A special message for David from our precious little Clowie!

This message brought tears to my eyes. This is the daughter of dear friends of ours. Clowie had a message she wanted to share with her friend Dayday!  They shared with me that when she found out that David was taken off the ventilator she jumped up and down yelling "David is breathing again". ;,)


What a remarkable young girl with an amazing spirit.  God job mom and dad! Lots of love little Miss. Clowie, we miss you and you welcome to come over everyday if you would like, once we get home. Xoxoxoxo


 

Tube Free Dayday =)

David is officially “tube” free! They took out his IV this morning and his feeding tube about 30 minutes ago. I thought this day would never come. It is not official but we might, just might get discharged tomorrow. Yep, going home only 22 days after being told that David would not make it through the night =)


 Life truly is too short to focus on insignificant things that you can’t change and that don’t matter. We should be spending our time appreciating life and the smallest things about life that matter so very much… Like David enjoying his first Twix Bar and Jamming out to Bruno Mars! Life itself is Amazing and Living it with God by my side makes it even Greater!

 

God is Love!

I just wanted to thank everyone for their love and support over the last few weeks. I also would lake to make a few statements about my last few post. All of you came to my defense. Some of your were angry, hurt, surprised, and appalled by the behaviors of a few individuals I once called “friends". I too was extremely hurt by some of the things that have been said to me via email, post, or messages (by numerous people). Allowing those hurtful words to make me or anyone else angry is giving Satan the power he wants.


 That being said… what I am called to do is pray for these people, and I would ask all of you to do the same. I do not and have not ever wished them ill and I pray that they may find compassion and empathy for others. If their responses/reactions were out of their own wounds I pray they may be healed from that pain.


 This story is about love, faith, God, and a courageous little boy named David (who BTW is Smiling as I type). While focusing on peoples negative comments I lost sight of that. May God bless everyone today especial those who have wounded me with their words.

For God sake I have just begun to enjoy his smile again! Please let me do so in peace!

To all of you who have a negative opinion about my blog or facebook updates, its really quite simple…delete me, block me, don’t read my post, or don’t follow me! But please do not ridicule me, judge me, or kick me while I am down.

     I cordially invite you into my world, not via media and/or social networking but I invite you to take a real walk in my shoes, my real everyday life. Once you have taken a few steps in my shoes (which most of you will never be willing to do) then and only than will your opinion on how I handle myself, live my life, and raise my son matter!
      I am human, never have I claimed to be perfect, and I have spent the last three weeks fighting a battle that has physically and emotionally drained me. I do not need to be attacked by people who have never had to endure or experiences my experiences, my life.
     No one can predict how they will react in crisis until they are actually in crisis. I have handled things to the best of my ability and if for some reason that has not met your standards don’t judge me, step up to the plate and see what you can do to help!
      This battle has not only been a three week battle, it has been a 15 year battle. Although, it is David with the medical challenges, I as his mother have had to fight this battle with him. My heart is pure, my goal is to touch life’s, and inspire others that odds are made to be beaten, but don’t for one second forget that I am human, with a heart and feelings!
      If you can’t respect my heart and feelings or understand that I am tired and have better things to worry about than rude, inconsiderate, and insensitive comments or messages than please just leave me alone. I have learned in the last few weeks that life is short, too short to be spending time or energy crying over people who are heartless and do not and will not ever matter in our lives.

 For God sake I have just begun to enjoy his smile again! Please let me do so in peace!

I Share because I believe it would be selfish of me to to keep the blessing of David and his Miracles to myself!

Every video I share, picture I post, story I share, proves we serve a kind & loving God! 18 days ago my son was on 100% life support, his organs were failing, & doctors had done all they could do. I was told to say my goodbyes " and Know David had fought a good fight". I got on my knees and begged my God, Abba Father, to intervene and complete the work the doctors could no longer do! Many of you  joined me in that request. 


3 days ago David whispered mom, he has giggled, given nose kisses, & even danced. To be honest some days I have not wanted to blog, talk, or recap our daily events, but I knew that our followers, our prayer warriors, and our supporters were waiting for updates.


Everyone who has faithful followed us throughout this event, has been given an amazing opportunity to witness & experience our Miracles along side us. How could I not share that? 


Our God is a big & Mighty God, but sometimes, that is hard to see when the challenges around us seem just as big and mighty. David proved that NOTHING is to big or small for our God. Just call on him, I promise he'll be there! (no matter what time it is) lol


When you begin to feel defeated, weary, or can only see how big your challenges are, my advice would be; praise God in the mist of the storm, understand that he has a plan and a purpose for all things & sometimes we just need to get out of his way, & when all else fails let David remind you to Smile your way through it!


The news we have all be patiently waiting for: 

Today he is back.... David has giggled all morning, even through a blood draw! He gets histarical when we move the bed, and the blood pressure cuff hugging his arm tickles him to no end.   When we have to do anything uncomfortable to him (pokes, pricks, and/or placing a tube down his nose) we just put on a little Bruno Mars, and it gets him through.  He even dances his way through his treatments no =)   He has also decided that he will flirt with his respiratory therapists but doesn't really need their help... He has decided he can hold his own mask and do their job, he has it all under control!!!!!

Every time he giggles I am reminded that God loves me, his smile reminds me that God will never leave me nor forsake me, his joy reminds me to appreciate the small things we so often take for granted, and when David dances it reminds me that worshiping and praising God is the only way to survive challenges like the one we have just survived!

If David could talk I truly believe he would be honored to know that his story is inspiring others!

I have recently had someone suggest that my blogging, sharing, and posting of photos gave the impression that I was exploiting and/or putting my son on display. The thought that anyone would think those are or ever have been my intentions greatly hurts me. I am sorry if I have been to honest, graphic, or real in my post. If I offended you in any way please accept my sincere apology. I have tried to crop most of our photos, but my attempts have not always been successful. So if the pictures of David in diapers made anyone uncomfortable again I am sorry and those were never my intentions.


Sharing our story is not always easy or fun, because as most of you have seen our life is not always pretty and filled with roses. I share our story (raw and uncut) so people know that serving God, remaining faithful, and raising children is painful and overwhelming at times. I may not always be easy, but “he never said it would be easy he only said it would be worth it”


I would not share our story if I felt that sharing our journey... David's life and even suffering wasn’t changing lives, inspiring people around the world, building faith and even bringing people to Christ. That is what has made sharing/blogging/posting worth the time and effort throughout this long hard journey. For the most part that is the feedback I have received




David’s story can remind us all that God is capable of using all things to his glory! That has been the intention of my continuous updates!

Nose Kisses Make Mommy Happy!

Mommy got Nose Kisses this morning~ I have waited way too long to share these special kisses with my little man! It is funny the things we take for granted ;)

Our Journey...

A Little About Our Journey... Please repost, share with friends, family, who ever will listen.

David's can teach us so much about life even without words! 

His Smile keeps me going, I pray it may do the same for others. 

May God Richly Bless you all & please keep the prayers coming =) 

We will believe the report of the Lord.

Today is the day...

Although, David is making progresses considering the “battle” his little body has fought, the change in his personality and his ability to do simple things he has done in the past has caused some concern.  

He is still not talking, he can’t lift himself up, or even sit up without assistance, the things that once stimulated him like social interaction and music no longer interest him, and there are days he just stares up at the ceiling as if he is lost. 

This week he has begun therapy; speech, occupational and physical.  We are hoping that will help.  The Speech therapist is concerned with David’s swallowing since intubation.  They fear that if he swallows wrong he can aspirate which can cause pneumonia.   They are no longer allowing him to eat anything by mouth until he gets a swallow study done sometime today.   This means we are back to Pediasure through his NG tube.  I am praying that this study will determine what the problem is and how we can fix it.

David’s Neurologist is also very concerned with David’s current state so we will be also having an MRI and EEG done today.  The doctor says that the test will let us know if this “event” (his 105.8 fever, his hour long seizure, and the virus causing a lack of oxygen to his brain) caused any permanent damage to David’s brain and if so to what extent, and on what part of his brain.

He then informed me that even if we do find damage there is not much we can do about it.  The information from the test today will only help us understand David and provide an explanation for his current state, but that there is nothing we can do for damage already done but be aware of it.

It was so much information to take in and after previous conversations with doctors I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what the doctors thought about David or his prognosis.  Tears began to run down my face, the doctor began to explain how lucky David was to be alive!  He said David surviving with all the odds against him in his condition was “remarkable” in my terms “a miracle”.  He began to explain how critical David’s condition had gotten.  Everything during that week, in those moments is still a big blur to me.  Maybe at some point someone did share this information with me but yesterday was the first time I actually heard it.

I knew David’s lungs were failing and that is why he was ventilated (had machine breathing for him) but I was not aware that the rest of his organs were also starting to shut down and fail.  The doctor explained that David was slowly dying and that him still being with us was “remarkable” aka “a miracle”.  Now I am glad I didn’t know all these facts because it would have made it harder to cope with the current situation, but knowing now allows me to realize how amazing and powerful my God is. 

As the doctor left the room he turned back and said “you have been an amazing heroic mother through all of this” I just smiled and thought “only because I am staying strong for an amazing heroic son”. 

I am trying to stay strong, I want to comfort my son, hold him, tell him it’s going to be OK, and that this will all be over soon but we are still waiting on answers.

I am doing all that I can…                                         

Some days that’s singing in his ear, sponge bathing him, keeping his little body rotated, apply massive amounts of Carmex to his dry little mouth; I just want him to know I am there.

Some days I lay in the bed with him for hours even though I am not tired and my ADHD is driving me crazy just so he can feel me near.  I even stare at the ceiling with him just so he knows he’s not alone.  I am not sure what he sees up their,  He might see Jesus but all I have seen is 59 ceiling tiles. ;)

I am hoping for the best and trusting God to be in the midst of it all.  No matter what the test results determine or what the doctors may say…  We will believe the report of the Lord.  

BRACELETS ARE IN… make sure to message me how many you want, what colors, & your mailing address. 

Remember the bracelets are free.  I am attempting to build Team David and also show appreciation for all the love, prayers, and support throughout this endeavor.  I also hope that sharing David’s story can inspire the world and build faith. 

If you would like to make a donation to help cover postage & expenses it would be appreciated, but if you are not in a position to do so, no worries just join “Team David”!

Donations can be made by mail, through paypal with my email address ~ dadasmom5@yahoo.com, online at - http://www.gofundme.com/gp9hg, or you can go into any Chase Bank and give them his name: David Campuzano & his savings account #3030970762.

   A Special Thanks to Emis for helping me put together

special packages to send our Team David Wrist Bands out!



Did You Ever Know That Your My Hero?

My dearest David, 

You truly are the Wind Beneath my Wings! This journey has been a challenging one, but I thank God everyday that he gave the opportunity to raise an Angel! You were born with so many obstacles against you yet you still managed to rise above and smile your way through it all.  Even with out legs that work, without words, without so many things like health, that so many of us take for granted, you still manage to inspire the World with you mere presence.  It is an honor to call you my son and I couldn't be prouder of what a courageous young man you are!  You are and always will be Mommy's Hero!

I Am Praising Him Through This Storm!

After the emotional week I have had, I decided I needed to go church this morning. I need to be absorbed in the presence of God, emerged in his presence. I need all my broken piece put back together the way Jesus needs them mended! 


I get ready, kiss my son goodbye, & go to start my car & it won't start! Really Satan, really, are you that threatened by me??? Well guess what I called for a ride, I'm going to make to church, & I'm going to tell them all about the Miracles God is working on my Angel! How about those apples? 


You can take my car, my house, my money, & none of that matters to me anymore, because God spared my son's life!   So Satan...Today you will not defeat me, break me, or rob me of my smile because I have made the choice to praise God through this storm!

Lord Please carry me through...

Today is a New Day…  I will stand as tall as I can stand, for as long as I can stand, and when I can stand no longer… That is when I will throw myself in his arms because it is then that I will need him to carry me through the rest!

I feel like the stronger I stand, the harder Satan attacks me! For the last 2 weeks I have faithfully held my ground, but today I'm ready to throw in the towel!!! I don't have any fight left in me, I'm weak, weary, and the weight on my shoulders is far to heavy for me to bear much longer :(. 


 Lord I know you have sent me plenty of signs that you are their, you have sent me hundreds if not thousands of people to pray & support us, and as grateful as I am, today that doesn't feel like enough to keep me going. How much longer can I, we, David, endure before we break?


There is no inspiring the world tonight! Heck, I can't even inspire myself right now... This "strong mamma" has lost her cape & maybe even her mind!


If any of you could find a moment please say pray for me... I'm feeling very broken & angry... I feel like I'm at war with Satan & my energy to continue on in this battle is dwindling quickly! Thanks friends

To all of our faithful friends/followers:

In the last couple of weeks I have experienced a world wind of emotions. Some of those have been very painful & hard to deal with! The human in me, has wanted to crumble on many occasions, but it is the love & kindness of family, friends, colleagues, & even perfect strangers who have kept me encouraged & lifted up in prayer. It is through that kindness that I have been able to feel God’s warm embrace, even in the midst of the storm! Words alone can not thank you enough, but know that I am so eternally grateful and will when given the opportunity "pay it forward". 

God calls us together as a body of Christ to collectively meet the needs of His people.  We are to be the hands and feet of Christ.  My friends you have allowed me to feel Jesus all over me during a time of distress and despair.  I have been on this journey with David for a long time and I can honestly say, never have I felt more loved, embraced, supported, and encouraged than I have in the last month.  May God richly bless you all!

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'  "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”   Matthew 25: 35-40

“To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world"… To our family you have all been our world =)

David has been on room air all morning.

Translation: David is breathing on his own without oxygen or the help of any machines, for the first time since February 23!   =)

When I forget that “he will not leave me nor forsake me”, Jesus does not get offended he just proves it!

I have been so busy worrying about David’s health that I have not been able to think about or process anything else. 

Just a couple of days ago I realized that since I just started working in January, I have only accrued one sick day.  I have already been absent for almost 3weeks now.  My school has been AMAZINGLY supportive and understanding with the entire situation but unfortunately next payday I will not be receiving a pay check.  

The reality has begun to sink in that even though David and Mommies world has somewhat come to a halt, the rest of the world continues on, bills are still due.  The thought of how I am going to pay my mortgage and cover my bills has been extremely overwhelming for me.  I have had to just trust God to provide because that’s all I can do right now, but to be honest the more the bills pile up, the more I worry how God plans on  providing. 

I am a tough girl, who hates asking for help. Very few people know about our current financial situation or what kind of bind this hospital stay has put us in.  I have and probably always will be that person who is always trying to save the world and am a very giving person, but I struggle to know how to be on the receiving end of things. 

Today was an emotionally overwhelming day and although, I rejoiced that my son was being moved from ICU, I was also very discouraged and hurt by the doctor’s words, and stressed about figuring out how to manage all the bills with no income.  After the doctor upset me I left the hospital.  I went home to get some air, get some clothes, and look at the finances.   As I set in my office and began to weep, crying out to God. I recieved a phone call.  I almost didn’t answer it but for some reason I did. 

It was David’s teacher.  He was calling to inform me that he works as an assistant coach at Gateway Community College and after hearing our story they wanted to help.  They had decided to sale 100 bracelets for us and are also hosting a car wash for David.  My heart was so touched I again wept.  (Gosh I am such a cry baby these days)  It is almost as if God keeps gently reminding me that “I got this”.  When life feels so hopeless and I begin to feel alone he God reaffirms that he is listening and does hear my cries!  When I am not sure if or how he is going to provide he shows me.  When I am not sure if I can endure another day of emotional torture he sends me a sign that things are and will continue to get better.   

Thank You Jesus, Mr. Berge, Gateway Community College, Valley View Elementary, Caesar Chavez High School, and everyone who has emailed, visited, and supported us throughout this endeavour!!!

I feel like I am loosing my mind and I can’t win for loosing. I’m not sure what personality you are all getting today ;) I am just hurt and need to vent…

While doctors were doing rounds today they informed me that they think David is almost ready to be moved to the floor (out of ICU).  We were celebrating this big move and his progress when I decided to bring up a few of my concerns with the attending doctor.  I explained to him that David had come in with a cough and runny nose and within 2 days he was on 100% life support and I was told he probably wasn’t going to make it.  I expressed my fears/concerns with David’s home treatment needs, and my desire to prevent and/or protect him this type of illness from happening again.


It was then the doctor decided to provide me with what I think he considered a “reality check”.   “These kids” he said meaning kids “like” David.  Well their life spans are not like ours.  Their bodies are not made to endure, all that they have to endure.  To be honest he said David has had 31 brain operations and has needed machines to make his lungs work.  It is only technology that has allowed you to enjoy him this long.  He informed me that most children “like David” fight hard, but generally loose their battle to an infection or virus like that one David just fought and that as his mother I needed to be prepared.


He explained that he knew how hard it was for parents who assume the role of caretaker of sick children to release that role, BTW he knew because “he has been in practice for 25 years” and not because he had ever actually done it himself.  He recommended that I go seek counseling or speak to a pastor so that when “that time comes” meaning time to loose my child (the reason I wake up and breath every morning, my heart and soul) that I am prepared and compassionate and know the difference between trying to prevent his death and prolonging his death.  I then informed him that his great speech was much easier said than done and that seeing David was his job in which he gets paid for, while David is my world and this is my life in which I have made many sacrifice to ensure that my son survives and thrives.


FYI Thanks for the pep talk Doctor Positive, I am now confused, scared, and in pieces.


This battle is God’s and not ours, only God has the final say not “Dr. Positive”, and I refuse to let Satan get the best of me.  I am going to cherish every moment God grants me with my little Angel.  His story, strength, courage, and love is changing the world… even if it is only one person at a time.


So I am going to find my smile through these tears for my Dayday, and know that tomorrow will be a better day!

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Just got orders that David can eat solid food! If he does well we will no longer need to do tube feeds ;) His first meal will be his favorite of course; Spaghetti & a Chocolate Cookie for desert.

 He was not as excited about his 

            first meal as I was!

Remember to Smile today, hug your kids, appreciate the little things in life, and say a prayer for someone who might have it worse than you! =)

David is still very weak and has a long way to go to get back to his “normal” self or baseline, but everyday he is getting a little better =)  This morning he whispered “mom”  and it made my heart smile.  We are taking everything one step at time and celebrating every little milestone, no matter how big or small.  It seems like everyday we are able to remove more equipment from our room, which means more tubing from our Dayday =) We were able to sit him up in his wheelchair for a few minutes yesterday but he was not too thrilled about it.


He is still very weak and can not bare his own weight yet, he has no trunk control, and rarely moves the left side of his body, but the doctor’s say that with a little rehab he will be able to move all of his body as he did before.   There is also no evidence that would lead us to believe that his hour long seizure or his 105.8 had and permanent impact on him neurological. David has experienced a lot of trauma in the last 13 days and the fact that he is awake, moving, smiling, and off life support is enough for me.


As David heals I hope that people don’t forget about his story.  David’s story is about a little boys Strength and Courage that has inspired Faith and Hope for many people.  David is an innocent little boy who has had to fight a rigorous battle for his life since birth.  He has fought this battle with such courage, grace, and joy (not to mention a permanent smile on his face).  Even though David is healing from his current illness our battle/challenges do not end here...continued prayers are always appreciated.


Our journey has been long and filled with challenges, it has gotten the best of me at times but I know that God  has been with us every step of the way, and like the poem “Footprints in the Sand” states when he wasn’t by our side it was only because he was carrying us!


As David continues to heal and needs less of our prayers, I hope and pray that we can all remember that there are suffering people everywhere who need God’s divine intervention (David and I are currently in a hospital filled with them).  Remember to Smile today, hug your kids, appreciate the little things in life, and say a prayer for someone who might have it worse than you!  =)

Getting rid of equipment is always a good sign! Bye bye mega pumps ;)