We have had a pretty busy weekend--- Saturday was almost a wash-out.. but it did not stop us from going anywhere- We went in out out of a few shops-- Lenny's for lunch -- then we ventured over to my mom's swanky hotel-- and then back out in the rain! By afternoon the rain had stopped and we were having "normal" family time at The Ronald-- everyone was even fighting!! Grace and Hayes stayed with us last night-- Grier and Hayes on the pull-out and Grace and I shared the twin!! And Jeff had a bed to himself!
Today we woke up late--(8:00am!!!!) and then went to get breakfast and my mom-- Her hotel is 1 1/2 blocks from the zoo so we went there this morning-- That was a lot of fun-- we took a bunch of pictures-- especially of penguins! Grace is doing a project at school on penguins. They also had a lot of activities with a Halloween theme at the zoo-- everyone seemed to have a good time- We walked up 5th and did some shopping at American Girl-- ( I actually was trying to get Grace to want something but she did not want anything!!) We had a great lunch at John's Pizza near times Square and then went to Toys R Us to ride the Ferris wheel-- just Grace and I did that-- everyone else watched.
Throughout the day we had to give meds at 11, 12, 4, 5, 7, 8-- so that was a little reality check of why we are in NYC-- And then at dinner the nausea I was worried about all day hit Grier fast and hard!! He and Jeff went back to the Ronald and I attempted to finish dinner with the rest of the family--
So, we are in the home stretch of this waiting-- It is bittersweet-- we came here for a doctor's surgical expertise but it will be hard to hand him over tomorrow- I should be a pro at it by now but tomorrow is so much more complicated and life threatening- But we know lots of prayers have and will be said to help us through it-- Tonight was hard for H & G since they thought they would be staying with us again-- so you can imagine how they felt hen we told them we all could not stay together tonight-
we have heard about church today and tomorrow at the chapel-- Thanks for caring so much about our family--I have done a lot of looking up today asking God to take care of Grier and I know all of you have done the same- we will get through this and hopefully beat neuroblastoma!
I hope to do updates tomorrow-- but please do not call if you do not see them-- It may be late in the day-- I am not sure what to expect- we will go by ambulance to PICU at NY-Presbyterian Cornell and I am not sure what the visiting will be like in the PICU but we may have to come back to the Ronald to sleep-
new pictures are on the caringbridge site-- www.caringbridge.com -- grierchristenbury
Grace and Peace- or as Grier would say.. "next years Christmas and Halloween"-- we have no idea why he says this but that is what he tells people when he leaves instead of Goodbye-
Amy
14 comments:
Oh Amy! I am so glad to hear of your weekend together with the children. I can not begin to imagine how very hard it will be, as you said, to hand Grier over to Dr. LaQ...my heart will ache with you. No one should be a "pro" at this...it's simply the uncertainty of life and the infinite love that God has given to us all that makes this such a difficult time. Yes, I too am selfish and pray for Grier to make it through this surgery with flying colors and be back to himself in a week or two. I am praying for nothing short of a miracle!!!!
I have enlisted nearly everyone I know to pray for Grier and your family in their own way keeping you all on in their thoughts throughout the day tomorrow. You are with me now and will be until we find Grier well and back in Charlotte.
Not sure what else to say, sweet friend of mine, except that all of my love I extend to you, Jeff, Grier and your family as you prepare for tomorrow and the coming week!
Hope IS Good...Go Grier Go!!
Love & Prayers...
Dina
Christenbury Family-
We share a sweet friend, Dina Givens, who has told us all about Grier. We have been praying for him every night and will continue to do so until all the cancer is gone. We are praying for wisdom and guidance for the doctors, peace and strength for your family and for complete and total healing for Grier. The Lord does not give us more than we can bear and He will see you through. We will look forward to hearing good news tomorrow.
Dear Amy,
My favorite verse is Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." I am thankful for your inspiration to us all and my request to God is a perfect surgery and a rapid and full recovery for Grier. I know that God has this surgeon in his care. Bless you all tomorrow through all the waiting. We will all be praying. Much love. Anne W
Dear Amy-
Grier and your family are everpresent on my mind, and not a minute will pass tomorrow without thoughts of you all. You guys deserved every minute of the fun family time this weekend held. That you could even raise your head off the pillow this morning and face this day reflects how amazing you are- how giving, how brave. You and Jeff are inspirations to us all.
Today I found myself reading and re-reading a poem which I know I gave you last summer but it seems fitting to repeat... It's called "What Cancer Cannot Do."
Cancer is limited...
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot erode faith.
It cannot destroy peace.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot suppress memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot steal eternal life.
It cannot conquer the spirit!
-Author Unknown
We hold Grier and your family in our hearts.
Love, Alex, Bruce, Tyler & Wilson
Amy
My sister passed on your blog. She is a member at your church. I live in Greenville, Sc and I pray for precious Grier daily. I am so proud that you keep looking up. I hope that my faith would be as strong in your situation. I will be praying for you 5 tomorrow and for all of the doctors and nurses....but esp for precious Grier. I pray that God will give you a peace beyond any human understanding. Please know that God holds you all in the palm of his hand.
Much Love
Laura Black
Greenville, Sc
Amy,
When I am alone and I say my prayers, I usually find myself saying them silently. But today I did something I rarely do - at least when I am saying a prayer by myself: I said a prayer to God out loud - I mean REALLY loud - as if He were sitting on the deck with me. Tom and the girls were gone somewhere and I was at our mountain house, high up above the valley, feeling much closer to Him and I just started praying out loud for Grier, Dr. LaQ, you, Jeff, the kids, everyone. I'm pretty sure He heard me because I'm pretty sure He was shocked to see me prancing around my deck just a prayin'! Must have been the 1/4 Baptist in me:-) I will do the same tomorrow - something about being in the majestic mountains amongst all of the earthly beauty makes me feel much more connected. I am in awe of your strength and you will need every ounce tomorrow as you turn over your trust to Dr. LaQ and God. I hope you get good rest this evening, although I'm sure that will be difficult. May He wrap his loving arms around you and Jeff as you await good news.
Thinking of all of you,
Tracy
I know that God will be watching over you and Jeff, Dr. LaQ, your family, everyone involved with surgery, and especially the great little guy, to make sure everything goes according to well-laid plans. So happy that you have had two wonderful days with Grace, Hayes, and Maggie -- God brought them there for you!! They are real troopers along with you, Jeff, and Grier! The prayer warriors will be in full force tomorrow all over the country praying for Grier, the MSKCC folks, and your family.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your blog updates -- it is such a comfort to all of us to know what is happening.
I can't remember Doug Oldenburg's exact words, but he often ends his worship services with words like, "God goes before you. God goes behind you. God is always with you. Remember that you are never alone. God is always with you." Remember that tomorrow -- you are not alone and have hundreds of people praying for your family and Grier.
Love and prayers tonight and tomorrow and for days to come --
Betty G
Amy,
I always blog too early when pictures are involved...yet again, I did the same. I love the picture of Grier looking on as Grace has her face painted. I'm guessing he did not partake.
Once more, thank you for giving us an opportunity to walk in this journey with you and your family. You are giving even when giving seems impossible...truly amazing!
Our prayers are with you, our hearts steadfast and true...
Love & Grace...
Dina
Heavenly Father, we ask that you guide the skilled hands of Grier's surgeons to success. We acknowledge your power, your grace, and our total dependence on you to help us all in this time of great need. Bless these families and friends, and bless Grier. Wrap him in your arms and heal him; for we know that you need only say the word, and he shall be healed. We humbly ask that this be your will, O Lord, and therefore place Grier ever so gently your loving hands. Amen.
Amy and family:
I carry each of you in my heart every day and will especially tomorrow as Grier undergoes surgery. You will feel the prayers being said for Grier at noon tomorrow and for hours before and after. God will guide the surgeons hands. Grace and Hayes have been amazing during the weeks since the beginning of school. I am in awe of you and Jeff as you hold your family up during this trying time. Please know that there are so many people who hold you close to them every day .
Go, Grieg, go!!
Love,
Mrs. D.
I woke up early this morning and my first thought was Grier. You are in our hearts and prayers.
We love you,The Paine's
Amy,
I did something this morning I rarely do. I hit my knees to pray. I pray often, but I rarely get on my knees to talk to God, but I did - right here in my office! I prayed that God wrap all of you in his loving arms and comfort you today. We will all be praying for you today. We love you all!
Love,
Lesley
Amy,
Thinking about you all everyday but especially TODAY - Go Grier Go!
Stacy Sparks
Post a Comment