I’m not exactly sure what it is about me, but I just have not been able to bring myself to write this update. It’s almost like a subconscious rebellion… We’ve known this day would come since we were in the NICU in Ohio… We thought it would come last year… And yet, the fact that it is finally time for the MOST major surgery/medical procedure in a series of major medical procedures is just a bit surreal. As of this moment, May 7th is Go Day. Just a dude and his dog :) This post will be pretty factual as I am still processing a lot of my own emotions. At the same time, I am humbled and thankful to my core for the army of people who have and continue to love and pray for Nathan and our family. There is only one path ahead for my son, for my heart, for our family. In light of that, we want to share and ask for your prayers. On May 7th, Nay will have a RED device installed into/onto his face. RED stands for Rigid External Distraction - You can click here to get a bunch of images
Some memories are sharper than others… February 9th, 2014 was my 29th birthday and Nathan was in the middle of a 7 consecutive week run in the ICU, for most of which he was intubated. About 80% of his 4 months had been spent in hospitals and he had already undergone several surgeries of increasing intensity. This stay was, quite literally, a fight for his life and the questions about quality of life were (understandably and appropriately) met by Dr’s with vague answers, no promises and even uncomfortable and compassionate murmurs of “IF he makes it past 2….” That year, my birthday fell on a snowy Sunday. I remember waking that morning and staring blankly out of the ICU window into the thick, cold, grey, relentless snow of an Ohio February. The only thing more bleak was my heart as I called Jonny, cried and then let him go so that he could take care of Madison (not yet two) and then get to church…. It was, after all, a Sunday. I’m not sure how much time passed, but it could
Little One, You are loved and you were wanted . Let’s start there. Your dad and I talked about you for quite a long time, actually. After the first year/year and a half of your brother’s life and the intensity of fighting for both his life and quality of life it took more time, more conversations, more prayer to be sure that we were ready for a third child in our family. Then, in ways that are more easily felt than articulated we both sensed a confident assurance that yes indeed, we were ready. And so when a little plastic stick told us of your existence, we were ecstatic! The first time we saw you on a little screen we marveled and our vision blurred with rejoicing as we saw your little, tiny heart beating fast. We knew how deeply we love your big sister and brother and instantly our hearts expanded as they filled with that same love for you. Telling your 3 year old sister you were coming was pure joy! She was so excited! In fact, she would tell everyone (cashiers, stra
Thanks for posting this video Jen - she is an adorable little lady! -R&S
ReplyDeletelove the commentary :)
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