September 23, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,
This is the second Friday at the Pisani's without a pizza night, never happened before...but this is a first for all of us,
Today was very difficult again, Nicole is suffering without much medication because she needs to be awake and alert to help in the assistance of the vent. They are not talking about taking out the chest tube, or the vent tube until possibly Monday now.
She needs to get rid of more fluids...kidneys still not working. Dialysis today took out 7lbs of fluid! She is still hooked up and needs more fluid drained before they will even consider taking her off...they are also considering a trakiatomey on Monday if the tubes don't come out this weekend. Tonight her beautiful eyes were empty...no fight ...no concern.. and tomorrow I vow to get that back. I will give her all the strength I  get from you and get her back in the fight for her life. We all know she is in a battle and this one we have to win.
Lets focus on the good things we can hold onto. Our Deacon Warren and Elizabeth, our dearest of friends, came and prayed with us. Also Fr Tom and Fr Justin prayed the Rosary with us, and the Padre Pio Novena, on today his feast day. What a comfort we all received. They also went in together and prayed over Nicole. I must say after all her suffering today our priests brought comfort and hope...as they and Msgr Colacicco always do. Thank you God for all these gifts. Sr. Marie today gave me words I took with me all day. Whether you know it or not, these prayers, and devotions keep us strong in our darkest moments. I reflect back and remember and ponder on all your words. How could I not feel God's presence. The bagels you left at in the waiting room...dinner and table set for us. Meals left ion our driveway...Love surrounds us daily.
Hopefully tonight we will sleep a few hours and have a brighter day tomorrow. I hate to keep asking but don't give up on your prayer, thank God for all the blessings each of us has. Hug your children, kiss your spouse, thank God for the gifts bestowed on you.  Tonight one of our dear friends told us his small children gave up their blankets, pillows and stuffed animals and slept on sheets to sacrifice for Nicole. Can you imagine the innocence of this devotion and love. Please remember God is good, God is Love God will heal us. Praise Jesus in all things. Miracles happen everyday.
We Love you and remain Thankful beyond words,
Deb, Lou , Tina, Robert, Nicole and Baby Robert Louis

Some responses to my e-mails:
Hi Deb,it must feel like forever all this pain that you and your family have had to endure.Nicole is very strong,but can not imagine how she will feel if she doesn't already feel it in her heart as a mother would,that her baby is now in heaven.We continue to pray for all of you each and every day.If there is anything I can do for you,please let me know,anything Deb.Your heart is breaking so badly,but you are a very strong woman.You will get through this with the amazing love of your family and friends.I feel so bad for what all of you have had to go through in the last 2 weeks.Just know that we love you so much and we'll talk soon

so sorry yesterday was such a bad day. I pray that today will be better and Nicole will be able to come off the vent soon. I’ve read every email you sent and really can feel your emotion and pain come through. Not in the way you feel it, but I can understand how hard this has to be. Your strong faith shows through too and it means a lot to me to see how much faith you have, your family has. As I said yesterday, it really inspires me. It doesn’t seem fair what Nicole has gone through and what you have had to endure as a family. I don’t know how I (my family) could possibly handle any of what you have, but I can see how much having faith helps. But at least for me, to have just a little faith is to have something. Well, I think of this quote: If we just give God the little that we have, we can trust Him to make it go around.·        Praying for Nicole, praying for you, praying for all of you. Please God let today be better than yesterday

ni Nicole is constantly in my thoughts and prayers.  It was natural, therefore, when I venerated St. Pio's relic, that I did so on Nicole's behalf.  It's called kything when you do an act in place of someone else - as though they themselves are doing the act.  Since St. Pio was particularly concerned about the suffering sick, I lifted Nicole to him for his intercession.  I also pray now for baby Frame's intercession on behalf of his mother.  The intercessory prayer of the young and innocent is particularly powerful precisely because they are pure of heart.  The other way I am keeping Nicole (and all of you) in prayer is by being alert to my own inconveniences, difficulties, disturbances and offering these up for your intention.  It lets me share a bit in Nicole's and your suffering.  More importantly, in a small way, it allows me to unite with the sacrificial suffering of Christ - like little drops of His sacrificial blood poured out in love for Nicole and all of you. 
Each morning as I meditate on the scriptural readings for the day, I am conscious of your way to Calvary these 15 days and so the words of scripture seem to speak specifically of your situation.  Today I read this with you in mind: "Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give you peace, says the Lord of hosts."  There is reason to hope.  Cling to hope.  Cling more to the surety of God's love.  In this lies our reason to hope.
I embrace you and more, I send you God's loving embrace.  In this weakness and vulnerability, you are strong and beautiful in your faith.  Thank you for the daily gift of your witness.

May this day be a day filled with miracles and may it bring a light where there is darkness.  My heart and love are with you without pause.  It is helpful to know you have a large circle of support and that others are taking care of you.  Missing pizza night 2 Friday nights in a row...when Nicole wins this battle it will be Friday night pizza all over the world.  I love you Debbie....