Drawing Closer- To everything

Good Evening Faithful Followers-
There has been a flurry of activity since we last wrote!


We went through a lot of frustration and back and forth with trying to schedule this surgery- First we were told that it would be three weeks from the October 22nd Cancellation  due to anesthesiology's policy- However, after Madeline's Nephrologist returned from being out of town -she corrected us and told us that is not true that that is typically more for people who have had bronchitis and pneumonia so we were free to schedule asap-

Unfortunately at that point MOM's Surgeon was out of town and he insisted that he would not schedule the surgery until Madeline's nephrologist had cleared her for surgery but when she came back and did that he was out of town and there was no way to tell him. In attempts to hurry things up we entertained the idea of Mom switching surgeons but it did not matter because the date we were looking at (Nov 12th) was booked in the Operating Room and we were told Madeline's surgeon would be going out of town on the 14th and he would not want to do a surgery and then leave town.. they said the only day they could do it would be the 19th

Feeling very frustrated, overwhelmed and depressed mom continued to try to push for something to happen some way of making this work.. the weekend came and went and Monday (November 4th) mom had concluded that she would have to accept what seemed to be incomprehensible.. and then the transplant coordinator called- with Madeline's surgeon- and told us that if we KEPT mom's original surgeon and switched to a NEW surgeon for Madeline we could do the surgery on the 12th. .. So we made arrangements to meet the new Surgeon this past Wednesday (Nov 6th) and did all the bloodwork again and put it on the schedule.

Since then.. Madeline has been super tired and cranky and puking the last few days and the doctors said Her urea is worse (urea is how the blood filters waste and it's indicated by her symptoms and the level her BUN is at .. Which can be measured by a blood test]) .. Her BUN was a 60 now is at 90- the doctors want to check it again tomorrow because if the urea is really bad and she gets a new kidney the BUN will go down really quickly after surgery and it could cause swelling on her brain - so we need to check it to make sure it hasn't gotten worse if it is worse she may need to go on dialysis the day prior to surgery to make sure she gets back down to a safe level.

This is a little concerning but we are trusting that God will take care of our little girl.

This past month has been quite the rollercoaster- It has been most difficult for mom in learning how to release the control and let God intercede. It is so easy as humans to not trust his plan because we want to know for a FACT that things are being taken care of- we want to handle it OURSELVES so that we can have PEACE of MIND that it will get done and it will get done the way we want it.. but that is not how God works - if we say we trust him.. that means we submit to him and his will and rest in his arms knowing that no matter where he takes us he is TAKING CARE of us. There have been so many experiences in the last two-three years that have challenged our family to abide in HIM and to know he is in control and we get closer to him every time- but this last month has been especially challenging and a test of our will to do his will- especially for mom. But God has PROVEN to us that he is in control. DESPITE being told there was no way to do the surgery on the 12th he has made it happen and it is obviously the right timing with the physical issues she is having now.. if you can't see GOD in this situation then your eyes must be closed..

so we are thankful...so thankful for the mercy he has given us and how he has wrapped us in his loving arms and held us close through all this.. and for all the supportive people he has put in our life to carry us through these hard times- he is all knowing and powerful but he knows as humans we crave other human beings to help us get through alongside him and we have been fortunate in that regard.

That being said we also want to share a blessing that was bestowed on us recently.. a mutual parent of a child with chronic kidney disease , that we met in the hospital -- thought of us when writing to our local news channel Fox 8, to nominate us for their 'unsung hero's" Pay it Forward Segment. They surprised us with a monetary donation from The Word Church (local to Cleveland) and asked us to Pay it Forward when we can.. we were so touched and honored- and grateful.... I told a friend.. 'But we don't deserve it' and he said 'we don't deserve anything we are given in this life'.. That spoke deep.. we don't HAVE to have anything but God allows for us to have it and gives so freely and allows us to be blessed.. despite times of struggle..

Here is the link to the segment- http://fox8.com/2013/11/07/pay-it-forward-mother-gives-gift-of-life/ 


And to the point of paying it forward I wanted to share a little bit about a friend of mine who has a daughter who has been diagnosed with epilepsy from a young age and is just a little older than her.. It is a very difficult thing to manage and they are doing it beautifully- There are unique struggles they must face that I can't even imagine- for example a special diet that she must go on to help decrease seizures that is high in fats and very limiting- with Halloween just pass us imagine how hard it probably was for his daughter unable to even enjoy and partake in the treats that every other kid was that night?

They have started a 'Virtual Run' to raise money for awareness and a cure ..www.hustleforharper.com - November is Epilepsy awareness month and you can register at any point- Registration is only $20, or if you want you can just simply provide a donation.

We decided to donate a portion of the donation we were given to this cause and I am asking you to consider donating as well. Pray about it and let God lead you .


As always thanks for listening and God Bless!