Another Good Surgery

Today was Benjamin's surgery.  We had an early morning and plucked Benjamin from bed and headed to the hospital for a 6:30am check-in.  We were in the new Children's hospital at Emanuel, which is incredible.  He got to wear the "faded red" (ok, they were pink) hospital pajamas again and got to take wagon rides around the day surgery loop, play in a variety of scooter cars, and hang out in a fun play room before the surgery.  If I hadn't forgotten the camera I would have posted a picture of it.

After receiving a dose of Versed (happy medicine) he didn't even seem to mind a bit when the nurse and Anesthesiologist wheeled him away from us, especially when the Anesthesiologist said he could hang on to the toy tiger that he had been playing with in the staging area.  We waited in the same room that we has come so familiar.  Even seeing the same quilts hanging on the wall brought back memories, some tough memories of hearing some not-so-great news, and some wonderful memories, like the night he had emergency surgery his second day of life and we were surprised to be surrounded by family and friends late at night and all prayed together.  Thankfully the time passed quickly and before I knew it they were taking me back to see him.

He wasn't very happy about the IV when he woke up and it had to be taped up pretty good to keep him from pulling it out.  He was asking everyone he saw to "take it off."  Soon enough he was rewarded for hanging in there with a orange popsicle and a movie.  We were released around lunchtime and when we started to leave the building Benjamin said "I want a cheeseburger."  We weren't planning on it, but decided that we would give it to this request as a treat.

I am so grateful to all who have prayed for us and loved us through another surgery.  This afternoon we are praising God yet again!

Surgery #8

Well, we made it a year and 4 months without a surgery...that's a new record!  Thursday will be Benjamin's 8th surgery and the 3rd on his eyes.  It is very similar to his last one, which was the easiest surgery yet.  Still, this mama' heart is heavy at times when I think about it.  I think about and remember the feeling of handing my little boy over to a well-trained stranger, sitting in a waiting room trying not to think about what is going on with him at that moment, watching the door for a nurse or surgeon to come out with the report, trying to remember that this surgery is ultimately a blessing and not a curse.

It also takes me back to other times...times of waiting and praying, dreaming and hoping, being held up by the strength that only God can provide.  Seeing blessing after blessing, shedding tears of joy over each milestone passed.  Knowing the feeling of being prayed for by many and the sweetness of Jesus alone being my daily bread...

Thank you, Jesus, for your faithfulness - that you are Good regardless of the outcome of this surgery and that you love my little boy more than even I do.  Your Grace is sufficient for me.