A Miserable Week

I’d like to be able to report to you that everything went great this week but it didn’t.  We had people set up to drive Kramer to Lacrosse on four of the five days but it didn’t happen.  I drove four of the five days because we had some complications along the way but I’m saving all of that for tonight’s blog post.  I have MUCH more important news.

Our little Gannon, Kalissa and Craig’s month old baby, is in the hospital at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

Since birth Gannon has had a bit of a disfigured lump on his side.  No one seemed bother by it.  Kalissa had inquired about it.  The lump was always explained away.

Then about Wednesday of this week, Gannon looked like the picture above.  His belly had a big lump.  He got fussy.  He was not the baby he was all along.

We talked about it.  Kalissa had a doctor’s appointment for him to be seen on Friday, got very concerned and moved the appointment up to Thursday.


The doctor checked him out, had some tests done and decided he could go home overnight and come back for more tests the next day.

We were all bothered by it.  His stomach looked terrible.  We all thought he should have stayed in the hospital.  The Friday appointment wasn’t until 1pm but when Kalissa sent me the picture above, I stressed that I thought she should go to the ER.

Kelli was here and Kayla was too.  I sent Kelli to help Kalissa get packed up with overnight bags for everyone and told her to bring Carver to me.

Kalissa went to the local ER.  More tests were done.  More speculations were made.  No one had answers for sure but they were suspicious that he had intussusception which is a problem in the large intestine.  It’s a problem that can be fixed but would need surgery.  In our area, that means going to Rochester to the Mayo Clinic St. Marys.  Luckily they let them take him rather than going by ambulance.

Kalissa called to tell us.  At about that time Kramer and I were loading up to take him to radiation.  Kalissa wanted a wagon or stroller to get Gannon around.  As the hospital where she was at is along the way to the hospital that we were going to, I offered to meet them.   I packed the wagon, a bag of cookies and a few gift certificates that were given to Kramer.  To the people who gave us a McDonalds, Shell Gas, and Burger King gift certificate, I hope it’s okay that I passed them on to Kalissa to help them out.

I remember years ago when we had Kelli in the hospital there for a week how expensive it got.  I knew I really couldn’t do anything to help expect take care of Carver and give her the certificates.  What a terrible feeling as a mom!

So we were updated with a new picture.


Poor little guy.

Here’s had more test done…more observation happen…
Right now they think it might possibly be this.


He’s having surgery today.  It’s was termed a diagnostic surgery.  It will be something like a colonoscopy and they will be taking a samples to be tested to determine if it is Hirschsprung’s Disease.

I really don’t know any more than that.  It’s been a week….a heck of a week…and it looks like it’s going to spill into next week too.

I’ll update you on Kramer in tonight’s blog post.  It’s been a rough week for him too.  All I can say is we’re taking things one day at a time.  We’ll get through this… If you’re the praying kind, please say a prayer that we can figure out what is for sure wrong with our little guy…and for his mommy and daddy.  Waiting to know when he’s crying and in obvious pain is hard when there is nothing they can do about it.    I’ll break in and let you know more when I know more.

66 thoughts on “A Miserable Week”

  1. Praying for Gannon, Roger and the whole Kramer clan.

    I remember someone telling me “God will only give you what you can handle”. I keep that close firmly in mind and close to my heart.

    May you find peace in God’s master plan even if you don’t know or understand what he has in store.

    Lifting you all up in prayer to stay strong and keep the faith. Hugs, prayers and positive thoughts coming your way.

  2. Sending all of you prayers and hugs. That precious baby is in God’s hands and he will see him through all of this.

  3. Knowing for sure that every one of your readers are holding you and your whole family in our thoughts and prayers.

  4. I know you feel overwhelmed at times, Taking one step one thing at a time is all you can do to remain calm and sane. Praying and thinking of all of you

  5. Just when you think things won’t get worse, they do. My heart is aching for all of you right now as you go through this. It has to be so horrible for everyone. Continued prayers for you and the entire family.

  6. One day at a time or break it further down to one hour or even one second. So thankful the Kramer Klan is near top notch medical care. Hugs to all of you as you go thru this.

  7. Please know that so many of us are lifting your entire family up in prayer continually.
    Praying for all of you.

  8. I’m so sorry to hear of Gannon’s condition and of Hubby’s tough times. You have a very strong family. You are so blessed to have each other close by. Praying for all of you.

  9. God helps you through, what you are given….remember to lean on him. He’s anxious to help comfort you all. Praying for baby and your husband.

  10. My great- granddaughter has that nasty disease. She has to have medication every day or every other day (I forget which) to move things along and then when she has a movement, oh my! She’s 4 now and you just have to learn to deal with it. Prayers he gets well soon, its soo hard when they’re tiny and can’t tell you what’s wrong. You really are having a rough time right now. Prayers for all

  11. PRAYERS, PRAYERS, PRAYER FROM WISCONSIN…To all of your family….I sure do hope all comes out well for all of you.
    Sue from Wisconsin

  12. Sending prayers and hugs for all, especially Gannon and his parents. So sorry it has been a terrible week foryou, too.

  13. Oh, My God, praying for the whole Kramer family. So hard for a baby to be sick as they can’t tell you what they are feeling. Hope everything goes well with you. I wonder, should we start a Go Fund Me campaign for the Kramer family? Anyone out there? I know it would be appreciated.

  14. Sylvia@Treadlestitches

    Dear Jo, I am praying very hard for all of you right now. I pray for healing for your loved ones, for answers, and for strength for all of you. I hope you can feel how much all of us care.

  15. My heart just hurts for you……I am praying for little Gannon and Kramer…Hugs…Linda… and prayers for Jodie too.

  16. Prayers for your family. My grandson has this disease. He had the operation as a newborn at Barnes in St. Louis. He is 13 now and does great. God bless you all.

  17. Bless your heart. Sometimes you take it day by day, sometimes hour by hour, and then sometimes just minute by minute. Prayers for each of you…..for wisdom and discernment in decision making, for the best medical people to guide and help you, for peace for each of you as you make decisions, for Kramer to feel ok with his treatments, for Carver in the midst of everything, for Gannon’s comfort and health, comfort for Gannon’s parents, for each person in your family as they try each day to find the best way to help everyone else.

  18. Oh, sweet girl! Sigh. I’m sending all the prayers…praying without ceasing…for healing and peace and comfort for each and every one of you. If New Mexico was closer to Iowa, I would be there to help in whatever way I could. May you all feel God’s presence each and every moment during these challenging days.

  19. Elizabeth Elliot was a truly remarkable Godly woman who went through some horrible times. Her simple motto is one I have lived by often. “Do the next right thing”. So simple, yet so profound.

  20. I am praying for all of the Kramer’s. Carol’s idea about a go fund me page is very appropriate for Kramer and baby Gannon. Usually someone close to the family starts it. I think Kayla is the tech savvy one in the family and perhaps she could set it up and let all of Jo’s followers know via the blog

  21. Sending prayers to your whole family! When I’m going through times when there is nothing I can do but pray and wait it out, I listen to a lot of music. The song “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns helped me through some tough times.

  22. Mary Ann Mettler

    Oh my – prayers for you all – seems very frightening indeed. I appreciate your keeping us all updated so we know how to pray.

  23. Patricia Boelens

    Tears and prayers for you all. I will keep praying for the older and the younger and all in between, This must be so difficult when so many snags happen at once, Just breathe, Put one foot in front of the other and keep going, Thanks so much for keeping us all appraised so we can be a part of your strength thru prayer,

  24. Cheryl in Dallas

    A few years ago, I went through surgery and chemo for cancer. It was a rough time for hubby and me. When someone would ask us, “Which is harder, being the patient or the caregiver?” we would answer in unison “Yes!”

    And that is why I am thinking about Jo, Kelli, and Kayla right now, and uplifting you all in prayer.

    “In peace I will lie down and sleep, For you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

  25. Oh how heartbreaking to have baby Gannon going thru this. It’s so hard when the little ones are hurting and we can’t fix it.
    As a family, you are blessed with a closeness and love and support from within. As a fairly public family, you are blessed with readers who have come to care and see you as family. While going thru this very difficult time, let the love and support surround you and help you thru each minute as it must be dealt with. You are each stronger than you think, and together you are like that bundle of branches that cannot be broken. You may bend, and bend, but you will not break.
    Hugs and love, Linda

  26. Lori Sparks Douglas

    That just sucks! I know you want to make everyone better. Let go and let God. Hard to do sometimes. My prayers continue for you and all your family! Better times will come your way. Keep the faith and pray for guidance for the Dr.s.

  27. Arrowhead Gramma

    My prayers are with Baby Gannon, Roger and your family.

    Mother Teresa often quoted the old saying that: “God never gives us more than we can handle.” She added to this by saying: “But why does He trust me so much.” Meaning she felt she had more than she could handle but God felt she could handle more. This saying came instantly to my mind while reading your post. Stay strong, pray hard and know that God hears and answers our prayers.

  28. Brings tears to my eyes and those things are so hard on the ones being treated but also on those who are standing by and doing what they can to relieve the pain. Prayers for you and your family and that the medical staff be at their most knowledgeable and focused as they care for the little one and your husband. Prayers that God will guide their hands and minds and that He will lift you all up.

    Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

  29. The best thing I can see is that you are strong enough to post online your life. Be so proud.
    That gets tons of support as people follow you and get to love who you are. Sending you love from North Carolina

  30. Praying for you and all the family as the journey takes you on a bumpy ride. Comfort for each of you, love and blessings .

  31. Marianne Barta

    I am so sorry to hear this — Prayers for the little guy and Mom and Dad — and continued prayers for your husband. Hugs

  32. Sandra Davidson

    Dear Jo, I am so sorry , it must seem like the bad news will never stop. I am praying for baby Gannon and his family. They say that God never gives you more then you can handle at 76 I have come to believe this.
    My grandson was born blind but at 12 he is such a beautiful boy, I know you are a strong lady and I will say some prayers for you too.

  33. Prayers your way! my son had surgery for an emergency intussusception at 3mos. . It was a scary time but I firmly believe in prayers and God answered ours. My son survived it despite the surgeons negative attitude! Stay positive and know that God gives us what we can handle. Again I will be praying for you and for your son!

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