December has been just such a crazy month for us. From the transplant call to the transplant call being canceled only to find out that Sébastien’s stomach wall had thickened and needed to be treated for the next 5 months before we can have another chance for a kidney transplant. Sebastien was then being admitted at the hospital December 2nd and picked up an RSV infection and an adenovirus which gave him a major cold and diarrhea and a line infection. Top that off with Rituximab treatments – a drug used with a combination of other drugs to treat Sébastien’s stomach thickening. He also developed antibodies again but this time not against platelets but against red blood cells.
All that to say that we were just so busy trying to support Sebastien during his daily high fevers, his nighttime insomnia, the side effects of treatments, and his imense pain due to his stomach wall being thicker. Imagine trying to fit in Sébastien’s birthday party, then Christmas and New Year’s! And sometimes finishing the day and not having eaten yet! It was a busy and scarey time and as much as we would have liked to update the blog with news, sometimes we also were challenged with results taking so long to come back due to the holiday schedule in the hospital.
You would like to think Christmas and New Year’s would be times to relax and enjoy family… Well, we didn’t relax but we definitely experienced the true meaning of Christmas – attending to Sébastien’s high fever, pain, treatments, etc. Christmas and New Year’s Eve just brought us more closer together as a family and made us appreciate even more; family, life, friends and all of your support.
Thanks for always being there for us in your very own special way. We are always very grateful for your support.
Well, there are a lot of people to thank, especially during the time when Sébastien was readmitted December 2nd. We were so fortunate for Grandma and Grandpa for having been with us during that stay and their incredible support. Thanks to Uncle Roger who brought food for me every day and did tons of loads of laundry. Thanks to Linda Rumble and her family for surprising Sébastien on his birthday as he came out from his procedures and decorating Sébastien’s room with a Christmas tree and balloons! Thank you also Linda and Carolyn and Uncle Roger for the gift of your company that night. Thank-you also to Daniella and her Bella for always coming at the right time and being there for us. Thank you to Maria and Mateo who made Sébastien’s day with a surprise! Thank-you to Father Peter from the hospital for your spiritual support. Thank-you to friends and family, who either called or wrote such supportive letters. Thanks to Cleo and family and friends for always picking David up from the airport and for the food baskets that helped us out during the hospital admission. Thank-you my dear Andrea for the great advice. Thank-you to all the people that pray for Sébastien’s continual healing. Thank-you to the medical team; nurses, doctors, volunteers, cleaning personnel and hospital staff for their support. Last but not least, thank-you Jacinta and Christian, Sébastien’s wonderful godparents and our good friends, who have been a tremendous support to us and take such good care of David when he is in Winnipeg and also contribute so much to their godson’s healing… more than they ever could possibly imagine and whom we love and appreciate so dearly! We also thank everybody who contributed in their way and please forgive me if I forgot to name someone… You are appreciated so much!
Thank you more than words can ever say! You are all contributing toward Sébastien’s safe return home to Winnipeg one day, where we are looking forward to playing soccer with Sebastien! One step at a time… With your support and prayers it will be possible.
Sorry to hear that Sebasties has so many hirdles to cross before he gets to his transplant again. I wish him and both of you strenght and courage in this uphill battle and earnestly hope that all of you will emerge victorious. Jusy hang in there. We’re all here to support you.
I’m a friend of Lindsey’s. Even though I don’t know you personally, I have some sense of what you’re going through. I remember Christmas being the hardest times for my nephew when he was going through Chemo for Leukemia because he would always get sicker around those times. Hang in there, you’ll be in my prayers!
Just want to let you know we are thinking of you and praying for you.
We met you at CH5 three and half years ago when our daughter Heather was in hospital. We appreciated your constant cheerfulness during those long weeks. We often wondered how Sebastien was doing and discovered your blog (if that’s the right word) last year. Heather and I check regularly to see how you are doing.
Jasmina and David – you are such an inspiration to all parents – the support you give your child, your faith – its just incredible. Sebastien may have far more than his share of health problems, but he also has very special parents. He is one very blessed child in that respect.
We will keep checking to see how Sebastien is doing, and keep you in our prayers.
Scotty, Sharon & Heather McIntosh