About
This site is dedicated to our son, Clinton Rudolf (“Rudy”) who has been diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Since discovering this during a prenatal ultrasound in August of 2008 and then his arrival on October 1st, we have been on a journey into the unknown, with emotions, experiences and decisions we never expected to have to face. In the midst of this, perhaps the largest assurance of God’s grace to us is that we are not having to navigate this alone. This page serves us as a point of communication for the family and friends who have expressed such concern for us.
We’ve found writing to be very helpful for us in keeping people abreast of family and treatment details and make a point of doing that here. We also find writing to be therapeutic, as this process includes so many significant and loaded moments to let pass without some reflection. We make no guarantee of objectivity or rationality, but include them here so that those who are interested in how we are doing can stay informed.
Thanks for checking on us,
Rolf and Trish
hosted by Greg Lawler
Photos by Greg Lawler
Click here to get yours
September 12, 2008 at 8:57 pm |
Thank you both for creating this web site! And thank you for sharing your journey with family, friends and others who will be blessed, inspired and encouraged by your walk down this special path! To God be the glory!
Love you guys!
September 13, 2008 at 3:39 am |
I am Bonnie Steven’s aunt.She shared her burden for you all while visiting here in summer. Just wanted you to know that Canadians are praying for you also. PLEASE could we have photos on your site? Names and ages of other children would help also.
My web site has DAILY DEVOTIONALS that might encourage. http://www.poeticpen.org
We will be in CA in November. Perhaps will have privilege of meeting you all then.
Rejoicing in advance for miracles ahead! Hugs. Auntie Mar.
PS. IDEA- Perhaps God will lay on the heart of a couple of SR. Citizen to pick up ministry of taking your son to his soccer games this season.
Bonus, fringe benefit= friendship ministry among parents while waiting.
October 4, 2008 at 9:53 am |
You are all in our thoughts and prayers! We will be thinking about you and cheering on the little guy.
Love,
Amanda Polenick & Robert de Rojas (Teresa’s brother and *almost* sister-in-law)
October 22, 2008 at 3:56 pm |
Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy.
I have been praying for him every since I found out about him from Michael & Tricia.
Just know we are keeping all of you in our prayers. Keep the faith…
God is so good!
Love, Diana & Glenn Savage
November 1, 2008 at 9:04 pm |
I know how helpful it is to have people write comments on the blog for our daughter, Rebecca, so just wanted to encourage you both here. We are living in two realities–the one where God heals and will heal and has healed; and the one where he has not chosen to heal yet. I understand this tension. Rebecca is scheduled for open heart surgery in January–she will be four months old. I am praying for you all as you also live in this tension between two realities, and for Rudi as I write this. Kim and Kevin Edwards
November 11, 2008 at 10:14 pm |
Wow…Santa Ynez must be Mars as I had no idea you were all doing thru all this. Shawn and Benjamin and I will certainly dedicate our prayer time to you and your family who we love! I check Greg Lawler’s daily pictures and noticed Olivia…and Greg included a link to your blog. God’s richest blessings to you. Krista & Shawn
November 24, 2008 at 10:45 am |
We continue to pray for Rudy and all of you. May God bless all of you.
November 24, 2008 at 4:09 pm |
I found your blog on another website and reading it brought back so many memories. Our 17 month old son has HLHS and struggled through most of his first year. As a parent who knows the inside of the ICU too well, you and Rudy are in my prayers. Good luck and best wishes!
November 29, 2008 at 3:55 pm |
I just spent the last 2 hours reading through this blog. I ran into Rolf and Bob Drummond in the UCLA Dining Commons the morning that Rudy was born but thought I was told that a missionary friend of theirs was having this baby with HLHS. I feel terrible that I misunderstood and have not been available to help during your amazing journey. As I told Bob and Rolf that day I am working at UCLA now. My office number is 310 825-0014 and is located in the 200 Medical Plaza building. I look into the Dining area from my department so am so close. I will come by tomorrow afternoon and start helping in any way you need…..
January 5, 2009 at 9:56 pm |
I am a friend of Lynn Green’s and she told me about the Blog this eve. I’ve spent the last 1-2 hrs reading and catching up on your life. Wow… thank you for the Blog as it has provided me with a much needed reality check. May you con’t to be comforted by Our Precious Heavenly Father. I will bring you all before Him in my prayers.
I’ve been at CA for 7 years so it’s possible that we’ve actually met.
Blessings on you all.
Fellow Christ Follower,
Joann Saraceno
February 2, 2009 at 1:03 pm |
Dear Rolf & Trish –I am a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church & have been praying for you all since we first heard about Rudy & his diagnosis through Grace & Marlin. Learned of this site from them only recently & gradually have been taking time to read all your communications. What a beautiful testimony your whole family is to the Loving Grace of God and how firmly He is in
Control. Your regular notes are an inspiration to me. Little Rudy is such a fighter. Go Rudy! Keep on keeping on! I am praying that the “tubation processess” will soon be a thing of the past. I also pray for that Marvellous Staff at Mattel Children’s. Since I cannot hug Rudy in person I send my hugs & love to him and each of the 5 of you. — “Auntie Nancy” or “Grandma Peck” PS –I am checking the e-mail, but you only need to respond if you have time.
(as a new person to this technology, am so amazed at it all)
April 3, 2009 at 1:59 pm |
Hi Trish,
Ann shared your story with me. I have laughed and cried through all of your entries. I sat next to my son’s incubator for 12 weeks – no where near what you have been through, but reading your entries brought back memories.
Please know that you and your beautiful family are in my prayers.
Much love to you!
Molly
April 18, 2009 at 11:42 am |
Dear Trish and family,
I had the privilege of working with you several years ago in my capacity at the National Center for Fathering. Although I never had the honor of meeting you face to face, you provided some of your beautiful jewelry for us at a Father~Daughter Summit one year. Although I no longer work for NCF, I am still in close contact with many of the folks there — specifically your wonderful brother Steve. He indeed is one awesome dude. I first got to know Steve while we taught Sunday School together at Covenant Chapel. Since that time, I have grown to love Steve and Michelle and all their kids. I know Jonathan and Michael the best — and just love watching their energy and excitement!! I see that your kids all have the same light of Jesus shining through their eyes and faces. What a precious family – all of you!
Thank you so much for taking so much time to update us all on your journey — for letting us feel you pain, experience your heartaches, soar joyfully with you because of the love and mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you for allowing us the honor and privilege of praying for you and your family, to encourage you, to stand by you and we watch God work His miracles. Thank you for letting us be part of your community.
Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Love and prayers.
Deb Swirczynski
June 2, 2009 at 9:02 pm |
Hi Geyling Family
Wishing you all the best for Rudy’s next surgery. He has proven to be one strong fighter. MIke and I truly salute your family. the Lord just steps in when life seems a bit tilted. We’ve all relearned one of life’s great lessons by simply walking with all of you the past few months. How to deal with challenge and uncharted waters. Thank you.
Much love and many prayers,
Betty and Michael Bagdasarian
June 26, 2009 at 10:34 pm |
Hello family,
Just checking in on the baby and the family, glad we havent seen you at UCLA but I miss you and think about Rudy often:) Also, I just wanted to let you know that I really envy and pursue a relationship like you two have, always loving and caring about each other and your children. I hope that my husband and I can love as deeply as you two do.
Carlin
September 30, 2009 at 4:11 am |
Rolf and Trish
It was a pleasure to meet you the other day. I have not been able to stop thinking about y’all. I am so glad to have been a part of the gift giving that we as a company were able to do. I am keeping Rudy in my prayers and I know he will be fine. He is so handsome! I would love to be on your email list with updates on how Rudy is doing. Hope to hear from you soon.
Paul Gray
November 4, 2009 at 5:38 am |
The Rudster looks so cute in his Halloween costume!!!! My has he grown!! Just wanted to say hello Rolf, Trish and family.