Monday, August 25, 2014

One year ago...

This week marked the one year anniversary of when Leslie and Richard found out they were expecting triplets!  Leslie remarked how things have changed in the last year.  :)  We thought it would be fun to share some of the Low's household statistics from the last year.

Some of these are probably pretty normal for triplets, while other stats have to do with the cancer (times 3.)  Leslie went on bed rest within a few weeks of the ultrasound.  Benson was not even 2 yet, so family and friends immediately started coming to help.

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# of nights spent in their own home without another adult helper:  20


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# of volunteers we've had in our home helping:  60+ (most coming more than once)
# of hours these volunteers have given:  Thousands! (honestly)
# of meals donated to our family:  80+




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Loads of Laundry since December:  350

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Current average daily blog views: 3,000
Most blog visitors in one single day:  100,000

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Since December, the Low's have been through: 6,000+ diapers
Number of diapers donated: 1,500+


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Prayers offered in their behalf:  tens of thousands.

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Leslie has felt it a huge blessing that she's been able to pump enough milk for the babies this whole time.  But, it has been a huge sacrifice on her part.  :)

Time spent pumping:  650 hours (equals 27 days)
Ounces pumped:  19,500 (over 150 gallons) (!!Holy cow!!)
Formula used:  1 small can
Bottles used:  1,295

I know you're curious like I was.
All the yellow lids were from one pump.
The pink lids were from another pump.
So, this was 2 pumps worth.  :)

She has even pumped excess, enough to donate to the milk banks at the hospital.




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Eye drops administered:  500+
# of times the boys have been under anesthetic:  35






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Airplane Rides: 20
# of adults that have come to Toronto to help: 19 (many of these more than once)




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# of days we have visited a hospital or Dr.'s office:  90

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# of nights babies have spent away from home:  90
# of nights Leslie has spent away from Benson:  60

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# of individuals that emailed in response to our plea for help in Toronto:  1,200+
These sweet people offered everything you can imagine - Helping hands, their homes, their cars, money, diapers, gift cards, meals, tickets to an outing, car rides, advice, their love, contacts to more people, etc.  If you can imagine it being offered, I bet that it was.  Absolutely incredible.
One day while Leslie was sitting in the OR waiting for Mason, a delivery arrived.
A giant cookie, from a fellow sick kids mom...

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# of bibs sweet Diane Gardner has made for the triplets:  30+
(Her bibs are the best!)


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We know there are so many others in the world that suffer from debilitating illness, or terminal situations that require a lot of work and time away from home.  By sharing some of our stats and experiences, we hope it might make people more aware of the sacrifices families fighting cancer and other ailments have to make.  

Hopefully it will remind each of us to reach out to others.  

We've certainly been on the receiving end, and we want you to know how much we've sure appreciated the help over the last year.  A year ago, I don't think we had any idea what was really headed our way.  But, we've done it thanks to so many of you...

8 comments:

  1. Those are some impressive stats! I have been following your story for the past two months or so, and sending up prayers for the boys and your whole family. I am amazed by your faith, energy, and your own generosity. Leslie, in the midst of all this, you have found it in you (literally!) to most generously donate mother's milk to babies and moms who don't have enough. From a mom who had a rough go of breastfeeding the first time around, I know how precious a gift that can be. Blessings to you all.

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  2. What a crazy journey- thinking of you and your family!

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  3. Wow! This year has been quite an undertaking...

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  4. It's amazing how much can happen in a year! These "Low" statistics are incredible. I hope that everyone's time at home, together, is going well! Continued prayers that more & more good news will come! Safe travels when you make your next trek back to Sick Kids.

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  5. Let's just marvel at the breast milk/pumping stat. Wow. THAT is amazing and deserves an award in itself.

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  6. what a neat post - those stats are incredible! Love you guys!!

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  7. You guys are amazing but Leslie I totally am in awe at the sheer amount of expressing you have done.... Astounding!!

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