Last Day Before Surgery

Well, this is it. The last evening here at home before Maxim's first major surgery. We are scheduled to arrive at Devos Childrens Hospital in Grand Rapids at 9:15 tomorrow morning, with the surgery beginning at 11:15. Dr. Reinhart confirmed that they will remove Maxim's current casts (glow in the dark has definitely been a hit)after he is sedated.

A wheelchair that reclines well and can also be easily folded for transport has been delivered, along with a sling that adapts our present seatbelts in the van for use on a child who won't be able to sit up for awhile. So Maxim will be able to lie on pillows on the middle seat in the van and be well-secured. The list goes on, of things we've tried to cover as far as being physically ready for what's coming.

Aside from knowing that any healing Maxim is to experience will be according to God's will and by His hand, I know we are also completely dependent on the Heavenly Father for peace and emotional/spiritual strength in the middle of this process.

Whenever I am anticipating some major event in our household or just as an individual, I am always moved to search for some reassurance that I've done everything to be ready. I try to get the house in good order because that's always so much better to come back to. I find myself thinking about whether everyone in the household has had what they needed from me lately. Right now, I have been pondering if I have measured up these last four months since Maxim came home to us, not just with Maxim but with all the kids during the adjustment. Does Maxim really know we love him? Has my attention to him and level of patience been adequate? If he had any picture in his mind before, at all, of what having a Mama might be like, do I measure up? Silly, prideful questions, maybe, but that's what crosses my mind. This is a common thread in my thoughts lately, anyway, as our other children journey through the teen years, and there's just a realization that our intense parenting opportunities are not unlimited.

During these last few days, Daniel has been out of town on business. Thankfully, he got home early this evening so we're all in the same house again. He called us together tonight to just pray over Maxim as a family and that is always encouraging.

We have had some really beautiful weather during the last week (with a couple of thunderstorms as well), so Maxim has had several occasions to play outside. He has a certain spot in the backyard where he's allowed to take all the beach toys (shovels, rakes, etc) and dig to his hearts content, as long as all the dirt gets left in that same spot when he's finished. We also hung a Little Tikes disk swing from one of our trees (all the older kids have loved having a swing back up too)and thinned the apple tree blossoms (better apples in the end if you leave just the center "king" blossom from each cluster). Maxim enjoyed watching the ants on the ground under the tree and having petals rain down on his head as Brina and I worked. Maxim just had a really great time exploring the yard and collecting some good scuffs and grass stains on his casts. It's actually comforting that even though he has been confined to the casts for the last few months, he has still be amazingly mobile. I know things won't be as easy while he's in the spica cast after tomorrow, but trust he will still find ways to accomplish what he likes. He a pretty resourceful little guy.

I'll do my best to give updates during the next few days. Thank you again for encouragement and prayers.