Phoebe is doing better today. It has been a tough couple of days trying to get her sodium to come back down to a reasonable level, but it seems that we are on the way now. Diabetes Insipidus is a tricky issue to have because all of her fluids have to be just right in order for her sodium to be level. The brain usually regulates your body fluid and sodium and the vast majority of people never have to think twice about it. That job is now completely controlled from the outside of Phoebe’s body and any little change in fluid intake or DDAVP dose sets the whole thing off. This will be MUCH easier to regulate when she is older and understands that she HAS to drink to keep her body okay. For now, she is not recognizing thirst and her fluids have to be given through her ng tube.
The other drama, (because we Fair’s are drama magnets) is that the day after Phoebe was rushed to the ER and put in ICU, Nathan’s Dad, Scott who was staying with us and helping out with the boys was taken to the ER at Southwestern hospital for severe abdominal pain and cold sweats. He was diagnosed with Diverticulitis and is still in-patient there for the rest of the week while he receives antibiotics and is put on a liquid diet for a short time. So, once again we have two family members in nearby hospitals. You can’t make this stuff up. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
In the meantime, I am trying to carve out any time I can to prepare for the conference on Saturday. I might have dark circles under my eyes and be slurring my speech, but I’ll be there! Life is messy.
The boys are doing well and Nathan is going out of his way with Phoebe duty this week so I can focus on this weekend. He has such a servant’s heart and I am so thankful for him. His Grandparents are also staying a couple of nights with us this week to sit with Phoebe during the day so we can get things done. I joked with Grandpa this morning that it’s usually the old people in the family that are doing hospital time, not the old people that are making rounds visiting all the younger folks.
We’re not sure when Phoebe will be released to come home. They are wanting to see her sodium levels find a good stable pattern before she leaves the hospital. We’re just taking it one day at a time around here. It’s a surreal life we live right now…
Thank you all for praying for us. And thank you to those who have sent us giftcards to go out to eat on dates, care packages for the kids (we have received some amazing care packages) as well as prayer cloths and blankets. And thank you to the Lawson family who hosted the “FROG’n For Phoebe” fundraiser…all of these gifts and efforts boost our spirits and I wish I had the time and energy to individually thank each and every one of you. Please know that we feel your love and support!
~Amey
An Atypical Miracle 
Continuing to pray and pray for all of you. When it rains it pours. I’m glad to hear Phoebe is doing better, maybe now you will be able to get that home sodium level monitor.
Praying for a quick recovery for Scott too.
Blessings,
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So happy to hear that Phoebe is doing better. PTL or that.
Hope Scott has a quick recovery also.
Be Blessed and know you remain in our prayers.
Love the photo of Phoebe smiling up at her grandpa 🙂 Praying her and Scott will both be able to come home soon. I’ll be thinking of you on the weekend and I know you’ll do great….wish I could attend, but I’m in California. Hugs to you all!
I am sure you have tried this but have you thought about trying different flavors of drinks or letting her eat her drinks through slushy type treats? Freeze lemonade, etc. Do you think it could be a texture or swallowing issue? There are thickeners you can try too.
Yes Carrie, We have tried popsicles, frozen drinks and juices etc. Her swallow reflex works fine. Thanks for the thoughts though!
I pray for little Phoebe and the family daily. I follow your updates and can’t imagine your struggles. Stay strong in the Lord and we will continue to hold you up in prayer.
Dear Amey- this is Kasha Lewis from Stephenville. I posted once before on the caring bridge site, but never here. I’m the one with 2 small babies that just lost my husband to a brain cancer. Just wanted our family to know that my kids and I still pray every night for little Phoebe. Also, a little over a month ago I received a ‘random’ email that just happened to NOT get caught in my spam folder. This email was advertising the conference for this weekend. I knew it had to be a God thing since I keep up with you daily and our stories are linked in simliar ways. So my sister and I signed up immediately and we look forward to hearing what God has laid on your heart.
So many of the things you write bring back memories from not-too-long-ago. Like I said before, I have never been in your shoes with a sick child; but I have been the caregiver of someone with brain cancer/brain surgery – while caring for small babies at the same time. So in a very small way I can relate to some of the same things- and my heart goes out to you. Just wanted you to know that I think of you daily and am in constant prayer for your family.
Kasha
So glad you’re coming Kasha! I look forward to meeting you 🙂
Dearest I am praying for you, that the Lord may hold you up. You do not need to be strong when you are resting in His eternal grip of Grace…
Hello,
My name is Sarah. I met Steves mother, Sarah, in the Lindale walmart checkout line a few days ago. We chatted about why she had so many travel size things. She then told me about her granddaughter and how she had cancer. She was buying her some lipgloss and nailpolish. She then told me that her husband had just been admitted to the hospital too. I explained that I was an Intern at Teen Mania in Garden Valley and that I would be praying. She showed me a picture of Phoebe and gave me a bracelet that says ” Phoebe’s Prayer Warrior”, which I am currently wearing. She told me your website and that is how I made it here. I am actually in our prayer room here on campus right now. We have a prayer wall that interns pray over everyday. I wanted you to know I am adding Phoebes name to the wall. Know that all over Texas people are praying for Phoebe. I am inspired by your familys joy and faith in the Lord. Please let me know if there is anything more we can do. Or any other prayer requests. :]
Serving with you,
Sarah Dimovski
Internet in Colombia and blessed with a Phoebe update!! So glad to see that picture of her smiling face and glad to know she is ok. Sounds like your hands are incredibly full again. Will pray for a calm weekend and a lovely conference for you to attend. Many love and prayers from your Colorado family:)
Still praying, praying for the conference as well. Wish I could have been there, praying for protection, health and provision. And I pray Lord, Bless Sweet Phoebe with a special day…
Today, you are blessing women with your faith and your story. We love you all and are praying for you.
Nathan and Amey, we are back in Bolivia with Margarita and Marilu and too this time. We are praying for Phoebe and you guys and Nathan’s dad too. Just looking at the picutes of all your kidos is a lift. I know you love them so much. Just knowing the love you have for them and seeing you fight so diligently for Phoebe is inspirational. God is with you in all of this. Terry, Kathy, Margarita and Marilu y los hermanos y hermanas en San Julian Bolivia, saludos!.