Caden Today 
Caden Six Months ago todayToday is September 16th and Melissa and I are celebrating something very special to us. It seems kind of funny how important we hold this day but if you understand the journey we took to get here than you’ll understand why…
This week Caden Marshall has officially been home more than he had spent at Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin. At this point he has been home 51% of his life. What I like about the percentage tracker is that as time goes by, the percentage of his life spent at CHW will decrease more and more.
As you can see by comparing the pictures above, Caden Marshall has come a very long way in the last six months. We are so happy to have him home and I think we are settled into a pretty good routine. I think that we are experiencing normal baby stuff at this point and it is awesome. Caden Marshall seems to learn more and more everyday and it is so much fun interacting with him. The challenging thing is that everything that we went through to get to this point is still very fresh in our minds and I fear we will always be looking over our shoulder. We don’t want to live in fear however it is what it is and we have resolved in our heads that this is just how it is going to be. We combat this by praying every morning that Caden makes it through the day and when we lay him down in the evening we pray that he makes it through the night. It sounds sad when I read the last line back but that is how we do it. This week received a horrible reminder that we can not take our son for granted.
Friends of ours from CHW Chris and Michelle lost their daughter Carsyn on Monday to complications related to her HLHS. We became fast friends with Chris and Michelle and stayed close to them on their journey with their daughter. Our heart absolutely breaks for them and we pray that they will eventually find peace. Please send a prayer their way as they will be laying Carsyn to rest on Friday. Melissa and I can’t seem to get them out of our head. First and foremost because they are friends that have to do something that no parent should have to do. Secondly, and admittedly selfishly, we fear that could be us one day.
The Brightside is that we still have our son today and we are very happy. We continue to hope and pray for Caden Marshall and his future. There were times that we felt we may never get to this point. Yet we have. Celebrate with us!!
Thank you for sharing this journey with us.
David and Melissa
P.S. I hesitated to post some of the above yet we decided to as we have always shared most of our feelings with you as it is part of the journey you have chosen to walk with us.
This week Caden Marshall has officially been home more than he had spent at Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin. At this point he has been home 51% of his life. What I like about the percentage tracker is that as time goes by, the percentage of his life spent at CHW will decrease more and more.
As you can see by comparing the pictures above, Caden Marshall has come a very long way in the last six months. We are so happy to have him home and I think we are settled into a pretty good routine. I think that we are experiencing normal baby stuff at this point and it is awesome. Caden Marshall seems to learn more and more everyday and it is so much fun interacting with him. The challenging thing is that everything that we went through to get to this point is still very fresh in our minds and I fear we will always be looking over our shoulder. We don’t want to live in fear however it is what it is and we have resolved in our heads that this is just how it is going to be. We combat this by praying every morning that Caden makes it through the day and when we lay him down in the evening we pray that he makes it through the night. It sounds sad when I read the last line back but that is how we do it. This week received a horrible reminder that we can not take our son for granted.
Friends of ours from CHW Chris and Michelle lost their daughter Carsyn on Monday to complications related to her HLHS. We became fast friends with Chris and Michelle and stayed close to them on their journey with their daughter. Our heart absolutely breaks for them and we pray that they will eventually find peace. Please send a prayer their way as they will be laying Carsyn to rest on Friday. Melissa and I can’t seem to get them out of our head. First and foremost because they are friends that have to do something that no parent should have to do. Secondly, and admittedly selfishly, we fear that could be us one day.
The Brightside is that we still have our son today and we are very happy. We continue to hope and pray for Caden Marshall and his future. There were times that we felt we may never get to this point. Yet we have. Celebrate with us!!
Thank you for sharing this journey with us.
David and Melissa
P.S. I hesitated to post some of the above yet we decided to as we have always shared most of our feelings with you as it is part of the journey you have chosen to walk with us.
How blessed we are to have Caden in our lives. We are in awe of his strength and we are amazed by the determination in all of you. It is hard to believe that six months ago we were wondering if Caden would ever make it home. He is a joy and an inspiration to everyone. We celebrate with you!!!!
ReplyDeleteOur hearts go out to Carsyn's family and we pray for comfort in their very sad loss.
We love you all,
Love,
Keith, Kristen, Carson and Chase
I thank God every day for Caden! We are pleased to have him healthy and in our arms!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great picture sequence. I remember that second picture and now to see how far he has come is truly a "miracle". We will pray for your friends and the loss they have experienced. We will continue to pray for your family and pray God continues to bless you all.
ReplyDeleteKristi
Life is an amazing gift we all need to cherish everyday that we have with those we love-thanks for reminding us! We will pray for comfort for your friends and for continued strength for all of you.
ReplyDeleteLeah, Keith, Rileigh and Josh
Thank you for the reminder that everyday is a gift! I remember standing in the hallway when they brought Caden out after his first surgery and just praying to God for his recovery! When I look at Caden I can't help but smile! He brings tears of joy to my eyes everytime I am blessed to be around him.
ReplyDeleteSpecial thoughts and prayers go out to the new angel Carsyn and her family!
All our love,
Tommy, Cheryl, Megan and Ty
Caden is TRULY a miracle! What an amazing turn around you all have had. You also put life in perspective, as we all should, take one day at a time! Be thankful for EVERY moment that you get with your loved ones! I'm so sorry to hear about your friends loss too. Special thoughts & prayers for their family. Take care!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Lori
Thoughts and prayers to Carsyn's family. I am glad, in a strange way, to see less posts. It means family life is busy and normal. Thinking of you guys....cara
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Carsyn. I know she & her folks are dear to you. Will be praying for them & you as you grieve this loss. I appreciate your honesty in this post. Your perspective of cherishing each day reminds me to do the same with my boys (even when the days seem too long). Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Caden on 51%. Just remember that when you get into school, Mom and Dad will not be quite as thrilled with a 51% so LIVE IT UP TODAY!!!
ReplyDeleteCaden's progress is a testimony to God's awesome power! What a pleasure it was to get to meet you David, and of course, sweet Caden at Rita's house. We'll continue to remember you all in prayer, so that there are many more celebrations of milestones to come! My deepest sympathy to your friends. I can not and hope I never have to, imagine what they are feeling. My prayers go out to them as well.
ReplyDeleteWith love,
Christy
I am so sorry to hear of your friends' loss. There are many many similar stories of loss in the multiple world as well. It is good that they have friends like you on which to depend. We still include Caden in our prayers every night. God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteShelley
What a wonderful day for you all. It warms my heart to see Caden doing so well and his adorable smiling face. I pray God continues to bless his little heart each and every day.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you,
Nurse Suzie
Thank you for always being so honest with all of us and sharing with us your most precious moments with your son.
ReplyDeleteWe pray for Carsyn and her family.
We are so thankful for you all and are so thrilled that Caden is thriving. There are SO many people who pray for you all-people you will never meet. By sharing your story with all of us-we all have a bond that will last forever. THANK YOU for that.
Much Love-
Steph Ritter
Caden is an amzaingly handsome little man. Congratulations on this wonderful milestone - celebrate everyday! We pray that Caden's life will continue to have more and more celebrations.
ReplyDeleteTo your friends, I am so sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers and close to our hearts. May God's strength and love being peace to you.
We love you...
Jim, Michelle, Austin, Bradley & Connor