Kyara Dzenis

Kyara Dzenis

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Gunars is Gone, and Kyara is Asleep

Well, today Gunars went back to Georgia. At least, he is trying to get back to Georgia. He got a seat (he was flying on a buddy pass, THANK YOU BARRY!) on the 6:30 pm flight and at 8:10 he was still sitting at the gate in Detriot! The snow (yes, you read that right, it is snowing again) delayed the flight. I can't believe it is almost April and it is snowing again. Where's the sun? Where the warmth of spring? I know one thing, it is depressing up here in the winter. The sun doesn't shine much and it is very gloomy. It really has an effect on my attitude. I can't wait to get back to Georgia and see some sunshine!

Kyara has had a decent day today. She is still very groggy from the medication she is on. She gets Zanaflex every 3 hours. She is mostly asleep for 2 out of the 3 hours between doses. She has had periods of eyes open and she is calm. That is what we are looking for. Usually when she is awake, she is moaning and groaning or crying and looks like she is in pain. So the calm and awake is a nice change, even if it is for only a few minutes at a time. Another thing I have noticed is that she is moving her mouth and tongue alot more. It looks like she is chewing on something. This is better than a few weeks ago when she was clenched down all of the time. Now I can even brush her teeth! Before she would clench so hard she actually displaced 2 of her teeth. One upper tooth and one lower tooth have been shoved back in her gum line from her clenching so hard. Talk about baby steps.

Kyara is progressing, it is just at a very slow rate. I would pray for patience, but I am afraid that is exactly what God is trying to teach me now. I just pray for a good recovery. I miss Kyara every single day. I look forward to her responding to me when I ask her to squeeze my hand. I look forward to her first smile. I look forward to the day that she calls me "Mommy" again. I trust in God and His timing. I know that when the time is right, He will allow her to do these things. In the meantime, I wait...I push Kyara as much as I can, and I love her.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Genie,
Spokane joins you in the snow! I love the sunshine too, but this is where God called us, at least for now. The snow has it's purpose, no bugs!
We continue to pray for Kyara's recovery and the continued ability for strength to flood over you. For the Holy Spirit to fill you each day and provide you with whatever it is you need. We ask that blessings cover your family and God's favor be upon you all. We love you all and will never cease to bring Kyara and the rest of your precious family before the Father daily. Spokane

Unknown said...

Hi Genie, we're thinking of all of you. Kyara is always in our prayers. Wishing you the best on your return to Georgia.
Much Love,
Ann, Rho, Randal

Winkie-Dink said...

Genie,
Snow! At least it is not tornado weather, but I know you are ready for spring in Georgia! You never cease to amaze me. I get up to read your message, and instead of my being able to send you some feeling of encouragement, your words give me strength. You are such an amazing mom which leads me to our HOPE word today-MOM,Mama,Mommy, Grandma, Bunny! Whatever the title! There is no one like our mamas, and there is no more precious thing on earth than having our precious ones reach out to us. Kyara is'nt saying "mommy" aloud, but she is sreaming, "I love you, Mommy and Bunny" in her heart. She knows you are there and feels your love and comfort. Genie, I love you for the wonderful Mommy you are and for the example of selfless love you are teaching us. Hug Peggy! love, wink

Anonymous said...

May heart goes out to you. I also pray for all of the firsts that you WILL get from your beautiful Kyara sometime in the near future! Keep your chin up.
Illinois

Anonymous said...

Genie,
I get FCA emails and this one is one for you to read...Stephanie

Unrealized Dreams
Friday, March 20th, 2009

READY: "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -Matthew 11:30 (NIV)

SET: It was the final game for the eighth grade I.H.M.-St. Casimir Eagles boys basketball team, one in which they could capture the league championship of the City-Wide Catholic Youth League. For the previous three seasons, this talented group of young men and their devoted coach had achieved success but had always narrowly lost in the final games of the tournament. But this year, in their final game together, their hopes were high. It seemed to be their year, and everything seemed to be lining up for the perfect ending to their basketball career.

They won their semi-final game against their biggest rival and earned a spot in the final game of the tournament. Though it wasn’t their best game, the Eagles managed to remain in the lead almost the entire game; all up until the last minute and half. That was when everything seemed to go against them. And, sadly, the Eagles lost their final game together in overtime.

As parents, we've all been there. We know those long drives home in a quiet car after a hard loss. This one was the hardest one yet. How do we as parents help our kids through these tough losses and vanished dreams? One word came to me as we drove home that night: surrender. We must surrender our dreams to the One who is writing the story of our lives; the One who knows the beginning and the end.

Jesus is the only One who can take away the pain of life's disappointments, but so often we mull over in our heads the "what if's" and "if only’s," going back over missed free throws and bad calls, creating a storm in our heads of grief and disappointment. When we do this, we are still clinging to the dreams and not letting Jesus have them. I've learned through all those long trips home in the car with my sons, that in these times of disappointment and hurt we parents have the greatest opportunity to share with our children the hope and peace we can have in Christ. His yolk is easy and His burden light, but, first, we must nail our dreams to the cross and give them to Him. Through this faith and trust in God’s plan, the storms of disappointment in our heads are calmed and joy resurfaces.

Basketball season is over for us, but we know that these moments to share God’s hope will surface again. Let's not miss the opportunity to turn our children’s eyes toward Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. His plan is so much greater than we could ever imagine!

GO:
1. Have you ever experienced a hard loss or the loss of an athletic dream?
2. Do you sometimes feed the storm within yourself by still thinking of the "what if’s" and "if only’s"?
3. Have you surrendered this disappointment to the Lord, trusting that His plan for you is so much greater than you could ever imagine?

WORKOUT:
Matthew 11:28-30
Ephesians 3:20
Hebrews: 12:23

Healing
"May they understand that You, Lord, bring health and healing and will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth..."
-- Jeremiah 33:6

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kelly McVeigh has been an FCA Huddle Leader for her son's basketball team for the last four years at their Catholic school in Lansing, Mich.

Now it's your Turn. Write your own FCA Devotional. . . Go to www.fca.org and click the "Submit your own FCA devo!" link on the right side.

Anonymous said...

Genie,
I LOVE that Winkie has a word each day for you...I think today's is surrender! And the scripture for this is so right on.
:)Stephanie

Anonymous said...

it is never in gods plan for a little one to suffer,these doctors in mich.have made mistakes on top of mistakes and thay should have to pay the bill no matter where you take her.and i think it's about time to get all this closer to home so the family can be together more for what ever the road up ahead holds.my hopes are your hopes but it's time for some action and some changes and to stop looking back and focus on the long road ahead and you and gunars needs to be together to lift each other along the way.you have my hopes and prayers no mater what you decide to do.take care from carrollton

Tina from Miami said...

Genie... these have to be good signs right? her movements? Her alertness? Do the doctors see this is as a positive sign? I hope so...

We think about you every single day and we hope and pray that things really turn a corner for the better.

Love,
Tina, Carlos & Nico