Tough Times

Optik,
Keep your chin up, man. Everything CAN work out. I know about the stress a sick little one can put on a family. When Benjamin (the little guy in my avatar) was born, it was by emergency C-section, though he was not a preemie. Overnight he was airlifted to another hospital 1 1/2 hours away where he stayed in NICU for 91 days, during which we found out he has Down's Syndrome on top of the health issues, before we were able to bring him home, still on oxygen and still on a feeding pump. Numerous surgeries later (several stomach surgeries and open heart surgery), he is as healthy and active (WILD may be a better word) as any normal child. He still gets 95% of his food thru a tube b/c he does not eat enough to sustain himself. He was beginning to talk like a normal 2y.o. before his heart surgery, but has not uttered a coherent word since, due to brain damage from an incident of oxygen starvation immediately following his heart surgery. He was about 2 months past his 2nd birthday before he had spent more calendar days at home than in the hospital. To meet him now, you would NEVER guess he's been thru all he has, unless he has his shirt off. It was HELL on our family. Had to put out my then-10 yr old daughter (from previous marriage) b/c she threatened several times that she would kill him if he lived to come home from the hospital. Even told her school counselor detailed plans of how she would do it. She is now living with my sister in Dallas and doing very well. I lost my job as a result of the time I spent at the hospital with Benjamin instead of at work. I was working for my father at the time. My wife and I split up for a while. I moved out. That only lasted 3 weeks, thankfully. I started my own business (wood floors, trim, custom woodworking) and did quite well for myself until the economy went to hell 1 1/2 yrs ago. At the present rate, my total income for this year will be less than the amount taxes I paid in 2007. But we are still together, and my relationship with my wife and the kids (she brought 2 from a previous marriage also) is stronger than ever.

Sorry for the novel of a post, but I say all this NOT in attempt to "best" your story or anything like that. Simply to show you that everything WILL work out. If WE made it thru, so will YOU. Just keep doing what you know is right for you and yours, and we'll keep you on the prayer list.