Moving

I have decided to create a new blog. This blog, of course, will still be available to any and all who need it. However, this is a personal step forward that I need to take. My own way of "moving forward." Our life is continuing, whether we are ready or not. And though the wound of Chase's "condition" is still fresh, it's time to put on the neosporin and band-aid and keep going. I've held so tightly to this, I feel I may have missed other pieces of my life that I don't need to miss. So yes, Chase will always have short-gut syndrome, but we've already claimed victory over this through Christ. Now we will move forward as a family, all five of us, and celebrate every single day.
Hence the creation of the Cleckler Baby Farm blog at www.clecklerbabyfarm.blogspot.com. A way for us (me) to share what's happening with us, but this time, it'll be about ALL of us. Chase is a little brother and about to become a big brother. I feel like I need to embrace this, and let the past go. We still stand in the glory of his miracle, and definitely want to share it with the world, but maybe do so as a part of our every day life. After all, God saved our son so that we can spend EVERY DAY of his life with him.

I will never forget, nor will I ever stop sharing his story. But it's a new day, and we are starting it together as a family.....strong in God....and enjoying all of life's many, many blessings and miracles.

I hope all who have joined us in this battle will still continue with us even though our life may be just "normal" now. After all, "normal" is what we prayed for!! I don't know how to explain this feeling. It's kind of bittersweet. I feel like I'm finishing a chapter in a book that I'm not ready to finish, and moving on to the next, maybe not quite sure of everything that happened in the last chapter. Thankfully, this new blog will let me share it with you.

Believe it or not, blogging is quite therapeutic. I am terrible at speaking to someone in person or even over the phone. I get all kinds of nervous. But writing (or typing) is completely different. I seem to be able to piece the thoughts and my words together a lot easier. And if someone else reads and gives their words of encouragement or advice, or just say "howdy" .....even better.

So without further ado: Farewell chapter"Kickin' Short Gut's Butt" ....hello chapter "Cleckler Baby Farm." Looking forward to what God has in store for us next!!!!

One Word: Victory!

A friend took these pictures for us for our upcoming benefit. Kelle Hampton, you are magical!! I told her that I wanted pictures of Chase's scars but I wanted it to be more of a celebration of his victory rather than a photo to show all the pain and fighting he's been through. I think she did so beautifully!!!

Calling all short gut parents and families!

The Omegaven Benefit is official. February 21, 2010 here in southwest Florida. I am sending out a request to other short gut families for as much "stuff" as possible that could be used at the benefit: stories, pics (especially before and after pics), or even items that can be auctioned off during the raffle/silent auction/live auction. Reaching high for this one! $25,000 to be exact. Please send this to other SBS families you know. The more personal involvement the better!!!!! Thanks to all!

For more info. you can contact me at my e-mail: sherbearsis7@earthlink.net

Heather Cleckler

Extra, Extra!! Read All About It!

So I've finally gotten the courage to spread the news that I will be running in the Disney Princess Half Marathon on March 7th to raise funds and awareness for Omegaven. So for the next 5 months I will be relentlessly training for the race and, more importantly, raising money for Omegaven Research so more babies can get the treatment they need for short gut syndrome and so families can rest in knowing that their child is on their way to recovery!

My goal is $25,000! But passing this goal would be a true blessing. You see, families receiving Omegaven do not pay for the treatment. Because it is a research project the lipid is provided to the family at no cost. The only difficulty is getting the families to a hospital that uses Omegaven, which is a small handful throughout the United States. (Will provide that list soon!) So funds donated specifically to the Omegaven research may enable the research team to treat more patients and encourage more hospitals to use Omegaven at their facilities. If more hospitals use Omegaven, more children and their families will have access to the lipid, and more lives will be saved. I am sure of this!

So to jumpstart this fundraising I will be sending out newsletters monthly to provide facts and tidbits about Omegaven, where we are in our fundraising, and names of those who have donated. If you would like to receive this newsletter please just e-mail me with your mailing address or e-mail address at sherbearsis7@earthlink.net. Please type "newsletter" in the subject line so I don't delete the e-mail as junk mail!

I do plan on having different fundraising events and activities in the near future as well!! If you would like to help in anyway please e-mail me at the address above with "fundraising help" in the subject line.

It is about time the world hear about this lipid that can save the lives of kids struggling with short gut syndrome. It saved my son's life. It has saved over 100 kids who have received the treatment at Children's Hospital Boston. There is no reason this number shouldn't be in the thousands. Let's put pressure on other hospitals to provide this treatment. The last thing a family needs to worry about for their child with short gut syndrome is if their liver will survive. Omegaven can do that!!!!! No more excuses!!!!

It's out!

So the mic-key button came out with no problem yesterday. And we even haven't had any leaks!!!

What was really cute was when Chase said "I did it!" while we were walking out of the doc's office yesterday. We're so proud of our little fighter and apparently so is he!!!

Good Bye Mic-Key Button!

Mic-key button comes out tomorrow!!! Once again, doing my happy dance.

Not looking forward to all the messy that comes with it, but hey, I'll take it!!! My son will officially be "medical parts" free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(The button is that little plastic thing on his tummy. It's a feeding tube, but we haven't used it in over 2 months!)

Good News!

The Mic-Key button comes out this week!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, I totally should have asked for prayer for the poopies sooner because, literally, the day after I posted the request his poopies went down to 4-5 poopie diapers a day and better yet, PASTY POOPS!!!!! What was I thinking?!?!?!?!?! Once again, we give all thanks and glory to the MAN above......HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!