Milestones and Hurdles

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Sunday, February 3, 2008

What a Weekend

Every single day is a joy with our children and all of the obstacles this weekend with Ford and Hayden just continued to prove that. This weekend with our preemie boys was also proof that God has his hands on our little ones protecting them.

It is hard for Trey and I to break away from the hospital... even for a moment, but Friday we decided to go out for a bite to eat with his parents... when we were done... we headed for the hospital. We found our little Ford having a rough night... his lungs were not working efficiently thus he needed 100% oxygen help when he had only been needing about 40-60% Oxygen support. Of course the doctor tried to reassure us that this is a frustrating and scary part of their chronic lung disease, but I was scared to death and unable to tear myself away from the hospital.

Our nurse taking care of Hayden told us what a good night he was having and had us come over and help change his bed. He was looking better, having great blood gases and was flashing his gorgeous blue eyes at us. I think he even smiled at us. His good night really helped us as we were dealing with a tough night with his brother Ford. Finally after Ford made some progress... we left at 4AM for out temporary home in Fort Worth.

Then... on Saturday, Hayden starting acting NOT right. His Oxygen saturation starting dropping off to dangerous levels and his other vitals were also in a scary range. I will spare me and you of all of the scary details, but the nurses and doctors were having to watch him very closely because they were thinking he was having bronchial spasms which was making him work against the ventilator. I cannot explain to you how scared this mommy was... still is. I just started walking around praying to God. I couldn't think of anything fancy or eloquent to say except, Lord please take care of my Hayden... please keep him with us." As the night wore on... the spasms became less drastic, but I could NOT be torn from the hospital. Oh, did I mention Ford was having issues as well... his oxygenation was also in the scary range... Again, I did the only thing I could do and that was to pray... asking God to heal my twin boys' lungs against all the medical odds. I know every parent wishes this, but I asked for God to heal them quickly as to defy all of the odds of science... "All things are possible to those who believe." That is all I could think of.

I was so scared last night... I just couldn't bring myself to leave the hospital. I took a nap on a bench... Trey took one on the floor. My mom, the boy's wonderful Gram, took a nap in a chair at Ford's bedside. Finally, Suzanne the charge nurse came and found us and took us to the place where families bunk with their babies the night before they go home. She gave us a bed since we didn't want to leave our little miracles, Ford and Hayden. Finally at 10 am this morning we came home and rested... the best we could.

After a lunch with our family, including Bill and Janet (Trey's parents), Hillary and Holland (the boys' aunts) and my mom... we went to check on Ford and Hayden. They were having a better day... and you know, it was not a perfect day, but it was better and that is a blessing and something I thank the Lord for tonight. I love these little boys so much. They bring me such joy... I can smell their scent even when they are not around... I see their faces in my every thought... and I worry about them when I can't be with them, but I refuse to believe anything else except that they will come home with us in the months to come. It is hard to see it right now, but they have to be with me for the rest of my life... I need them so very much... we all do.

I also want to say I could not do any of this without my husband, Trey. He is my strength and my positive reinforcement when I get worried about Hayden and Ford's health. He keeps me sane and stays at the hospital with me when I am too scared to tear myself away from our precious little miracle sons. I hope everyone is as lucky as I am to have support and love in their lives like that. I can't wait to witness all of his Daddy moments with our boys... that will be one of my greatest joys in my life.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a great week to come.
Thanks for your prayers and please, if I can be so bold to ask you, to continue your prayers to God for our sons, Ford and Hayden and their recovery from being preemies with lung disease.

Sincerely,
Dana, proud mommy to Ford and Hayden and the wife of my wonderful, Trey

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey,

I thank God with you for each good day, hour, minute and moment with Ford and Hayden and will continue to pray for their healing.

I continue to pray for the doctors to have divine wisdom and the nurses to have soft, gentle and soothing touches on their tiny, sensitive bodies.

And I pray for the two of you, for your continued strength and rest, for deeper faith and that precious peace that passes all understanding.

Thank you for taking the time to update us and for letting us know how to specifically pray for the boys.

With love,
A KLTV Viewer

Isaiah 40:31

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey,

Thanks for the updates. You have done well. God is hearing your prayers. He have asked many at our church as well to pray for you and your family. You are always on our minds and we will continue to pray for you and your boys.
In Christ, Nicole and Zac Tyson

Anonymous said...

Hello Dana,Trey and little precious ones. Can not say I know what you going through but as a mother I too can understand the fear of losing your babies I will pray for your entire family. The lord does wonderful things and I believe hears our prayer's. As hard as it is to think of yourself at a time like this please take care of yourself so in the long run when those beautiful babies come home you will be healthy as well. May god be with you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Dear Trey and Dana,

I firmly believe prayers and science will pull your babies through this difficult time.

The babies are in God's hands, Dana - There is no better place for those babies. The staff and the Doctors at Cooks' Children are there to assist God in His miracles.

Our prayers are with you, Trey, those beautiful babies and your family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

May God Bless you all and keep you strong.

Pam J.

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey, I went to Kingwood High School with Dana and graduated in 1991. When my husband and I moved to Winnsboro in 2004, I was thrilled to see Dana on my TV every morning. We pray daily for you and your boys. My husband is on staff at Pine Street Baptist Church and I constantly have people tell me that they are praying too. Let us know if there is anything else we can do for you. We would love to help.

Love you,
Kyle and Lesli (Keese) Ray

P.S. I was in choir with Dana. Kyle Freedman and I were best friends. This might give you a point of reference! :)

kyleray1@yahoo.com

Jeff & Debra said...

Being a Mother I feel the pain and fear you have in your heart. I haven't gone through what you are going through but I can only imagine the many hours you must have wondering if your child is going to make it. Dana, you and Trey have so many wonderful prayers going up for your miracles and they will always be there. Your update was very touching to me and I cried as I know you must have writing it. There will be many momemts like that I am sure and WE are all so very thankful that you have such a wonderful support team, not only here in East Texas, but with you in Ft. Worth! I too am blessed with a wonderful husband who supports me in every way possible. I have had many health issues since June of 2007 and he has been there with me every step of the way. February of 2007 I lost my best friend of 32 years from suicide and I thought my whole world was over. My best friend was also part of my support and oh the memories we shared between us. But, I know longer have my best friend to laugh with, to cry with or to hug. I just have the memories and my husband is helping to fill that gap in my life. I have had many challenges since we married in 1999. About 3 months after we married my Mom died of Liver Cancer and I was blessed with a Mom to help fill that hole and that's my husbands Mom. She is also part of my support team. I am blessed like you with a very loving and Christian Family and Friend Support Team and I don't know what I would do without them. Somedays are so hard for me but they lift me up with pray and laughter. Somedays I just don't think things will get any better, but they will and they do. You just have to keep believing. Don't ever give up believing that things will get better. You don't have to say a fancy prayer for God to hear you. You just have to pray! You don't have to see God to know he is there, you just have to believe. You don't have to be strong all the time, God will carry you through and it's okay to cry, cause God is wiping the tears. Dana, just keep believing!! I know the doctors are doing everything they can do and the miracle of science in this day and age is another wonderful gift that God has given to Man and God is in control. Thank you for keeping us updated. I know how hard this update must have been for you to write but writing also helps you to let go of some of the emotions you have pinned up. Tell Trey to keep up the good work and we love him too! You and your family are in the thoughts and prayers of all East Texans! WE LOVE YOU ALL!!

Debra Bunt
Gladewater, Texas

Anonymous said...

We are praying for you all everyday and we know God is taking care of your sweet little boys - they are so lucky to have both of you as their mommy and daddy! All of our love and thoughts are always with you and we can't wait for you all to be home!
Much Love, Abby and Sam

Anonymous said...

The Smell of Rain

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the Doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. Still groggy from surgery, her husband David held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news. That afternoon of March 10,1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24 weeks pregnant, to Danae Lu Blessing.

At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound and nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs. I don't think she's going to make it, he said, as kindly as he could. "There's only a 10 percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one." Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Danae would likely face if she survived. She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on. "No! No!" was all Diana could say. She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away.

Through the dark hours of morning as Danae held onto life by the thinnest thread, Diana slipped in and out of sleep, growing more and more determined that their tiny daughter would live, and live to be a healthy, happy young girl. But David, fully awake and listening to additional dire details of their daughter's chances of ever leaving the hospital alive, much less healthy, knew he must confront his wife with the inevitable. David walked in and said that we needed to talk about making funeral arrangements. Diana remembers, 'I felt so bad for him because he was doing everything, trying to include me in what was going on, but I just wouldn't listen, I couldn't listen. I said, "No, that is not going to happen, no way! I don't care what the doctors say; Danae is not going to die! One day she will be just fine, and she will be coming home with us!"

As if willed to live by Diana's determination, Danae clung to life hour after hour, with the help of every medical machine and marvel her miniature body could endure. But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Danae's under-developed nervous system was essentially raw, the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Danae struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl. There was never a moment when Danae suddenly grew stronger.

But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there. At last, when Danae turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later-though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero. Danae went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.

Today, five years later, Danae is a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She shows no signs, what so ever, of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she is everything a little girl can be and more-but that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Danae was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ballpark where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing. As always, Danae was chattering non-stop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, Danae asked, "Do you smell that?" Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain." Danae closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?" Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet, it smells like rain. Still caught in the moment, Danae shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, "No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest." Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Danae then happily hopped down to play with the other children.

Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along. During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Danae on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

This is one of the best e-mails that I do believe that I have ever received. I do not know if you have read it before, but I do know that it will give you all the inspiration that you need to know that your boys are going to grow up to be just as strong and beautiful as their parents!! Good Luck, and all my thoughts and prayers are with you guys!!!

Anonymous said...

Dana & Trey -

You all have been and will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. We think about you often and have no doubt our Father will take care of your babies, both of you and your supporting families.

We are amazed at the amount of faith you've demonstrated in your interview and throughout this blog. Openly expressing your prayerful lives and faith in God is a huge inspiration to us all.

Thanks for sharing your progress.

Med & Gray

Rebecca said...

Dana & Trey,
Scott and I have been thinking about you and the babies and pray for the best. Rachel, who's now 6 years old, saw the story the other night and asked why your babies were sick, why did they have tubes on them, etc. I explained to her the best I could about the situation and told her we just need to pray that those little babies will get better and be able to go home eventually. It's wonderful you guys are so strong in your faith and I hope that, along with your love, will pull you through these difficult times. Best wishes.
Rebecca, Scott & Rachel

ETHANS_MOM said...

Dear Dana,
I am a fellow NICU mom! We are from Mineola, but our "home" these days is at the hospital in Dallas. My baby, Ethan Michael shares his birthday with your precious little guys. He was born at 34 weeks gestation, weighing 3 lbs 15 oz and is 12 1/4 inches long. Ethan also has "Caudal Regression Syndrome" which causes physical malformation of his legs and he is missing the lower part of his spine and his hips. He is at Medical City Dallas. I haven't been home since my "suprise" C-Section on January 8th. Our little one is still struggling with feeding/digestive issues and every day is a roller coaster. Feel free to email me if you need a friend who shares the scary journey with you. I so know the "mommy guilt" as I call it and the ups and downs that hit you like a brick wall sometimes. I know how difficult (and wonderful!) it is, as this is my third baby (and third preemie-see mommy guilt :). I offer my prayers and support. We will get there, your family and mine.....it's just a long scary road. Keep the faith...

ashley_duplechein@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey,

I remember how I had to leave my baby at the hospital after he was born and all the ups and downs. I remember the little obstacles that we rejoiced in that we look back on now and laugh. I remember how proud we were of his first real bowel movement (now he gets embarressed when we mention it). Those little hurdles were huge praises for me as a mommy. Now 13 years later, you would never know by looking at him that he was so sick when he was born. I know how hard it is to want to try and fix things yourself because we don't want to think that we can't. I find it hard to step back and let God have the reins without my holding on to them. Know that God is in control and that he can handle anything! Keep trusting in Him and praying to him for strength. You all are in our prayers. We also pray for the doctors that care for the boys. I look forward to hearing your voice soon as I awake to start my day. I miss you on the news. Keep up the faith and thanks for allowing us viewers to share in Hayden and Ford's remarkable journey. Praying for you,
The Bragg Family

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey,

You have been in my thoughts and prayers ever since I heard about the birth of your boys. Reading about you and your family has brought back many memories for me.

My daughter, Jessica, weighed 2pounds, 2 ounces at birth and had a lot of the premie problems. She had to have the PDA surgery, too. She spent 70 days in NICU at Presbyterian in Dallas, but she got to come home when she weighted 4 and 1/2 pounds.

Fast forwarding to today, Jessica, ran the San Antonio Marathon in November, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas A & M with a degree in Nursing in December, and now is an R.N. working in ICU at the same hospital where she was born 24 years ago.

Continue to have faith in the Lord, the doctors, and the nurses. They can make miracles happen. I know.

Sending you strength,
Tim (Tyler)

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey,
I read your blog nearly daily and cry for your heartache. But also I am so happy that you have the joy of being parents. You are both such wonderful people and are so blessed with Ford and Hayden.
I pray that they grow strong and healthy so they can come home soon and play with their cousin Patton.
I will keep you all in my prayers as long as it takes.
And remember, we are all here if there is anything we can do. the community is here to support you.
God Bless you and the boys.
Leann Burns

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey.... I have been following your journey for quite a while online and have continued to pray for your strength as well as the strength of Ford and Hayden. God has brought you to it, and God will bring you through it. It is only by Gods grace that Ford and Hayden are as healthy as they are. What a mighty God we serve. I am a total stranger to you, yet you have touched my heart by your strength and understanding beyond measure. I am a grandmother of twin boys born at Baylor on the 14th of December. I heard about your sons through the doctors there on a follow up visit. It is amazing how many people and total stranger are praying for you all. I never am amazed and the power of prayer and the peace that passes all understanding, and you are all witness to this. Please know that Hayden and Ford are in my prayers as well as Mommy and Daddy and the grandparents. I pray for your continued strength to face each day before you and praise God for your miracles. Teresa Hodge, Tyler, TX

Anonymous said...

Dana, Trey, Ford & Hayden:
Above all else there is a might and greatful God. He promises not to give us more than we can bare. I know that it is hard to understand the reasons why he choses each of us for different things in life but he is always there to see and pull us through the worst. All of you are in my family's thoughts and prayers each and every day. May the Lord rise to the greatest heights and wrap his strong and loving arms around the four of you. May you feel his love and peace and know that he is the Master of all. Thank you so much for sharing you life with all of us and the prayer chain is long and is working. God Bless,

Anonymous said...

Trey, Dana - I am praying for you and your precious little boys. They are so lucky to have such wonderful parents and the proudest Aunt Hills! :) Cannot wait to meet the little guys when they go home. I am sure that Hills will send pictures often. Know that our door is open if you come back to visit NYC and kids are welcome!

- Katie Nelson xoxo

Anonymous said...

You don't know me - I'm a friend of Brooke (Stephens) Lynch, and she referred me to your story. I just wanted to share with you the story of our dear little friend, Zoe Beth. She's the daughter of some of our best friends and was born at 26 weeks and weighed 1lb 15oz. She spent 5 months in the NICU at Medical City and ended up with a trache for another year, and had a feeding tube longer than that......but we just attended her 4th birthday party over the weekend. She's a happy, healthy, "normal" little girl. Just know that though the journey seems endless right now, someday you'll be dealing with preschool and skinned knees instead of hospitals and surgeries and looking back in amazement on all you've been through. You and your precious boys are in our prayers.

Anonymous said...

I saw your story on Tyler TV.
There is a wonderful healing Ministry in Argyle Texas
The Living Savior Ministry
Thurman Scrivner, Pastor
He has had many Healings.

You can see info on his ministry here http://www.tlsm.org/

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey! Watched the interview and it was so moving. Hillary is keeping us posted to and I'm glad she sent us to this link. There is a youth minister in Rusk who we got to know when his youngest daughter was pre-mature...she's a healthy 3 yr. old now. God did many miraculous things on their behalf.

As I pray for you I'm asking for you both to know the Lord more intimately. Children have a way of forcing us to get on our knees...that's what God has wanted all along. For men and women to seek Him so that He can prove Himself good, faithful and "loving toward all He has made".
peace be with you, em

Anonymous said...

Read your blog and shared your pain and tears. Stay strong and know that with the ups there will be downs and that God is in control of both situations. Ephesians 2:8-9 reveals that faith is a free gift. A gift freely given by Jesus Christ, that gives us all UNLIMITED access to God and all that He has freely supplied for us.
We simply need to carry our faith wherever we go and use it at every turn. Hang on to this truth. God will not forsake you, not now, not ever.
PS Our premie Granddaughter is 7 months old today. She is a precious, healthy 15 pound miracle!
Thanks be to God.

Anonymous said...

Is your faith strong enough to accept the Lord's will, whatever that may be?

Anonymous said...

Trey and Dana,

I am praying for you both, and for Hayden and Ford. I pray that Jesus will surround you and the boys with healing, peace, comfort, and love. I will be praying these verses for your family:

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5

"My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phillippians 4:19

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Love,
Carmen (Petty) Burch

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey,

I'm sure as the days drag on you continue to find out your random ties to the great folks of East Texas. I just discovered mine. I danced with Hillary for years when we were little. I thought that at this time you could use a funny visual. Hillary, myself and 13 other pudgy 6 year olds in really tacky, sea foam green tu-tus! Hey it was the 80's :)! I have been praying for ya'll since the first day Dana missed work. I can't wait to see those little guys on the soccer field! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all every day! Hang in there!!!

Brooke Alexander-Spearman
Pittsburg, TX.

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey,
I know exactly how you feel. My daughter Hannah was born with a congenital heart defect. She has had 5 open heart surgeries, the last was in August, a heart transplant. I know about Dallas being a second home and how your every thought is about you baby. I just want to remind you that God is the great physician and he works everything out for his good. Remember to hand your babies over to the Lord and he will take care of them. I pray for your strength, I know how difficult it is and I know that you two must lean on eachother and God to overcome this. Please if you need anything, call me it helps to talk with someone who has been there. I have a plan for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah29:11 many prayers coming your way from Alto Texas. Amanda Collie proud mommy to Hannah 3 yrs heart transplant and Cooper 4 months

Anonymous said...

To The Hughey Family,
Thanks so much for the continued updates. I know as the Mom of a preemie it can sometimes be difficult to share the story of the babies as it is happening, so I really appreciate the time you take to keep us posted. I pray you and your boys everyday. Since my preemie is now a healthy 23 year old, I know that the power of prayer works! And believe me, after all this, as your babies grow up, you will learn that the fighter in them that will see them through this will remain!!! The stubborn streak preemies tend to be born with sticks!! But it is so easy to deal with the "terrible twos" and the teenage years and everything else that parents go through after you have been through what you are going through now.
Hang tight and God Bless!

Anonymous said...

I love y'all, Bubs, Dana, Ford and Hayden!

See you soon!
Aunt Gigs

Anonymous said...

Dear Dana & Trey:

My niece in Lufkin called me about your story. You see, she was reliving her own experience as the mother of 24 week preemies. (Each under 2 lbs.) She and her husband lived life literally hanging on by a prayer for 8 months when their babies finally came home. Their hospital was 2 hours away in Houston and the facility there became their temporary home.

I began an email prayer chain the day she began going into labor giving everyone updates - sometimes hour by hour. Before we knew it, the emails were being circulated throughout the country to people they will never even meet who prayed for them.

Now, 7 1/2 years later, the Hance babies are no longer babies. They are school kids learning and thriving keeping everyone on their toes trying to keep up with them.

There were many valleys and mountains that they went through during those months. For example, my Erica had been on a ventilator since birth. She was just not able to come off of it. At about 3 months the doctors pulled my niece into the hall and started discussing the need for a tracheotomy that should be done right away. Erica just couldn't remain on the ventilator. Suddenly, they heard a sound they had never heard before. It was a tiny, sweet little cry. Erica had taken upon herself to pull the ventilator off and she never had to go back on it again! What a God moment! Just when they thought they couldn't hold on any longer, then the Lord would help them tie another not in the rope they were hanging onto.

All this to say, my niece and her husband, Cassey and Buck Hance, know your struggle right now. I'm sure by all the encouraging messages you realize you are not alone. You too have such a huge prayer network and you are being lifted up moment by moment. We pray for your strength. We pray for your babies’ health. We pray for the doctors caring for them. God is amazing and awesome!!! God bless you and your boys. You are all so gently and firmly in God's hands right now.



With love! Sherry Horton

Kimberly said...

Dear Hughey Family,

I just want to encourage you through this difficult time, but words fail me; everything I say seems cliche or trite. I like the words Carmen Burch wrote best, because they're straight from the Bible. God is the source of all hope, whether we're going through the most frightening experience of our lives or simply looking for a good parking space!

I pray that you and your sons will one day look back on this experience as the time when God showed you all how big and powerful He is - and that this will strengthen your family's faith so that God is glorified in your lives. You're already honoring Him now through your blog, and there's no telling how many people will be blessed because of it. I believe God rewards his servants for their faithfulness, and because you are being faithful to give the glory to God through your trials, I believe He will work miracles in your boys' lives. What a source of joy they will be as they grow older and testify to the mercy and healing of God!

I will continue to pray for your family and will check back here often.

God bless,
KP

Jeff & Debra said...

Good Morning Dana, Trey, Ford & Hayden, I just wanted to let you know that each day you are in my thoughts & prayers and will always be in my heart. I hope things are improving for your little miracles and that each day you are a day closer to coming home to East Texas. I know that each day is another miracle and I am certain that God will continue to guide you through this rough patch of highway and that soon it will be just a distant memeory. "Us folks" here in East Texas love you all and we thank you for sharing your journey with us. May God continue to bless you all and help to heal your two little miracle. I know the doctors are wonderful, but God is the ultimate Doctor, he makes the decisions, we just carry them out. Love to all,

Debra Bunt
Gladewater, Texas

Meet the Smiths said...

I can't imagine what you are going thru right now with your boys, Ford and Hayden. If your boys are anything like mommy and daddy, then i know they will pull thru with flying colors...they have your strength and their strength to help them make a wonderful recovery. I saw from some comments that some of shared what they have gone through also.
Right now, we are waiting on open heart surgery for my daughter, Lilyann who will 10 weeks tomorrow. She has VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect) They found the hole in her heart about 2 weeks ago and it has been one emotional rollercoaster for myself and my husband. Lily is "failing to thrive" as the Drs have put it...so they are trying to get her to gain some weight before they do the surgery. I have been feeling like an emotional wreck ever since we got the news from the heart specialist. But i realize that "all things work together for good to those that love God." (Rom 8:28)
Mu husband and i have decided to just let go and Let God.

So all in all, you and your family are in our prayers...Everytime i see my little Lilyann, I think our your boys and what you, Dana and Trey, are going thru. Much love to you all.
the Smiths

Anonymous said...

God has blessed you and Trey with these precious boys and He will see you through all the ups and downs. We continue to pray for their continued progress and pray that you and Trey are allowed to stay strong for them.
Take care of each other and please remember all of you are in our prayers.
The Carr's

Anonymous said...

Dana & Trey:

Stay strong. I know it's easier said than done. I will keep you and Hayden and Ford in my prayers.

Love,
Kathy Vitale
Former KLTV News Producer
Denver, CO

Anonymous said...

Dana & Trey,

Four & 1/2 years ago my granddaughter was born at 24 weeks. She was 1 lb. and 7 ozs and 11 inches long. After 4 1/2 months she was released from the hospital. In the past 4 1/2 years, she has had health issues here and there but she is a strong, healthy, happy little girl and has grown like a weed.

Keep the faith. God will not give you any more than you can handle, and you will be able to use this experience to help other couples going through the same sort of thing.

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. Matthew 11: 28-29

Anonymous said...

You have two bautiful baby boys.Our prayers are with you always.Hope the boys get better.Hate to hear about Ford.Hope he is doing alot better now.Hayden is a fighter just like his brother.You are going to have you hands full when then get older.Can't wait to hear about the boys and how they are doing...
GOD BLESS!!!!!
MARANDA

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey,
I have been keeping up with your journey, and have cried many tears with you. As I have read your stories and listened to the interview, I have ached with you because of all the memories it brings to mind. I am the mother of twin boys born at 28 weeks and remember the ups and downs of daily life in the NICU, hoping and praying for God to heal my precious miracles. Our God was faithful, and one day before my due date, both babies were home! Fast forward to 2008, we just celebrated their 3rd birthday last month!
I will continue to pray for your family, and for the day that you can bring your precious baby boys home.
By the way, keep a journal...I still love to look back at mine and see how faithful our God is!! I wish I'd written more...

Becky Gaddis
Tyler, TX

Shanygne said...

I had been missing you for so long when Clint finally let me know where you were. I immediately started praying for you and your family. My husband and I lost a baby almost two years ago and it was the worst thing to ever happen in our lives.
There is something in me that believes that your twins will survive, beat the odds and serve the God that you love. He is sooo faithful. Just as He helps me thru my grief, He will help you thru this scary time. His grace is sufficient and He will make wonderful that which seems so hard.

Bless you as you continue to fight for your babies. We can't wait to see you again on the air, but are thankful that you can spend this time with Ford and Hayden.

In His grip,
The Gullicksons from Lindale.

Anonymous said...

once again, i rushed home and turned on my laptop so i could check on you, trey, ford and hayden! be assured without asking, everyone is praying for all of you, especially for healing on ford and haydens lungs. you are a very special family and so many people are praying for all of you. we cant wait to see your story one day of "the power of prayer!!" bless you all, nana from gilmermpncr

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey,

I have been asking my son for updates on you and the boys, and now that I know about this blog, I will be following it regularly. Just wanted you to know Tom and I are thinking about you and hoping the boys will grow strong soon. Love to you all.

Joannie in Sugar Land

Anonymous said...

Trey & Dana,
I continue to pray for you and your precious angels, Ford & Hayden. I pray that God will continue to wrap His hands around you all and carry you through this difficult chapter of your lives. I look forward to receiving healthy reports very soon! Thinking of you... Caroline Curtis

Them Chandlers said...

I just happen to come across your blog in a very random way...I am originally from Longview but since have moved to the DFW area. Dr. Seligman delivered our firstborn. He was amazing. What a small world! :) Praying for your boys!

Anonymous said...

Dana and Trey, I have tried so many times to send a blog to you! What a week-end you had! I continue to pray for Ford and Hayden and all of you. Your faith is amazing! I am so proud that it has not faltered. I know God has a plan for all of you. I know it is so hard to be patient, wanting your little miracles to get well and come home! That is the prayer of all of us. I know your little ones are surrounded by all of God's angels-protecting them. Dana, I know what a great husband Trey is. I have known him for so long and he has always been such a wonderful, kind and caring person-just like his parents. Hold tight to each other and may God's peace which passeth all understanding be with you and Ford and Hayen. LH

Picture Worth A Thousand Words

Picture Worth A Thousand Words

Proud Parents

Proud Parents

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Proud Mommy

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Proud Papa

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