Thursday, May 28, 2015 our world was shaken. It didn't crumble but the ground beneath us seemed to shake. The diagnosis and confirmation that Lauren would need brain surgery was something that we never thought we would face as parents. As soon as I could, I called upon our prayer warriors to pray fervently for our family and for Lauren. People were so faithful to hear our requests and intercede for our family. We were overwhelmed, humbled, and incredibly encouraged by their words and tangible reminders of their prayers for us.
There were moments leading up to her surgery, I would find myself overcome with worry or fear. Immediately, I would remember that He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. I knew that Christ's love for Lauren was far greater than my love for her. He created her and knew that we would be in this place at this time. I trusted Him. The waiting and the journey matured my faith and trust in Jesus, alone.
The morning of Monday, June 8, I woke up and an immense amount of fear and worry covered over me like a blanket. I closed my eyes and whispered, "Lord, help me not to worry...help me to breathe and trust." I stood in the bathroom and cried. Then I remembered the army of prayer warriors that were holding the ropes for our family on this day and I knew that I had nothing to fear. I went to the Word and read Psalm 29:11 "The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace." The Lord had amazing miracles in store for our family and for Lauren that day.
We arrived at the hospital and soon after we met the anesthesiologist that would be taking care of Lauren. He came in and greeted us. I asked Lauren, "Where is Dr. Fine from?" She said, "HE IS AFRICAN!" Dr. Fine was South African and it was just a little blessing that made all of us a little more at peace! How amazing that God gave us a little icing on the cake and entrusted the peace and rest of our little girl into a doctor that knows her home so well.
Not long after, Dr. Honeycutt came into the room and asked if we had any questions and went over the procedure with us again. He then closed the door and said, "I like to pray over my patients and with their family before surgery." My heart was overcome with peace and joy, it came out in the form of wet tears streaming down my face. He sat down next to Lauren and laid his hand on her head and heart and prayed over her. He asked God to give him wisdom; to give our family peace; and to be with Lauren during the surgery. At that moment, we had no doubts that God had chosen him for this time in our little girl's life. As the hospital bed rolled out of the pre-op room, I wept, I was not in control, she was completely in God's hands and in the hands of the man that He had ordained to take care of this mass that was hindering her life.
We sat with many friends and family and anxiously awaited to hear from the operating room about the progress of her procedure.
The phone rang for our family at 11:35 a.m. The nurse informed us that Lauren was asleep and that Dr. Honeycutt had begun surgery. We sat and were at complete peace and encouraged by text messages and the laughter with good friends who had come to be with us that day.
At 12:35 p.m. the phone rang again, the nurse told us that Dr. Honeycutt was finished and she would be in recovery within 30 minutes. We were stunned. Amazed. Overwhelmed. We had been told that the procedure would take 4 hours and it took 1 hour. (Later, we found out that Easton had specifically prayed that morning that the surgery would last for 1 hour!) We rejoiced!
Dr. Honeycutt came out to speak with us about the procedure specifics. Lauren did not have to have a blood transfusion, we had prayed that she wouldn't. The mass was very easy to remove, we had prayed for a simple extraction. We were so thankful. We thought that the prayer requests were all answered. Oh, how we didn't know how much more God wanted to remind us of His faithfulness.
We waited to hear that she was out of recovery and ready to move to ICU. I was walking down the hall with a dear friend when I was met by Natalie, a child life specialist for the hospital that had become Lauren's good friend. Natalie said, "I was just coming to get you to tell you that she is about to come!" We were excited! Then Natalie said, "When I saw Lauren she was still hooked to a breathing tube and I told her what things were about to happen. Soon after, her breathing tube was removed and I said, 'Lauren, do you want to take a nap?' Lauren replied, 'I can't take a nap yet because I have to see my parents; go to PICU; see the doctor there; hear him; and then I can take a nap!'" Natalie then said, "I have never have seen a child that coherent and alert after anesthesia." When Natalie walked away, I turned to Kendall and we said, "GOD...He is still showing up big time! I can't believe that she is so awake and alert!" Minutes after the double doors opened and we saw a bed and a big smile on the face of our little girl! It was the biggest relief to see that she was okay and she was awake and smiling. Our hearts were at peace.
Later that evening, Lauren was eating spaghetti and Cheerios. Her night nurse, Marisol, removed her IV and she was on her own! Marisol loved spending time with Lauren. She said that Lauren was a ray of sunshine in a place that sometimes didn't see kids that were happy and healthy. Another prayer was answered, we had prayed that no matter where we were, we would be an encouragement and shine the love and light of Jesus Christ. Marisol was a believer and we were able to share of testimonies of God's goodness. Later that night, Dr. Honeycutt came to visit Lauren one last time. He was amazed at her progress and said, "She is perfect!" He shook his head with a smile on his face, he knew and we knew that it was God's perfect and powerful hand on her life that had brought her to this point.
The second day in PICU, Lauren had her post-op MRI and her nurse's name was Lauren. Miss Lauren was such a blessing to Lauren and me. She played UNO with Lauren and even put her hair in pigtails. Another day of smiles and laughs with nurses that sometimes don't have days of sunshine.
We spent one night on the floor. The next morning, Lauren woke up and said, "I really wanna go home today, Mama." Soon enough, Mandy came back in to check on her and said, "You are doing so great, Lauren, there is NO reason for us to keep you here!" Lauren then asked Mandy if she could help her remove all of her cords and her IV. Mandy was so kind to let Lauren do that. It made her day!
Wednesday, June 10 at 2:15 p.m. we arrived back home with our little girl. We have had one prayer after another answered above and beyond what we could have imagined. We have continued to pray and ask for prayer that Lauren's seizures would cease or decrease. Since the surgery, she has NOT had a seizure!!! PRAISE THE LORD! Our greatest challenge in the coming weeks is keeping her two feet on the ground. She is such an active little girl, but she must remain careful and "grounded" for 6 months. When I look at her, I see the hand of God and a miracle that He has worked in her life. We continue this journey but seeing God's MIGHTY hand in this time has reminded us of His greatness and His faithfulness to hear our prayers and answer in abundance.
When this journey began, we truly wanted God to be glorified in all things. We prayed that we would grow in our faith. We prayed that Lauren's story would reach and encourage many people. We wanted to encourage people in their walk with Christ. If they had begun to doubt His presence, we want them to know that He is real. If they had never believed, maybe this would be the beginning of belief. If they trusted and believed Him, that this would encourage them to testify of His greatness to those around them. To the hundreds of people and many churches that have prayed for us...THANK YOU. Thank you doesn't even begin to describe our thankfulness. The outpouring of love for our family and the many prayers have been heard and answered in abundance! This journey is a small portion of a giant masterpiece. Words still do not seem to fully express my heart and the loving kindness of our Heavenly Father. It truly is an indescribable masterpiece that was written and executed by the Author of Life.
"Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. TELL of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples, for great is the Lord and greatly to be praised..." Psalm 96:2-4
1 comment:
Praise God for all he has done and is doing! Continuing to pray for you guys! Thankful for his mercies.
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