surgery likely looming...

[LuvMyEvan]

Katie,

You tell Evan that what he see's in the writing on that hat is exactly what it says !!

I also feel quite the connection with your son.....he has open my eyes in numerous ways. You have a wonderful family...and you and Dave are doing a great job !!

I'll go back to what I said a few days ago, Evan will ahndle this in ways that are hard for any of us to imagine. He is an extreamly amazing boy.

(....and I caught him looking me in the eyes.......) hehehe

God Bless and see you guys in a few weeks.

Ben

hehe He did look you in the eyes a few times. That's really good for him. Honestly, if he does that to me once/week I am impressed. It's not something common for him but once in a while he does it and I love it!

I thought that was so cute what he told me his hat said. He must sense it because he told me the hat was "special".

Thanks for the compliments on our family and how we raise the kids. You, too, have an amazing family and I'm so glad to call you all friends. I feel more like you are family than friends. A sense of calm always comes over us when we're around your family... just a sense of knowing we all have the similar experience. It does help tremendously. Obviously it helps Evan, as well, because he's been fine about the cath. since that day at your house. He now has a Social Story book that I put together for him about it. He's not scared (or doesn't seem to be). He's even got a new blanket (baseball) that he's taking with him to the hospital. A friend that I know only online made it for him knowing that he likes baseball. So he's going to take the hat you gave him, his blankie, and the stuffed lion we got him (he doesn't know about the lion yet) tomorrow. HOpefully all those things will make him feel special and help him to not be scared.

What are your plans this weekend, by the way? You said you might be able to stop down on Sunday... is that still a possibility? We expect to be home no later than Friday morning and I'm sure that Evan would love to see you after the ordeal if it's possible. If not then maybe he can call you and talk to you about it.

Well, I will e-mail you the hospital # and times and all that so you can reach us if necessary.

Talk to you soon, and thanks again for helping out so much with Evan. OH -- I almost forgot to tell you, I think I showed you the beginnings of the Social Story, but you're in there another time. Remember the picture of you and Evan making muscles together? I put that on the last page and it says, "I am a very strong and brave boy." It also mentions you on another page, too, something about being "strong and brave like my friend Ben". The lady at his school helped with the wording and suggested that, so you'll have to be sure and see it next time we all get together.

Take care, and again thanks -- your family is great! I'm so glad we got to meet you all,

Katie

 

[Karlynn]

Katie,
I'll have Evan in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. And Mommy as well, of course.

 

[gijanet]

Sending major hugs.......

Sending major hugs.......

Thanks so much for your thoughts, Janet. Tomorrow is the cath. I am *SO* not ready! I'm feeling very nervous and sick. I'm not sure if Evan will be staying the night after the cath. or not. We talked to them yesterday and his PC said to pack a bag and plan to stay but if it's possible he'll get us out of there around 8 or 9pm tomorrow night. He isn't sure he likes the idea of us driving an hour home with him after the cath. at that hour (esp. with the roads like they are). So we won't know for sure until then. I'll try to update on Friday assuming all goes as planned.

Keep me posted on your li'l Katie.

*hugs* & love,
Katie

Katie, I know your anxiety firsthand, believe me! So I am sending lots more prayers and major hugs your way. I will be thinking of you guys tomorrow and will be anxiously awaiting your update filled with lots of good news. I hope you get to go home tomorrow night, but I do also understand your doctor's concerns. We will be praying for a quick, successful, uncomplicated cath. Post as soon as you can. Sending love, hugs, and prayers. Janet

 

[geebee]

Katie,
Sending hugs and prayers your way. Best of everything tomorrow.

 

[Turkey Hunter]

Katie,

I have gotten extreamly busy at work, but will do everything I can to call tomorrow.

As far as this weekend.
We are planning to head your way Sunday. Cindy bought Evan a Superman hat and gloves.....don't tell him. I want it to be a surprise.

You & your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

God Bless,

Ben & Family

 

[LuvMyEvan]

Katie,
I'll have Evan in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. And Mommy as well, of course.

Thanks so much, Karlynn! It's greatly appreciated! I'll post an update on Friday (or maybe even tomorrow night if we get to go home after).

 

[LuvMyEvan]

Katie, I know your anxiety firsthand, believe me! So I am sending lots more prayers and major hugs your way. I will be thinking of you guys tomorrow and will be anxiously awaiting your update filled with lots of good news. I hope you get to go home tomorrow night, but I do also understand your doctor's concerns. We will be praying for a quick, successful, uncomplicated cath. Post as soon as you can. Sending love, hugs, and prayers. Janet

Thanks so much, Janet! I appreciate it greatly! I'm so nervous. I was sick at work all day. I forced myself to eat lunch. I also bought THE cutest book today at the book fair -- "Who Wants a Dragon?". You MUST get it for Katie before her next surgery. It's about a dragon that nobody wants and is afraid of. But he's so darn cute and cuddly that SOMEBODY must want the dragon -- his mommy! It's an adorable book!!!

Anyway, thankfully we had another delay so it wasn't a bad day overall. Just a stressful one that was thankfully short. Now it's time to get packed for tomorrow. I'll post Friday (or maybe even tomorrow night). I'll send you the # by e-mail just in case.

Thanks again,
*hugs* and love,
Katie

 

[LuvMyEvan]

Katie,
Sending hugs and prayers your way. Best of everything tomorrow.

Thank you VERY much, Gina! Hopefully all is uneventful! I'll post an update as soon as I can tomorrow or Friday.

 

[LuvMyEvan]

Katie,

I have gotten extreamly busy at work, but will do everything I can to call tomorrow.

As far as this weekend.
We are planning to head your way Sunday. Cindy bought Evan a Superman hat and gloves.....don't tell him. I want it to be a surprise.

You & your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

God Bless,

Ben & Family

OH.MY.GOSH! Cindy is the greatest! Evan will FUH-REAK!!! He wanted a watch SO badly this past weekend. Guess what he picked???? Yup -- Superman! It's a clip-on type thing, not really a wrist-band watch. But it's Superman so of course he had to have it! He's on a Superman kick because of his Superman friend.

Don't worry if you can't call tomorrow. I honestly have no idea how long it's going to take anyway, and I really expect an uneventful day. I will update as soon as I can afterward, though. I'll do it once we go home so it might not be until Friday.

Can't wait to see you all on Sunday. We all enjoy getting together with you guys. Evan especially adores Alayna and how much she plays with him. He loves her and he CAN NOT WAIT until the warm weather to go fishing with you. He already told my father-in-law that you are taking him fishing. He is so excited about that! He's been saying "Spring come today!" and making a song out of it on the way to the sitter's in the mornings!

Okay, I have to get going so I can get our stuff packed for tomorrow. Take care and talk to you soon,
Katie, David, & the boys