tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post8606909969749115549..comments2023-09-06T08:04:48.978-07:00Comments on Our Family Advocating for the Orphan: The Story of Wes...Kristi Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14639293095200720758noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-86996187600175199222011-07-14T18:34:19.795-07:002011-07-14T18:34:19.795-07:00Read this just now and am overwhelmed by Wes' ...Read this just now and am overwhelmed by Wes' story. It is an inspiration to all!! Thanks, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing.L.O.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456291667703764012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-51203826389976092012011-07-10T11:00:35.478-07:002011-07-10T11:00:35.478-07:00My daughter (who has other special needs) was born...My daughter (who has other special needs) was born with craniosynostosis on 3 out of the 4 sutures. She had surgery at 4 months for the front and forehead, 11 months on the back, and then had titanium mesh added a year later when the bones didn't cover a spot in the back. And she had loose screws removed the following year (yes, you can laugh!). If you want to "talk" about it, feel free to shoot me an email at findingnormal08 at yahoo dot com. I didn't start blogging until she was about a year old, but there are pictures on my blog from the surgeries. The worst part was seeing her face so swollen (in the first surgery) that her eyes couldn't open, but the blessing was as soon as the swelling went down enough that she could open them, we were discharged. Recovery time was amazingly fast. Way faster than it would have been for me!!! Her beautiful red hair now covers the incision site (which was opened 3 times) and you don't know it's there unless you're looking for it. I'll pray for y'all!Finding Normalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15542473853342128094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-27987972113178424832011-07-09T20:55:03.188-07:002011-07-09T20:55:03.188-07:00Your blog was just one I "randomly" foun...Your blog was just one I "randomly" found one day. My husband and I know adoption is in our future. Praying for your sweet baby boy and every person who will help treat and care for him.Amy P. https://www.blogger.com/profile/05157307741204886046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-43162509094125431332011-07-08T12:43:41.465-07:002011-07-08T12:43:41.465-07:00Oh, Kristi. You know with our adoption taking WAAA...Oh, Kristi. You know with our adoption taking WAAAAAAY longer than we thought it would, I've had a bit of a discouraging week. This just reminds me that it is all GOD'S timing!! Be it slow or fast!! <br /><br />Dear Lord, please heal this child you so obviously have big plans for!! For your glory!! Amen!!Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11264845015930907294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-76546644783239383642011-06-18T20:03:09.075-07:002011-06-18T20:03:09.075-07:00I am marking my calendar for July 26th - and I wil...I am marking my calendar for July 26th - and I will remind my other friends whose heart is "in" adoption - although all our hearts are adopted! - and we will be praying for Wes, for his doctors, for his nurses, for his mom & dad as they wait that long time, and for all his brothers & sisters!! God is Good ALL the time - and He certainly Knows!! so happy I got to read your blog.Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06593448335142717214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-67093377074885629172011-06-13T12:52:18.917-07:002011-06-13T12:52:18.917-07:00Wow Kristi: I am just reading this today and I lov...Wow Kristi: I am just reading this today and I love God's faithfulness and hand in the life of your son. What a miracle that you found him and I remember thinking your adoption was moving fast. Now it is so clear that God wanted that little peanut home to be in your family and your arms before during and after his surgery. He is fighter and know that we will all be praying for your whole clan and most especially dear Wes! Love and hugs to you. You are a dear sweet Mama Kristi!Melanie Strobelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11687275941978133143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-58966145273621610172011-06-12T09:48:45.124-07:002011-06-12T09:48:45.124-07:00I love reading your blog! I just wanted to tell y...I love reading your blog! I just wanted to tell you that we have some very good friends who have a son that had this surgery about 4 years ago. He recovered wonderfully and now you would never even know that anything was wrong. Good luck and we will be praying for Wes.Timmerman Zoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966039155509315066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-64070238100516552212011-06-11T18:10:28.379-07:002011-06-11T18:10:28.379-07:00Love you all so dearly! We're praying for all ...Love you all so dearly! We're praying for all of you! Hugs! MichelleMichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11689616726752525919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-65939074872813736532011-06-06T21:42:29.664-07:002011-06-06T21:42:29.664-07:00I am praying ~ in FULL FAITH and BELIEF! ~ that wh...I am praying ~ in FULL FAITH and BELIEF! ~ that what God has started in your sweet little boy and family, is only the beginning! I believe He has GREAT plans for Wes and for you! God will be glorified to the WORLD in this sweet son of your's life!!! Praising God with you and praying! May God guide the surgeon's eyes to see things as He wants them to see. May He guide their minds to find the best route in surgery. May He steady the hands of the surgeon. And may we ALL remember who is the ALMIGHTY SURGEON!!!!! God so has this in the palm of His hand!!! Praying peace over all of you and miraculous healing for your son!!!!!Debbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202263992742383802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-27818562923442441252011-06-06T19:37:39.676-07:002011-06-06T19:37:39.676-07:00Kristi, this was beautifully written! You're ...Kristi, this was beautifully written! You're right, God is in every detail, and we will certainly join you in covering Wes, the surgeons, nurses, and every person that comes into contact with him in prayer. God is our Great Physician and Healer and He will divinely take care of Wes just as He has through this entire journey. Bless you, my friend. God is good and in the miracle working business indeed :) TaraTarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01469465758002851608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-24306488600885811632011-06-06T10:36:27.030-07:002011-06-06T10:36:27.030-07:00Kristi, my cousin's daughter had that same con...Kristi, my cousin's daughter had that same condition... but much much more severe... she came out of the womb with a bulging forehead... it was very very serious. If you would like to talk to my cousin, she contacts families going through this and walks beside them. Contact me if you would like... durangomillers@yahoo.com <br />She is a very healthy and happy girl now. No complications or issues at all.Marcihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519619762731017613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-82657691754731827542011-06-06T03:43:38.006-07:002011-06-06T03:43:38.006-07:00Praying for you sweet baby boy! Praising God that...Praying for you sweet baby boy! Praising God that he is home, in his Mommy and Daddy's arms at the perfect time, getting all the LOVE and now medical attention that he needed!Emyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17543383232618113272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-74643760953193340032011-06-05T22:37:58.309-07:002011-06-05T22:37:58.309-07:00Hi Kristi...
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing Westal...Hi Kristi...<br /><br />Thank you SO MUCH for sharing Westall's story with us all. I am sorry that you all have to go through this, but I also rejoice, knowing that GOD placed him in your home, and in your beautiful country, that does these surgeries! Please keep us all informed!! He will have lots of love and support from your family, and friends. I have been following your blog for almost as long as you've had Lucy. She is my inspiration to adopt, Sadly, we will never be able to, but I still love to read your story:) I just looked at LL's Gotcha Day Vid, and her one year vid..and both so precious. <br /><br />April (from the heart of B.C, Canada)The A Teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360941896863619384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-60357202808952650992011-06-04T06:45:43.517-07:002011-06-04T06:45:43.517-07:00Oh I share your heart! And I will be praying for ...Oh I share your heart! And I will be praying for Wes! Our adoption with Kevin was quick also and I know it was because of his life-threatening sn and it went quick even with a bunch of HAGUE regulations that usually slow down the process! ONLY GOD!<br />Praying that the surgery will be successful with NO complications! Praying for all of your hearts as you prepare for surgery day....<br />Hugs from another momma whose grateful God saved her son too!<br />laineThe Ferrill'shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06091232102936751058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-21699729256572174982011-06-03T23:23:36.706-07:002011-06-03T23:23:36.706-07:00Brings me to tears to see God's hand over your...Brings me to tears to see God's hand over your little man's life. Keep us informed and you know we'll be praying you through this!!!Mama Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03956579568061258585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-28083207022611405682011-06-03T11:52:12.060-07:002011-06-03T11:52:12.060-07:00Praying from Wisconsin!Praying from Wisconsin!Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00090118005597719639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-27039592757698042822011-06-03T10:50:24.168-07:002011-06-03T10:50:24.168-07:00Kristi,
I found your blog through a friend who fo...Kristi,<br /><br />I found your blog through a friend who follows your story. She told me to take a look since my daughter had surgery for Craniosynostosis when she was 3 months old. She was Dx'd at 8 weeks with premature closure of her sagittal suture - which sounds like your son Wes. Her brain had no where to grown except forward, leaving her forehead embossed & long like a football (for lack of a better description).<br /><br />God willing with lots of prayers and support from family and friends, and an amazing team of doctors and neurosurgeon's she did beautifully through her surgery.<br /><br />She is now a healthy and happy 6 yr.<br /><br />Our Neurosurgeon has asked us several times to speak with parents who have children that are facing the same surgery. He felt that we handled it well and calmly. We also taught him and his team a few things too that have changed some of the hospital procedures. Mostly regarding blood donation prior to the surgery (if a family or friend will being doing so). <br /><br />One huge thing that we weren't told about is proper aftercare of the stitches. Which has left up to a 1/2 - 1" wide scar on my daughter's head where no hair grows. She will have to have a scar revision now within the next 1-2 yrs.<br /><br />Recovery was pretty easy. She wasn't in pain, but wasn't comfortable with the swelling as she couldn't see for 3 days. By 5 days post op she was acting the same as before the surgery!<br /><br />If you would like to chat about what to expect and hear more of our story, I would be happy to share it with you. You can reach me at carrielewis.work@gmail.com<br /><br />All the best to Wes and your entire family.<br />God Bless<br />Carrie~Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07212109429718030584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-5196821652455238082011-06-03T08:22:31.051-07:002011-06-03T08:22:31.051-07:00Kristi! Wow! That was beautifully written! God ...Kristi! Wow! That was beautifully written! God is all over this boy's life! What a miracle that he is home and able to get this crucial surgery. We will be lifting your whole family up in prayer during this journey. Sweet Wes is going to have quite the story of God's faithfulness working in his life! So thankful there is a surgery that has proven to be successful to help him in this condition. A verse the Lord has used many times over in my life (especially during our daughter's NICU stay of several months and other challenges we've faced with our kiddos) is Proverbs 19:21.....<br />Many are our plans but it is "HIS purpose that prevails!!" Much love to your family!<br /><br />Jenny C.<br />calcrew.wordpress.comjennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11144270338615896801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-84727524473414887082011-06-03T05:40:45.645-07:002011-06-03T05:40:45.645-07:00I'll be praying for your precious little boy f...I'll be praying for your precious little boy from Italy,I've been following you since Lucy Lane got home and I really feel like a friend of yours.I love your family and Wes' story moves just like you inspired me.Ever since i watched your Gotcha day video for LL,i started to feel something growing in my heart and I can't wait to get older and married to adopt.You litterally changed my life.<br />p.s. Maybe a story line of Wes' adoption next to Lucy Lane's down below could be useful to the readers.<br />Btw a little boy's missing from the "How old are my 5 (6) kiddos?" section with those super cute drawnings from Lilypie.I think it's about time to update it :) <br />Hugs from across the word.<br />Love,MartinaMarMorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08718898737302170078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-59726986432048696282011-06-02T22:48:58.659-07:002011-06-02T22:48:58.659-07:00Praise God from whom all blessings flow. He is an ...Praise God from whom all blessings flow. He is an on time God. Ill keep your little guy and your family in my prayers.Tasha-Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04046744110792517836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-64029732494940095342011-06-02T18:56:41.669-07:002011-06-02T18:56:41.669-07:00Oh Kristi ~ Our littlest foster son just had a CT ...Oh Kristi ~ Our littlest foster son just had a CT scan two weeks ago to rule out craniosynostosis. I just got a call yesterday with the results and our little man is all clear & it seems it is just a bit of malformation of his head so we may be getting him a helmet. (Since the time I sent you those cloth diapers we took in premature twins born drug addicted at 33 weeks who we were told right off the bat that we would be able to adopt) I did a lot of research on the condition and oddly I had a great peace about it, too. I just thought to myself "If he needs this surgery, he'll get it!". Are you going to Chattanooga, TN? I was told there is a specialist there who is the best this side of the country. And your Wes will be having this surgery on my River's 6th birthday so we'll remember to pray for him! SO glad that little guy is home!<br />KayceKaycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07854051572716992786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-70827870311041615532011-06-02T18:34:18.242-07:002011-06-02T18:34:18.242-07:00Oh honey! My heart is just all over the map after...Oh honey! My heart is just all over the map after reading this--joy and tears all at the same time--but thank goodness our GOD isn't all over the map. He's UNCHANGING. You are absolutely right about believing God's timing for all of this and you have a world of people praying, laying Wes at the Father's feet for healing. I can't help but think of when Jesus brushed everything else aside and told His disciples to let the little children come to Him. He truly cares and has been watching over sweet Wes since day one. And yes, He saw him this far and will continue to see him through! Adding this to my daily prayer time. <br />Hugs from across the miles (even though we've never met)<br />Love,<br /><br />Rorywoosterweesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16768163870494533835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-31786962464724101832011-06-02T18:05:06.369-07:002011-06-02T18:05:06.369-07:00Your story gave me the chills. And - it made me c...Your story gave me the chills. And - it made me click "send" to inquire about a waiting child even though our homestudy is just shy of being finished.<br /><br />Thanks for all you do, you are such an example to us all.Messy and Wonderfulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17784037855201508825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-22145433506404841642011-06-02T15:48:44.110-07:002011-06-02T15:48:44.110-07:00I can't imagine what is going on in your heart...I can't imagine what is going on in your heart. As a mom there is NEVER a good surgery.....one that involves any risk is huge. BUT I am seeking to PRAISE GOD for the MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!! As you pointed out Wes was definitely your son- no doubts there!!!!! EVER!!!!!!!!!!! No doubt God has brought Wes to you now for this important part of his testimony! PRAYING now and continually through the surgery that everything will be done through the Spirit!!!!!!!!!!! Praying for you and your husband's hearts and your children's hearts too!!! That God would continue to give you peace and build up a prayer warrior group to support you- I'M IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God CAN and WILL WORK THROUGH THIS AMAZING STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"Are These Kids All Yours?"https://www.blogger.com/profile/17946903135252874458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893097126776917798.post-81126694233517270942011-06-02T15:08:45.640-07:002011-06-02T15:08:45.640-07:00Wow, Kristi, thank you for sharing his beautiful s...Wow, Kristi, thank you for sharing his beautiful story. Yes, you can see God's hands all over it! Will be praying for sweet Wes and his upcoming surgery!!!Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08607476812485135757noreply@blogger.com