During our conversation with Dr. Ebeid (Avery's cardiologist)today, we began to discuss New York. He mentioned how sick Avery really was, and how worried he'd been about her. As we talked, he brought up Dr. Bacha's notes from surgery. Since we only spoke to Dr. Bacha after the 6 hours of waiting, he only told us the great news that she made it and was doing well. We did not know that Avery crashed early on because she wasn't tolerating the anesthesia.
I think I stepped outside of my own body for a moment when he told us. All I ever thought about was how great she did (eventhough we had some bumps in the road), and now I know that she almost died. While she is so precious to me, that thought will make me hug her a little tighter each day.
It is so much more evident to me that God answered our prayers, that God held her through it, and that God skilled Dr. Bacha's hands to do that specific surgery at that specific moment in that specific place. I used to get sort of confused about the Holy Spirit when I was younger, but I see now how he really is my Comforter. There are times, when he has totally taken over me, when I couldn't handle or pray for things myself- He interceded for me. As deep as that sounds (and may be weird to some), it is so very true. As humans, we talk about how strong others are...many have said that about me. I've said that many times, however, I don't believe that any more. True strength comes from the Lord and the Lord only. Apart from Him, we are just plain weak. We become strong when we allow Him to take the reigns. That means we're honest about our fears and come to the realization that we have no power to control anything. We give up that fight to do things on our own. Then, He gives us exactly what we truly need...strength, comfort, and peace. We've all read the verses, but I guess I never thought about it long enough to realize their ultimate truth.
(Isaiah 41:10) 10 Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
(Philippians 4:13) 13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
(Ephesians 6:10) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
(Isaiah 40:29) 29 He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
(Psalms 138:3) 3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.
(Psalms 27:1) 1 Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
(Psalms 18:32-33) 32 the God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect? 33 He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and sets me on my high places.
(Isaiah 40:31 DRC) 31 But they that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall take wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
(Matthew 11:28-30) 28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”"
(II Corinthians 12:9-10) 9 He has said to me, "“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”" Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
"She's a tiny dancer, she's a miracle girl, she's got a smile just like sunshine, that lights up the world."
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
What a Week!
As most of you know, since Avery got sick the week before last, we had to reschedule her tubes and cardio appointment for this week. Unfortunately, both were resceduled the same week of her genetics appointment and Synagis RSV vaccine shots! In all the confusion of taking off with her being sick, cancelling and rescheduling subs for me to be off work, I neglected to cancel my sub for Monday, which was the genetics appointment! I got to work, and began planning my day, as Jake and his mother were taking Avery to the appointment, and my sub shows up!
While, I wasn't sad that I got to attend the appointment, I was definitely flustered at using another 1/2 day of my days off from work! Oh well, it's said and done, and we now have one less doctor's appointment to attend yearly. Dr. Omar feels that since we are informed on her condition, and Avery is regularly seeing so many physicians, that we can forego seeing him. While we love Dr. Omar, we are very happy to have one less appointment. We are even more excited that he is pleased with her progress! Another doctor in that office commented on our long list of appointments from the past year, saying that he was impressed because it looked like a full-time job! Avery, of course, cried the entire time, but she was only weighed and measured. They never even came near her, just spoke from a distance!
Avery's cardiology appointment, which we'd anxiously been awaiting, came on Wednesday. It was the first in six months, and we were worried about accuracy on the EKG and echo, due to Avery getting so upset. We had to hold her down through the EKG, chest x-ray, and echo. While we tried other ways with the echo, she still wasn't having anything to do with it. We always love seeing Nurse Carley, and even brought her a little heart pin and CHH shirt as a happy. I told her not to tell Dr. Ebeid, but she insisted on bragging to him. I guess we'll have to stop by Cups and leave him a free coffee to make up for it! Once we caught up with Carley, Dr. Ebeid came in the room, and Avery was asleep in my lap! If you know Avery, that is not normal, lol! Although the tests were not very accurate and her blood pressure was sky-high, Dr. Ebeid said she looks great. He even feels we may be able to stop her medications after the next appointment! It was such a relief to know that she is as heart healthy as she looks! As we visited with Dr. E, we asked for an estimate on her next valve replacement, and he said any where from 5-10 YEARS. There is even a possibility for the hybrid technique or some other less invasive techniques to be used to do it by that point. All in all, we were very happy with that appointment! While we love those two, we are thrilled we don't have to go back for 6 months!
Today, we were at Batson bright and early (6 a.m.) for Avery's tubes. Besides the crying throughout the whole time we were there, she did just fine. She did throw up on me, on Jake, and on herself, which she hasn't done before. I'm not sure if it is just from the anesthesia or a combo of that and her sinuses. She has been a little snotty with drainage lately. Either way, nothing out of the ordinary! She's never had a problem before. Thanks to Andrea, I got a fresh t-shirt to wear home, Avery had a change of clothes, and Jake just took his jacket off! She did have some infection with drainage in the right ear, but Dr. Carron thinks it will resolve within a few days.
Jake will take her tomorrow morning for her Synagis, and then we are going to treat Avery to something special this weekend for all she had to endure this past week! Thanks to all who've prayed for us!
While, I wasn't sad that I got to attend the appointment, I was definitely flustered at using another 1/2 day of my days off from work! Oh well, it's said and done, and we now have one less doctor's appointment to attend yearly. Dr. Omar feels that since we are informed on her condition, and Avery is regularly seeing so many physicians, that we can forego seeing him. While we love Dr. Omar, we are very happy to have one less appointment. We are even more excited that he is pleased with her progress! Another doctor in that office commented on our long list of appointments from the past year, saying that he was impressed because it looked like a full-time job! Avery, of course, cried the entire time, but she was only weighed and measured. They never even came near her, just spoke from a distance!
Avery's cardiology appointment, which we'd anxiously been awaiting, came on Wednesday. It was the first in six months, and we were worried about accuracy on the EKG and echo, due to Avery getting so upset. We had to hold her down through the EKG, chest x-ray, and echo. While we tried other ways with the echo, she still wasn't having anything to do with it. We always love seeing Nurse Carley, and even brought her a little heart pin and CHH shirt as a happy. I told her not to tell Dr. Ebeid, but she insisted on bragging to him. I guess we'll have to stop by Cups and leave him a free coffee to make up for it! Once we caught up with Carley, Dr. Ebeid came in the room, and Avery was asleep in my lap! If you know Avery, that is not normal, lol! Although the tests were not very accurate and her blood pressure was sky-high, Dr. Ebeid said she looks great. He even feels we may be able to stop her medications after the next appointment! It was such a relief to know that she is as heart healthy as she looks! As we visited with Dr. E, we asked for an estimate on her next valve replacement, and he said any where from 5-10 YEARS. There is even a possibility for the hybrid technique or some other less invasive techniques to be used to do it by that point. All in all, we were very happy with that appointment! While we love those two, we are thrilled we don't have to go back for 6 months!
Today, we were at Batson bright and early (6 a.m.) for Avery's tubes. Besides the crying throughout the whole time we were there, she did just fine. She did throw up on me, on Jake, and on herself, which she hasn't done before. I'm not sure if it is just from the anesthesia or a combo of that and her sinuses. She has been a little snotty with drainage lately. Either way, nothing out of the ordinary! She's never had a problem before. Thanks to Andrea, I got a fresh t-shirt to wear home, Avery had a change of clothes, and Jake just took his jacket off! She did have some infection with drainage in the right ear, but Dr. Carron thinks it will resolve within a few days.
Jake will take her tomorrow morning for her Synagis, and then we are going to treat Avery to something special this weekend for all she had to endure this past week! Thanks to all who've prayed for us!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Pray for these Marine Families
I received this forward tonight, and thought I'd pass it on.
We are asking everyone to say a prayer for "Darkhorse" 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan & they have lost 9 marines in 4 days. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE the message spread if more could pass it on.
God Bless America and God Bless the United States Marine Corps... Semper Fi, Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever
Justin Allen, 23,
Brett Linley, 29,
Matthew Weikert, 29,
Justus Bartett, 27,
Dave Santos, 21,
Chase Stanley, 21,
Jesse Reed, 26,
Matthew Johnson, 21,
Zachary Fisher, 24,
Brandon King, 23,
Christopher Goeke, 23,
Sheldon Tate, 27,
All are Marines that gave their lives for you this week!
We are asking everyone to say a prayer for "Darkhorse" 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan & they have lost 9 marines in 4 days. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE the message spread if more could pass it on.
God Bless America and God Bless the United States Marine Corps... Semper Fi, Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever
Justin Allen, 23,
Brett Linley, 29,
Matthew Weikert, 29,
Justus Bartett, 27,
Dave Santos, 21,
Chase Stanley, 21,
Jesse Reed, 26,
Matthew Johnson, 21,
Zachary Fisher, 24,
Brandon King, 23,
Christopher Goeke, 23,
Sheldon Tate, 27,
All are Marines that gave their lives for you this week!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Avery's Song of Love
The following is the first few verses of a special song written especially for Avery...the verses make me laugh, and the chorus makes me want to cry, lol! I filled out a form with information and mailed it to the organization in New York. Several weeks later, they mailed us the CD. Songs of Love is a wonderful organization, that is touching the lives of children facing medical, physical, and emotional difficulty through music. I am very appreciative of the song they did for Avery!
Avery Bell's Song of Love
Avery's playing with baby and Ko Ko Wally
Watching Yo Gabba Gabba
Eating Goldfish crackers and some chocolate after
She's a tiny dancer,
She's a miracle girl,
She's got a smile just like sunshine,
That lights up the world
Avery's busy as a bee when she's playing outside
Swinging and dancing in the grass
Chasing after butterflies
Chasing after butterflies
She's a tiny dancer,
She's a miracle girl,
She's got a smile just like sunshine,
That lights up the world
Words and Music by Andrew and Christi Bissell
Vocals by Andrew Bissell
Song made possible by Kristi Pena, Music Messenger
Avery Bell's Song of Love
Avery's playing with baby and Ko Ko Wally
Watching Yo Gabba Gabba
Eating Goldfish crackers and some chocolate after
She's a tiny dancer,
She's a miracle girl,
She's got a smile just like sunshine,
That lights up the world
Avery's busy as a bee when she's playing outside
Swinging and dancing in the grass
Chasing after butterflies
Chasing after butterflies
She's a tiny dancer,
She's a miracle girl,
She's got a smile just like sunshine,
That lights up the world
Words and Music by Andrew and Christi Bissell
Vocals by Andrew Bissell
Song made possible by Kristi Pena, Music Messenger
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)