April Update

Wow, how time flies. Sorry for such a long spell of no news. Actually, so much has happened in the last month, I hardly know where to start.

We are into the Passover week, enjoying extra fellowship with friends and family, and just contemplating in a more concentrated way the weight of what Yeshua, the Passover Lamb, has done for us. He is truly the One Who brings us up out of sin and into new life.

As we go through the week, Maxim has seen us watch each others feet, take part in the special meal, and spend more than usual time at church. He has enjoyed trying all kinds of delicious unleavened breads and treats. We have talked more about how when he prays he is talking to Bogu, Yeshua. He is quite taken with that, at first a little taken aback and even frightened that there would be anyone who never sleeps, but then comforted by the same thing. Now Maxim likes to talk from time to time about what he knows Yeshua made, including him. Someday, we will be able to explain more to him about how it was all done at the will of the Father. Maybe all the earthly circumstances of Maxim's arrival into this world will never make beautiful neat sense to us, but there is no mistaking that the Father knew exactly what He was doing when He gave life to Maxim Matthew Campau. We are so blessed he is our son.

Maxim continues to be casted each week and although there is still progress evident, Dr. Reinhart seems a little discouraged that not as much is happening now. She would definitely like to see more each week than she has lately.

On April 2, Maxim went in to Devos Childrens Hospital in Grand Rapids for an MRI of his hips and CT scans of his feet. He was quite the trooper. Scared at first of the CT scan machine, but once he knew I would stay with him, not so frightened. It was finished in less than ten minutes and then we were off to the MRI. The sedation was administered by IV and lets just say Maxim is not thrilled when he sees a large needle heading his way. Once the port was set up though and I explained that he was going to sleep for a little while and I would still be there, it went fine. The anesthesioligist told me that once they started running the sedation fluid, he would be out in about twenty seconds. I had Maxim start counting and he barely made it to three. The MRI took about 1 1/2 hours.

On April 8, we were back at Dr. Reinhart's office to review the results. The general consensus of the team is that Maxim's right hip especially is in terrible condition. It is both dislocated and malformed. Then have scheduled reconstructive surgery for May 15. This will be an approximately 6-hour surgery in which they will move and remove bone, create a proper hip socket for the ball of the joint to fit into, try to make the most of good cartilage in the area, release specific tendons to give Maxim the best possible range of motion, and place a plate in the right hip region. He will be in a cast from the bottom of his ribs down for 6-8 weeks after the operation, in a reclining position. At some point they will modify the casting so that the hip cast stops somewhere above his knees, with enough space left for a break between it and the casts they will continue to do for his feet. I hope my description is not too confusing. Basically, you can just imagine we have a very interesting summer ahead of us. I am not quite sure how we will accomplish what is needed but I know Who is the Provider of wisdom and healing, so at least right now I can say we are not full of anxiety. I have explained to Maxim that in just four weeks he will have a cast that covers much more than just his legs. I have a brochure with pictures of other children in the same type of cast, so he can look at it and not be surprised when he wakes up in the same thing.

Meanwhile, I wouldn't say we spoil him, but honestly I am more mindful right now of what we need to let him be free to explore at the moment while he has the chance. For example, he is really quite swift scooting around the house in his leg casts. My sister is here visiting from Washington State, and she and I went the other day to the neighborhood park. Maxim loves all of the different slides and this playground has various ramps that are sort of a rubber-coated mesh, making it easily accessible for children with disabilities. So he had an absolute ball there, hoisting himself all over the equipment, casts and all. At one point, he wanted to crawl around the whole border of the play area, which meant going down the rubber-coated ramp and onto a short length of regular sidewalk. I decided to let him go for it even though I figured he would surely wear out the knees on his overalls. Part of me just wanted to let him go for it and and actually have permission to be scruffy and messy for awhile. He loved it and indeed went home with holes in his pants.

I have no doubt after observing Maxim for the last three months since we got home, that when he goes into the next casts, he will find yet another way to adapt. I am so amazed that he has not once complained about the leg casts. He is just too busy learning and soaking up being part of a family to focus much on this limitation. He has faced limitations all his life and I am sure he just doesn't see it the same way most of us would, having never been held back by any disability. He is already used to modifying how he tackles various tasks.

So go for it Little Guy. It will not always be an easy road ahead, but we have confidence it will be worth it, and your Papa and Mama, big brother and sisters will be with you all the way.