We hoped to receive answers to some unknowns on Friday and unfortunately we are still waiting. While I am not ready to share a lot of details in this space just yet, I do want to fill you guys in a little bit because I am so grateful for your thoughts and prayers.
A little more than a week ago, during Chase’s one year pediatric visit, we had some precautionary blood work done. Though Chase’s pediatrician has always assured us that Chase looks great and is growing well “on his own little curve,” I’ve undoubtedly let myself stress out over his small size since the moment he was born. Chase’s doctor recommended a few additional blood tests during his visit to rule out any major issues.
Early last week, I spoke with a nurse who told me that one of Chase’s blood tests (ironically not related to his small size) came back a little concerning. I’ve felt stressed out and concerned over a myriad of things related to our baby boy since he was born but speaking with the nurse about a concerning blood test was the first time I felt truly scared.
I couldn’t stop the tears and within an hour, we were back at the pediatrician’s office on Tuesday to meet with our doctor and undergo some follow up blood tests.
And that is where we are right now. Waiting.
Waiting and praying and believing in the good.
Friday was a tough day because I was told that we’d likely receive the results from Chase’s follow up blood work “by Friday at the latest.” I obsessively checked my phone and eventually, at 4 p.m., I spoke with a nurse who told me she reached out to the lab who explained that one of Chase’s tests was more involved and results would likely not be available until Monday or Tuesday. While I was disappointed to hear this, I also felt myself exhale as I realized I let myself get in my head and worry about the reasons why it was taking so long to get Chase’s results back.
The waiting is hard. The unknown is harder. But I know in my heart we are waiting on GOOD news. I believe this with all that I am. When I picture the phone call from our pediatrician’s office, I imagine myself receiving only good news.
I am taking my cues from Chase. He is strong, energetic, joyful and happy and I should be too. I look at my baby boy and see what I already know in my heart is true: He is fine. He will be fine.
I just want those darn blood tests to confirm it.
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Praying for you today! The Lord is so faithful and will give you the strength to face this trial! I have dealt with severe health anxiety/hypochondria my whole life and it is definitely exacerbated now that I have a baby, but I remind myself daily that even though I don’t have control there is one who does. It helps me to pray through Psalm 139 and remember that the Lord knows me, and my daughter, completely and that nothing comes as a surprise to Him. He is with you, and Chase, ALWAYS!!
As a mama with, what we like to say, a kid who keeps us on our toes (profoundly Deaf, bilateral cochlear implants, a congenital vascular malformation AND a weird bleeding disorder) (and btw- also a peanut on the growth chart!) I just wanted to let you know I know just how that call feels and how awful the waiting is! Prayers for Chase’s health, but rest assured, my little man (now 2.5) has been through a lot.. and hes happy and healthy as a clam these days! Hang in there!
Thinking of you and your sweet boy! Positive thoughts and prayers!
Praying for Chase and your family!
Prayers for that good phone call to come ASAP! Also praying for your peace of mind. Keep us posted!
Hi Julie.I will be waiting for your post with the good news. My daughter is 2 weeks younger than Chase and our due dates were 1 day apart, so I felt like we have been on the same journey. You guys are on my prayers and thoughts…keep your positive thoughts.
I never comment but I just wanted to send some positivity your way. I’m pregnant with my first and I cried at this post. You must be so scared. I hope you give yourself grace and know that it’s ok to feel scared or worried. I’ve had some challenges with my pregnancy and sometimes it stresses me out more when people say “don’t worry! everything will be fine!” Just know your feelings are valid. Sending good thoughts to you and your family.
Much love & positive vibes from Memphis!
Hi Julie, sending positive vibes your way. My son was born the same size as Chase, and hes always been little. I also took comfort in the ped’s reassurance that he is just on his own curve. I hope all is well with your sweet boy!
Praying for a good report from the doctor’s office, comfort in your time of fear and worry, and peace in the reassurance that God can do amazing things in any circumstance/situation. <3
Nothing but LOVE and POSITIVE energy coming Chase’s way. Tons of it!
Sending positive thoughts to your beautiful family during this tough time.
Sending prayers for health, strength and positivity! As a mom to 4 precious boys, I can only try to imagine how tough this is for you. Stay positive! Hugs from New Hampshire
My heart goes out to you. I have a little one as well, so I understand how you are feeling now (I freak out when mine gets a cold). I have you, Ryan and little Chase in my prayers and I too believe the news you will hear will be GOOD. Stay strong!
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, I feel though that you’ll receive good news. Chase’s energy, love of life, and involvement are all blessings to focus on during this tough time. When I was pregnant, I found out my daughter had a VSD in her heart, and I just couldn’t stop crying. All in all, it ended up closing on its own and when she was born she had no murmur, or anything, and I felt all of the worry slip away. I see the same for you guys! Take the time you need, we’ll be here when you come back. 🙂
Prayers, thoughts, and hugs! <3
Sending positive vibes, thoughts & prayers your way! <3
As a soon to be mama, I can only imagine the stress and anxiety that you are currently feeling! I will be praying for you three and believing that everything will turn out alright!
Big hugs Julie.
Lifting you all up in prayer!
I am so, so sorry to hear you are going through such a hard time. I have always had a great appreciation for bloggers, especially bloggers like you who are so willing to share your lives with others to serve as a source of inspiration, motivation, and more. It can’t be easy to put yourself out there all the time, but you especially always manage to do so in a way that is still positive and relateable. I am truly hoping for good news for you and look forward to a positive update 🙂
Waiting is the hardest but positive thoughts and prayers are powerful. Thinking of you guys today <3
Sending you prayers for good news and inner peace and the confirmation that your hopes are realized. Little Chase seems like such an active, energetic, smiley little guy, and I’m hoping that soon the blood tests will confirm all is well. One of my close friends had many worries about her latest daughter right around the one year mark, with some strange blood test results, and in the end, and even though they found something, it did turn itself around and she’s now a healthy, happy, active little 3 year old. One blessing: little Chase is not worried. Take heart in the fact that he’s as active and wiggly and energetic as he always is this morning, yesterday morning, Saturday morning, so no matter what those blood tests say, your little boy is letting you know he’s happy every day.
I totally understand your anxiety and stress over the wait… I can’t even imagine. It brings tears to my eyes even reading your words and putting myself in that position with my daughter. I hope that all turns out great for your little man and you can carry on without this weight on your shoulders. Prayers going up!
Hi Julie! I’m so sorry you’re having to go through all this waiting. It must be hard. Your positivity and faith will prevail, I just know it. I’ll be thinking of the Fagan family today.
Im so sorry, Julie. Im praying for you right now! <3
Dear Julie,
I read this post and could not help but tear up . I am a long time reader (2009!) and truly feel like you are a friend. I am a new momma myself and can feel your anxiousness. I have said a prayer for you and your family and sweet Chase! xoxoxoxoxo
Oh Julie, I know how vulnerable it feels to have worries regarding your child’s health. It’s the thing you care most about, yet cannot directly control with a magic wand. Keep faith, I love your positivity. Reach out to those around you for support and visualize positive results. Praying for you <3
Sending you lots and lots of “GOOD” today for your sweet little family
Tears in my eyes as I read through this, and I am believing in your momma’s intuition that you will receive the best of news for little Chase! Thinking of you and sending the good to you from MN!
Keeping Chase, you, and your family in my thoughts and prayers. You are an awesome momma, and have faith that everything will be ok. Sending you all hugs, love, and strength ❤️
My heart just aches for you and your family right now. Praying that everything will be alright. xoxo
Can’t say anything more than the beautiful words/wishes already shared, but wanted you to know someone else is sending some extra thoughts and Prayers to the three of you!
Keeping you and Chase in our prayers. We are with you on this. We had the same blood work done and I knew in my heart of hearts that one of them was going to ping on their radar and it did. Hopefully we can get it under control with diet and meds and it will be cleared up by her next appointment at 15 months, but I know how hard it can be. Chin up. You’re a great mama!
Reading your blog post made me think of how much I just wanted to give you a big hug and say that it’s going to be ok! We had to do a bunch of blood work for my now 19 month old earlier this year after his iron levels came back low at his 12 month well visit. It was hellish trying to get it done, having to go to multiple spots to even find a lab that could draw enough to do all of the tests! I was so, so nervous waiting to hear the results, so I feel for you. Big, big hugs and lots of positive thoughts your way!
Oh Julie, even though I don’t actually know you in real life, I just want to give you a GIANT HUG. My little guy is just a few weeks older than Chase, and I can only imagine the stress and worry you are dealing with right now. What you all are facing is definitely every new mom’s worst fear – and my heart goes out to you! I am absolutely praying for you all, and I know that it will work out! You are doing such a great job and Chase seems like the happiest little guy! HUGS girl!
Sending lots of prayers and positive thoughts and vibes your way!!!
Julie, Ill be thinking of your family and sweet Chase! Stay positive and faithful!
Sending you lots of positive thoughts your way! Hang in there! I know how you feel..I’m pregnant with my first and our 20 week ultrasound showed some concerns and there’s nothing we can really do but wait. It’s so hard waiting, but being positive really does wonders. Sending you all good vibes. ❤️
Waiting to hear back about the unknown is the hardest thing! Chase is a beautiful and happy little boy, everything will turn out just fine. Sending prayers and thoughts from Illinois <3
Continuing to send prayers and positive thoughts for your sweet baby boy and your family!
Hi Julie we went through a similar situation with our son. We were at Sick Kids Hospital weekly for blood test. He was not thriving and his iron levels were at 0. We eventually found out that he had Celiac Disease and then we put him on a gluten free diet and he started to thrive again. He was two at that time and he is now 12 years old. I am sending you lots of love and prayers.
One of my friends had a growth issue w her son and ended up having to give him growth hormone injections to correct the problem. It’s certainly not the most fun thing, but he’s happy and healthy (just needs a little help in the growth dept). Whatever is going on, I’m sure you’ll find a way to deal with it and it’ll be OK. The waiting is the hardest part and I have my fingers crossed for you!
Julie! I may not know you personally, but I remember feeling so happy and connected with you once you announced your pregnancy because we were were expecting around the same time. As a fellow mama, I truly feel for you as you wait to hear about Chase’s results. I am sending so much love and positive energy to you, Chase, and your family. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You bring so much light and happiness to all of us- hopefully you can find some comfort here during the “waiting” period.
We used to recite this quote back in high school and it made me think of you because of your love for sunflowers 🙂 It seems appropriate now:
“To be simple
is to be like a sunflower
which follows
all the movements
of the sun and
ever turns toward it”
-St. Julie Billiart
Keep focusing on the positive. Your intuition is right. You got this! xoxo
Hi Julie we went through a similar situation with our son. We were at Sick Kids Hospital weekly for blood test. He was not thriving and his iron levels were at 0. We eventually found out that he had Celiac Disease and then we put him on a gluten free diet and he started to thrive again. He was two at that time and he is now 12 years old. I am sending you lots of love and prayers.
Just as a double check have his bloodwork tested for Celiac because your situation sounds similar to ours. XXXOOO
Sending you lots of love and positive vibes from Mivhigan!
Hugs Julie! Praying for good news for Chase!?
Prayers for you and your family, Momma. Long time reader of PBF and a new mom here. Just follow his cues and hope for the best. You have such a wonderful fan base that loves and supports you. xoxoxo
Praying for you and your sweet little guy!
Also, remember there are a lot of power in our words. Make sure to say out loud to Chase “you are strong”, “you are healthy”, “you are happy and growing perfectly”. It’s sounds strange, but we believe what we say. Also whenever you feel anxious or upset, SMILE! It’s actually a dopamine response mechanism and will calm you instantly. We’re praying and believing Chase is perfect and healthy!
Oh sweet mama friend, sending you virtual hugs all day long! Saying lots and lots of prayers for you guys!! I have faith that God is good and Chase will be a-ok! Thank you for sharing your heart, and allowing us to pray for you! Sending prayers for comfort and peace while you wait!