronald! They sat him up this afternoon-- and did some chest beating and had him cough-- That was not so much fun to watch! But it helps his lungs stay healthy- Grier is very swollen today-- they said he would be but he does not even look like himself this evening-- We had a great nurse today, Emily was everything we could have asked for in a PICU nurse! She took great care of him and answered our questions- The doctors think he will be in PICU until Thursday if all stays they same-
Jeff and I are on a tag-team schedule-- he is there tonight and I am at the Ronald-
Our Charlotte family is home-- they lucked out and had a home cooked dinner made by Ross- Sounds like Bill learned about Hannah Montana-- And school is on for tomorrow-- Good thing we are getting used to the new routine--

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amy,
I am so glad he is doing so well. I just can not get you all out of my mind and pray for you all constantly!

Love
Anne

Anonymous said...

Amy,

Thanks so much for the update...we have been thinking about Grier non-stop. Sounds like he's doing well...I like the "overachiever" tag! Go Grier Go!! I am sorry that he is so swollen and I can only imagine how hard that must be to witness...from the pain medication...hopefully he is not itchy or do they have some meds for that?

How awesome the bond has grown between Grier and Hayes & Grace! That he opens his eyes when you speak of them is amazing...and very cool. And, nothing makes a child more excited than a "package!" My children always want to know who a package belongs to when a box is delivered...almost not caring if it's a water pitcher or a birthday gift...crazy!

I am so hopeful that you will be able to rest some with Jeff on duty tonight. You two are a great team and are surely doing the best thing for Grier in keeping yourselves rested...physically and mentally by having a "changing of the guard."

Tons of love to you and Jeff & sweet Grier. Hopeful are we that our love and prayers surround you all during this week of recovery. So excited that Grier is doing so well!

Love & Prayers...
Dina

Anonymous said...

Grier looks wonderful in the newest photo! Who would have guessed what he just went thru. Thank you for taking the time to share your personal thoughts and photos from NY-that means alot to us in Charlotte. Have a great night sleep at the Ronald tonight. Talk tomorrow.
Trisha

Anonymous said...

Dear Amy-
Your updates are a salve for the soul, and that photo of Grier pre-surgery is just the best. When I look at him there looking so cool dude and calm, I find myself hearing Robert DeNiro's speaking in some gangster flick saying, "Hey, you wanna piece of me?" and I have to smile. Grier is basically the toughest bad ass kid in the universe and you and Jeff are the toughest bad ass parents. Excuse my language, but I just think the tag fits. :-) You guys make for an amazing trio and I have a feeling that NYC ain't seen nothin' yet!
love, Alex

Anonymous said...

Amy,

Just wanted you to know the prayers are still coming. The news that Grier is doing so well was an answer to so many prayers. It was so good to see that sweet boys face from your latest picture. I know you and Jeff must be so tired. What an amazing and beautiful family you all are!!!! Many blessing!
Go Grier Go!!!

Stephanie G.

Anonymous said...

What great news ... glad to know he is doing so well. Tell Grier that Drew has a matching scar - it's only for the coolest kids on the block ;)

You are all in my heart and on my mind every minute of the day. Your strength is so amazing ... and yet not surprising at all.

I was looking at the pictures on the caringbridge site this morning and was struck by the light in Grier's eyes. He is a strong and beautiful child with a great soul. It is most definitely the love and commitment of his parents being reflected in his eyes. Y'all rock!

Elias & Moussa say 'Go Grier Go' every time I bring up the blog - which is all the time!

Love y'all!
Nibal et al

Anonymous said...

Amy,
You are so wonderful to not only tell us what is going on with Grier, but to send that WONDERFUL picture of him -- so calm, peaceful, and asleep. Enjoy the calm and peace for it won't be long before he is up and going again!

Loved the picture of him waiting for surgery -- bet he would have worn the cros into surgery if Dr. LaQ would have let him!!! Can't think of a more stylish outfit than cros and Lightning McQueen pjs! Don't you just love it???

Praise the Lord for your "over-
achiever"! How wonderful for you and Jeff, doctors, and nurses to see him less than 24 hours after surgery talking, wiggling his toes, and opening his eyes when Hayes and Grace (SUPERSIBS!!!) are mentioned.

Hope you have sweet dreams of your champ tonight at the Ronald. High Fives to Jeff for holding down the PICU fort tonight and here's to his turn at the Ronald tomorrow night!

So much love and so many prayers for you all tonight!

Betty G

Ann and Blaine Sanders said...

Amy and Jeff-
Your Covenant family prays earnestly for you and your family. We hope you feel God's presence in your lives- although there may seem so little peace and certainty in your present days. Your church family embraces you with compassion exceeded only by God's all-knowing care and love for you and your children.
Ann and Blaine Sanders
I lift my eyes to the hills-
From where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121

Anonymous said...

Amy,

All of my study group friends have been asking me about Grier's progress so you now have 5 more people checking the blog! I love hearing that you have had good nurses...I can only hope to be as good a nurse as Emily...I am working hard towards the goal!

I am glad to hear that Grier is doing so well and I hope that you and Jeff are holding up as best as you can!

Love,
Frances

Anonymous said...

Amy and family:
Incredible to see Grier calmly waiting for surgery. He is my hero!! What a courageous kid. So relieved that the surgery is over and he is making amazing progress. Can't wait for you to be back in Charlotte. Take care of each other. Love to you all.

Mrs. D.

Anonymous said...

Bless his dear heart and yours. Waiting patiently...he is so cute...and so good.... and you are both such wonderful parents....you are a blessing to all of us as we follow along in prayer and hope.

Hope you got a few hours of sleep at the Ronald. Julie

Anonymous said...

Wanting to wish you all in NYC a Happy Halloween - hoping it is filled with many treats of good news from the Doctors. Hoping you continue to take care of yourselves and know how much we are all in awe of your strength and faith. So excited by Grier's progress - that's wonderful news.

The Gray Dolpins will be happy to have Curly around this week as they tied their game 0-0 and needed her to be there to score a goal. We love you all
Killian, Daphne. Carter, Shields and Mac

Crystal said...

Amy,
this is so promising, I know you and Jeff are relieved he is breathing WELL on his own, and the chest PT will keep him that way...the swelling should get better, especially when he starts getting out of bed. I'm checking on you daily here..I am proud of you!
Love, Crystal

Anonymous said...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! One that you will always remember. What a fighter he is, like him lounging out waiting for surgery, are you kidding with that picture, he is to cool. I'll be at ETES today and will give a big ole' embarassing hug to Hayes. Take care, our prayers are with you all. The Stack Family

Anonymous said...

Amy and Jeff, New Blogger! I am a long-time Covenant member and even though we've never met I feel like I know you and your family. My son Andy got to know Grace this summer when he was a VBS counselor and said she is so cool. And I think I know most of your "prayer warriors" (love that phrase) including your friends outside of Covenant that we saw at the Freedom Park event (we are neighbors of the Stacks). I just wanted you to know that there are even MORE warriors out there than those who check in daily on the websites. You have been so generous to share your personal journey with us and we are pulling for Grier and the entire Christenbury family here in the Kendrick house. Much love sent your way, Cathy Kendrick, Tim, Lyle and Andy too.

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear no complications and Grier is on the mend. We continue to send positive thoughts and prayers from Charleston.

Netha

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy, Jeff, Grier, Hayes and Grace!

You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. I am so thankful for a successfull surgery and for the many prayers being lifted up for your family. It's so hard to know what to say as I cannot imagine having to go through all of this so far away from home. I can only hope that God will take our prayers and wrap them around you and provide some kind of comfort. We miss you so much!

Love, Stephanie Cornett

Anonymous said...

Amy,

Thank you so much for the updates. Many of the church members have asked about Grier. I print out the newsest update and keep it at the reception desk where people can see it.

Love the photos of Grier. I've never met him but he looks like a lovable little teddy bear.

God bless you all!

Praying daily,
Beverly
afternoon receptionist at Covenant

Anonymous said...

Amy and Jeff,
Well my computer decided to stop working for a day but my thoughts and prayers have been constant. (Leah kept me posted on the new updates yesterday) I still keep thinking about Grier asking for his Lightning McQueen PJ’s and smiling:). And I love the picture of him just before surgery with his Crocs on!!

I’m glad to hear that his doctors are so impressed with his progress that they are calling him an ‘overachiever’ and that he is responding to your questions and wiggling his little toes. I hope his fever will go away soon.

I am very proud of you all especially sweet little Grier…your strength and your positive energy truly are amazing and inspiring…

Love,
Troy

Anonymous said...

Amy,

Anxious to hear news on our sweet friend today...hopeful that everyone rested well last night...both at the Ronald and at PICU. Looking forward a great update today and hoping the medicine is keeping the pain at bay.

Lots of love to you all...
Dina

Mary Ellen Paine said...

We are so happy for the wonderful news. We continue to pray for all of you and keep you close in our hearts. You and Jeff take care of each other too.
Thank you for being the best blogger ever. You are so wonderful to keep us all posted.
Lots of Love,
The Paine's

GO STEEL FAB!

GO STEEL FAB!

Go Grier Go Magnets are Here!

Go Grier Go Magnets are Here!

Grier's address in NYC

Grier Christenbury
Ronald McDonald House of New York

405 East 73rd Street

New York, NY 10021

Before 3F8

Before 3F8

After 3F8

After 3F8
30 minutes later

Free Money for Go Grier Go!.. just by shopping online!!

iGive.com

Grier leaving NY-pres and going back to MSKCC

Grier leaving NY-pres and going back to MSKCC
www.cornellpediatrics.org-- Great hospital!

Grier going for a ride in the ambulance across the street

Grier going for a ride in the ambulance across the street
just transporting-- not an emergency!

Grier patiently waiting surgery to remove tumor

Grier patiently waiting surgery to remove tumor
Monday 10/29/07

Go Grier Go Picnic in the Park

Go Grier Go Picnic in the Park
Thanks to everyone that helped!!!

On the way to NYC!

On the way to NYC!

Grier at the "new" clinic at CMC

Grier at the "new" clinic at CMC
Playing with the doctors and nurses 10/19/07

Some of our team at the Hopebuilders 5k

Some of our team at the Hopebuilders 5k

HOPE IS GOOD!!

HOPE IS GOOD!!

Supersib- GRACE

Supersib- GRACE

SuperSib-- HAYES

Grier and his Wonder Pets fly boat cake!

Grier and his Wonder Pets fly boat cake!
I am 3!

Grier & Grace at Covenant

Grier & Grace at Covenant

Grier & Pat

Grier & Pat

Go Grier Go!

Go Grier Go!




Jack and Charlie wearing Go Grier Go T's

Jack and Charlie wearing Go Grier Go T's