Coincidence... I think not

Clowns visiting in pre-op to entertain & distract kids prior to surgery
Post surgery - cuddling in Will's room
Will spending his first night sleeping with Mommy (above)
& rocking with Lovie (below)

First of all, Will is home from surgery! He did great & was discharged early!!! Thank you for all of your prayers. The surgeons felt pretty good about his surgery & we go back in December to check the progress. Hopefully, he will not need to have it done again.
Will is doing great- I believe he is still in some pain as he continues to have trouble eating but he was playing & talking more today so that was a good sign. There is still some concern about his airway being blocked so we are keeping a close eye on him.
Children's Hospital was wonderful - compassionate nurses & great doctors. Our room was wonderful - they had toy closets & movies to check out & even a playroom (which we never used but it was nice to know it was there.) While I got only an hour of sleep (hospitals are not good places to catch up on rest in), I LOVED laying next to my sweet Will & watching him sleep & cuddling. The hospital actually suggested I sleep in a bed with Will in order to comfort him after surgery & to monitor his breathing & keep him from rolling over onto his back. I've never slept at night with Will & I have to admit- I LOVED it! (Except for the fact that I couldn't sleep- he was so restless & I was so hot & worried about him!) I did, however, really enjoy the cuddling part & I don't think there is anything more amazing than watching a baby sleep. So peaceful! Due to the lack of sleep on my part, this will be for special occassions when in the hospital only.
Anyway, thanks for your prayers- we are so grateful to report that Will is doing well!

So, once again, God surprised me & convicted me about my attitude while in the hospital. The day before Will's surgery, I was spending time praying for him. I remember thinking that I wish I could be like one of those ("good Christian") moms you read about who would probably pray that people would come to know Jesus from being around her son in the hospital during & after his surgery. I should pray for this, I know. But my selfish nature kicked in & frankly, sometimes I just want to be a mom who knows the pain of handing her baby over for surgery & who doesn't really care about all the other people in the waiting room or on her child's recovery hallway. (I mean, of course, I care... it's just that I didn't feel like putting on my "happy / I'm at peace because Jesus is in control" face... I was scared & nervous & worried .)

So, I didn't pray for that. I just prayed for Will.

2 hours after his surgery, Will was finally moved up to his room. They had some trouble in post-op getting his blood oxygen level stable. However, their concerns lessened when they noticed that despite the alarms going off on his monitor, he was still managing to lean out of my arms, pull the curtain aside, & wave & flirt with the cute nurse next to us. Even surgery won't stop my little flirt.

I digress. Where was I... oh yes, post surgery.

So about 2:30, Will was moved to his recovery room & he was in a great deal of pain. It's the most pitiful cry in the world! His nurse had just given him his medications & it was not a pleasant experience for any of us although Will had the worst end of the deal. (He couldn't keep it all down.)

I took him in the hallway to try to distract him & take his mind off the pain. He was crying but was calming down some. I noticed this mom from the room next door to us staring a great deal at Will. Great. Just what I needed- a nosy person asking me all about Will or making comments at a time like this. Seriously. Can't a girl get a break every now and then?!?!? (Selfish I know- but my baby was hurting & I just wanted to be his mommy.)

She calls me over. Are you kidding me??? I brace myself to politely & graciously & quickly answer her question & get back to our room.

Enter God.

She then asked if her son who is 13 could meet my son. Her son had been in the hospital for 2 months & 9 surgeries after a four wheeler accident that caused him to have his hand amputated. He had never seen anyone with a hand difference & this mother had spent 2 months begging the hospital staff to find someone to bring in to meet her son so he would feel a little less lonely! WOW!!! Are you kidding me?!?!?! All of my defenses melted quickly as Will & I rushed into the room with a huge smile (on my face, not Will's.)

I was bubbling over with information for him about Scottish Rite & various athletes I've read about with limb differences & all he could accomplish. He was amazed that Will can pick up a coin. He was amazed that Will can feed himself & will walk on his own feet. They had heard of Scottish Rite but knew very little about what they offer (amazing to me- they were only one exit away on the interstate & hadn't been given any information!)

I wrote down my contact info & received his. I also ran to my room to grab Scottish Rite business cards for him.

A little while later, the mom & I spoke privately. I began crying as I tried to convey how full my heart is for her. I can't imagine comforting my son at age 13 after losing a hand. I know he will face so many challenges. But, in some bizarre, impossible way to explain, I was so excited for her & for him! I told her I knew his character would be so enhanced & grown through his experiences, that he would amaze himself & her with what he could accomplish, that there would be blessings beyond their wildest imaginations.

A little while later, he brought some of his balloons over for Will. I so hope he can be one of Will's "hand camp" counselors some day!

Amazingly, after 2 months in that hospital, he was discharged that very night- wow! Is God's timing perfect or what?!?!?!

So, despite my selfishness & refusal to pray for anything other than Will that day, God managed to change my perspective & work his wonders. It was so bizarre for me to be on the comforter/encourager side of things. For the last year, so many moms further in the journey have encouraged & comforted me. I have to admit, it was exciting to be on the other side- it drew me away from focusing on Will to focusing on others. It caused me to quickly reflect on all the wonderful things about having a child with differences- all of the blessings- as I couldn't wait to share that with someone else, knowing how full her life could be.

So, wow! What a cool experience, huh?! It's especially humbling how God can manage to turn what was originally a selfish moment into being about Him & His purposes.

So, if you think about it, pray for this 13yr old boy. He still has surgeries ahead of him & will not be able to return to school this year due to hospitalizations, risk of infection, etc. He is of course scared about his future & unsure of what he will be able to accomplish. I tried to reassure him about how normal his life can be but my prayer is that he will see this soon for himself. Pray for his mom & dad as they try to comfort him & also grieve.

Thanks! & Thanks for praying for Sweet Will!