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.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Dear Natalia - A Letter On Mothers Day
Dear Natalia,
You and I have never met and most likely never will, unless the Messiah wills it someday. But we share something incredible in common, nonetheless. A little boy named Maxim. You gave him birth and I, along with my husband and our other children, have taken him under my wing. And I am under the wing of the Messiah.
Here in America, we celebrate Mothers Day; a time to acknowledge and honor our own mothers and to be honored as mothers. This year I want to acknowledge and honor you.
I know very little of your story and that's okay. I am aware that you were born in 1977 somewhere in the Ukraine and that twenty-one years later you gave birth to a little boy named Vladislav, followed by our Maxim in 2002. Somewhere before or between these sons, I know you carried another child but lost it before birth. I'm sorry. I have never experienced the loss of an unborn child but I've seen the pain of it in other eyes. I hope you have found comfort since then.
When Maxim was born, you quickly decided to let someone else care for him. Maybe you saw that he would need special help you didn't know how to give and you were afraid. I understand. It is an awesome thing to hold any new child in your arms and know they depend on you, whether they are healthy and whole in the first place or not.
I trust that if you made your decision out of genuine desire to give Maxim the best, God will supply you peace in that. I trust that if your choice was made out of cold selfishness, one day the Messiah will lovingly open your eyes, and you will cry, out of both repentance and joy, because the Master loves you enough to show you where you are right now as well as your huge potential in Him. He loves you right where you are but loves you too much to let you stay there. It's the same for all of us.
If you ever wonder where Maxim is and if he is okay, I hope you come to know the only One who can miraculously reassure you.
I suppose you still have an certain image in your mind of the last time you saw Maxim. Limbs weak and twisted and vulnerable. If, God willing, you see him again some day, it will most likely be when we stand before the King. May you and I and Maxim all be counted worthy to do such an awesome thing. We will have brand new hearts; we will be new creations in Him, singing a new song given by Him. And Maxim will be standing straight and strong and completely confident in the Master.
Blessings to you, Natalia, Maxim's first Mama. Thank you for giving him birth.
You and I have never met and most likely never will, unless the Messiah wills it someday. But we share something incredible in common, nonetheless. A little boy named Maxim. You gave him birth and I, along with my husband and our other children, have taken him under my wing. And I am under the wing of the Messiah.
Here in America, we celebrate Mothers Day; a time to acknowledge and honor our own mothers and to be honored as mothers. This year I want to acknowledge and honor you.
I know very little of your story and that's okay. I am aware that you were born in 1977 somewhere in the Ukraine and that twenty-one years later you gave birth to a little boy named Vladislav, followed by our Maxim in 2002. Somewhere before or between these sons, I know you carried another child but lost it before birth. I'm sorry. I have never experienced the loss of an unborn child but I've seen the pain of it in other eyes. I hope you have found comfort since then.
When Maxim was born, you quickly decided to let someone else care for him. Maybe you saw that he would need special help you didn't know how to give and you were afraid. I understand. It is an awesome thing to hold any new child in your arms and know they depend on you, whether they are healthy and whole in the first place or not.
I trust that if you made your decision out of genuine desire to give Maxim the best, God will supply you peace in that. I trust that if your choice was made out of cold selfishness, one day the Messiah will lovingly open your eyes, and you will cry, out of both repentance and joy, because the Master loves you enough to show you where you are right now as well as your huge potential in Him. He loves you right where you are but loves you too much to let you stay there. It's the same for all of us.
If you ever wonder where Maxim is and if he is okay, I hope you come to know the only One who can miraculously reassure you.
I suppose you still have an certain image in your mind of the last time you saw Maxim. Limbs weak and twisted and vulnerable. If, God willing, you see him again some day, it will most likely be when we stand before the King. May you and I and Maxim all be counted worthy to do such an awesome thing. We will have brand new hearts; we will be new creations in Him, singing a new song given by Him. And Maxim will be standing straight and strong and completely confident in the Master.
Blessings to you, Natalia, Maxim's first Mama. Thank you for giving him birth.
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