*I know I’ve been away for a bit, but I truly need to post this and need lots and lots of prayers, thoughts, etc going up to the Heavens …
I know I’ve been away for a bit, but I truly need to post this and need lots and lots of prayers, thoughts, etc going up to the Heavens for this family!! This dear family lives in my town. My husband & I know them. Dasa, the mom, grew up in the same town I did. It’s just really sad! Thanks in advance for reading, and praying! My RB family are awesome. You have my permission to send this on to your friends, etc. Thanks, ~Sheila Her Story Is Long….But She Will Be Taken Of Of Life Support Soon. / Here Is Her Story… / Mikayla Gain (I didn’t take this picture. It’s from Dasa) A bit about The Gain Family…… We are a family of 5 who until November 6th, 2009 felt like we lived a semi-normal life. John and I have been married for 5 years and have three vibrant, beautiful little girls. The oldest being Mikayla Paige (she’ll be 5 in Feb 2010! time flies), who was diagnosed with Alpers on 11/6/09 , Morgan Cheyenne, age 3 (who has a rare symptom and is awaiting testing for the same disorder) and Madison Nicole age 1. (who is also awaiting testing, but is symptom free) We truly cherish every single moment, every single hug, and every single kiss. Our girls are our world and we are dedicated to doing anything it takes to keeping them healthy, and happy. John and I both stay at home with the girls and have dedicated our lives to them, and researching for a way to slow this disease-one that is robbing our daughter of her childhood. We reside in Stephenville, Texas and have extended family at First Assembly, where we’d started attending a few months ago. Another group of great people! We’ve been so blessed to have so many in our community, and everyday lives rooting for our cause!!!! Mikayla is back in Cook’s 2010-02-20 20:18 I sit here looking across at Mikayla, once again in a hospital bed. We came back to Cook’s yesterday after multiple complications at home. When Mikayla went home back in January, exactly one month ago today, we didn’t even know if she would survive the transport home. However God looked over her and protected her and she slept all of the way home. For the next 3 weeks, she got better and better. Okay-Yes I know, sometimes there’s a “calm before the storm” and people get better at home, before they get worse. However, I am VERY attuned to my daughter. I watch her like a hawk night and day. Mikayla had started to recover from her brain surgery, and she was improving. It wasn’t just an improvement you see in a child who perks up from going home and being back in her environment- it was an improvement as in- She might not ever be able to run and play- but she was getting to where she would communicate more and more with us. We know for a fact that Mikayla was still “mentally” normal. I made sure we showed everyone the way she’d try to blow bubbles when we’d sneak up and just put the bubble wand in front of her mouth without saying anything, and when things hurt she would say ouch. She knew. We could ask her if she wanted to watch TV and she’d look up at it and nod her head yes….So many things. She even ate a tub of yogurt and some of apple juice. Even the day we got Mikayla home her twitching stopped…Slowly she was working on getting back to as good as she possibly could, and we never gave up on her. Even if it never got better- She’s out little girl and she was there. Sure, her quality of life was not what we wanted it to be for her- but she was able to enjoy little things, like her daddy tickling her, and the new puppy Anne gave her….She’d smile from time to time and home was home again- because she was there with us. One of her biggest feats was not needing oxygen anymore! She maintained her O2 and never got under 94 for 2 weeks straight! So we fast forward to this past Monday, when Mikayla caught the cold. She was the first to come down with it, then Morgan and Madison followed. On top of that, She also caught a flu bug and was vomiting. It physically wore her out and she went from being awake 8-9 hours a day. to being asleep 22 or more. She’d yawn and move around a little, but that was it-up to Friday. We spent a lot of time doing breathing treatments and CPT on her, patting her back, and trying to loosen up everything in her lungs because it was just building up so fast. One thing I would do constantly is check Mikayla’s eyes…..which I did Thursday night, and they looked fine. Then Friday I checked them and they were yellow. I knew then that her liver was involved and waited on our home health nurse to get there….She agreed with me that it was just too much to deal with at home, and we did not want to take a chance on Mikayla having something out of whack as far as a blood level, and that be what took her. So even though she was sent home to pass away- We wanted to know for sure that it was not due to something as simple as a severe kidney infection or something of the sorts. When we got to the ER her liver level was in the 700’s for one that should be around 56 or so. The other one was high also. So Harris asked us if we wanted to get Cook’s on the way and take her back there, and we said yes. We are very use to and comfortable with Cook’s by now, and that is where we wanted her. We knew they would check her with a “fine toothed comb” and in the end there would be no doubts as to whether or not we could fix this again. So- they said she had pneumonia in Stephenville, and it was confirmed at Cook’s….we did also confirm later that it was from her having RSV…..If you don’t know what it is, it’s a virus like the flu- it’s just harder for her to fight off due to her condition. So she is now on antibiotics. They also checked her liver levels, and the 700+ one is down to the 500’s. As with the other levels. Now, we are not sure if it is fluctuating or if it is going down from recovering back to it’s “normal” state. The doctor did say that from dehydration, liver counts can go up- maybe not that high- but it’s “possible.” So she’s on a constant IV of fluids, an antibiotic for the RSV, among other things. We hate to have had to bring her back, but she has been re-intubated and is not struggling to breath….her heart rate is stable and not high again, and she is asleep again from the meds. She is peaceful and it makes us feel better knowing she is not in a state of suffering from her body overworking itself. I do know that no matter how tough you want to be, no matter how you want your terminally ill child to pass at home- As a parent, and as a mother- I could not “do nothing.” I could not just give her meds to make her comfortable and watch her pass…..So maybe in that aspect I failed- But as Mikayla’s mother- I didn’t. I know that……...and I’m okay with that. And if there’s a doctor or nurse or anyone saying ” I thought she wasn’t being treated because of her diagnosis” or someone wondering why we brought her back- It wasn’t to try to prolong her suffering in any way..it was to let someone else alleviate something I am incapable of, as someone who loves her, of doing. IF it’s the Alpers causing it….and if we find that her liver is in fact truly failing-then we are in a position to not be selfish and keep her here because we can’t let go. I want to remind you all that I am able to write in the middle of all of this, because writing is a way of me seeing what I feel. I re-read it and I “proofread” my choices- to confirm it to myself and to know that I am somehow making a choice that is best for her. It’s hard to know how saying “goodbye” is best for your child, until you are ever in that situation. And I pray that you NEVER are…but when faced with seeing her suffer- you can’t just let it keep on- if there’s no cure, and if it’s affecting her ability to live without suffering you HAVE to to the hardest thing that you’ve ever done in your life. And this by far is the hardest thing John and I have ever had to do. Nothing comes close to the heartache we feel. Images of Mikayla smiling and running and laughing just keep playing over and over. I can still feel her little arms wrapped around my neck hugging me and I can still smell her baby shampoo when I’d wash her hair. Every day of her life is flashing before me when I close my eyes…all the way back to her baby crush on Heath Ledger in Knight’s Tale…..she was about a year old and every time Heath Ledger would smile, Mikayla thought he was smiling at her and she’d smile this shy little coy smile back at the TV. It was so cute. She’s a beautiful little girl, having to go through so much, and no child should have to endure something that there is no treatment or cure for….. Mikayla has been fighting like crazy. It took four doses of meds, when it should have only taken one, to get her put under to intubate her. She isn’t going anywhere without a fight. And she is taking on an army all by herself. Our little fighter!!!! So for now, we are waiting out to see what her liver levels are in the morning and then we’ll go from there. It’s just sitting here waiting…. I will say that there is still nothing we regret. The hemispherectomy-was the RIGHT choice.It stopped her seizures- it just took a while “post operative” to let it settle back down. I will also say, to any doctor who may read this, and not realize- It is very important to give parents EVERY option available to make the best choices for their child. We feel like we have been given that, and I hope other families never experience regret from doctors who change their minds and hearts. Our best advice, is to always pray to God, then follow your heart- Even if it means having to aruge with someone about it. You are the voice for your child, and you are the one who knows them best. Lastly, there have been so many people involved in Mikayla’s life, who have been a Godsend… but I recommend to anyone who has a child at home who has special needs- to consider help. I didn’t realize how much having a full time nurse would help us. Especially having a full time, caring-compassionate nurse named Stephanie (*and for the time being we aren’st sharing her, but there’s other nurses : P )......Angels of Care Pediatrics in Sherman has been so good to us. They’ve sent their nurses driving anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to stay with Mikayla and it has meant the world to John and I. We are still able to give her care, but 2 weeks ago, when we let a nurse come in and help- we felt like she was getting the maximum care and so were our other girls….They are a truly great company, and not only take children, but young adults. I HIGHLY recommend them…….they are statewide and will go just about anywhere in Texas. Please pray for Mikayla, and strength for John and I. This is so hard……..But we’re in the best hospital there is, and she is being taken care of with the best of the best.
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Wishing Tree Christmas Card Series / Little Profiles Christmas Series / Angel Christmas Cards / Nativity Christmas Cards / Other Christmas Cards / Party Girl Card Series /
My warmest thanks go out to all those who’ve bought things from me recently including the lovely bubbler Michelle Whennan...
My warmest thanks go out to all those who’ve bought things from me recently including the lovely bubbler Michelle Whennan and sweetscent62 and my dear real life friend Christine Jones and lovely fellow bubbler yanmos TSHIRT SALES / / Photo taken of Sugar Coated TShirt by Bec Schopen during the Manly Art Festival Sydney 2009 Womanly TShirt Exhibition where our 100 tees were hung on a clothesline exhibit at the beach, i was one of the lucky ones who sold a tee that day!! Thank you Bec!! / Geisha Girl TShirt (modelled by karin) available in red/colour as above or Antique version of the tee here in more subdued hues CALENDAR SALES / MATTED PRINT AND GREETING CARDS SALES / CANVAS PRINT SALES / It’s a huge happiness and thrill for me to see people liking my work and buying it to add to their walls and homes and to give to friends, it’s the fulfillment of a dream, thank you everyone, i hope you really enjoy the products you’ve purchased, and that the artwork is a nice new addition to your wardrobe, your home, or introduction of something new to friends and family that inspires and refreshes…. kindest wishes to all for a very Happy Christmas!
2 Weeks Turns 10 is featured in Cee’s Fun, Artsy Friends...
2 Weeks Turns 10 is featured in Cee’s Fun, Artsy Friends / Thanks to the group hosts for this feature:) /
Me and My Shadow / was featured in **ABSTRACT DIGITAL ART AN…
Me and My Shadow / was featured in ABSTRACT DIGITAL ART AND STORIES / Thank you to the Hosts and Members of this great group. Paper Dragons / was featured in Dragon’s Fire / Many thanks to the Hosts and members,this is a new Group and should be checked out the dragons are fantastic…. Girls IN MY CIRCLE / was featured in THE SISTERHOOD / Many thanks to the Hosts and Members of the Sisterhood, a wonderful group to be in.
A 500 carat diamond has been found in Lesotho!!! Taken from an article in the Scotsman this morning ….. ’’ IT IS a mere speck on …
A 500 carat diamond has been found in Lesotho!!! Taken from an article in the Scotsman this morning ….. ’’ IT IS a mere speck on the map, but deep beneath its inhospitable plateaux, nature has gifted Lesotho some of the grandest sparklers in the world. / The rich seam of the African enclave’s mines became clear yesterday, after the discovery of a huge gem experts believe could yield the largest polished round diamond in history. It weighs 478 carats and is the 20th largest rough diamond ever recovered. Such is its outstanding clarity and rounded shape, it has set tongues wagging in the upper echelons of the stone trade. Once polished, tentative speculation has it that the white diamond could reach a valuation well into eight figures. The diamond, which has not yet been named, is the fourth remarkable gem to be unearthed from the Letšeng mine in only two years. Lesotho, geographically surrounded by South Africa, is an impoverished nation, where shepherds take refuge in crude, thatched huts when they are not crossing mountains by horseback. However, it is also regarded as the most productive region in the world for precious stones. After initial examinations by gemologists in the Belgian city of Antwerp, it is estimated the rock has a completely flawless centre and might even yield a 150-carat polished gem stone. If so, it would dwarf the likes of the Koh-i-noor diamond, the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels. The grade-D stone – the highest quality – was unearthed a fortnight ago at Letšeng, in the landlocked country’s Maluti mountains. The glittering prize emerged from the hundreds of thousands of tons of kimberlite rock mined every day. Sculpting it into a marketable asset is an arduous task, involving several months’ work. It is not yet clear exactly what the stone will produce, but, typically, it will take three months to assess any cracks or faults and decide how best to maximise the yield before polishing begins. The danger of the stone shattering during cutting is ever present.’‘ And I don’t suppose it will benefit any of the ‘poor shepherds’ who will probably have to continue living in ‘Crude thatched huts’ and scraping a living from the surface of the land! ..... a bit of an imbalance here don’t you think?
Thank you so so much to the members of the “Paws N Claws” Group who voted for my beautiful Penny in the I Miss You Challenge...
Thank you so so much to the members of the “Paws N Claws” Group who voted for my beautiful Penny in the I Miss You Challenge!! I really appreciate your votes…and I’m so glad you like her. You would have loved her in person. :)) / My Old Friend Penny – RIP Beautiful Girl /
I would like to thank all the people here on RB for their wonderful support over the last yr.. I have made some great friends and learnt …
I would like to thank all the people here on RB for their wonderful support over the last yr.. I have made some great friends and learnt a hell of a lot from the pro’s amongst you. Thank you for viewing this particular image as this is the first milestone for me on images… 1000 views.. / Also 69 comments and 14 favorites Thanks again Matt
Wow…I am thrilled and thankful for the honor of My Girl Rose Petals being Featured in your group along with so many other great images!...
Wow…I am thrilled and thankful for the honor of My Girl Rose Petals being Featured in your group along with so many other great images! A big THANK YOU to everyone!!!!
I havent been on Redbubble much in last few days, iv been designin Kids T-shirts and things for people, makin some sales to! I have j…
I havent been on Redbubble much in last few days, iv been designin Kids T-shirts and things for people, makin some sales to! I have just ordered these 3 T’s for a friend of a friend, and they are for her 3 little daughters, which the designs have resemblance to them and the things they like, cant wait to see how they turn out, ill take a photo to show everyone, once again the site is www.cheekyteez.com.au / And im also doing another 2 little girl T’s for a family freind, and im going to be doin a canvas painting similar to this image for another friend So im a busy little bee at the moment :o)
some serious ASS! / I’m sorry I’m still not on the net yet. I’m borrowing Dez’s grouse to have good friends. / BUT / I just gotta tell yu a…
some serious ASS! / I’m sorry I’m still not on the net yet. I’m borrowing Dez’s grouse to have good friends. / BUT / I just gotta tell yu all my shitty luck is turning ! / This girls picking up her first ‘drivable’ car this weekend / (don’t forget my almost completed Dodge 68 Pearl white roof metalic blue & the hottest horn & my totaly pulled apart Valiant Safari Wagon). / AND / I got myself a FANTASTIC job in town home for the boys. I’m ‘almost’ the towns art teacher. I’m almost in heaven 1 night 2 days a week with plenty of room to grow AND I can’t wait to have a red bubble night down at the centre & introduce everyone. / Well / So much I owe to you my friends for giving me the confidence & the encourage to follow what I work so hard to achieve. Your spirit & energy I promise is being put to good use XXX / ALMOST / all is well / Hubby is shitten me for not getting me a mothers day card OR even a cup of tea! / Pillows went on the couch for the first time in 20 years Funny backfiring thing is…..... IT Didn’t bloody work because / My huzband thought one of the boys was sick / And didn’t get that I had the shits! / Bloody men! Oh Yeh I have 2 of my favourite paintings in an art show in Richmond from the 12th – 27th of June the art show is raising awareness for Mental Health week. So before you know it this girl will be back on the net & packing her rods & kidz in the boot. / Now put your suneez on cause flipz wants to take you for a krooz / Once again I say sorry for overloading my uploading I will upsize when I’m back on cause I dp like to say thankyou to those that buy my work. / Tomorrow at 2pm I will dedicate my library time to catching up with you / NO uploads I prom…....... (maybe just 1) Thankyou for helping me turn my shitty luck around XXX
Dear All Friends, I am so happy when heard that one of my photographs, entitled ““Muslim Girl”” was chosen as “_my FAVORITE photogra…
Dear All Friends, I am so happy when heard that one of my photographs, entitled ““Muslim Girl”” was chosen as my FAVORITE photograph or artwork in JPG Cast-offs. / Thank you very much to all JPG Cast Off’s Hosts: Mary Ann Reilly, Gail Anderson, Leanna Lomanski, mayette26 Bradley Nichol who has provided a valuable opportunity for me. And from the deepest my heart, I want to say thank you for all my friend who vote my photo among more than 100 great photos. / / Also I want to say Thank you to The Black and White Enthusiast, a group hosted by Nicolette, Ralph & Peter for giving me the generous rewards of becoming “A Featured Artists of The Week” in their Amazing group. I am pleased and delighted and honored to be featured with all talented artists of “The Black and White Enthusiast” Thanks again my friend, / roni ..., there is no ‘bad image’ in the vocabulary of photography, but make pictures more attractive, more able to speak, and touch the audience is also something that is important.,
Hi all as you know I have a wonderful bond with two special female artist’s here in my city that I have painted with, exhibited with laug…
Hi all as you know I have a wonderful bond with two special female artist’s here in my city that I have painted with, exhibited with laughed with, and even cried with….On this night though we were laughing and loving being together…..felt so right and so good… Kym Nic and Anna…hugs xoxo Anna Bartlett and Nic Hohn, both have bubble sites and even though they have not been as active as I on here they are both fantastic artist’s in their own right….I had the good fortune to catch up with them both at the Grammar art show opening on Friday night, where much to their delight they both sold two pieces, which is great for opening night…. We then caught up on Saturday for a bit at the gallery Anna owns, which we used to open every Sunday leading up to Christmas, due to changes in our lives, this no longer happens, however this Sunday gone I open up for a few hours and was lucky to get payment for a painting that had been on layby for some time…So all in all it was a good weekend for the three of us on many levels….. I would love you to take a look at Anna’s site….or at least the paintings I have here, I will get to feature my darling Nic later this week…. till then love to all…P.S Anna does the best hand painted art bags ever….I will be sporting one when I come down to Sydney so keep an eye out…this girl has a big future….Move over Ken Done…AB is on her way….
And a great big thanks to the hosts for considering my painting. I am proud to be a part of this group. I am just sorry I have not done m…
And a great big thanks to the hosts for considering my painting. I am proud to be a part of this group. I am just sorry I have not done many oils lately. This will prod me to finish the one I have started! I sincerely appreciate this recognition. Have a Happy! / “yimusjane” – Kate Best Friends
Aleister and Sylvia have stolen your hearts – now you can enjoy them all year round! Check it out! !http://rdr.zazzle.com/img/imt-prd…
Aleister and Sylvia have stolen your hearts – now you can enjoy them all year round! Check it out!
Wow! 3 Features all in one day. I am so honored about these recognitions of my photography. And all my dogs again…which makes this even…
Wow! 3 Features all in one day. I am so honored about these recognitions of my photography. And all my dogs again…which makes this even more special. First I want to thank the hosts of Pets Are Us for Featuring “Mother And Child”. It’s so nice to be among such other great features. :)) Second I want to thank the hosts of Paws N Claws for Featuring my awesome and super special girl Penny in “My Old Friend Penny – RIP Beautiful Girl”. This really means alot to me. And third I would like to thank the hosts of Mans Best Friend for Featuring YoYo. It’s awesome to see him Featured in your group with all those other cute Features!!
WOW!!! I LOVE Red Bubble and all the fantastic people and groups on here. I am so grateful to all of you for the recognition i have gotte…
WOW!!! I LOVE Red Bubble and all the fantastic people and groups on here. I am so grateful to all of you for the recognition i have gotten with my work since I have been on here since this past February 2009. Thank you so much gabbielizzie…host of the APBT Lovers Group for Featuring “My Old Friend Penny – RIP Beautiful Girl”. This means the world to me for her to be featured in the group of her wonderful breed. She was a true example of what this breed should be. and I thank you for appreciating that. / / Thanks also for featuring my silly puppy Littlegirl giving her friend the chihuahua a ride in her toy car in “Yes!! I Have My License!!”. These two just got along so great. :)) Thanks also goes to the hosts of Pets Are Us and Funny Kritters for also Featuring “Yes!! I Have My License!!” And a big thank you to the hosts of Top Shelf Wildlife & Nature Art for Featuring “Did You Hear That?”!! This is a deer who visits my yard regularly. What a treat for him to be featured!!
You must visit Steve Hook & read his piece called Sorry ladies and thankyou all ...
You must visit Steve Hook & read his piece called Sorry ladies and thankyou all I warn you to have a hanky close by !
This is why make up artists never let you look in a mirror until they a…
This is why make up artists never let you look in a mirror until they are finished!
Hiya everyone, / I have only just started to post some of my work here this last Friday, and I would like to take the opportunity to than…
Hiya everyone, / I have only just started to post some of my work here this last Friday, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has made me feel so welcome already! :) Glad you seem to like my Fairy pics etc and there will be many more winging their way to this site shortly! :) / Hope to speak to you all again soon. Best Wishes, / Harri
My “Evie & Friends” placed in the top 10 “Children At Play Challenge” in the You’re Accepted group. !http://images-2.redbubble.net/img…
My “Evie & Friends” placed in the top 10 “Children At Play Challenge” in the You’re Accepted group. Thanks for the votes!
Hi guys, I’ve just entered into the hugo boss 15th anniversary man bottle competition. Your votes would be greatly appreciated :) thanks …
Hi guys, I’ve just entered into the hugo boss 15th anniversary man bottle competition. Your votes would be greatly appreciated :) thanks so much and happy 2010 to you and your families! http://www.hugocreate.com/en/gallery-round-12-view-40993
Hey, just to let every…
Hey, just to let everyone know i’ve been working in a photo book for the last sixt months called Los Spontaneous Fakers, it features three wonderful young characters: Tommy Bolton.- He’s the most relaxed guy in the group. He attracts the attention by doing all kind of feats. Do you think he can play the piano? Shelley Bacon.- She returned home. A party was held. What to do with all the disaster and not having fun? A fake party! Unnamed Girl.- You won’t believe who’s her best friend. It’s insanity as its best! Includes almost 60 new images of my work as also a self-portrait introduction of Los Spontaneous Fakers, it’s really economic so you might wanna check out the link they fake to find happiness in loneliness / my most personal artwork to date! Buy it now at: Blurb
Many thanks to whoever voted for my image “Two Princesses”, and also congratulations to all the other artists who were in the Top Ten! / ...
Many thanks to whoever voted for my image “Two Princesses”, and also congratulations to all the other artists who were in the Top Ten!
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