Friday, April 25, 2008

Life

If you've been following my blog for any length of time you know that I usually just stick to the crafty stuff and don't really post about my family life. It's time to fill you in and ask for prayers.
A little boy very dear to my heart who I consider to be my grandson (My oldest daughter's best friend's baby)and his family are going through a very difficult time. During the first week of March Max's mom noticed that his eye was twitching and wouldn't stop. She took him to the ER where they did some tests and sent them home. The next day she got a call to return the the hospital as soon as possible where she was told that further review of the CAT scan showed something. Further testing revealed that he had two tumors: a 3cm tumor putting pressure on the optic nerve and causing the eye twitching as well as a smaller tumor near his pituitary. Mid March Max underwent surgery to remove the larger tumor. They were only able to remove about 85% of the tumor, he has permanent damage that has left him blind in his right eye, and the stroke he suffered during surgery has left him unable to open his left eye. The damage to his pituitary gland has left him with a form of diabetes that was causing his kidneys to go into overdrive and making him dehydrated. They finally got the dehydration under control and he was released from the hospital on April 6th, his sister's 3rd birthday. They doctors had decided not to put him through radiation or chemo and to just watch the small tumor. Max has not been doing well since his return home but the doctors had attributed it to adjusting his meds. When he started vomiting like crazy they finally did another MRI to try to figure out what I going on. We found out yesterday that the "smaller" tumor has grown much faster than they had anticipated and the remaining portion of the other tumer is growing as well. His parents are supposed to be meeting with his doctores today to figure out what to do next. Please pray for 7 month old Max to feel better and for his family to have strength to get through this.
The other thing going on around here is that a friend of Kacie's has moved into our home. I honestly don't know much about this young lady having only met her last fall but what I do know is that her aunt (who has had custody of her since she was removed at age 12 from her mother's home for severe abuse and neglect) kicked her out a couple of months ago when she found out that she was cutting. She was staying with friends but, from what I gather, that was kind of a flop house situation that fell apart this week. When her aunt refused to let her back into her house she came here not knowing what else to do. This young lady is 18 so I guess the aunt feels no obligation to provide for her anymore even though she is still in high school and clearly isn't equipped to fend for herself. Since she is in special education classes with Kacie, I need to sort out whether she is legally responsible for herself or if the aunt is still her legal guardian, I need to find out if she ever received any counseling for the abuse in her mother's home (or what I perceive as neglect in the aunt's home), if she has been classified as cognitively impaired, and what resourses are available to her as far as transitioning from school to the real world. So please pray that I have done the right thing by welcoming her into my home and that I can help her get her life together.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

cindy-I have much admiration and respect for you! I will keep little Max in my prayers. You have an enormous heart to take in your daughter's friend. Just being in a stable loving environment will help her. Let me know if you need help getting info on transitioning after high school. We have something for the kids here and I can ask how to get info for other states. hang in there-u rock!! {{hugs!}}

Sandi Minchuk said...

Oh Cindy. I'm so sorry little Max is having to go through all of this. I'll continue praying for all of you and keep you all in my thoughts. As far as Kacie's friend, I'm not sure the laws in MI, but I know in IN- if a child is still in school, the guardian is responsible. It might not hurt to call your local prosecutor's office and ask some questions, as an anonymous, concerned citizen. ;) You are such a good person to take her in and help her out in her time of need. It's something she won't ever forget, I'm sure. ((hugs)) and prayers to you and your family.

theartsymom said...

Hugs and prayers all around for you.

Lisa said...

I will definitely continue to pray for Max and keep his family in my thoughts. You are so wonderful to take that girl in and care about her problems & issues.

Colleen said...

Wow Cindy! You have a lot on your plate and I can only imagine what all of you are going through.

I'm very happy that you're doing well and that you're heathy. I only hope the same for Max in the long run and know that all of you are in my thoughts...

You're a wonderful woman for being so caring. I wish all of you the best.

Patrice~ said...

peace and prayers to you, Cindy.

Carla said...

Wow Cindy, thoughts and prayers for you and eveything that you are going through with all this personal stuff. I will keep you in my prayers. Hope things start looking up for Max.

Anonymous said...

Cindy - I will keep Max in my prayers. It doesn't surprise me that you want to help this young girl - you're heart is so big and she is lucky to have you looking out for her best interests. I'll keep you and Kacie and her friend in my prayers as well.

Michelle said...

Cindy- As someone who works with adolescents who are in the states care due to abuse and neglect I think what you are doing is awesome. Check in with her social worker if she is living with her aunt and the state placed her there then she would now about custody. Typically at 18 unless the aunt went to court to petition for custody this girl is her own guardian. Cutting is a symptom of a larger problem...usullay depression. Like someone with anorexia cutting is a way to feel as though they are in control.. They want to be the only one who can inflict pain on themselves it helps to drown out the pain inflicted by others. You are right on track she needs counseling. And the school could assist with transitional services. In out state we have BRS Bureau of Rehabilitative Services and they service people with cogivitve delays, or people with some sort of psychiatric diagnosis...they assist with finding housing, assist with vocational planning and training and with transportation to have access to services. If you have something similar that would be a start. I would go to the school first though as a reference point and talk to the guidance counselor or school social worker. Good luck and I will also keep your grandson in my prayers.