Update on Nate/Need Addresses

[pagehouse]

As most of you know, I'm not on the board that much but I know there's all kinds of stuff going on, so maybe I'm not supposed to be posting on here if it's not directly about a cruise. Sorry if I'm breaking any rules...but as they say ignorance is bliss!


First, I need to respond about the post Andy made about Nate being sick. Well, he's not necessarily "sick". That is what the doctor and nurse said. They can see no indication of an infection or virus. We are going to treat the symptoms and if the fever starts to happen all the time, we will use antibiotics. The issue with the weight loss is of much more concern. I will just tell you what the doctor said to the nurse and I "I know you don't want to hear this and I hate to be the one to say it, but Nate is deteriorating. It is the progression of his disease and I suspect it will continue until it can't continue anymore." Now, let me tell you, if Eric and I had a dollar for every time they told us Nate wasn't going to make it, we would have enough money to sail on the Magic 52 times a year! The doctors just tell us what they see and what they think, it's ultimately between Nate and God to decide how long he will be with us. So far we have been very lucky and Nate pulls through. Maybe he has a trick up his sleeve this time too, but he'd better play it pretty fast. To lose anymore weight would be "incompatible with life" as his doctor put it. As you can see though, Eric and I take it all with a grain of salt. We've been given 6 glorious, incredible years with Nate already and that is 4 more than we were told to expect! The doctors could be wrong, he could start to gain weight back, but it took him 6 years to gain 5 pounds, so it's not likely that it will happen this time. The important thing is he still seems very happy, we are able to keep him comfortable and at least for today, life does not seem to be a burden for him. So, please continue to pray for him, we can always use that, but don't let concern eat away at you. If we spend one minute thinking "poor poor Nate" then we will have lost a minute to celebrate his being here.

Now the other thing is, I am a Christmas Card FREAK. I was wondering if anyone wanted to exchange addresses for a Christmas card list? I know it's still early, but what can I say...I'm a freak.

O.k. my hubby just pointed out that it might seem strange to put these two issues together. To other people it might seem like we are uncaring or insensitive to our own son. I think all of you have gotten to know us well enough to know that is not the case. I just don't/can't spend every minute in agony worrying about him. I think it takes away from the gift of his being here somehow. Do I get upset, do I cry, do I want to pull my hair out and scream at the top of my lungs that it's not fair? Sure I do, and when I'm alone in the car or something, I will. But then I get over it and think how lucky we are and how there are some people far more unfortunate than us. Nathan is a blessing to us, a beautiful, brave, strong, perfect, incredible blessing. He is what his name says, a gift from God. We have known from the time he was 36 hours old that while we could love him and care for him for a while, we would have to give him back. Our belief is that this worldly life is but a blink of an eye compared to the full long life he will have in Heaven. Wouldn’t it be selfish to make him stay here when he has so much more to look forward to? On this earth, he can’t move his arms, in Heaven he will spread his wings and fly…..how can you look at it any other way? I hope you all understand what I mean.

[Cruise]

I have an idea that you're going to be overwhelmed by Christmas cards now.... :) So, I make a motion that maybe we could send you cards without requiring one in return. Unless, of course, you like the idea of spending about $3,716 on postage and cards this year. Remember, you could sail again for that ;) The variety of cards you'll get will probably be amazing considering that so many people try to put some of themselves into their cards.

I'd be happy to send you a card, none required in return if you'd like to PM me your address. :)

Julie

[Dreamer04]

Cruise, I was thinking the same thing.

Chris, since we're all on the internet, how about e-cards? It's cheaper and less labor intensive. In any case, I would be delighted to exchange Christmas cards with you. You can PM if you like.

As always you and yours are in our prayers,

Fondly,
Ursula

[RellingTwin]

Our prayers are with your family. PLEASE keep us posted. I would love to exchange Christmas cards with you. I'll PM you our address.

[DreaminDisney]

Chris, We would love to exchange Christmas cards with you. I just emailed you. Know our prayers are with your family.

Debbie

[Credit Man]

Adding my prayers and sending PD. God bless you all.

[disny4ever]

We appreciate the update on Nate. I sure Andy has been bombarded with PM's wanting to know about " about his little buddy ". I agree with the others...save your stamps/ I doubt you will be able to keep up with flow of cards. Do you remember the scene from " Miracle on 34th Street" when the postal workers keep pouring bags on letters on the judge's desk, I hope this happens for you and your wonderful family.

[Verandah Man]

Well, you already have our address. I will be starting on making our annual Christmas card design soon. Just have to pick which photo from our cruise that I want to use for the card.

Give our "little buddy" a hug from his Dgrandparents!!!

[denise5374]

I just joined this board a couple of weeks ago and I read the post regarding Nate. I have been prayong for you and your family. I hope Nate is comfortable.

I have sent you a PM with my address, please respond with yours and I would be thrilled to swap cards.

God Bless you!

Denise

[4nana]

Page family~
Thank you very much for the update on Nate. Your family is in our many prayers and thoughts.
I truly admire the faith, courage, patience and outlook on life God has blessed you with.
God Bless ^i^

{{{HUGS}}} ~ Sandie

Andy ~ The cruise pix definitely make for a cute Christmas card!!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid68/p4b4ae2a2eaa2ba79624845bb1781d49a/fbbc975f.jpg

[ohiominnie]

I'd love to send you a Christmas card. I want none in return. I just want you to know we're thinking of you and praying for you.

I'll PM you.

[cjsmith]

I would love to part of this and keep you in my thoughts and prayers at Christmas. I sent you a PM>

[Disney1fan2002]

Chris, you are an incredible, strong woman! You have a strong faith, and it is so beautiful that you truly realize that Nate is a gift from God for you to have for a short time, and then God will need to call him home when life gets to be too much for him. I like to say I am a Christian, but, when it comes to my children, I am very selfish. God gave you and Eric a blessing through Nate. I have never met him, but I can just tell from the pictures I have seen of him, he is a joy who sees the wonder and innocence of life.

I am praying for Nate. Sunday I had to go to a parent meeting for all the kids receiving First Holy Communion this year. The coordinator was trying to get us parents to understand how the children veiw Jesus. And she asked us to imagine Jesus in the middle of the room, with the children sitting around him. I did see it. I started crying, because what I saw was beautiful. I had just lit a candle for Nate, and my image showed Jesus surrounded my all these children, and in Jesus' arms was Nate, and he was smiling up at Him.

Don't ever think for one moment that any of us would think you an uncaring mother because you want Christmas cards at a time like this. Alot of people mentioned sending you a card and not wanting one in return because it will cost you a fortune in stamps, but I am thinking, what if you ENJOY sending out Christmas cards. I would be willing to send a card, and include a loose stamp, so you can send one back to me, maybe other's can do the same? I am only offering in case you would really like to send out a Christmas card.

Thank you Chris and Eric for sharing Nate with us. He has truly moved me in ways you can not know. You will be getting a Christmas card form the Real's in MA! (Can you believe it is that time of year already?)

[carole88]

I would love to include you and your family in my Xmas card list. Please PM me your address. We don't need one back. I agree with the other posters that this could cost you a small fortune!

[CRenze]

If something as simple as a Christmas card and as inexpensive as 37 cents (on my part) will bring a smile to you and your family at such a wonderful time of year, by all means, sign me up! I already send out over 100, what's one more on the "family" list? Please e-mail/pm me and let me know where to send it. Don't be surprised if I'm the first one you get...my family laughs at me because I am ALWAYS the first card they get (I mail them before Thanksgiving so that they arrive the day after). And please don't feel as though you need to send me one. I know you will have a lot of other things to take care of.
Thank you for sharing Nathan with us. He is truely a gift!!

God Bless you and your family,

Cindy
:wave:

[piglet33]

Chris,

I would love to be a part of this. I PM'd you my address, but please don't feel oblgated to send one back.

I am always thinking about Nate and your family.

Renee'

[Tesabat]

Chris - thank you for the update on Nate. It seems it has been a mutual blessing. God gave you Nate, and he gave Nate you and Eric to care for him. You and your family are a wonderful inspiration for me. I loved what you said about every minute you spend wailing at the skies - is one minute less to celebrate life.

Regarding Christmas cards - I'm a notorious UNchristmas card person...My friends (who haven't stricken me from their list forever) joke that I follow my own leap year when it comes to card sending, coz that's about how often they get one from me. Let's see - it's been about four or five years...guess it's about time to dust off the boxes of cards in the closet. :)

[sbennett]

Please expect a card from our family as well, just PM us your address. Your faith is unfailing and strong, we all have to remember things happen in God's time not ours. Rest assured there are some terrific grandparents waiting in heaven, my mother and dad are there and boy were they great grandparents.
Imagine, no more pain or suffering ....how wonderful it'll be there.
Bless you all during these difficult times. I hope you don't mind if I add Nate to our church's prayer list.

[gdulaney]

Originally posted by Tesabat
...Regarding Christmas cards - I'm a notorious UNchristmas card person...My friends (who haven't stricken me from their list forever) joke that I follow my own leap year when it comes to card sending, coz that's about how often they get one from me. Let's see - it's been about four or five years...guess it's about time to dust off the boxes of cards in the closet. :)

Chris,

I'm also guilty of sending Christmas cards on my own schedule (which involves a complex mathematical formula and results in random folks getting cards every year or so)...BUT I would love to send you guys a card!!!! I agree with everybody else on the postage issue...although, if you'd like to send me an e-card...that would be great!!!

Ginny

[walczak4]

Chris,

Put me on the Christmas list also! Christmas is my favorite time of year so I tend to go overboard. I will PM you my address.

[BethC1952]

I have to chuckle when I see all these people who send Christmas cards on their own schedules. I did send a few Christmas cards last year (to my mother-in-law and a few others). Of course, I sent them in February!;)

Beth

[CarolA]

I don't know how to say this, but I admire your spirt, faith and attitude more than words can say. I am very impressed and firmly believe that your attitude has probably done a world of good to you two other wonderful sons.

Thank you for sharing Nate with us.

[gonna go cruising]

I think the Page family and Nate especially have been a blessing to many of us on this board. I know my heart has been touched and I think many others also. I have learned to put things into perspective a bit better now. Thank you Page family!:D

[disneydreamer1970]

Chris,

I would love to send you a Christmas card. Please PM me your address so that I may add you to our card list.

PS - You and your family are such an inspiration to me! I think of you often.

Thanks

[Hygiene99]

We to would love to send u A card, but do not need one in return have emailed u our address...
please send us your address thanks ...
CHRIS....
Just a suggestion take it for what it is worth


Would it not be easier to just post your address.....????

[joanb]

okay I'm going to go out on a limb here...the story of nate is truely beautiful and the love his parents show him is incrediable..I admire them and pray is a powerful gift from GOD. Christmas is truely special a fullfillment of prophesy fromt the Old Testament-the birth of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and the scripture tells us that if we believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST we will be saved-Amen! The only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ and my prayer is that all would come to know Him as their personal Savior. All you have to do is pray to receive Christ and you have assurance of eterenal life! If you have any question you can pm me. I'm not perfect, but forgiven by the blood of Jesus and you can be too...it's free for all who ask. May the LORD bless you and keep you...Joan

[snelsonbrown]

Hello Chris, Eric and boys,
thanks for the update on Nate - how kind of you to post in regards to thoughts and feelings - as I have said many many times before - where else can you find this kind of love, compassion, strenght and encouragement as you find here - this board is a mixture of every kind of culture, faith, beliefs, colors, sexes, ages and on down the line, but you will find we are all one family especially when one is in need regardless what it concerns.
There isn't one person on here that has disappointed me so I know the Good Lord is sure writing in His "Good Book" of all the good things His children have created here.
Someday and the day will come - each will find themselves very blessed that you loved and cared regardless -
Anyhow enough of that and just wanted to say I do want to be in on the Christmas Card list of the give and receiver. :p
Love ya all and hope all is well and safe with everyone.
Much love always
Shirley

[joanb]

One thing I forgot for those who are unable to cofess Jesus as Lord,such as our sweet babies and small children who haven't yet comprehened all .. a great scripture is I Corinthians 7:14 GOD is good and forgets none. As believing parents our children are saved! Praise God!

[jiminy579]

Chris,
Please count me in too! I will PM you for your address.
Nate has many people praying for him. We truly wish your family the best.
Many Blessings!
DeeAnn

[jlp651]

Chris count me in too! You arent the only Christmas Card Freak on this board!!!! My BF gets off easily b/c he doesnt have to worry about getting all the little stuff done for the holidays...I dont even think he knows who is on our card list!!! *laugh* he is such a boy!!!

[Woobie]

Thank you, pagehouse. I have been having a pretty bad day today, crying about my petty problems. Before I go to bed, I decide to check in here. Thank you for helping me put my life in perspective! Best wishes to you and your family.

Woobie

[sherry]

Hi, Your story has been a wonderful inspiration to me. You are such a special family. I would love to exchange Christmas cards.

[BuzzBoyMom]

Chris,
I hope you know how many lives your story has touched....hundreds...maybe thousands. I have shared your family's story with so many people. You are truly an inspiration. I have your address from another post. I'll be happy to send you a card.

May God's peace and love be with you today!

[Dreamer04]

Chris, I PM'd you with my address.


Ursula

[gometros]

Originally posted by joanb
okay I'm going to go out on a limb here...the story of nate is truely beautiful and the love his parents show him is incrediable..I admire them and pray is a powerful gift from GOD. Christmas is truely special a fullfillment of prophesy fromt the Old Testament-the birth of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and the scripture tells us that if we believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST we will be saved-Amen! The only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ and my prayer is that all would come to know Him as their personal Savior. All you have to do is pray to receive Christ and you have assurance of eterenal life! If you have any question you can pm me. I'm not perfect, but forgiven by the blood of Jesus and you can be too...it's free for all who ask. May the LORD bless you and keep you...Joan

While I respect your religious rights to believe the way you do, this board is not the place to espouse those beliefs at the expense of others who do not share the same beliefs. I'm highly offended by the fact that you insinuate, that since I do NOT believe in Christ, I will not be going to heaven.

Chris - I apologize for this short interruption, but I couldn't let that go unnoticed. I wish all the best for your family. Let's keep this topic to exactly what it was meant to be - an exchange of good wishes with a very deserving family and leave it that. Thank you.

[Tandyc]

Wow already? I would love to be in on the Christmas card Exchange also.

It's such an unusual relationship, isn't it? I was telling a girlfriend the other day that I was worried about Nate. She asked who he was and how I knew him. When I explained I knew him from the boards she acted like I was crazy. Maybe I am, but I feel like I have learned so much from this incredible family. (The Dis board family and Nate's family.

You're in my prayers and will be on my Christmas card list.

Blessings!

[disny4ever]

Just a bump up

[cruisnfamily]

Andy, do you know how Nate is doing these days?

[Verandah Man]

I haven't heard anything in the past few days. I've been busy working on our next cruise list and making cards and magnets, not to mention help my mom move out of her apartment and into my brother's house. It's been a bit crazy around here this week. My DW just called, she's helping my mom clean out the apartment, and locked her keys in the car, off I go to rescue DW, "ONCE" again!!!

If I hear something about Nate, I'll be sure to post it here!!!

[Verandah Man]

I received the following message from Chris a little bit ago.

Nate is holding his own. No fever, which is good. No weight gain, which is bad. But he is happy.

Chris

[jlp651]

feed him chocolate pudding!!!!

[mad4themouse]

Chris,
For some reason, I've been thinking of Nate a lot today. I hope that he is doing well. Please PM me with your address so that I can send a Christmas card to your family. Your faith and strength is an inspiration to me. Please keep us posted on Nate's condition. I continue to pray for you, Eric and the boys.

[pagehouse]

I posted an update on another thread that Jim started, but thought I should put something here too. Only, I don't really have much to update. The fever has stayed away. We thought the cough was gone, but came back very nasty. He is not gaining any weight. And, we are feeling sort of down about it right now. It's just very hard to see visually. It's breaking our hearts. Because he is so thin right now, it has become uncomfortable for him if we hold him too much. Normally Nate might get crabby at someone if they hold him too long. He will let you know in his way that he wants you to put him down. But this never happens with his Daddy. Daddy can hold Nate for hours and to be truthful, I think that is how Nate sleeps the best. Well, as you can imagine, it was hard for Eric when Nate even fussed at him because he it hurt too much to be messed with. We are just trying to adjust to this "phase" of the illness.

JoanB-- From the directness of your post, it is easy to see you felt compelled to say what you did. I am honored that Nate stirred such passion in you.

Gometros--Thank you for pointing out that words, no matter how innocent, can be hurtful. You are very right in saying this board is not the place to preach religous beliefs. I for one will try to be more sesitive to others. A good Christian would never want to offend someone. Thank you for finding a loving way to point it out.
EVERY one on this board has been kind, supportive and encouraging to my family. There is nothing but a wonderful group of people here, no matter what religous background!

[moinab]

Chris,

You continue to be an incredible inspiration to me and my family. With all you are going through, you found the perfect words to smooth over a delicate situation.

More importantly, we are praying daily for comfort for Nate and strength for you, Eric, and the boys.

May God hold you in the palm of His hand during this difficult time.

Maureen

[zalansky]

Is there another thread on Nate's current status? I have been thinking about him often and am wondering how the Page's are doing...
Dave?

[Favorite Auntie]

I have been curious how the little guy is doing too. I hope they are too busy with Nate to post here!:sunny:

[JLSE50]

Chris posted here on November 5.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=461462

Jan :earsgirl:

[mickeyboat]

We would love to exchange cards with you. PM me with your address and I will send you ours; however, don't feel obligated to return a card. Chris, thank you for sharing your life with us. I am inspired by your wonderful perspective on your family's life. While I can never pretend to know what you are going through, I can learn from your example and apply it to my life every day. Know you have done a wonderful service for all of us.

Denae