Surgery Summer Begins

School is winding down. The flowers are blooming and the days are long. Dinner on the deck is delightful. We are enjoying all of the usual signs that summer is around the corner. This year, however, we find ourselves embarking on a very different kind of summer. Plans are made. Reservations are set...for the hospital, that is. We will be spending a significant amount of time there and in doctor's offices for the next few months.

Tomorrow, Isaac will start us off with the removal of his  tonsils and adenoids.  He has very large tonsils and adenoids. The doctors feel like it may help him to breath and sleep better. We still have many questions about his medical situation. Several specialists and a skull to base-of-spine MRI are still ahead for him. But we are hopeful that this first step will be helpful to his well-being. We have started PT with him as well.

Then, on June 6th Moriah will have surgery to put in her BAHA. The BAHA (Bone Attached Hearing Aid) consists of a little post that is surgically placed. A processor will be placed on this post which will send sound from her good ear around to her deaf ear, thus giving her the perception of sound on both sides. We have been looking forward to doing this for her for a couple of years. She is now finally old enough and big enough to qualify. For six months, the post will heal and become part of her bone. So it will be closer to Christmas before she really gets to see what it will be like to hear well. I am excited for her. We feel like it will help her socially and academically.

Next, on June 12th, Joshua will have a lamenectomy. This surgery will release the base of his spinal cord. It has become fastened down as a result of his scoliosis. We anticipate about three days in the hospital. The surgeon kind of laughed when we met with her on Friday. She is the same doctor who released Moriah's tethered cord three years ago. (Isaac also had a tethered cord which was repaired in China.) It's not every day that she sees one family with three kids with the same problem. About four weeks after this surgery, he will have his big scoliosis surgery. We are anticipating somewhere between one to three weeks in the hospital for that one. They will place titanium rods down the majority of his spine. Whether it will be one surgery or a series of surgeries over the course of his hospitalization will depend on how his body responds to the spine movement.

Sounds fun, huh?

Even though no one would choose for their children to suffer or endure surgeries, we do have joy in knowing that the children will each have an improvement  in their quality of life as a result of these procedures. For Isaac and Moriah, their growth, health and learning will improve. For Joshua, his life will be saved as his scoliosis would, if left untreated, crush his heart and end his life. We are also praying that the Lord will use these experiences to grow our bond with the children. Each one will need special love and care. We also pray that they will experience the peace and love of their Heavenly Father. He has loved and cared for them even before they were ours. This is our hope and confidence.

We are so thankful for so many who lift these little ones up in prayer! God has been so faithful to them each day of their lives. He will sustain them (and us) and bring about their good and His glory through these things.

"The surrendered accept that pain is always but growing pains. And growth is always a gift--even when trials are the tutor."--Ann Voskamp

The other three kids will have a challenge this summer as well as their own fun will have to be close to home and they will need to help with the little ones. Their hearts are already being stretched as they minister to "the least of these."  right here in their own family. I am so thankful for the Lord's work in their hearts.

Handsome Joshua who will soon be several inches taller!

The Tethered-Cord Trio

Who wouldn't love that sweet face? 

Friendly and smart, little Isaac has already come a long way in his short time home.