Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas Story

As you know, I follow many other children online in their journey with cancer. I came across one from a sweet little 6-year old named Ellie; her mom writes a beautiful site with updates (www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliepotvin)

I don't know the specifics about the following story posted Dec 4th on Ellie's journal site (date, etc. - but I don't think it really matters) - you can visit her website to look at the photo. I got chills reading it and wanted to share it with all of you. Here you go...

This is a truly inspirational story. Blessings to all the parents I have met through this devastating journey called 'cancer'... your children who are in pain or suffering are in good hands. We must believe. Let's just pray together - God will hear us, his will will be done.-------------------------------------

So many of you have heard me tell the story, but I wanted to pass it along anyway to those who didn't hear it and for those who wanted it in email.

A couple of Wednesdays ago, I got an evening phone call from the pediatric ICU at Presbyterian Hospital, where I work as a child life specialist. Usually when they call at night, it means something bad has happened. This, however, was different. My coworker told me that the most amazing thing had just happened and she just had to call to tell me.

We had a patient who has really grown up in and out of the hospital. All the staff knows her and her family. She had been in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for about a month, and had been intubated - on life support. She was not doing well. The doctors had approached mom about taking her off life support the Saturday before. Mom was okay with it, and said that she'd been through so much and if was her time to go she wanted to honor that. So they had taken her off.It was Wednesday and she was still alive. Amazing. The doctors approached mom about taking off her oxygen mask. Mom was supportive, and began praying over her daughter. The mother of another young patient who was in the bed next to her began praying with her.

The nurse practitioner went to the nurses station to chart that she had taken off the oxygen mask. While doing so, she looked up at the security monitor that videotapes the double doors leading into the PICU. It records anyone who may be waiting outside the doors to get in since it is a secure unit. She saw a man standing there, and it looked a little funny to her, so she decided to walk down the hall to open the double doors personally. When she opened them, no one was standing there. She walked back down to the nurses station to finish charting, assuming he had walked away, but saw him still standing there on the monitor.

So she opened the doors with a button near the nurses station and leaned over to see him walk in, but no one was standing there. She pulled over another nurse and both stood staring at this man on the monitor and opening the doors to find no one there. The nurse practitioner leaned in closely to look at the man on the monitor and said, 'Oh my gosh. That's an angel. You can see his wings!'

They said that the sun starting shining so brightly and the whole PICU was strangely filled with light. They said he was a tall man and you could see wings behind him.T hey pulled over all the staff of the PICU and the two praying mothers and everyone was staring at this man on the monitor and opening the doors to find no one there.

Crying, everyone pulled out their camera phones to take pictures, but no one could get it to show up on their camera. The mother of the girl pulled out her camera phone and finally got a picture of the angel who was guarding the doors to the PICU. He turned out as a man of light.

I have attached the picture from her phone.The girl was later discharged from the hospital to go home. A Miracle.

This story makes me so grateful for the way that God reveals himself to us, and the how Great He is really is. We have much to be thankful for this holiday. :)--

Katy L. Field, CCLSCertified Child Life SpecialistPresbyterian Blume Pediatric Hematology and Oncology ClinicCharlotte, NC

Merry Christmas
Love Lori

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Miracles do happen. Look at Nick's life. I am sure he was surrounded by angels when he was ill but we weren't lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them. Thanks for sharing this truly amazing story. With love to you all. - Jennie xx

akparamedic said...

Wow, thank you for posting this person's story. I have already copied it and the picture to my computer.

Lori, have you ever seen what I wrote about two young brothers very close to our family, Seneca and Ivan? If not, I will try to find it and send it to your personal e-mail address.

I really do think about all of you, everyday, and you are always in my prayers.

Keep up all of the good work and Nick, as always, you da man!


Kurt

Lori Brower said...

Hey Kurt,

I would love to read about Seneca and Ivan - please send to my email at lorib@quadrantliving.com. I'm glad you liked the story!

Thank you for checking in on Nick. Your support and prayers make a difference! Does that mean we'll see you in Nashville?

Lori

Anonymous said...

Dear Lori,
A friend who is a nurse in Lancaster, CA told of her personal encounter with an angel in the hospital room of a young girl who had been run over by the family car. In faith and friendship, I believed her story and the one you posted here. I'm thankful that you and Nick continue to share the story of his miracle and those of others. God bless, aunt Chris

Chris Ulvin said...

Dear Nick
This posting is from my phone sitting in our motorhome in the driveway of your log home. So it will be short and somewhat of a miracle if I don't mispell any words.
Psalm 42 is my Bible reading. My focus comes from verse 11. "Hope in God". The Bible tells me angels are God's messangers. And that God created man a little lower than angels.
May you be surrounded at this moment by an angel. Amen and Amen.
Love, aunt Chris