Hi everyone ~ It’s Melissa. Wanted to give you a quick update. Caden Marshall had another great day today. He had physical therapy this morning to move fluids throughout his body to avoid swelling. In addition, he also received some donor blood to give him more red blood cells to prepare him for surgery. Tomorrow at 7:30 Caden will get his chest closed. We are excited about his progress but of course nervous at the same time. Since there is not much to report on Caden I thought I would tell you about an organization that is taking care of David and I.
Many of you have asked so I thought I would tell you about what a wonderful place the Ronald McDonald house is. The RMC facility adjacent to where we are (Childrens Memorial Hospital) has 38 rooms each having a small bathroom, 2 single beds, a TV, and dresser. There are also long term stay rooms that have a separate living areas from the bedrooms. A couple of families have been here over 300 days. Outside the rooms are 4 kitchens, each room is assigned to use a specific kitchen where you are issued a bin to put your food. It is so nice to have a place to lay your head after a long day that is only a 10 minute walk from the hospital.
The day I was released from the hospital, we checked into RMC. We got a tour of this great facility and I can honestly say I cried through the whole tour. Granted my hormones are a bit out of whack now, but it was SO humbling what people do whether it be donations/change at McDonalds, to things people donate, to volunteering their time to help do various jobs to keep the house up to par. Guests are suggested to provide a $10 donation each day for their stay but they never turn anyone away. So far since the facility opened in 1984 they have had over 30,000 families, from 48 states, and 26 foreign countries stay in this house alone. We are blessed we got into the house, and are thankful each day we are allowed to stay.
Keep praying
Melissa & David
Praise God for another good day for Caden and the Smith family. Your family is 1 of 3 families I know currently using a Ronald McDonald House. I'm so thankful you're able to get in. You're in my prayers daily. Tell Grandma Rita we're thinking of her, too. May God give you strength to endure and surround you with strong Christian people that believe in God's mighty healing hand!
ReplyDeleteWith love,
Christy Johnson
I love the pictures of Caden. Does he look like his Daddy? So glad to hear from you tonight and know God is watching over your family with every detail.We will be standing with you in prayer for a good day tomorrow. Love, Gloria
ReplyDeleteToday I was driving & thinking about you guys & Caden...A chorus we sing at church kept coming to my mind. You may recognize it.
ReplyDelete"Savior, He can move the mountains, our God is Mighty to Save, He is Mighty to Save..."
I really believe He is going to move mountains for Caden.
Gald to hear another great report on Caden Marshall's recovery. Time to celebrate again. Yeah!!!!!!!! I love this time of day. I live now to get the days report and celebrate with you on another great day of recovery. We will be praying tomorrow for the doctors magic hands to fix up Caden Marshall and for God to give Melissa and David Marshall strength, energy and good health. Hope Melissa is starting heal and feel better. Again thank you for allowing us to go threw this journey with you and your family. Our heart is your heart.
ReplyDeleteAll our Love
Rick and Nancy and Girls
Caden looks so good in the latest picture with David watching over him! It is wonderful that they are able to close his chest, another baby step to coming home! We love the blog and the updated progress, I check it 4-5 times a day, I'm a little obsessed! I wish we could be there everyday! Know that I am there in spirit and will continue to pray for Caden's recovery. God continues to bless us!
ReplyDeleteAll Our Love,
Cheryl, Tommy, Megan & Ty
Hi Caden! Happy first day of Spring! I am feeling confident that you are going to pull through today's procedure with flying colors again! It is a nice beautiful sunny day, bringing lots of positive energy!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, thank you for the update on you guys too! I've been thinking a lot about you guys....especially when I go to bed at night, wondering how you guys are sleeping. I am very grateful that you were able to get into the RMH. And thank you for the insite on RMH. They sure are a wonder organization. Makes me thankful for bringing my kids to McDonalds so many times! :o)
Wish I could give you a hug in person, but for now I guess a "blog-hug" will have to do. Stay strong you guys! You're doing awesome! Caden is so lucky to have you both as parents!
You guys will all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers!
Big Blog Hugs,
Chris Schuzer
xoxo
These updates are wonderful... being extended family and don't want to intrude but are so anxious for news!! So glad they are going to be able to close up his chest. One more baby step forward!! We love you all!! Marty, Peggy, Haleigh & Dean Draper...
ReplyDeleteGood morning Caden!
ReplyDeleteI hear you are making tremendous progress...that is wonderful news. Please, keep up the good work! Today is March 20th and it is the first day of spring. The weather is a bit chilly, but it is a beautiful sunny day. Once again, thanks for sending us all of this sunshine. I know that you will continue to be the strong little fighter and just coast through your procedure today. I look forward to giving you one great big hug!
PS. Thanks for the help with my brackets; I will let you know how we do! So far, we have only lost 2 games…Nice Job!!
Have a wonderful day Caden!
We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis after Cole's first surgery. It is very humbling. Breakfast was made for us in the morning. Volunteers brought food in at all hours of the day. All that was expected of us was to take out the trash and to clean our room when we left. It is a wonderful charity and they helped us tremendously. I pray for Caden everyday and you are always in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Amy Carrico