Sunshine Soldier

Friends, thank you so much for praying. At our 2 hour genetics appointment, Caleb was as calm as a cucumber. The whole time. He was so funny and engaging. He answered every question and more. He sat patiently as I answered questions.

Dr. Belonis (geneticist) is an answer to prayer. She is clearly invested. In all the ways. She is definitely coming alongside in this journey. And that’s a big deal. A huge deal actually. She clearly cares for Caleb already.

She is ordering several tests. They will be done on Wednesday along with any tests the other specialists want to do. She said it could take months to go through the process of looking for genetic answers. Even then, it is likely that we will find none. Caleb may actually be one of a kind. She said she has never seen anyone like him.

We are at such perfect peace. We are surrounded by God’s perfect provisions. We are lifted up by those around us who are praying. We are seeing those prayers answered already. In Caleb’s complete calmness. In our first doctor choosing to love him. We cannot wait to see the other ways our Lord will provide for sweet Caleb.

Please pray for the upcoming appointments. Please pray for calm for Caleb and for loving doctors. Please pray for answers. Please pray for continued peace in all of our hearts.

Caleb, my mom and I are in Cincinnati in a lovely apartment. We had a very easy trip. We grocery shopped. We made dinner. We played games. Lovely. Caleb is very happy. He is excited to meet his new doctors tomorrow.

Yesterday Silas and Chey’s school mama, Mrs. Sheila, stopped by. She had cards and treats for Caleb for each day that we are here. He was so thrilled. She also had the brilliant idea of taking a picture of his schedule so that she could pray for him at those specific times. I thought I would share that pic in case others want to do the same. (I had to rename some specialties so that Caleb could understand. “Pee” is Urology. “Throat” is gastroenterology. I know that seems weird but reflux burns his throat.).

Please pray for a calm spirit and peace in Caleb’s heart tomorrow. Please pray that the doctors will love him. Please pray for answers.

Thank you all for journeying with us!

Many of you know our Caleb. Maybe you know him from way back. Maybe you learned about him through the blog. Maybe you don’t know him at all. If you fall in the latter category, you are seriously missing out.

Caleb is a treasure. And one of God’s most unique creations. I feel such joy in my heart when I think about our Father knitting Caleb together. With such love and such care. And with a plan.

Caleb has special needs. Very special in fact. And he has no diagnosis. For many years, I did not care one bit about that. In fact, it was a blessing. It helped me not to worry about tomorrow. It helped me to focus on today.

But, we are in a new season now. A season where we want more answers so that we can help Caleb better. Right now, it’s just a want. Only God knows if it’s a need.

Caleb, my mom (Melody) and I will be heading to Cincinnati Children’s hospital next week. The 11th through the 14th to be exact. Caleb will be seen by 7 specialists. Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Urology, Gastroenterology and Genetics. It will be a lot.

Please pray that the doctors have a love for Caleb, that they don’t just see him as a number. In my 17 1/2 years as his mama, I have learned that is 90% of the battle. Please pray that he is calm. Please pray for answers.

Thank you all so much for caring about our family. And for praying for us.

Friends, thank you so much for reading these updates. Thank you so much for caring about Silas and for caring about our family. Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for mourning with us and for rejoicing with us. God has used our unity in such a mighty way. We have been connected all across the United States and even across the world. Amazing.

Silas is Silas. He is exactly the same except so much different. He is his typical kind and funny and giving self. But he is so much more resolute in his faith. He sees life clearly through his very unique lens. The lens of a boy who God is using in an enormous way. He sees that his life is a gift from the Lord. To bring glory and honor to Him. It’s quite simple.

This will be the final post that is titled “Silas Update.” Sweet Silas requested that. He feels that the focus has been on him for long enough. So, moving forward, Sunshine Soldier will go back to being about the Atkinson family. About what God is doing in our hearts and lives.

But for today, let’s rejoice together again about what our Lord has done in the life and mind and body of Silas. And friends, it is miraculous. He is absolutely thriving. He is back to running 1.5 miles at a time. He is constantly cracking us up with his crazy humor and even crazier dance moves. He gives the best hugs! He loves being with his family and friends. He has zero fatigue or nausea or dizziness. He is doing so well in school. He makes excellent grades with zero modifications. He goes on bike rides, plays basketball, swims, etc.

The burning question…Si’s vision. We think it is getting some better. He can go for larger chunks of time without the patch. However, his vertical vision is definitely still double (Yep. One image is on top of the other. So strange.) He never ever complains about it. Or about anything actually.

Below is a little photo montage of just how far our Lord has brought this boy. It starts with a picture of the very first time I saw him in the ICU and ends with a picture of Silas and one of his Physical Therapist’s, Elizabeth. He had a re-evaluation today and she was blown away. He officially graduated PT.

Oh what a work the Lord has done. This is post #121. Philippians 1:21 says “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Exactly. As living, breathing Christians our mission is clear. We are to bring glory and honor to the Lord. We are to be Jesus to every person/divine appointment that God puts into our path. In death, we are to bring glory and honor to him. By pointing heavenward. Until going there.

Please pray that Silas stays focused on his mission. Please pray that his heart remains grateful. Please pray that his vision returns to normal. Please pray for Ryan and I as we parent our Fabulous 5. Thank you so much for walking this road with us. Our hearts are full.

If you have not had a chance to read the beautiful work that the Lord has done in the heart of Silas, here is his testimony…

https://sunshine-soldier.com/2022/05/20/my-testimony-by-silas/

Well friends, these updates are about to slow down once again. We have our boy back. There just isn’t much else to say. At this point, I am just straight up bragging when I write about him.

Aside from his vision, I believe Silas is back to May 30th Silas. He is sweet and kind and funny and active. He loves big and he serves big. His personality is BIG. Because of the vision, I am going to say he is at 99%.

Silas is no longer overwhelmed by loud noises or bright lights or crowds. He no longer experiences extreme fatigue or nausea. He is able to focus and concentrate.

Last night, Silas was able to go support his big bro Caleb as he stole the show at the FHS football game. He was able to have a sleepover with his friend Blake. And he came home ready to rock a Saturday.

I simply cannot wrap my mind around where we are today. The Lord answered our prayers in such a mighty way. Thank you all so much for praying for Silas. Thank you for praying for all of the Atkinsons. Thank you for caring so very deeply. I hope that all of you have grown in your faith as you have journeyed with us.

Please continue to pray for Si’s vision. Please pray that his sleepy optic nerve wakes up! Please pray that his walk with the Lord grows deeper and wider. Please pray that his life and testimony continue to impact others.

If you have not read Si’s beautiful testimony, here it is…

https://sunshine-soldier.com/2022/05/20/my-testimony-by-silas/

MRI results are in and they are gorgeous!

The clots have most definitely cleared. Of course we heard that news a few weeks ago, but the MRI imaging is even more clear so it is great that there were no hidden issues. There was nothing else the least bit noteworthy or interesting… Yay for being boring!

Silas is a miracle.

Thank you all so much for caring so deeply and for praying for us. We are deeply humbled.

Hello all!!! Just a very quick update on Si’s appointments from today…

Ophthalmology went very well. Dr. Wadley was pleased to see that Si’s horizontal vision has improved even more since the last appointment. His vertical vision showed no improvement. So basically, that nerve is still fast asleep. Apparently, that is to be expected when a tree hits you in the head. Dr. Wadley still thinks we need to wait. If there is still no improvement by the end of November we may talk surgery.

The MRI went just fine. It was loud and it was long. And when a boy gets an itch on the back of his neck he can’t scratch it in that crazy tube! We will get results next week.

Please pray that Si’s optic nerve wakes up. Please pray that his MRI results are as good as we expect. Please pray that he runs this race with endurance. Please pray that he points others to Christ whenever he can.

Silas has such an amazing testimony of how the Lord drew him to himself. Here it is…

https://sunshine-soldier.com/2022/05/20/my-testimony-by-silas/

“Let us bless the Lord, every day and night, never ending praise… “

We are so very thankful. In the day and in the night. We sought the Lord and he answered us. We cried out to Him. Continuously. We prayed without ceasing. For the life of Silas. And He answered us.

I am not missing a minute of this. I’m sure there will come a day when I don’t feel like my heart is actually bursting with thankfulness. But at the moment, I feel it so deeply.

This week was stellar. On Sunday, Silas quizzed with his team over 1 Thessalonians Chapter 3. They won. And he did so well. On Monday, he had Physical Therapy and they were blown away. His progress is unbelievable. In fact, he is done with PT. On Wednesday, he went to see Dr. Trainer who became the lead on Si’s therapy once he was discharged from UT. She could not believe his progress and said that she has never seen anything like it. She also does not need to see him again. Amazing.

School. Silas just loves it. He loves being with his friends. He loves being with his teachers. In fact, several of them this week reached out to say how well he is doing. What a blessing!

Si’s fatigue is so much better. In fact, he rarely feels it at all. Also, his vision seems to be improving. He goes a few seconds longer each morning before it goes double. And the two images continue to get closer and closer together. Very good.

I’m not sure that this is possible, but Silas seems to be even sweeter than before the accident. He is so thankful to be healthy and whole and with his people. He has always been very teachable about the things of the Lord, but even more so now. He so wants to bring glory and honor to Him.

Psalm 34 says that those who look on the Lord are radiant. That is what I see when I look at our boy. Radiance. And that is what I have felt as my sweet Father has drawn me nearer and nearer to Himself.

Our hope is that all of you saints are magnifying and exalting and glorifying the Lord right alongside us. Our hope is that you are truly tasting and seeing that the Lord is so very good.

Please pray that Silas continues to trust and hope in the Lord. Please pray for patience as he waits for his strength and vision to return to normal. Please pray for a 100% recovery for Silas. Please pray for his upcoming ophthalmology appointment and MRI, which are both on September 7. Please pray for the Atkinson 7 as we continue to navigate this season.

Silas is an instrument in the Lord’s hands. If you have not read his testimony, here it is…

https://sunshine-soldier.com/2022/05/20/my-testimony-by-silas/

Silas is certainly progressing. Praise the Lord! To Him be all glory and honor and praise.

He is doing so well in school. He is working hard. He is asking for assistance when he needs it.

Silas continues to spend time in the word deeply and daily. He finished memorizing 1 Thessalonians 3 and he is ready for the quiz meet tomorrow.

His energy level is good. He is not experiencing the extreme fatigue that he once was. We even played some family pickleball yesterday and today. He did so well! Even with just one eye. On that note, his vision seems to be improving some. He is able to read almost anything, even small print. He still has double vision if he doesn’t wear the eye patch, but it seems less severe. The two images that he sees are closer together, which we have been told shows progress.

Silas has some important appointments coming up. On September 7, he will go see Dr. Wadley (opthalmologist) and he will also have an MRI, his first to be exact. Dr. Savage (neurosurgeon) wanted an MRI when he was in the ICU but he was not stable enough. Then, when he came home he had severe nausea when he laid flat. But now, in God’s perfect timing and provision, he is good to go.

This week we have had all the encouragement. Person after person has expressed to me how much and how hard they have prayed for Silas. They talked about how it grew their own walk with the Lord. I ran into 2 sweet VG friends just today that read Si’s testimony every time I posted it. Amazing.I know those of you reading this right now feel so connected to us. You have journeyed right alongside us through reading the updates and fervent prayer. What a blessing that is for all of us! I love God’s design so much. What a gracious God we have who loves us so much that he does not ever want us to journey alone.

Please pray for a 100% recovery for Silas. Please pray that his vision returns to normal. Please pray for his upcoming MRI. Please pray that he is calm and that the results are as good as we expect. Please pray that Si’s faith deepens all the more. Please pray that he takes every opportunity to point others to Christ. Please pray for Ryan and I as we parent Silas during this time. We need all the wisdom and discernment. God tells us in His Word that when we ask for wisdom he gives it to us. Imagine how much we will have with all of you praying for us too!

If you have not read Si’s testimony, here it is…

https://sunshine-soldier.com/2022/05/20/my-testimony-by-silas/

Silas is amazing. It’s always good to lead with that.

That being said, this is hard. A traumatic brain injury is a big deal. Silas is at a place where he really wants to process all of it. He wants to talk about all of it. We have talked about the morning of the accident, the moment of the accident, the horrible phone call I received, the helicopter, the timeline of all of it, what the doctors said at first, what the doctor’s said two hours later, the people that reached out, how his siblings and family were effected, his testimony spreading far and wide, the roller coaster/torture device, sedation (he remembers a lot from when he was “asleep”), waking up from sedation, delirium, coming home, the first week home and so on. The unpuzzling requires all of us.

Silas has never wavered in his love for the Lord. He has not doubted the Lord’s love for him. He sees God’s hand in every bit of it. And he continues to be thankful.

The first 2 weeks of school went really well. Silas worked hard. His head stayed above water. Knoxville Christian School walked right alongside and did whatever was needed.

Last Monday, Physical Therapy went so well that his therapist bumped him down to just one day a week and challenged him to train for a 5k. Not to actually run a race, but just to get back to his baseline fitness level. What a blessing that he is ready for that!

Some challenges of today: Si’s vision is still about the same. He is not able to filter background noise like normal. He gets extremely fatigued at times, but that does seem to be improving some.

Please pray that his vision returns to normal. Please pray for 100% healing. Please pray that he continues to see God’s hand in all of this and remain thankful. Please pray that God will continue to use all of this for His glory and Si’s good.

Please pray for Ryan and I as we parent Silas through this. Right now feels really challenging. We do not want to expect too much or too little. We want to point him right to the Lord. Constantly.

If you have not read Si’s testimony, here it is…

https://sunshine-soldier.com/2022/05/20/my-testimony-by-silas/