In the Nitty Gritty

Scheduled for 11:15, the surgery actually started at about noon today. I explained a little more to Maxim on the way to the hospital that even though he says his hip does not hurt, it is "broken" inside and that's why the doctor needs to help him today and build the big cast. Maxim wanted to know if it would hurt, of course, and I answered him honestly that it will hurt, probably a lot for the first couple of days. I could see some anxiety in his eyes, but then being the brave little guy that he is, he just started chatting away about the special things he knows he'll have to look at and play with after surgery. I know that chatting about something "off-subject" is a way of coping for him. It's not that he isn't phased by what's going on at all. Even if he does not understand all that is happening, he is very intelligent and not completely unaware either. In other words, I know we have to give him credit for hearing what is planned and taking it in in his own way.

Anyway, He and I arrived at Devos Childrens at 9:15, and went through all the typical procedures to fill out papers, get blood work to determine his blood type, etc. Dr. Reinhart went over the plan once again and I had a chance to speak with the anthesiologist as well. He will be giving Maxim an epidural after the surgery, just before they make the spica body cast, to get him through the first ten hours after surgery as pain free as possible. After going over the plan, Dr. Reinhart asked if I had any concerns/questions. I had the opportunity to say what I've been thinking all morning. I said, "I just want to tell you that we trust you but we also know that today you are a tool in Someone Else' hands." She smiled and said that she and one of the doctors had acknowledged and discussed that very thing in a meeting together earlier this morning. What a blessing to see them going into this procedure with confidence but no cockiness.

An hour ago, they called us from the O.R. to let us know they are into the hip. I assume they had been working on the simpler tendon releases in the region up until then, and so now they're prepared to go to work on the actual reconstruction of the hip. Right now it's 2:45, so we still have quite a bit of time ahead of us, having been told the total surgery would be at least 5 hours.

Thank you for all the phone calls and notes to let us know you're thinking of Maxim and lifting him up in prayer. Don't stop. The power and healing are truly only in the Father's hands.