Pray for Canon

2006-11-22T17:19:00.000-06:00

My first week of school went okay. My students were really glad to see me. They wrote me so many sweet notes. I felt lost for a few days, but I am getting back on track. We only have two days of school this week because of Thanksgiving break. I'm already looking forward to my days off.

Chase is still having a pretty rough time. He has a hard time in the morning getting ready for school. He seems to do better in the afternoon. I'm trying to keep him busy so he doesn't have a lot of alone time. He started basketball last week and he is excited about that. Please keep Chase in your thoughts and prayers. He was really close to Canon and this has been really tough on him. Kamryn is doing fine. She's just glad to have her mommy back!

I still feel so lost at times. I can be doing something and then all of a suddden reality hits me in the face. I can't believe Canon is not here! I feel him hugging me and patting me on my back like he always used to do. That little hand pat was always so sweet. I miss his hugs and kisses. He wasn't a touch feely child to other people, but he always was to me. Each day is getting a little better, but it is still so hard.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Carla

Update from Carla

2006-10-30T23:04:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to let everyone know how we are doing. The kids are back at school today. They had a very busy weekend. We went to the Razorback game on Saturday and we went to Boo at the Zoo last night. I'm trying to keep them busy. This morning I stopped at the cemetary. This was the first time I have visited since the funeral. The geese were all around the lake. It is a beautiful spot. I still can't believe Canon is gone. I came home to an empty house. No noise, no visitors, no Canon! I checked my email and Chandra Perkins had written me. She is my new friend in Texas. She also has a Canon. He had a liver transplant and is doing well. She came to know my Canon through one of his websites. She came to the service on Wednesday all the way from Texas. I can't believe how much of an impact Canon made on her life in only five short weeks. She only had seen pictures of him on the website. She wrote an entry in her journal about the funeral. It was very moving to me. What a touching tribute to a beautiful service. As for how I'm doing, well I'm living. I just get up in the morning and take each minute as it comes. Carla

Please continue to pray for Carla and her two children. May God supply all your needs according to his glorious riches. Phil. 4:19

2006-10-26T10:17:00.000-05:00

I want to thank everyone for showing such an outpour of support to my family the last two days. This has meant the world to me and my family. These are things you hear that happen to other people and not to you. I feel so empty inside and very sad. The loss of a child is an undescribable pain. I am going to need you all to help me get through this tough time. Life is very short! Make the most out of your life just like Canon did. Please pray for my family and especially my two children, who have lost their bubba. Love to all, Carla Norman and Family

~ Mama Loves You Canon ~

2006-10-21T22:00:00.000-05:00

Canon my beautiful angel from heaven passed away this morning. He had two major bleeds last night in his brain. Doctors could not do anything for Canon. I along with family and friends were with him when he died.

Thank you so much for all your prayers during this tough time. Canon is now playing baseball, football, basketball, and drinking all the Sprite he wants.

Love, Carla

Technorati Tags: death, grief, loss, medical, help, toddler, parenting, son, prayer, Christianity, hospital, sadness, family, donations, Arkansas, transplant, mother, fundraiser, goodbye

Urgent Prayer Request... Sad news.

2006-10-20T13:44:00.000-05:00

I am watching Teresa's 3 boys and wanted to ask for urgent prayers right now on behalf of Carla and Canon (and their family). She left an hour ago to go to the hospital.

She just called me and told me that the doctors have told Carla that the bleeding is so severe there is nothing more they can do. They are taking him now to do an EKG and then make a decision based on if there are any brainwaves.

Please pray for Carla. Pray that if this doesn't work out the way we ALL WANT IT TO today, that her and her family will be comforted and given the peace that passes understanding. No mother can ever imagine the grief of loosing a child unless they have already experienced it. Please pray that God would work a miracle right now... and if not His will, pray that He would comfort Carla and her family as only He can. Pray her heart will heal, should Canon not get to go home with her. My heart is breaking for this family.

Thank you and God bless...
Heather

Technorati Tags: children, illness, heart condition, medical, help, toddler, parenting, son, prayer, Christianity, hospital, critical, transplant, donations, Arkansas, surgery, life, fundraiser, family

2006-10-19T22:04:00.000-05:00

Canon's drain tube in his head had to replaced today due to high blood pressures. The doctor feels this will help relieve the pressure on his head and lower his blood pressure. He is still very critical. Canon is still swollen from all the fluids being pushed into his body. Fluid overload can be hard on his heart and lungs. The right side of his body is very weak.. The neurologist thinks he can overcome this. The path Canon takes is up to him. This has been such a shock! I am trying so hard to be positive. I need your continued prayers to help me get through this. Carla
I want to thank some very special people in my life who have been a mother to my children over the last month, and a mother to me as well. Tonya, (the best sister-in-law anyone could ever have), Kim Morgan, Michelle Holland, Julie Austin, Scarlett Smith, Donna Sweet, Shannon Resor, (my best friends who have taken care of my two precious children), Kim Wickliffe, (my other mother), Teresa Hardy, (my prayer warrior). What an honor it is to have friends like you. You guys have been WONDERFUL! I LOVE YOU ALL! Carla

2006-10-18T20:52:00.000-05:00

The CT Scan showed no change. The bleed is still there, but is not any bigger. Canon's condition is still critical but stable. He now has a new set of nurses who are trained in operating the drain in his head. They are very attentive to Canon. He has a respiratory infection and is receiving very powerful antibiotics. Today the nurse opened Canon's eyes and I talked to him. His eyes followed my voice. It was comforting to know he hears my voice and realizes I am there. I continue to thank you for all your special prayers and notes. Carla

2006-10-17T23:31:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Canon had a CT scan that showed a new bleed. Today the scan was repeated and there was no change. If the bleed gets bigger they will have to go in and do another surgery. He will have another scan tomorrow. Canon's vital signs are stable, but he is still very critical. He is holding on to a lot of fluid and is very swollen. The drain in his brain continues to help with the pressures. Doctors still don't know what has caused these strokes. They are in shock just like everyone else. The staff here loves Canon and are emotionally shaken as well. They cry along with us everyday. I keep asking myself how this could happen. It's just not fair! You know life's not fair and we may never know how or why this happened. I have faith that my little boy is going to overcome this. He is fighting so hard and he hears everyones prayers. So keep on praying because it's working. Love yall, Carla

Serious prayer request

2006-10-16T14:39:00.000-05:00

Canon had a stroke yesterday. About 5:00 p.m. Canon became unresponsive. His right side of his body was not moving. Doctors sent him for a C.T. scan to look for any bleeding. Scan showed a substantial bleed. They immediately put a drain in to pull off fluid and blood that was causing a lot of pressure on the brain. Canon's brain was swelling and doctors said he would need to go to the operating room to remove the clot. Canon was taken to the operating room at 12:00 a.m. Surgery went well and doctors removed a clot the size of an adult fist. The Neurosugeon said he had been bleeding for a few days. They left the bone out in case they have to go back in. Canon is in critical condition and the next 48 hours are crucial. There was some brain damage, but we want know how much until he wakes up. This is a devastating blow to the recovery process. Canon needs your prayers more than ever. Thank you to all my friends and family who were with me throughout the surgery this morning. Carla

Fever Still Up!

2006-10-14T10:59:00.000-05:00

Today Canon is still running a fever. It ranges from 102-103. He is very weak and sleeps a lot. Tylenol is given every four hours, but it doesn't make a big difference. Doctors started him on more antibiotics and a viral medicine. They are still puzzled at the cause. Canon is eating some jello, yogurt, and drinking a small amount of sprite every four hours. I'm worn out with the whole hospital thing. It looks like were going to be here for a while.

2006-10-09T23:49:00.000-05:00

Today Canon had a pretty quiet day. He is getting physical therapy to help him gain his strength back. He still has a fever and therapists are working on his lung. One of his blood cultures came back positive for CMV. Doctor's say it's only a small trace, but they are going to monitor it closely. CMV is like a cold, but it can be dangerous to transplant patients who are immune suppressed. He is also continuing to have irregular heartbeats and an electrophysiologist will consult tomorrow. On a more positive note, Chase was able to walk in Canon's room today and his face lit up. He smiled from ear to ear. Thank you for your continued prayers. I would ask all of you to pray for two of my fellow colleagues, and friends tonight as well. Rebecca Rochelle lost her daughter and Gail Kirkaby lost her son. Two young people whose life was tragically taken. My heart goes out to them and their family. Carla

2006-10-08T22:37:00.000-05:00

Three weeks ago today Canon received his transplant. Today Canon is still running a fever and his left lung is still down. Doctors were giving him one hour sprints off the bi-pap, but are no longer. They say he is to weak. He has started a new fixation with washcloths. He wants me to rub his body with wet washcloths. Go figure! I think his body is hot and this helps cool his skin. We are also trying to decorate his room for Halloween. His meme bought him a spider that hangs from the ceiling. When you clap it moves up and down. Hopefully this will give him something to think about besides SPRITE! Carla

Update from MEME

2006-10-05T22:25:00.000-05:00

Canon rested well last night. His day started off rocky with a temp and his left lung being down. He is still on Bi-pap and getting regular scheduled breathing treatments. He has had some irregularities on his monitor today which the doctors are watching very closely! He recieved a package a couple of days ago from his "TEXAS CANON FAMILY" which along with some other great things contained a book about a baseball HERO. I began to read this book to him this afternoon and amazingly his persistent longing for sprite subsided as he listen to my reading, until of course I was at the end of the book. Hugs and kisses to Canon Perkins and his special family for all your thoughtfulness. Tonight Canon is resting comfortably and no longer has fever, his lung sounds better although it is still down and his irregularities on his heart monitor have slowed down. Today I would put in the rocky but good day column. MEME

Dear God Please Be With Canon

2006-10-04T20:33:00.000-05:00

Today Canon had his heart cath and biopsy. Canon's left and right ventricle are very stiff. His venous pressures are high which is causing fluid to leak out of the capillaries into the lung. Doctors were concerned that Canon could be rejecting his heart. The biopsy showed minimal rejection (1R) at this point. (0 being the best.) Doctor's told me Canon is still very sick. He is having breathing problems at this time. We will repeat the biopsy in two weeks. Today has been a hard day. Thank you for the many prayers. "God please let Canon catch a break!" Carla

PLEASE PRAY AGAINST HEART REJECTION

2006-10-04T11:43:00.000-05:00

Hi there. This is Heather, Teresa's friend (vicariously Carla's friend). I am updating the blog for both of them since they are understandably busy at the moment. They URGENTLY need your prayers, as does Canon:

I just sent this message out to the email lists I am on and I hope you will spread the word to all your prayer warrior friends:

Today the doctors did a biopsy and discovered that it is possible that his body might be rejecting his new heart. He is still on a ventilator, but coherent and very scared. His mother is beside herself. Please pray for her.

THANK YOU...

... FOR STAYING UPDATED WITH VISITS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THIS BLOG!

THANK YOU...

... FOR PRAYING!

Psalm 41:3 - The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.

Technorati Tags: children, illness, heart condition, medical, help, toddler, parenting, son, prayer, Christianity, hospital, critical, transplant, donations, Arkansas, surgery, life, fundraiser, family

Update from Carla

2006-10-03T13:46:00.000-05:00

Canon is having a bad day. He is still heavily sedated and on the vent, but overnight he began to have problems with his left lung. His x-ray showed haze in the upper lobe. Doctors ordered a ultra-sound which reflected a pocket of fluid under the arm area. He is still pleading his case for SPRITE to anyone who arouses him. We are still hoping to come off the vent after his biopsy tomorrow. Carla.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
This path that Carla and her family are on at the moment is hard to understand. God knew there would be times when we would not understand. That is why he said "lean not on our own understanding." I pray right now that Carla, Canon and family will lean on God's wisdom for understanding. I pray they will lean on God's mighty hand for comfort, strength and rest.
I love you all and we are in constant prayer for you. May the Lord increase your trust in Him.
Teresa

2006-10-02T15:36:00.000-05:00

A message from MeMe!
Where do I begin to express my gratitude for all the wonderful acts of love and kindness that you all have shown to Canon, Carla and myself. The out-pouring of love for my daughter and her family has been unbelievable. There are no words to thank you enough. For all your prayers, your visits, your gifts, your calls, your notes of encouragement on the web site, I THANK YOU! For those friends who saved our lives by taking care of and offering to take care of Chase and Kamryn, I THANK YOU!
And to ALL four of my other special grandchildren that I love just as much as Canon who have understood and endured my absences for my need to be at Canon's side, I THANK YOU AND LOVE YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH. YOU ARE ALL MEME' S ANGELS!
There is no sweeter love than for mother and child, unless maybe grandmother and grandchild. (my opinion)
Thanks again to ALL who knows and loves us.
I LOVE YOU BACK!
MeMe
Sue Pettey

Canon

2006-09-29T21:04:00.000-05:00

Thank you for praying for Canon. We appreciate your comments to Carla, Canon and Sue. Canon had a bad day again today. They had to put him back on the ventilator. His white blood count is still up. They said there was fluid around his heart that they are watching at this point .
Please continue to pray.

Psalm 61 says
Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You.
When my heart is Overwhelmed (which I know Carla's is right now)
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Thank you,
Teresa
I'm keeping this up for Carla so she doesn't have to worry about it right now. When things get better she will probably post again.

Bad Day for Canon - Please Pray!

2006-09-28T11:17:00.000-05:00

Hi, this is Teresa. I just got a message from Carla.

Canon is not having a good day. His lung has collapsed. He has fluid on his lung. They are going to put the drain tube back in, and his white blood count is up.

Please pray for him right now.

God's Word says "where 2 or3 are gathered in my name there am I in the mist of them." - Matthew 18:20

Please pray also for Carla and her mom (Sue) as they have to endure these days when things are not looking good.

Thank you ALL so much and I will keep you posted.

Technorati Tags: children, illness, heart condition, medical, help, toddler, parenting, son, prayer, Christianity, hospital, critical, transplant, donations, Arkansas, surgery, life, fundraiser, family

Canon Gets Out of Bed

2006-09-27T11:52:00.000-05:00

WOW! Canon got out of bed and walked a little!

They got Canon out of bed today and made him walk. He wanted to get back in bed immediately, but doctors want him to move around some.

He was completely worn out!

He hasn't been sleeping well at night. I hope he can get some rest today. Doctor's are still fighting with his sugar levels. They are also working on his left lung trying to get air moving around. He is still on bi-pap machine. Canon will have a biopsy of the heart next week. This will show for any signs of rejection.

Thanks again for everyone's warm wishes! They mean so much to Canon and his family!

Went to See Canon!

2006-09-25T10:32:00.000-05:00

Hi, this is Teresa... I just wanted to let you all know that went to see Canon and Carla yesterday.

It was amazing to see the progress from the last time I saw him!

Canon was awake when I went in to the room! He smiled at me when he saw me in the door. I wasn't going to go in (it scares me for people to be around him) but he waved for me to come in; so I went in with Carla. He was sooo happy to see his mommy. God has given them such a great bond. He looked at me with those big beautiful eyes and said "hold my hand". It just broke my heart!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Canon is scared please remember to pray for his fears. I feel for Carla. Please pray for her as she travels down this long hard road. Canon is doing better, but is still very sick.

THANKS:

I wanted to thank the other Canon's mom (Chandra Perkins). Carla was very touched by your letter to her!

Thank YOU ALL for being prayer warriors for Canon, and his family. May God Bless You. Thank YOU for letting others know to pray for Carla and Canon.

We appreciate you ALL!

What a week!

2006-09-23T11:29:00.000-05:00

Good morning! A week ago today Canon was in surgery. Wow! I can't believe it's been a week.

Today Canon is more alert. Doctor's are steadily weaning him off the sedation medicine. The plan for today is to try to take him off the ventilator, but that may change. The nurses have suctioned a lot of bloody secretions out of the breathing tube. Doctor's may change their mind and leave him on the ventilator today.

Today is a hard day for me because he is more alert and he's looking at me with scared eyes. I feel helpless because all I can do is talk to him and try to comfort him.

Please pray today for all his anxieties to go away.

Love, Carla

Baby Steps in the Positive Direction!

2006-09-22T14:38:00.000-05:00

Hi, there... this is Teresa with an update on Canon:

The doctors took out 2 of Canon's drain tubes today. His sugar level is still high and they are treating it with insulin. The echo showed some dysfunction in his right ventricle like before. The doctors are going to talk to Carla about different options this evening. He is still on the ventilator and will not be taken of today.

Carla told me that she "is so amazed at the outpouring of generosity people have shown" to Canon and her.

Thank you all very much!

May the Lord Bless you all for your prayers and faithfulness.

Post From Carla...

2006-09-21T10:47:00.000-05:00

This is Carla (Canon's mom)...

I just left Canon's bed side and I felt better than I have in days. Doctor's are slowly weaning him off the sedation drugs and he is responding to my voice.

Thank you for all the prayers and kindness which you have shown to me and my family during this difficult time.

Please remember to pray for the donor family. I can't imagine their pain. They were so gracious to give my son the gift of life.

Thank you again and I will keep you updated on Canon's progress.

Love, Carla

Thank God for the Progress

2006-09-21T09:20:00.000-05:00

Good news! The echocardiogram showed some improvements in his right ventricle. His blood sugars are much better and they have decreased his insulin. His blood pressure and heart rate are improving. His temperature is staying down. Canon is still sedated and on a ventilator. Thank you God for the progress!

Please continue to pray for Canon and his family.

Carla appreciates all the concern and prayers from everyone since the beginning of this blog.

Technorati Tags: children, illness, heart condition, medical, help, toddler, parenting, son, prayer, Christianity, hospital, critical, transplant, donations, Arkansas, surgery, life, fundraiser, family

Update on Canon

2006-09-20T12:08:00.000-05:00

Today has been a better morning for Canon. His heart rate, blood pressure and temperature are all normal. His sugar levels are high, so they have given him insulin. They have scheduled an echocardiogram for later today to figure out why his right ventricle is not functioning properly.

Thank you for your prayers and responses. Your comments are encouraging. Please keep the prayers and comments coming!

Technorati Tags: children, illness, heart condition, medical, help, toddler, parenting, son, prayer, Christianity, hospital, critical, transplant, donations, Arkansas, surgery, life, fundraiser, family

Trust Fund for Canon

2006-09-19T17:24:00.000-05:00

Another friend of Canon's mom has graciously helped Carla to set up a trust fund that will help pay for Canon's medical treatment. Carla is a single mom and is very frightened by the prospect of being off work for so long without income. Not only are his medical bills looming on the horizon before her, she has two other children to provide for as well. Canon has an older brother and sister who are 10 and 7.

If you are able to help Carla in any way (no donation is too
small), please send a check or money order to:

Canon Norman
Stephens Inc.
111 Center Street
Little Rock, AR 72201

Make sure to put this information on your check:
"for account of Carla Norman -
custodian of Canon Norman,
Account # 41459887"

Thank you so much for your prayers and for being God's hands and feet to reach out and help the Norman family in their time of need.

I'll be sure to keep the information flowing and give you updates as quickly as I get them.

Technorati Tags: children, illness, heart condition, medical, help, toddler, parenting, son, prayer, Christianity, hospital, critical, transplant, donations, Arkansas, surgery, life, fundraiser, family

Carla and Canon

2006-09-19T16:40:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo of Carla and Canon on the day that he was first supposed to get his "new heart". This was taken at their home about four weeks ago. Carla and her mother had gone to the hospital and had prepared Canon for what was going to happen. At the last minute before they began to prep him for the heart transplant, the doctors informed them that the heart was bad.

The week before the heart transplant took place, Canon was very frighten about getting his "new heart". He told his mommy that he had "changed his mind, and he didn't want a new heart anymore". He asked his Meme "if he would ever be able to come home again after he got his new heart." He knew how serious this surgery would be for him in his own way. Carla told me that he was very upset every time her alarm went off in the morning. He thought her alarm was the pager that was to notify them of the arrival of his new heart. He asked her a lot of questions all week.

The call came in for his heart on Friday, the 15th. They arrived at the hospital and after about three hours the doctors notified them that the transplant would be postponed until the next morning. They stayed the night at the hospital anticipating the transplant in the morning. The next day at noon, the operation began. It was 9:30-10:00 PM before his mother was able to go in to see him. The wait seemed like eternity. He did relatively well that night, considering what he had been through.

Sunday morning at around 5 AM, however; he was running a high fever and the doctors were concerned.

Monday (September 18th, 2006) Canon's right ventricle began to dysfunction and his kidneys were not producing properly. His fever was still up and his heart rate was 180. He was crying for his mother and very upset. The doctors asked her to try and comfort him, but when he wasn't able to gain composure, they chose to sedate him. This was understandably hard on Carla to see him lying there so still and helpless after he had been upset.

Carla and her mother, Sue, are trying to remain positive and leaning on each other for strength. They would be thankful for any prayers that you can offer on their behalf and for Canon.

I will continue to update you as soon as I receive word from Carla. I appreciate your interest and especially your prayers for Canon. May the Lord bless you.

Galatians 6:2 - Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Technorati Tags: children, illness, heart condition, medical, help, toddler, parenting, son, prayer, Christianity, hospital, critical, transplant, donations, Arkansas, surgery, life, fundraiser, family

A Blog for Cannon

2006-09-19T14:18:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Canon Norman's blog.

My name is Teresa. I'm a good friend of Canon's mom (Carla). Carla has been sitting with little Canon at the hospital since his heart transplant this week, and currently he is in critical care.
I felt the Lord leading me to start this blog for Canon and Carla so people could pray for the Norman family, give finacially, if you feel led and post notes to Carla.

Some time in the future, we hope that his story will be told worldwide on the Discovery Channel. Canon's operation was filmed by Discovery Channel on Saturday (September 16th, 2006) to be aired at a later date after further recovery.

Thank you so much for your concern and for being a prayer partner for this little angel. God bless you!

Technorati Tags: children, illness, heart condition, medical, help, toddler, parenting, son, prayer, Christianity, hospital, critical, transplant, donations, Arkansas, surgery, life, fundraiser, family