Great is Thy Faithfulness...

Well....so much has happened since my last post!! I thought I would have really good internet access in the hospital, so forgive me for not updating sooner. Today is Friday, July 24th....four days after Will's operation and everything went SO WELL!!! The other side of surgery feels SO much better! These past four days have been a whirlwind, but I can tell you that God had his hand in every minute detail of this week. He has been so faithful from beginning to end. The recovery that Will is making is miraculous. He is pretty much back to his normal self again....eating, playing with his brothers, crawling, it's just amazing. WE SERVE A MIGHTY, AWESOME POWERFUL GOD and to HIM BE ALL THE GLORY!!! God has never failed me, never, and if I praise Him for the rest of my days it would not be enough! I want to share something that happened on the day of surgery that shows His provision during our darkest times. We dropped Zac and Ben off at Allen and Doris's house (my in-laws) and were getting ready to get in the car to head over to the hospital. Then Doris said "Look at that yellow finch". Well, I'll be honest, I have never seen a yellow finch in my life (not that I can recall). I thought those were birds that you buy in pet stores, like parakeets....I had no idea they were in NC. I think Isaac and I both said something like "Oh that's neat" and went on our way to hospital. A few hours later, while we were in the 5th floor surgery waiting room during the procedure, there was a lull in the conversation me, Mom, Stephanie and Heidi were having. Out of the blue, my sister Stephanie said "There has been a yellow finch flying back and forth along these windows as long as we've been sitting here." Isaac and I looked at each other....we immediately knew that was God's sign that he was with us and that His angels were watching over us. That one yellow finch then became about 5 that were perched atop of the tree that was right at the window. Isaac said he envisioned those as angels that were talking to each other, making sure we were ok. It's amazing what God uses to show His love for us. A finch (probably one of the smallest birds) was used by Him to show us that He was watching over Will and watching over us. This process is still ongoing, as Will is still in recovery, but I want to say this: Isaac and I know what life is all about....it's not about material things, money, stuff, or anything else the world has to offer. It's about family, it's about praising God and clinging to Him everyday of our life. God is the giver of life, and we owe Him everything. Every good and perfect gift comes from above!!! Throughout this week, this song has been in my mind every day as a song of praise. "Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."

Emotions

Well, it's 2 days away from surgery (I can't believe I am writing that, it's been such a long road) and I am pretty much numb. I feel like God is just leading me and I am doing everything I need to do to get through the day. I was a little upset this morning, just because everything hit me (I have those times every now and then) and Isaac told me "Just think, next week this time this thing that has consumed our life for the past 3 months will be over.", and that put my mind at ease a little bit. I get upset when I start thinking about the actual procedure and what's it's going to be like to let him go....it just tears me up. BUT, I really can't let my mind go there. So, I choose to be numb versus being a basketcase. So now Lord, lead me. Get me up and out of bed on Monday morning and help me as I embark on a process, as hard as it may be, that I know will make my child's life better. Isn't that our job as parents? It's just not easy, ever, whether your dealing with a fever in the middle of the night or approaching your baby's surgery. I heard a quote the other day that really spoke to me; "I never knew my heart could come out of my body and walk around on it's own, until I had a child. Truer words have never been spoken.....

All Pre-Ops Completed...

Well, now we can say the next time we head over to Charlotte will be on Monday morning, the day of surgery. Yesterday, we went for Will's "pre-op screening" at Levine Children's Hospital (which is a part of CMC Main in Charlotte), and that went very well. I had no idea what to expect, I knew the anesthesiologist was going to talk to us about what he was going to be doing, but other than that, I had no clue. We got there, they took Will's weight and height and head measurements. The anesthesiologist then came in and talked about the type of anesthesia they are using: general (of course) for the procedure with an IV morphene drip afterwards for the pain, followed by normal pain medication. All of the IV's will be applied while he is asleep so he won't have any discomfort from that. He was very nice and said that we are in the best hands possible with Dr. Heafner: he does about 2-3 of these per week. Then we talked to the care partner who was there to educate us on the in's and out's of the hospital. She was wonderful and really took time with Zac and Ben to explain what was going to be happening with their brother. We saw an PICU room (where we'll be staying the first night) and then a regular hospital room. Both of them are so nice and HUGE compared to our local hospital's rooms. We saw the surgery waiting room...they have TV, computers (with internet access) and receptionists that will keep us informed on how the surgery is going. So overall, yesterday was great. It really put my mind at ease knowing that we are going to such a state-of-the-art Children's Hospital. Today, we went to Cranial Techologies in Charlotte. That's where Will will be getting his post-op helmet (pc term "DOC Band") on. They took pre-op pictures of different angles of his head and we go back on July 27th (1 week post-op) for pictures after surgery. Then on August 3rd he will be fitted with his band. We already have plans to decorate it like a UNC-Chapel Hill football helmet. Hey, he's a boy, why not have fun with it? That was actually my idea, not Isaac's. :) SO, now we are in the process of doing laundry, packing and getting all of our ducks in a row for Monday. I know there are so many of you out there that are praying for him and us, and for that, we are eternally grateful!! God has given us a wonderful family and support network of friends that are helping us through this time everyday. Keep going to the Father on our behalf and I will keeping you all updated as often as I can. Much love from me and Isaac! :)

Rescue

This song has always been special to me, but especially during these trying times...thought I would share it with you all. To view the video, just click on this post's title, "Rescue". It's such an anointed song....it says simply, "I need you Jesus, to come to my rescue, where else can I go? There's no other name by which I am saved, capture me with grace, I will follow you..." Simple post today...one week from the surgery date. At this time next week the surgery will be over. I will be so relieved once it is over, but I am still dreading it.. It's very hard to put into words the complete rollercoaster of emotions I experience daily. This too shall pass...this too shall pass.

First Pre-Op Appt. Down, 2 More to Go...

Today we had an appt. with Dr. Michael Heafner, Pediatric Neurologist at Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates in Charlotte. It went very well....he is very laid back and assuring, which of course, helps put a worried mother at ease. He answered all 12 of the questions I had written down as I am sure he has dealt with many nervous mothers before. I definitely feel that Will is in good hands. The closer the surgery gets the more nervous I get...which is to be expected. I am just ready for it to come and to get the recovery process going. Those three hours that he is going to be in surgery is going to be agony for us, but I know it is for his good and the good of his future. I am just praying for peace...for God's thick hedge of protection to be over Will and for God to guide the surgeon's hands. Oh God, please give us that peace that passes all understanding in the next two weeks. I have come to the end of myself...now it's time for you to take over Lord!