I just wanted to say "thank you" for rejoicing with me! I pray that Isaac's life continues to be an encouragement and a blessing – regardless of what the Lord may have in store for us next. 🙂 All of your comments brought me SO MUCH joy! 🙂
(I really miss the ability to reply to comments – like we could in xanga – and know that you will see my reply. So I just decided to put it up as a quick post to everyone instead.)
I've been mulling on a new post all week. Do you do that too? You have something you want to share, but you're not quite sure how to go about it, so you just think on it for awhile? That's what I've been doing.
I told you Isaac is making some transitions since his surgery. It has been really odd, and we are still sort of processing and learning as we go along.
Let me start by saying that I began blogging in February of 2007. As I have been working to move those old posts over to my new server, I realized that I began blogging in order to keep a grasp on reality and my sanity. Truly, there was so much going on with Isaac, and it was so overwhelming, that if I had not stepped out of my self, in order to tell his story, I think I might have "lost it" a little.
When thinking over this blog post, I realized that most of you don't know what Isaac was like before I started blogging. You didn't experience much of Isaac's life before the seizures took over. So, when I tell you the new things that are happening you aren't going to understand some of it. I will try to explain as I go along.
When Isaac had his shunt revision in December of 2006, they were unable to remove part of the shunt, the catheter. It had been embedded in his brain since shortly after his birth, over 6 years earlier. The skull had literally grown and calcified around it, and to remove it would have caused entirely too much trauma and blood loss.
The decision was made to place the new catheter right beside the old one.
Isaac began to decline immediately following this surgery. You know all about that if you have read my blog for any length of time.
However, before that surgery, he was doing well:
Can I just say…We almost have this same child again!!!
With the exception of the last item (because he has lost so much strength in the last 3 years and 4 months) he is doing all of the things in that list!
His skills have been returning gradually since the last surgery, and we have just watched in amazement! It's as if each morning, we are waking up to a new child.
While these things are astonishing, can I tell you something even more astounding???
We are only seeing a couple of seizures a day!!!
And beyond that — he is doing things he's never done before:
It is utterly amazing.
We don't know what God is doing, but we are cautiously thrilled by the things we are experiencing. I say "cautiously" because we know the human brain is an magnificent puzzle; and quite possibly, as quickly as these things appear, they can disappear.
However, we are thanking God each day that we are experiencing these little miracles; and I just wanted to share them with you – my friendly readers – who have so faithfully walked the difficult path with us the last 3 years.
It is proof that although prayers may not be answered the way that we desire, we should not stop praying.
God's answer will come when the time is right in His will, and then we will stand back in amazement, as we see what the mighty hand of God can do.
To God be all the glory!
Alesha
We live across the road from a lake. We are assuming that's where the turtles came from. Yesterday, Doug found more turtles in our yard, and decided to take them back to the lake.
They were happy to depart the wheelbarrow and be on their way. Doug heard the little one "plop" into the water before the second one had cleared the wheelbarrow.
The funny part? Just a couple of hours earlier, my dad had taken two turtles from his yard too, and returned them to the lake!!! So, I'm thinking we had a whole family of turtles who had wandered into our yard.
I'll let you know if we have any more turtle drama over here in our neck of the woods, er, I mean, in our neighborhood! 🙂
My lilies have finally bloomed…just beautifully!
Magnificent!
The air is full of the sweet smell of orange blossoms.
Our neighbor's dog. Isn't he gorgeous? We don't know his name, so we, quite imaginatively, call him "Brownie".
My version of a bird bath – vintage terra cotta pot and saucer from my grandmother's house. It works really well, too.
This is right outside Ike's window. The birdbath is below it.
The most beautiful thing in our yard – our now functioning air conditioning unit.
Just look at that Florida sky!!!
Mama turtle was taking a tour of our yard this morning.
Baby turtle trying to catch a ride.
Papa is installing a wide gate between our two yards, so that Isaac's wheelchair (and Papa's new riding lawn mower) can go easily from yard to yard.
Newton, sporting his new haircut and bandanna.
And, inside the house, our new mattress set arrived! It is wonderful, and we love it!!! We bought this one from here.
How are things in your neighborhood?
🙂
Alesha
We've had a busy week:
- Monday – We started the process of deep cleaning the master bedroom. You would think that since it is very small, that would be an easy task; but I found just the opposite. Every little nook and cranny was crammed full of stuff! Argh! We plan to finish the process this afternoon.
- Tuesday – Doug and Isaac headed back to therapy. Isaac screamed every time someone stretched any part of his body…so you can imagine how festive all three sessions were! Poor baby…he has been going through some changes since his surgery. (I'm planning a whole other post for that subject, though, since we're still observing and taking note of what is happening. The human brain is utterly amazing, and neurosurgery is never a "minor" surgery.) While they were gone, I did some housekeeping on my Etsy site, just generally tidying things up to make room for new jewelry that is being made. I also worked on several new pieces, taking pictures and editing them.
- Wednesday – I had a doctor's visit. I am down 3 pounds from my last visit! That is good, even though, technically, I am re-losing those pounds because I put on around 10 pounds through the (extended) holiday season. But, hey, I'll take the 3 pounds! It's still progress in the right direction.
- Thursday – Today I went to the dentist. Ugh! I've had a broken tooth for a little while, and was waiting for the funds to have it fixed properly. Then, this past Sunday night, I lost another piece of it. So, today, I made my way to the place that causes my blood to run cold – the dentist's office. I'm telling you, I can get up and sing in front of 1500+ people, and not feel the terror that I experience when I go to the dentist. I think I must have sensory issues, and that's just the place that makes all my senses go berserk – the tastes, the smells, the feelings, seeing the implements of torture…um…I mean, the dentistry tools, and the SOUNDs! Oh, sweet goodness, the sounds alone make me want to weep. Yep…I'd say I have a few "issues" about the dentist. My dentist, btw, is just as sweet and kind and gentle as she can be. You couldn't ask for one better. We put in a temporary fix, and I'll go back to have the permanent repair in a couple of weeks. Btw, the Lord provided for the cost of today's visit! He is so good to me!!!
- Friday – I realize this day hasn't happened yet. My visit to the dentist has not completely unhinged my thinking!!! However, I already know what is going to happen tomorrow: They are bringing our new mattress!!! Yay! We are so excited! Of course, the new bedding I ordered hasn't arrived, and I have no queen size bedding at all! So, that could cause a slight bump in our plan; but we are looking beyond that, and will just improvise, if need be, to sleep on our new nest egg, uh, I mean, "mattress" tomorrow night.
- Saturday – We are headed to a family reunion. It should be fun and relaxing…we are looking forward to it.
- Sunday – Lord willing, we will all make it to church on Sunday. I was able to go last week, and although Isaac was cleared to be there, he did not make it on Sunday morning. He partied most of Saturday night, and crashed beyond waking on Sunday morning. He and Doug were able to make it to the night service, though, so that was good.
I pray your week has been good, and that you will be able to be in church on Sunday too. I plan to be back in the choir, Lord willing. I was able to attend practice last night, so…we'll see. As usual, I will "hold my plans loosely", and see what God has planned.
Blessings to you,
Alesa
Blessings,
Alesha
Obtaining Mercy 