Isaac10

Just about a year ago, we were dealing with this:























God, in His great mercy, gave us a great year of healing, and many reasons to celebrate Isaac10 this month. Here are a few glimpses of how far our boy has come from another club foot surgery, and eight LONG weeks in casts, this time last year. Thank you, Lord!!

The paradox which is Isaac

My silly boy always keeps me guessing. This past Tuesday was the cast removal. To hear James tell it, and I doubt he was exaggerating, Isaac screamed the entire time as if he was having a limb removed, instead of just the cast. I've witnessed the same behavior before, over other things that really frightened him, so am not surprised, and just hate that he is that afraid of the process. That evening, he was even nervous to the point of crying about getting the boot off so he could take a bath. However, after the bath, he put the sock and boot back on, with no drama, just being very careful to avoid his toes. He did all right Wednesday, getting around at VBS with the boot, and rarely complained, though he hopped a good bit, and didn't want to put any weight on that foot. Then, Thursday he seemed all right overall, but still didn't want us near his toes. After VBS, we decided to go to the Y pool and he removed his boot himself, before leaving the house, and did it with relatively little complaining or worrying about pain. We went to the pool (his first time since last year) and though he's typically hesitant about the water, he got in to the baby pool with Elijah quickly, and did great even with his sensitive sore foot/leg. That is a huge milestone. We've always said how Isaac just takes a while to warm up to things, and once he does, he's usually o.k. It didn't take him long at all this time though, to get warmed up to the pool, and he played around in the shallow end independently for almost the whole time.

When we returned home, he asked if he could ride his bike. I was surprised, and told him he'd need to wear the boot to support his leg, and he said he'd put it on. Then, I tried to encourage him to not push it, and take things slowly, because the muscles in his left leg were really weak. He got ready, asked me to hold the bike steady, and then sat on it. His first words were, "Aahhhh. That's more like it." He took off down the driveway, like he hadn't been off the bike for 8 weeks. Here's Elijah watching his big brother go! As I realized Isaac was really going to ride for a little bit, I got his helmet for him, and he rode up and down our street numerous times. I was so proud and excited for him, and shook my head in amazement. I know Granddaddy and Uncle Jacob, the cyclists in the family, are so happy that he's already comfortable again on wheels.Of course, later that night, he was really tired, and cried when we had to bathe and clean those stinky toes, but we're making progress. How he can push and demonstrate such strength of will and tolerance to pain at times, and then freak out over his toes being touched is so confusing to me. I'm just glad that he's getting more used to moving and resuming normal activities. God is awesome to give us that hope tonight, that it won't be long till he's back to his old self in all areas!

Hallelujah! Free at last!

The cast is off. The longest 8 weeks of our lives is over.

Praise the Lord for a good report from the doctor. Isaac is in a Wee Walker boot to support his leg right now, and we're going back in a month or so, to see how he is doing with the boot, to see if he is walking fine. How well he's getting around by then will determine if he will have to keep wearing it a little longer or not from that point. Thankfully, he can at least remove it to do water activities.

Thank you for your prayers through this time of surgery and healing. We can't wait to hit the pool, ride bikes, run and climb, and bathe normally again!!

YEA!!! Summer, here we come!

Answered Prayer?

Well, I asked you in my last post to pray that Isaac would be able to have his long cast removed and a short one put on his leg instead. God did answer our prayers, just with a "no" this time. I didn't handle that news too well, and was so disappointed yesterday. After a few crying spells and a total pity party yesterday, today I'm feeling much more like myself. To his credit, Isaac accepted the news with not one complaint. I could take a lesson in patience from him at times. I am sure that he'll have moments of frustration at his limitations in the coming days, as we've dealt with over these past few weeks, but his attitude has been great overall since yesterday's time in the OR. My sweet friend who said, "Well, it's just two more weeks," may have gotten her head bitten off when I responded, "No, it's not! It's FIVE total weeks of not walking, or bike riding, or swimming, or playing outside!" I have since apologized and calmed down, and gained a little perspective, thankfully. My sweet mom and husband bore the brunt of my emotional upheaval yesterday with godly, sympathetic hearts, and just let me be disappointed. They didn't tell me to get over it, or try to fix things, or even compare our situation to those much less fortunate. They just loved me and listened. Isn't that a gift? They must've been hoping I would be able to get a grip eventually, and plenty of you were praying for us, because by the evening, I was so much more rational and accepting. I know that God is allowing this healing to take a while for a reason, that he is working in all of our lives through the inconvenience and pain and difficulty, and that we probably don't see all that right now. I trust Him though. He knows that right now, when James is training in a different position at work, and gone for 14 hours a day, that I'm more tired than normal, more lonely without my best friend around, and that I'm having to lean on Him even more. That may be the point exactly. *sigh* Like Amy says, I better learn the lesson now, so I don't have to be taught it again and again.

In 2 weeks, we'll go back, to Dr. K's office this time instead of the hospital, and Isaac will be put in a short cast or a temporary walking shoe to protect and support his leg as it completely heals. We're looking forward to the day, and are already making plans to make the best of these next couple of weeks. And, I'm going to try to learn my lesson and not waiver, even when I'm tired. I've got (at least) 3 people watching everything I do and noticing every reaction. I have too many blessings and miracles surrounding me to be focused on the one thing that is difficult in my life. And, like Isaac said at 5:30 this morning, "That's a beautiful sunshine outside today." :-)

Healing: An update on Isaac

Many of you are so kind to ask how we're doing, and to let us know you are praying for us. I appreciate that so much. Here's an attempt to update you. It may sound whiny, and I hope not. I'm just wanting to be honest, and it's been a tiring time, but we're still very thankful for all the great things that we've learned and experienced throughout this time. We've been persevering through this healing time for Isaac, as he recovers from surgery, and let me just say, we are looking forward to being back with the land of the 2 legged. I'll never take for granted the insanity of taking 3 able-bodied children to run errands again, even as hard as it can be when they are so active.

Surgeries and healing really affect the whole family, and we've just been out of sorts for a long time now. Elijah has probably weathered it all better than the rest of us. Our tempers are shorter, our energy dwindling, and our patience nearly exhausted. Isaac and Abigail's sleep seems to be where they've shown the impact of the stress on the family, and so that causes the cycle to continue - less sleep, and poor quality rest, just don't help attitudes and energy improve. And, of course when they're awake numerous times at night, so are Mama and/or Daddy.
What we've dealt with is really nothing compared to so many who struggle with chronic illness and treatments, yet it's been a long 3 weeks for our family. I'm just tired, deep in my bones. It's difficult to be stuck in a long, heavy cast when one is an active 9 year old boy who loves riding bikes and playing outdoors, and it's been hard on James and me, carrying him from place to place, or hauling out the wheelchair and pushing him in that, along with carrying a hefty nearly 5 month old. There's no real way we could've prepared for someone who has been previously very independent becoming extremely limited in movement and not too happy about it. He has overall made the best of the situation, but he is pretty tired of the whole thing. We can't wait till the cast change operation on Friday. We are praying for a short cast and for a short amount of time required in it. Please pray with us about that!

This poor long cast has been dragged so much, it's starting to crack and chip off on the toe end. Today Abi said, "Dr. Killian is going to freak when he sees this cast!" He just might do it. Oh well - he can come and stay with us then, and tell Isaac to just not move on his own for 21 days! Isaac has mastered hopping so well on his right leg that he could probably beat me in a race, while I ran with my 2 good legs! Tonight though, he did say, "I am tired of this hopping." I concur.

We've been so fortunate to have our faith family bring us meals for most of the nights since we came home from the hospital. These meals have saved my sanity. I don't think I can even say how much help they've been. It's more than just not having to cook. It's relaxing and eating together as a family, without having to find the energy to shop, plan, and prepare while tending to the needs of 3 children, and without wiping the sweat off of my forehead from frantically throwing a meal together. It's comforting to be so loved and cared for by friends, and it's heart-warming that others with busy lives made time to serve my family. It is overwhelming that my sweet friend organized all these, while nearly 9 months pregnant herself, and made sure our family was taken care of in a practical way.

We've also had folks bring goodie bags to Isaac, movies checked out from the library and delivered to us, a portable DVD player loaned so Isaac didn't have to be carried back to our TV room, prayers said aloud in our presence to uplift us, cards mailed to encourage us, a couple of short playdates, and friends have called to check in while running errands, just to see if they could pick up anything from the store for us. I think God has been so honored by these kind souls who have truly served our family and showed Christ's love during this time of healing and waiting for our family. He is faithful and has provided every need for us, and even some bonus treats to help pass the time. We're very grateful.