The Post That Got Hijacked...

...by more urgent matters. :-)

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This is what I wrote last Saturday, February 18th, intending to post later that evening:

My blog has been rather silent of late, for a variety of reasons. Number one, blogging is not a priority right now. No offense to you, my faithful readers and friends, but life has been full and I've had some opportunities in the last months that were given precident over blogging. BUT, I am hoping to pick things up again soon. I've got a writing itch to scratch. :-)

This past week, on the 15th, I took Natalia to her 6 month cardiology check-up.

You may remember what a hard time we went through last spring when she was prescribed the first medication we have ever needed to give her for her heart. The two months she was on it were extremely trying...for all of us. (If your memory needs refreshed, here's the link to that post. And if you're not sure what was wrong with her heart in the first place, here's our story.)

Well, needless to say, I asked for prayer for our appointment last week like a desperate woman. Because I felt desperate.

I was desperate for God to change my attitude. The most recent appointment last summer hadn't gone well, my daughter's strong will raising it's ugly head to the point that she refused to let them touch her. Except for the technician who does the ECHO. She gives lollipops and lets you watch a movie.

Was that appointment humbling? Oh yeah. Embarassing? Incredibly! Why? Because my pride was hurt. My daughter's behavior was a reflection on me, and I didn't feel it was justified. I felt like all my efforts to train her to respect authority, follow directions, and be respectful were for nothing. Because I like to see results. Because I like to believe I have some semblance of control over my children. Because I'm delusional like that. I sensed the frustration of those trying to do their job, even though they were being extremely patient, understanding, and creative. And at some point the realization that there was nothing more I could do to get her to comply...well, it just took the wind out of my sails. And though I didn't express it outwardly, I could feel the ugliness rising up inside--where I was throwing a hot and sweaty tantrum.

*sigh*

So you see, I NEEDED prayer.

Most of all though, I had to confess to the Lord that I wanted to change my daughter. And as I prayed last week for God to help me have the right attitude, I really felt he took away the dread and worry, and I knew that regardless of how the appointment went, he would be my strength.

And he was. And the appointment was horrible. But God gave me patience, tenderness, firmness, and wisdom at just the right moments. I was emotionally drained afterwards but I wasn't despairing.

Medical update:
The leaking/spurting from the incision sites (not the valves) has increased slightly from our appointment 6 mos. ago, which had increased since the visit before that. We're still in the mild range, but it's now mild+ and that means we go back in late July and likely she'll try a different medication for the same issue. And that appointment really needs to go well so they get as accurate information as possible.

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So...for those of you who are on facebook, you know Natalia broke her elbow just before bedtime this past Saturday night. We just needed more medical drama in our lives, right?

Long story short: our local hospital has a limited pediatric unit, and though they did the initial x-ray and diagnosis, with Natalia's heart condition and the required anesthesia and surgery to put a pin in her elbow, Pete and Natalia got a midnight ambulance transport to Penn State Hershey Medical.

She had surgery at 7:30am Sunday morning, and I relieved Pete so he could go home shortly before lunch. That afternoon the swelling went down some, she transitioned from the morphine to the Tylenol w/codeine, and began to regain her appetite. I was prepared to spend the night but around 9pm I was wheeling her out the door! Finding a pharmacy that was open was a challenge, but once again God took care of us and within 15 minutes that problem was solved and we knew where to go. (There is only one pharmacy in Lancaster County that is 24 hour!!! And it's relatively closeby.)

By 11pm Sunday we were home, she was tucked in her own bed, and we could finally catch up on some sleep. Pete had gotten 2 (interrupted) hours + a 2 hour nap, and I had slept 3 hours in 40 hours.

God was so faithful to provide for us through it all:
*Natalia was calm on the way to the hospital.
*It was a clean and common break.
*She cooperated for the x-ray.
*She wasn't frightened by the ambulance ride--thought it was pretty cool!
*Surgery went well.
*Pete and I knew the drill regarding the pediatric wing--it didn't feel as daunting as it did when she was an infant needing heart surgery. (Of course this wasn't nearly as serious a situation, but both Pete and I felt more confident in our surroundings and in being Natalia's advocate.)
*Mom and Dad were closeby and ready to help with Adam, transporting cars, etc.
*Peace.
*Pete was willing to take her to the ER and navigate the subsequent medical stuff, and I could concentrate on the recovery part.
*It was a holiday weekend, so both Pete and Natalia had off Monday--and Natalia has an early dismiss scheduled for Friday, so she isn't missing as much.
*Our sofa bed loveseat in the living has been such an easy way for Natalia to convalesce this week.
*She's been a mostly happy patient, not in pain too much, and easy to keep entertained.
*Special visitors, cards, and activities/gifts to make it a fun week while she missing her classmates and teachers.
*Seeing a friend from church in the hospital parking lot as I was getting ready to take Natalia home.
...and so many more reminders that we were not alone, that God was caring for us and supplying for our needs.

Thank you all for your prayers and kindness!