Below is a blogpost I wrote from Feb. 2012. Three years ago today God sent us a journey with Abby that we did not anticipate, but God knew. Through blogging I can journal events, this is one such event I do not want to ever forget. Through Abby's hospitalization, surgery, inpatient rehabilitation and slow recovery God showed himself mighty and I never want to forget His love for us.
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God brought us to Abby and Abby to us, now we get to journey through life with Abby.
The journey this past week is a journey I could of never imagined. God has been so incredibly good. He has blessed beyond measure. Each morning when we wake, we can plan our day but only God truly knows what it holds.
Last Thursday our family was travelling for a day of skiing, we were about 2 1/2 hours from home when Carrie Anne noticed Abby looked as if she was going to get sick. We stopped the car on the side of the road, Abby proceeded to get sick and then pass out, she was coming in and out of consciousness, her lips were white. We called 911, they arrived quickly, assessed that her vitals were weak and suggested they should take her to the hospital. God had gone before us and planned our day, this had taken place only 30 minutes from the exact hospital Abby needed.
When we arrived at the hospital Abby had perked up somewhat, they began running tests. They thought possibly because of her cerebral palsy she could of had a seizure. They sent her for a CAT scan of her brain. The scan only showed a small portion of her top vertebrae but God allowed the radiologist to see some compression in the part of the vertebrae he could see. They immediately put a neck collar on her and ordered another CAT scan this time of her neck. This scan showed her C1 and C2 vertebrae were severely compressed, squeezing her brain stem and spinal cord. She then went for an MRI, which precisely showed her compression. The compression was not squeezing from top to bottom but the bones squeezing inward on her brain stem and cord. This part of the brain stem controls breathing, eating, swallowing, motion and so much more. When our family awoke on February 23rd we thought we were going to enjoy a day on the mountain however, our day ended with us checking into the hospital with our dear Abby as we awaited the doctors plan on how best to help Abby, which they prepared us would include surgery.
The week that followed was overwhelming to us at times as parents and very painful for Abby however, through it all we as parents had a complete peace knowing our daughter was in the hands of the Great Physician. God had placed us at a hospital that had a team of surgeons that specialized in the surgery Abby needed, one of the surgeons is one of the best in our country. The plan that the surgeons came up with wasn't easy for Abby, they put her in spinal traction for six days, this was extremely painful, the surgeons were very pleased with how the traction had stretched her spine. If the traction had not been successful she would of been facing a much more risky surgery through her mouth. Since it had been successful they could operate through the back of her neck. The surgeons prepared us for many possibilities. The risks of death or paralysis, which were lower percentages. And also higher chances that she would still need the surgery through her mouth if this first surgery did not accomplish all that they needed. Also, a risk that she would come out of surgery with a halo on, a helmet screwed into her skull that connected to a vest with rods to keep her head immobile. Also, a chance she would need a bone graft of bone from her hip to help fuse her spine.
As I sit typing this in the hospital watching Abby sleep I am overwhelmed by God's love for us. Abby came through the surgery beautifully, she did not need a halo, or a bone graft and we found out today after a CAT scan she will not need a second surgery.
Abby had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy in China, we found out she does NOT have cerebral palsy all of her symptoms were coming from the compressed brain stem and cord! The doctor's are amazed she survived 10 years without becoming paralysed or dying from not being able to breathe. God sustained Abby until in His perfect timing He could give her the perfect help she needed.
I can not imagine how this will possibly change her life, she has the chance at a complete healing. I also can not imagine what would of happened to Abby had this of happened in China while she was in the orphanage.
Not only did God bless us with the big things of bringing Abby through her surgery as perfectly as He did, He blessed us in so many little ways. We have felt the love of so many people, people have prayed on Abby's behalf all across our country. I have received cards, emails, and phone calls assuring us of prayers.
We also received two other gifts from our Saviour. The night of Abby's surgery she was so confused and in pain. She was in the PICU and a doctor came around making his rounds and he had medical students with him, this is a University Hospital. As he was looking at Abby, one of his students spoke up and said I know fluent Mandarin! What? Wow! Right when we needed a translator the most to help explain to Abby why she was feeling this way, God provided!
The next morning we were still in the PICU and a lady came in and introduced herself. She said I know you do not know me but I have been praying for your daughter. She explained a neighbor friend of mine that I grew up with from the time I was small until I married had found out about Abby through a prayer chain my sister started. This lady was a good friend of my friend, when my friend found out about Abby and which hospital we were at she called her friend, the lady that was now standing in the room with me because this sweet lady works at the hospital we were at. God had placed a sweet christian in our midst praying for us and reaching out to us. She told us to please call on her if we needed anything. She offered to pick up anything I needed and bring it to me at the hospital. She also offered us the use of her guest bedrooms if any of our family wanted to stay the night instead of making the two hour trip home. A sweet fellow christian reaching out in love. A stranger on earth, but a sister in heaven. God is good!
When you sit in a quiet hospital room watching your daughter sleep or experience pain you have much time to meditate on God's goodness. I get so busy in the busyness of life I often take little things for granted. God has given me this time to remember His goodness. He has protected our Abby and given her a chance for a full healing. We hope to leave the hospital in a few days.
Once again I stand amazed at God's love for me! Again we thank everyone for their prayers for our family, we have certainly felt God's love in amazing ways.
