April 15, 2008

Hi everyone,

What a week we’ve had! Garrett got a very special treat on Saturday that he won’t ever forget. His transplant team decided to let us bring him home for just a few hours so he could attend the opening day ceremonies for the High Plains Little League. If you recall, Garrett had just completed tryouts only days before we found out he was so sick and needed a new heart. They also decided to put off his biopsy for several weeks to let him get mentally ready for it. He needed that.

To honor Garrett, the little league invited him to throw out the 1st ball to start the season. All of the teams were there, about 20 different baseball teams. They all lined the edge of the outfield while the league president gave a very nice introduction about Garrett and his journey. Then Garrett was brought out and he threw out the 1st ball of the year. His team then rallied around him at the mound and cheered for him. It was a very emotional and wonderful ceremony. I took some pictures, but honestly had trouble seeing through the lens. They also surprised all of us by displaying Garrett’s initials on every jersey this year, and all the players and coaches signed a bat for Garrett. He was told by the league president to pull out the bat when he was lonely and missing home, so he could see how many folks were pulling for him.

The day was really cold. We almost didn't try it, but knew we could keep him warm and sequestered in the car most of the time, and he really needed a morale boost. Garrett was only able to stay out for a very short while and really couldn’t interact with the other kids much, but he was very humbled by the whole event. After that, we took him home for a short visit to see his animals. Within a few minutes, he went back to his bedroom and cried. It hit him pretty hard, because he knew he had to go back up near the hospital and couldn’t stay home. I think it gave him a little glimpse though, that we will be home for good at some point.

We were brought back to reality on Monday when we learned another 2x transplant boy had pneumonia. We’re glad we have been so lucky and we pray for the other little one, but it reminds us loudly why we have to take it slow and be ultra-cautious about germs and infections. I tried to talk them (the hospital staff) into letting us go home in May. It was worth a try, but it’s a no-go. His weight is still a little off, and some of his blood work needs tweaking, but he feels good most of the time. He’s healing well with only a little scab left on his big scar.

There have been so many people doing wonderful things to help us. Sometimes it hard to believe we’ve come this far so soon. We will never be able to thank everyone for all they do. Events like the one described above do so much for Garrett’s morale. He needs his emotional strength to help his little body keep healing, and all of the prayers and kindness help more than I can ever explain. The emotional toll takes a lot from each of us, but your love and friendship give us renewed strength. We continue to pray for you all, just as your prayers are holding us up. God’s goodness cannot be fully described.

In Him,

JD

J.D. Ross"Evil Prospers When Good Folks Do Nothing"