Saturday, December 6, 2008
Maggie's Surgery Update ...
On Wednesday Maggie and I went to Vanderbilt for our surgery consult. We arrive promptly on time @9:20 for our appointment. And like most of you I have a packed day ahead (grocery store, pick up Em @ school, YMCA, other errands, and pick up boys from school, etc) and I really don't like waiting in a doctor's office. As my blood pressure started to boil as the minutes ticked off the clock and I am attempting to keep Maggie from touching all the million dollar equipment that lines the tiniest room I have ever seen, not to mention trying to keep her from falling off the STUPID doctor's swivel chair and injurying her head furture the minutes keep passing ... 30, 40, 45, 50 and then it happened ...I had a vision of Katie's kids in Uganda walking hours to find a doctor, who could in no way care for my Maggie's type needs and unable to purchase even the medicine needed to cure them ... The hopelessness a mother or father must feel in this situation and my whole body took on a new spirit ... I was so THANKFUL to be WAITING in the one of the best children's hopspital's in the world that is only 15 minutes from house with a doctor who specializes in my daugther's needs. A doctor who looked me in the eyes a year ago and said this won't be easy, but I CAN FIX MAGGIE'S HEAD ... The tears were starting to form and I just becamed humbled in the moment and ask to always keep my eyes open to those hurting and in need and to keep my heart thankful for all He has provided for me and my family ...
Surgery 1 of 3 will take place on February 23rd. We will stay 2-3 days in the hospital as they put the scalp extenders in her head and begin to inflate them and manage her pain.
BIGGEST PRAYER REQUEST OVER THE NEXT YEAR WILL THAT MAGGIE DOES NOT GET AN INFECTION DURING ANY OF THE 3 SURGERIES ... PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY AS I KNOW YOU WILL ...
love to you all ..
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31 kind words.:
Prayers are coming your way from one SN Mommy to another. I'll be one of your biggest prayer warriors, Gwen.
Love ya!!
A great lesson on perspective. Thank you! I needed that.
I'm not sure if I have commented before... I have "stalked" your blog for awhile :) and I am continually blessed.
I will be praying for your sweet Maggie.
Praying sweet friend, praying always :o)
Payers will be said for your family ~ you are right we are lucky to get the services that we need to care for ourselves and our children.
Your strength and perspective are always so encouraging. I so enjoy keep tabs on your blog! Thanks for seeing and sharing a bigger picture far bigger than my narrow view tends to see! You are a blessing!
Praying for you all in Texas!
Praying for you in Katy, Texas!
gwen,
I am familiar with this type of surgery..I have a friend who left atlanta and now works at the Vanderbuilt hospital
wilil be praying
I LOVE seeing Maggie with her family...L O V E it!!!!
She is so comfortable in the arms...of um, I think:) her Daddy!!!
Praying always for Maggie and family!!
Precious perspective, thank you for sharing your heart!
Thankful for having a start date- on this journey with you! :)
You know we will lift Maggie up in prayer and continue to pray for her and healing in her body, we will lift her up in prayer now and the months ahead...
I am humbled.... thank you for putting it into perspective.... this is a lesson we all can apply to our lives.... sometimes I am so spoiled!
I will keep praying my friend and every time I see sweet Maggie in her tutu my heart smiles...
love you Sister!
God's Peace.... and healing for Maggie...
precious words to hear today
thanks girl
Oh, you know we'll be in constant prayer for you and Maggie and the whole fam...AND I want to help out in any way!!! What a sweet girly, kristi
Things will go well..
You are always in my thoughts and prayers...
LOVE YA GIRLY....
Yes, Gwen! I will be continuing to pray for your family and sweet Maggie as you go thru this preparation and the surgery it's self.
You know that you will be in our constant prayer here....so glad to hear your voice mail yesterday....we'll come in Jan.....FOR SURE! The holidays would have been fun, but it just gets too crazy!
Love ya girl....
Hugs,
Steffie
Gwen, We will be facing more surgeries March 9 and then another one a few months later. Same place and I feel the exact same way. We were there in fact Wednesday as well meeting with a cranio-facial doctor. Maybe the same one?! Anyway, there is a blog on my sidebar (room for one more) and I thought you might want to check it out. Angie is a dear lady and her daughter has had multiple scalp expanders over the last year. She has some dramatic photos but I thought they might help you and/or your children to see them ahead of time. Her little Miranda Joy has done so well with them and I know Maggie will as well. This family *may* be here in our area soon! Maybe you could meet and Maggie would have a friend who really gets what she is going through! Take care and maybe we'll see you up at the best Children's Hospital in the world!
What a privledge it will be to come alongside you, Maggie, and your whole family as we wait with expectant hearts to see God glorified through Maggie's journey of healing, resotration & wholeness!
You inspire us all Gwen!
Love & Blessings,
Kim
I know just what you mean and so appreciate this post! Will keep your sweet girl in our prayers (and you) as you walk this long road. We love Vandy too, she's in the best of hands!
M
Hi, I will be praying for Maggie and that all will go well with her surgeries.
Take care, Sherri
www.caringbridge.org/oh/kara
Thanks for the reminder. So true, yet when my plans have to be changed because someone makes me wait, it's hard to remember. I hope this pops in my head next time.
And praying for Maggie!
praying for sweet maggie...
Definitely praying for sweet Maggie, always praying!
God's hand will be all over it as you can already feel in your spirit. How blessed you are that the Lord thought highly enough of you and your family that He hand picked you all to be the ones to pass on Jesus's strength and love and mercy and grace to Maggie as He works His miracles in her during this season of her life. He will bless every bit of this process.
Love ya.
Prayers to you all!
What a way you put that appt in perspective. Bless her heart, her journey isn't over yet!
Yes I will be praying my sweet Gwen.
Love, Kristy
I will most definitely be praying for your little angel your strong little warrior. She can get through this. I pray you have a wonderful holiday season with your sweet family.
Love
C
Little Maggie as well as your family will be in my prayers. Just look at that picture of her what a change from a year ago. She is just precious!!!
Gwen I love reading your blog. Your message is always life altering and so touching. I will be praying extra hard for you and little Maggie. I can imagine how you are feeling because my little boy born in June was going to have to have scalp extenders put in and we have been seeing dr's as well. They have decided to wait to remove his congenital nevus so that maybe they won't have to use skin expanders when he is older. I know a little how you must be feeling but you have such incredible faith. Hang in there and know that there are many prayers going up for you.