Three Years and It Seems Like Just Yesterday

Katie,

They said it would get easier with each passing year . . . it just isn't so! We miss you like it was just yesterday.

Dad misses your favorite phrase "make good choices Dad" which he would reply "blew that, I got out of bed".

Mom misses kissing you all over your beautiful face and telling you how much she loves you.

Brent misses you most on road trips.

Grandpa and Grandma Peterson miss your amazing and always willing hugs along with your smile.

Grandpa and Grandma Neufeld miss your hugs too but they also miss their "Ricochet" and watching old slide shows with you.

Some friends were asked what they missed.

One said she misses you the most when she thinks of the great memories you made together at the Camp Kadesh Youth Retreat.

Another friend said she misses the crazy things the two of you would fight over. She said "we fought like sisters and you were like a sister to her."

Regardless of anyone's memory, one thing holds true, you were there for EVERYONE! You were a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and always had a hug when someone neeed it . . . for anything you were always there. Maybe that is why we miss your presence so much.

Love You Always,
Dad, Mom & Brent
Family & Friends

Thanks to everyone who has read the blog, prayed for our family and kept us in your prayers. We would love to hear your favorite memories of Katie.

Keep hoping. Keep loving. Keep praying.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Brent and his 1991 Acura Legend - Doesn't he look happy.

James, Shelley & Brent - Aug 27, 2011

Brent at Youth Christmas Formal - Dec 2011

Family Christmas Photo - Dec 2011

Greetings from the Peterson's. We have enjoyed many blessings throughout this last year.

Since Brent was discharged from RUH late July he has enjoyed good health and a lot more freedom. He enjoyed his sleepovers just like he said he would.

In August, Brent was at his cousin James's wedding and we had lots of fun with cousins, Auntie and Uncles, and Grandpa and Grandma Neufeld staying at our house. Brent also enjoyed lots of fun in our pool in the back yard (without having to get out every few minutes because fear of a leaky bag). He invited his friends over one afternoon also to swim with him.

Another highlight this year was getting his license. He had to share a 1991 Acura Legend with his Mom until he was able to buy it for himself which he has done just recently. He had to do a lot of chauffeuring for his Mom since Carolyn's leg was hurting quite a bit and was unable to drive. Brent really hated doing this...NOT!!!! Carolyn and Scot have enjoyed freedom from having to drive Brent to youth and other functions.

Brent was not feeling well just before Christmas and spent a few days in the hospital. We told his nurses he just missed them the most at Christmas. Dr. Bruce was unable to pin point a reason for him not feeling well. Brent has a referral to see a kidney specialist sometime in the new year. Brent has been feeling good since the holidays have begun.

We spent Christmas day to the 27th with the Neufeld's and the 29th till the 1st with Grandpa and Grandma Peterson. We all missed little Phoenix this year! It has been a very wonderful and special Christmas season and feel blessed by God's greatness. Once again we'd like to thanks our blog followers for their continued prayers. May God bless each one of you for your faithfulness to our family.

Keep hoping. Keep loving. Keep praying.

Home Again ... At Last

Brent was discharged from Royal University hospital on Sunday Aug.21st. He was feeling better and the Doctors and Nurses were not doing anything different from what Dad and Mom could do at home. Carolyn and Scot were grateful that the Doctors kept a watchful eye on Brent for a little longer to make sure he was tolerating a "normal" diet. The Doctors are treating his symptoms as irritated bowel syndrome. Brent is on a reduced fiber diet so his bowels will have time to heal with as little stress as possible. He still feels quite a bit of discomfort in his stomach but we've been told this could be for awhile and is to be expected after his surgery. Brent's bowels have to be retrained to function after "sleeping" for 2 1/2 years.

Our prayer is that Brent will feel perfectly well by the time he returns back to school.

Keep hoping. Keep loving. Keep praying.

Brent back in hospital - Aug 1

Brent & Carolyn returned home from Regina on Tuesday. Brent felt okay till Wednesday night when Carolyn took Brent back to Emergency at Royal University Hospital. He had some chest xrays done and Brent got home Saturday morning feeling better. We all enjoyed the pool in the afternoon and went to church on Sunday but he started to feel pain in his ribs on his left side and his stomach was distended and hot to the touch.

Car just took Brent to Emergency again at 2:30AM on Monday Aug 1st.

Please pray that they will figure out the chest pain and why he still seems to have so much pain in his stomach.


Keep hoping. Keep loving. Keep praying.

Home Sweet Home...Without an Ostomy Bag! YAHOO

Dad and I waiting for them to take me into the Operating room



I had McDonalds last night and it tasted AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Today Brent is getting discharged from Regina General Hospital. He is very excited.

The surgery was a success. He was not allowed to have food from last Wednesday till yesterday (Monday) but supper was very tasty... McDonalds. The nurse was joking around with Brent and Dr. Saczek. Dr Saczek told him he could eat whatever he wanted but to go slow so his nurse said Brent would only have McDonald 3 times per day, he'd hold back...!

Brent would like to thank Dr. Saczek, the wonderful staff on 6A, and the visitors that came.

Brent is feeling great. He is ready to sleep in his own bed. Carolyn is loving not getting the texts or phone calls saying "I'm leaking", Scot is looking forward to have Brent's help without Brent saying "I have to go Dad, my bag is leaking" (not sure what Brent will use as an excuse now to get out of work...).

Thank You everyone for praying. God is always faithful.

Keep hoping. Keep loving. Keep praying.

Surgery 46 successful

Brent went into surgery around 8:00 AM today and got out around 11:00. The surgery went well. He is resting with his favorite friend "morphine pca pump". He will be recovering for 5-7 days.
Thank you for your prayers and continued prayers as he recovers.

Keep hoping. Keep loving. Keep praying.

Our God Is Faithful!

Praise the Lord! This week we received the call from Regina General Hospital that Brent is booked for surgery on July 20th (8:00 AM) for the ostomy closure. We are all very excited. We have waited (impatiently) and now Brent can hardly wait to do all those things he has missed for 2 years. He says he wants to have sleep overs with his buddies (at their house!), he can hardly wait to be able to swim as long as he wants with out the worry, thankful he won't have to be constantly emptying his bag, (or have Mom nag him to empty it), not always have to worry if its going to leak and who will help him... the list goes on and on. Brent has been very blessed with the support he's had from friends and family helping him with this literal thorn in the flesh. He is looking forward to going into grade 12 without this hinderance.
Our family would like to thank you all for praying so hard that this surgery would take place.


Keep Hoping. Keep Loving. Keep Praying