Beautiful Redemption

Having some pre-surgery fun.
The lobbies here at Gillette Children's Hospital are full of fun things to do!



Maggie is beginning her leg of the journey today. She is back for surgery and will be in process for the next 6 hours. The thankfulness I have for this hospital is almost beyond words. This facility cares for children better than anything I have ever experienced. When we entered the surgical prep room, the decor was relaxing and inviting. This was after walking down a hallway of interactive art on the walls. Stepping inside the room, there was a new fleece blanket on Maggie's bed, and a name plate, identifying this bed just for her. They told her they had been waiting for her.








Each medical professional spoke directly to Maggie, making sure she was comfortable, and understanding exactly what would be taking place. Her gown had a built in heater, no joke, it was hooked up to a blower that was blew warm heat on her body. To me, I was thinking hot flash trauma, but for my little wisp of a girl, who was freezing, it was perfect!








After all the wonderful prep work, I changed into my scrubs and walked back into the operating room with my girl. She became a bit uneasy, and some tears trickled down her cheek, yet I was right there by her precious face. I took her little oxygen mask, coated with red raspberry lip smacker, so it smelled awesome, held it over her mouth and had her take deep breaths. She was out before the second full breath! I kissed her little face and left her in the hands of a very capable team, but ultimately in the hands of my God, the greatest Physician.

As I sit here alone in this quiet waiting room, it is thoughts of Him that fill my mind. This day is so much more than a day of reconstructing bones in little Maggie. Today is the day I remember the greatest work ever done on the cross of my Savior. My Rebuilder. My Great Physician.
I recently read this passage and it spoke deeply to me. Take the time to read it and think about the breath of life He has breathed into your dry, dead bones.
Ezekiel 37
The Valley of Dry Bones
The hand of the Lord was on me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all around them. There were a great many of them on the surface of the valley, and they were very dry. 3 Then He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I replied, “Lord God, only You know.”
4 He said to me, “Prophesy concerning these bones and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Lord God says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live. 6 I will put tendons on you, make flesh grow on you, and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you so that you come to life. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.”
7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded. While I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 As I looked, tendons appeared on them, flesh grew, and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath,[a] prophesy, son of man. Say to it: This is what the Lord God says: Breath, come from the four winds and breathe into these slain so that they may live!” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me; the breath[b] entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, a vast army.
11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore, prophesy and say to them: This is what the Lord God says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, My people, and lead you into the land of Israel. 13 You will know that I am Yahweh, My people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. I have spoken, and I will do it.” This is the declaration of the Lord.
He has given us life through His death, and through His resurrection will resurrect us all!
Oh how He loves us!
Now, if His Spirit is in you...LIVE!

Rejoicing and Recovering!

"Have faith in God." Jesus answered.

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours."

Mark 11:22-24

My Haddie girl has a bit more light in her countenance this morning, but lacks her usual sunshine. I do miss that, yet feel it will rise in her before the day is over. She will remain on a soft diet for the next 3 weeks. Praise the Lord it is not a syringe!!! Haddie and I neither one care to see a syringe or blender for a LONG time!

More than anything we rejoice in God, the giver of ALL good things! We praise Him ALONE for the miraculous covering of the fistulas in her palette!

Haddies' whiteboard yesterday morning before surgery

Sweet sisters! Maggie told Haddie if she wouldn't be nervous she would give her $5.00.
Maggie held true to her promise and rewarded Haddie with $5.00 this morning.
Isn't that too precious?

Trying hard to wake up... 

Sisters, Divinely appointed! 

Trying to enjoy some noodles as PF Changs, but couldn't quite lift her head off mommy.

Even though she couldn't eat it, Haddies' fortune cookie was VERY fitting for her!!
PATIENCE IS A KEY TO JOY!!!!!

Thank The Lord, the sutures are coming out!

This really has been a long 3 weeks! And that's coming from the one who does not have her tongue sewn to the roof of her mouth and drinking through a syringe! I cannot imagine how good it will feel to Haddie when she can talk and eat again. Someone suggested we "ease" back in to talking, letting her just take a few hours to freely speak. if you know Haddie, that might be a good idea!

Thursday afternoon they will remove the remaining sutures from the tongue. We are trusting that God will allow enough tissue for closure on the openings in her palette. Please join us in our petition to the Great Physician.

Haddie will also undergo some minor reconstruction of her nose during the procedure. She of course is a bit nervous, but wanted Maggie to come along this time, so we feel that will help.

Thank you so much for prayers, notes, prizes, love and support for our sweet Haddie Hope! Will keep you posted...



The smiles haven't been as frequent on her face, but I am sure they will return!





I went into the girls' room the other day and saw this.

These are Haddie's little Minnie Mouse dolls. It struck a chord deep inside me, how she has that baby Minnie all wrapped in the mama Minnie's arms. Up until now Haddie has faced procedures, illnesses, hard things without a family, without a mother. Being an orphan typically leaves you to navigate those circumstances alone.

No one is with you in the hospital,
no one sleeps by your side as you recover.
No one.
No one.

Haddie no longer faces the hard things in life alone. This little girl who so fiercely rejected me in our early days together, had a deep need to be loved by a mama, and from the looks of things I think in her little heart it has been realized.

Glory to God!!!!!!! May He continue to set the lonely in families...

Waiting with HOPE!

I spoke with the doctor, who expressed that time is our friend. We can make take some precautions to help the remaining sutures hold. Success would be enough coverage of the fistulas in Haddie's palette that her bone graft can take in June. If there is not enough coverage then we will repeat this same tongue flap procedure in June. May the Lord Heal!!

Haddie is now restricted to absolutely NO talking, and very limited activity. The doctor explained that most kids cannot, nor do they want to, talk with this procedure. I guess he doesn't know my girl too well. She is quite vocal, all day, every day.

Seriously, Haddie's having the hardest day emotionally since the procedure. There have been a lot of tears. We will do all we can to distract and help the days pass by. More than anything we covet your prayers for healing as well as JOY for sweet Haddie Hope!

Studied Swan Lake in school today, so we are heading to the library for the ballet and Barbie version!

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,

    I wait for God my Savior;

    my God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

PRAY FOR HEALING!!!

Would you please go to the Father on behalf of Haddie? We need the only physician who can heal. It appears that Haddies' sutures have partially come out. The implications of this could be HUGE, so we are asking the Lord to miraculously place that tongue back where it needs to be. Only He can step in on this one. May our faith be increased, unshaken by the circumstances...and ultimately His Name be glorified!!!!!
"Don't be afraid, Just Believe"
Mark 6 :36

These are the days of our tongue flap...

The title of this blog entry seemed fitting to me, as it seems some days my life can be like a soap opera. Not that I am "watching" a soap, feet propped up, with bon bons by my side, but I am actually "in" the soap opera. Because let's face it, who has ever seen such a thing as a tongue flap? But even beyond that, who has ever seen a child endure a procedure such as this the way Haddie has? We are sitting in the middle of unbelievable folks, beyond the unbelievable of a soap opera!

All praise to our God for His abundant healing hand that has rested on Haddie! Obviously there have been hard and sad moments, but she has persevered with God's strength. It seems we may be over the worst, although I realize the next 16 days may be long at times. 

Yesterday she spoke for the first time. I believe the swelling had subsided enough making that easier for her. She was also able to take more fluids, which helped. As of yesterday she was down 5 pounds. That's a lot for a little girl like Haddie. 

HOWEVER...today she is UP 2 POUNDS FROM YESTERDAY!!!!!! Our rejoicing is great, and once again we thank you for lifting us up on our journey. Stay tuned...

In the Hospital...still smiling!!!!

trying out the syringe for the first time

Leaving the hospital...Mercy Hospital...
Isaiah 42:5
"Do not be afraid for I am with you..."
How this verse became a truth from God's Word that she can now grasp on a whole new level!

Welcomed home to MUCH love!!!

Frist dinner at home...mashed potatoes...

Hanging with her best friend...

Watching a movie...

Sunday
Little Hello Kitty fans!

Last night enjoying a very yummy dinner.
This was the first time she wanted to join us in the kitchen to eat so we kept it casual.
It was a HUGE obstacle overcome as most meal times up to this point left her feeling sad, in another room, with someone trying to keep her distracted.
thanks Jill!!!!

Hanging out this morning, watching the snow fall...