What a Difference a Week Makes . . . . .

Family, friends, and many people we don't really know all that well have been praying for Anna and for us, especially this past week.  People we do know and see have been asking how she is doing, and I'm happy to say MUCH BETTER!  As Anna's ear and sinus infections have been improving, the jaw stiffness and pain which was so concerning has gone away. So now we're not certain whether the stiffness and pain was a bout of active arthritis, or a result of her infections causing pressure against her jaw, or what.  Did it go away because the infection is receding?  Or because of the power of prayer?  Or both?  Maybe both.  For whatever reasons, we are so thankful for your prayers for us.  We can feel the peace and calmness in the midst of a total change of our schedules---peace replacing the worries.  We've been able to find the good parts of rescheduled surgery, like Anna being able to take her finals on schedule (I really was worried about her taking them later but with the fog of anethesia, as I've experience after past surgical procedures.)  Only one more to go as of tonight!  And then her summer vacation begins!  She will be able to help at the high school graduation next week, as well!  She has a lot of friends who will be graduating in the class ahead of her, and she is glad to help and be a part of their special evening.

We have a tentative August date for surgery, but no confirmation yet.

Thank you again for your prayers.

The video below is so fitting for us.  I love how God provides songs that are so appropriate and timely for us as we travel this journey of life.  Our help HAS come from Him.  He HAS pulled us through (and will again when we need it).  He is our rest and our refuge, and we know that He has carried us on His shoulders.

Lyrics:

Shoulders

By For King & Country

When confusion's my companion
And despair holds me for ransom
I will feel no fear
I know that You are near

When I'm caught deep in the valley
With chaos for my company
I'll find my comfort here
Cause I know that You are near

My help comes from You
You're right here, pulling me through
You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
Your shoulders
My help comes from You
You are my rest, my rescue
I don't have to see to believe that You're lifting me up on Your shoulders
Your shoulders

You mend what once was shattered
And You turn my tears to laughter
Your forgiveness is my fortress
Oh Your mercy is relentless

My help comes from You
You're right here, pulling me through
You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
Your shoulders
My help comes from You
You are my rest, my rescue
I don't have to see to believe that You're lifting me up on Your shoulders
Your shoulders

My help is from You
Don't have to see it to believe it
My help is from you
Don't have to see it, cause I know, cause I know it's true

My help comes from You
You're right here, pulling me through
You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
Your shoulders
My help comes from You
You are my rest, my rescue
I don't have to see to believe that You're lifting me up on Your shoulders
Your shoulders

My help is from You
Don't have to see it to believe it
My help is from you
Don't have to see it, cause I know, cause I know it's true

Songwriters: Ben Glover, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Tedd Tjornhom

© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
For non-commercial use only.

A Tough and Miserable Day

Due to circumstances beyond our control, Anna's scheduled jaw reconstruction surgery for June 1st will need to be rescheduled to a later date.  And due to the surgeon's schedule and my schedule, it will probably have to wait until early August.  I should be hearing from the scheduler either tomorrow or Monday to receive a date.  

Over the past week, Anna developed a cold---a nasty virus, similar to what her brother had the previous week.  We continued to evaluate her symptoms, hoping that they would all go away in seven days.  I also called the surgeon's office on Tuesday to let them know what was going on, and continued to pray for guidance, wisdom, and a definite answer (and not a decision we would be second-guessing later on).  

Today we got that definite answer.  Anna now has a raging ear infection.  (The doctor asked, "Have you ever had an ear infection?"  And as we were responding with a 'no,' he exclaimed (as he examined Anna's inner ear),  "Well you've got one now, and wow, is it bulging!"  By that time (mid-morning) we had already heard that the surgeon thought it best not to proceed with Anna's surgery, given her cold symptoms that I had called about on Tuesday.  When we talked about Anna's cancelled surgery with the family doctor, he agreed that there's no way Anna should have surgery now or in the near future.  She also has a sinus infection.  Anethesia would be difficult and risky with her sinuses being so inflamed.

It's been a tough day.  Even though we knew that there was a chance that surgery would be postponed, this is a mental and emotional adjustment for Anna---especially on a day when she has two infections and is feeling just miserable.  

The GOOD news is that we saw her ophthalmologist, and her eyes are basically clear. (Such a relief, since Anna has been off Methotrexate for about three weeks now, and cannot resume until she feels significantly better, as per the pediatric rheumatologist.)  She's been having increased jaw stiffness and pain, and I let her pediatric rheumatologist know that, as well.  Anna is on antibiotics for the next five days. 

This change of schedule means that Anna can now take her finals during finals week, and she may very well be able to attend graduation to see her friends receive their diplomas. (She is a junior, and has one more year of school left, but she has many friends who are seniors.)