"Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to you, each other, your children, your grand-children and others throughout the generations. Remember, the Savior chastised those who failed to record important events." --President Spencer W. Kimball

October 12, 2009

Baby Tevita Tonga Fangupo


It's obvious that our family has been challenged this past few weeks with medical issues of some of our close family members, and sad to say.... this tribute is to another very special little guy in our family, Tevita Tonga Fangupo. He is the son of Kina and Christina Fangupo and just recently turned 8 months old. He is the cutest most handsome little guy, who seriously, is always smiling. He's got that sense about him that just lightens up the room, and he can make anyone around him smile just by smiling at them. He's the happiest baby! When Baby Tevita was born, he had a hard time breathing...after doing several tests on him, the doctor's found out that he had several little tumors growing inside his throat, that were blocking his airway making it hard for him to breathe. They did an operation on him a few weeks after he was born, injecting some medication to shrink the tumors. The operation was successful and he was able to go home. He seems to get sick really quickly, and Tina was constantly in and out of the hospital with him, just to make sure he was okay. Other than the issue with the tumors, he seemed to be a very healthy baby. He eats a lot, and is super chunky...thunder thighs and all! Last week, he got sick again and Jr & Tina rushed him up to the hospital. We didn't get the news we wanted to hear, hoping he just caught a cold or something. The doctors said that the tumors had grown back and his airway was blocked again. The doctors told his parents that he's a little fighter, he's been fighting for his life since the day he was born. Our hearts and prayers go out to baby Tevita! He's been in Primary Children's Hospital for a week now, and nobody knows how long he'll be up there. They did another operation on him a few days ago, injecting the tumors with chemo in hopes that they would shrink. So far, no luck. They've given his parents other options, that we don't want to talk about right now, we're all just praying and fasting for a miracle. He's on a breathing tube right now that is sustaining him 100% and will until the tumors shrink enough for him to breathe on his own. Like the doctors said, we all know that he's a little fighter and everything will be okay. Baby Tevita, be strong and keep fighting! Our thoughts and prayers are with you every second of the day! We love you!

12 comments:

Kassie said...

Oh my heart is breaking for them! Bless his little heart and we will be praying that he gets better soon! Can you do me a favor and send my love to Tina when you see her? :( Those pictures just make me so emotional of him! Hope baby Tevita gets well soon!! Xoxox

IONGI FAMILY said...

bless his lil heart!!! we love u baby and pray you can get through this!!!

The NyDegger's said...

Oh MONICA..please please send my LOVE to Junior & Tina..i had no idea there lil one was going through this...oh our prayers go out to them!! Please keep us posted!! Love Jayy & Ame & Family

Melissa Snyder said...

My prayers go out to that sweet family. Poor little guy. I hope that he can pass through this with flying colors. Get well soon!

Leilini W. Kinikini said...

Mon This made me cry. Tell Tina and Jr. they and baby are in our prayers, I can't imagine what a hard time this is for them.... What a stong little boy. Ofa Atu baby Tevita....Keep us posted Moni.

Ane said...

We will keep him and the family in our prayers! What an amazing baby he is! Much love to the family!

Unknown said...

OMG Monica!! I'm hecka crying right now!!! I haven't been blogging for some time but holy moly my heart just dropped and Tina & Kina a strong couple!! My prayers and heart goes out to your whole family especially Tina & Kina!...crying....oh this is so heartbreaking!...crying! Please give Tina & Kina a hug for me and for their little guy!!

F-A-N-G-U-P-O said...

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. I will definetly pass the message on to Tina and Jr! Good news to report, baby Tevita has improved a lot! They finally took the breathing tube out last night, and even though he still struggles, he's fighting and getting better. I'm sure his parents are so thankful for all the prayers and fasts that are going out for their handsome little guy!!

Fiona and Hoko Tuakoi said...

We stopped by the hospital yesterday & had just missed Kina & Tina. :( I love your post. . . .he seriously is the happiest baby everytime we see him. He's all smiles just like his mom!! :D We love you baby Ti Tonga & pray 4 your speedy recovery.

pwincessdi said...

Oh my freakin sad! I can't even imagine! I hope and pray he will be healed soon. I don't even think my hubby knows about this, super sad..We'll have to visit him if he's still at the hospital. Please keep this updated. :'(

F-A-N-G-U-P-O said...

More good news!! Baby Tevita is improving everyday! They've moved him to his own room, so he's not in ICU anymore and although he still need oxygen and a feeding tube, he's getting better everyday! The doctors said that they will do a swallow test on Monday and if he passes they will let him start eating again. Hopefully he'll get to go home soon! Love you baby Tevita!

pwincessdi said...

Thanks for the update! That's great news!! Tomorrow would probably be a bad day to go huh...we'll try to make it up there anyway!! I'm glad he's doing better :)