When Are We Going Home? Sacrifices for Life Part II Sequel for Survival: A Christian Inspiration

One of the hardest things to overcome when your child is diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness is the overwhelming feeling that you did something wrong. This book dispels many fears and quilts we tend to place on ourselves, as well as confirms that  we are not alone. It will give you courage in your darkest hour and strength in your weakest moments. It allows you to be real in a world that seems unreal and have hope when all seems hopeless. This book will be a companion to YOU when everyone else has gone HOME! It journals the lives of three children whose constant courage is respected by all - and sometimes even the illness that has threatened to destroy all they hold dear. The storms come often in their battle to live. They exemplify the ultimate sacrifice for life.

When Are We Going Home? Sacrifice for Life

Part II - Sequel for Survival: A Christian Inspiration

By Deborah Mabray Caudle and Kimberly Boswell

Edited by D’Ann Mabray Shippy

Deborah Mabray Caudle received her bachelor's degree in biology from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and a master's degree in biology from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. Caudle and her husband, David, live with their four children, David J., Ashley, Melissa and Makayla on a farm in Ferris, Texas, south of Dallas. Two of their children have struggled with medical conditions. She prays that the works of the Lord are manifested in the lives of all of her children.

Kimberly Boswell is a registered massage therapist and owner of Wellness from Within in Lindale, Texas, where she lives with her husband, Randy, and teenage son, Jake. She dedicates her efforts to support other families dealing with illness to her son, Joshua, who passed away in 1989 after a battle with cystic fibrosis, and in honor of Jake's ongoing battle with cystic fibrosis and diabetes. She attends the "Life" School of Continuing Education and prays that sharing her experiences will benefit you!

D'Ann Mabray Shippy lives just outside Dallas with her husband, Tim, their three children, Tyler, Walker and Rexford, and the family Whippet, Harley. She credits prayer and a gracious God with saving her premature twins' lives. Shippy has a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and a master's degree in European journalism studies from the University of Wales in Cardiff, Wales, the United Kingdom.

Melissa arrived prematurely into this world on September 24, 1994, without much artillery. Her list of birth defects documented the definition of a medically fragile child.  Spina bifida warranted a surgery the second day of life to repair the small quarter size hole in her tailbone area that had nerves protruding outward. Spina bifida also predisposed her for a life of neurogenic bowel and bladder syndromes, swallowing difficulties and limited walking because of neurological damage.  The heart defects of Pulmonary Artesia and Tetrology of Fallot (including Ventricular Septal Defect) attacked the idea of normal blood flow within her heart.  Melissa’s heart did not connect to her lungs at birth by a normal main vessel, the pulmonary artery. Her blood flow had been rerouted by small corollary blood vessels that were a maze around her heart. A transplanted valve termed a homograft valve now functions as the pulmonary artery. Complications from open heart surgery have yielded a mechanical pacemaker to march the heart to a normal beat.  Complications from brain surgery have left a permanent rigidity in her left side which alters gait and fine motor skills that she had mastered prior. Much of the first years of life limited laughter. In fact she did not learn to laugh until age two.  She arrived with no thymus, a gland which activates to benefit the immune system.  The lack on one basically translated that each normal childhood disease would render Melissa helpless to defend her invisible attackers without the aide of hospital intervention.  Many of the defects have been corrected and we count ourselves lucky for each day.  The rest of the platoon includes the commanders, Dad and Mom and three siblings, David Justin, Ashley and Makayla.