As most of you read on our newsletter, I had surgery a couple weeks ago. I had a neuroma in my foot (for the second time). This is a little bundle of nerves that became very painful when I walked. This is sometimes caused by the type shoes that people wear, although this is not always the case. Added to this was the scar tissue from my previous surgery. However, a medical brigade here from the US operated last Wednesday. Everything went well and as expected. My husband has been great to pick up my slack as well as my assistant at school. I am recovering well although I still have to walk very slowly. The best part, the part that made all this pain worth it, is that I now have permission to wear ugly, comfortable crocs as opposed to dress shoes to school. Yes, the surgery was definitely a success! Thanks to all of you who have been praying for me, please continue to do so as I heal completely.
Elsi’s second surgery
For a year Shannon has carried big awkward bottles of whey soy formula up and down the mountain to get them to this precious child. This January Elsi gained enough weight to have the surgery for her cleft palate. She returned to Gracias receive the second surgery with the same doctor who did the first surgery. The doctors told us that it was successful. Elsi’s parents were given instructions to keep Elsi on a strict liquid diet for two weeks. Unfortunately, the parents did not follow doctor’s orders and the stitches inside her mouth ripped open. The doctor was able to do a second surgery the same week with the same result. As a result, Elsi is going to have to have the surgery again next year, in 2016. Please pray that the surgeon returns and is able to help her.
Guard Duty
Sometimes employees are just that- employees. Other times they become a part of the family. Teodulo, our guard, says that we are like his parents although he is much older than I but he knows that we care for him. He in turn would do anything for me. When Shannon is in the US, Teodulo sleeps on the hammock at night so that I feel safe. He gives our dog medicine when she is sick, plants my garden along side me, waters my flowers and gets mad at the cat when he digs up my flowers. For years now he has cared for our house and family just as he would his own. I have watched him teach my niece and daughter to ride their bikes, play dolls with my daughters and throw knives with my son… and then spend hours looking for the knives they threw. I am ever so grateful that God has given us such a guard to laugh with and yet trust completely.
My Littlest Child
Tomorrow will be Isabella’s 4th birthday. This marks 1 year and 7 weeks since she became my daughter. This year has been nothing like I thought it would be. She is a mess, that littlest child of mine. She has taught me so much in the last year that I wasn’t expecting to learn. I thought when we began this process that adoption was a beautiful thing and it is. It is a picture of us and our relationship with God. We were adopted into His family at a steep price. And so it is with every adoption. Without tragedy, there is no need for adoption. Adoption is an not easy thing. People say it is. You have probably seen the quotes about it on your Facebook page or Pintrest but I can assure you after living it, it is not easy. The paperwork alone is overwhelming at times but that is the easy part. If it weren’t for pain then adoption would not be needed to begin with. We have no knowledge of Isabella’s birth mom but I can imagine why she gave her up. I can also imagine how hard that was for her. I am so very thankful for Mama Daisy who took my daughter in and was her mom for almost three years. But once again, I can imagine how hard it was for her to give her to us that day. And then comes our part of the story. Nothing could have prepared me for holding my screaming, kicking child that wants her other “Mama” or the pain of watching her mourn that mom. I watched all over again tonight. Isabella noticed a picture we have of her and Mama Daisy, her foster mom. She sat and stroked the picture while sitting on her bed. Her little voice full of sweetness “I want to see my mom, I want to hug my mom.” This is just one part of adoption that is hard.
Before this year I thought I was patient. I was wrong. God apparently thought I needed the opportunity to become more patient. And so he put this bundle of joy in our lives. This little ball of smiles, laughter, and energy that can light up a room and then suddenly becomes a kicking screaming fit. I read other peoples blogs on adoption so I know this is normal and will pass one day… I am still waiting for that day. I asked Isabella one day if I loved her when she was screaming. She thought for a minute and shook her head no. Can you imagine? Can you imagine being unsure of your mom’s love? My daughter can. She has now lost two mothers in her short life. Why would she not question my love? Adoption comes with baggage that neither you or I will ever understand. There is a broken past with every adopted child and it leaves a mark on them. I pray this scar will heal over time but until then I will continue to assure my littlest child that she loved.
I am not saying that regret any of the last year. All these tears and fits have brought us close. Something about going through a struggle together makes you cling to one another. And so each time one of these fits occur, they end in tights hugs of assurance and whispers of how much I love her and she loves me. Nothing melts my heart like when she pushes her sweaty nose against mine and says “I love you, Mama.” For weeks after she came into our family I didn’t have a name. And now I am her Mama. I wouldn’t trade any of this year for that.
God’s hand on Nathalie
Bear with me as I ramble a bit about God’s hand in Nathalie’s situation. Although Nathalie was not scheduled to return to the doctor until age 9 we asked for a check-up because she was in pain. Today we had the appointment with Dr. Johnston of Scottish Rite hospital. He initially told us to use a cane (which we purchased and decorated beautifully) and to return in July 2015. As he walked out the door he said, “maybe we should get a bone-age test done today.” This was not on the original agenda but for whatever reason he did it anyway. This test the child’s physical age vs chronological age. A couple hours later we received a call from his nurse saying that the radiologist had reviewed the bone test and that Nathalie’s physical age is much greater than her chronological age, making her be a prime candidate for stunting the growth of the longer leg. Brenda wrestled with the suddenness of this for several hours and ask if we could call the doctor with question in the morning. About 30 minutes later (at 7:00 at night) the nurse called. The doctor had reviewed the test and wanted to remove the growth plates in two spots, instead of one. The hope and prayer is that this will eliminate the need of the bone lengthening surgery (HUGE praise here) or at least drastically reduce the amount of lengthening required. Brenda was also able to ask the doctor questions and get clarification. This is a serous surgery but not very invasive and with a very quick recovery rate. Nathalie will be walking around by the end of the week. We are hopeful that this surgery will be successful and there will be no need for other surgeries. In case you missed God in all that let me spell this out…
1.) The doctor randomly did a bone test that is not part of the normal testing
2.) If we had come before or after this time in her growth pattern then this surgery would not be possible. This is the only time that this surgery can be done with the success rate that is expected.
3.) It is possible that this surgery will be effective enough to eliminate other surgeries (this was not thought possible prior).
4.) Just when Brenda needed to hear back from the doctor, they called.
5.) They are able to fit in this surgery next week so a return trip is not needed.
6.) I also (just happen) to be here to be with my dad during his heart procedure.
Thanks for everyone’s prayers. Her surgery will be on Thursday so please keep praying!
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