365

That's roughly the number of days Caed's latest issue has lasted.  I remember this time last year him coming to my classroom several times a week (and then even a day) complaining of his tummy hurting.  Something was clearly wrong, but what?

June 2011 comes in at a close 2nd to the most awful memories of the past 4 years.  We didn't know it at the time, but he was experiencing severe gallbladder attacks....which then ultimately led to the removal of it later that month in Nebraska.

Last summer was tough.  (for many reasons)  But, for this little boy, it was filled with enormous physical pain, and then the emotional grief soon followed.  Caed was not allowed to do much of anything.  First and foremost, SWIM.  A summer just isn't a summer without endless afternoons spent in the pool.  Even a family trip planned to a big Texas water park had to be canceled.  He sat poolside more times than I care to count watching everyone else have all the fun.  It was a very difficult balance which had to be mastered daily.  To say no to all water....all pool time....was unfair to my other 2 children.  However, forcing Caed to sit and watch...at the age of 8, was likewise tremendously unfair.

This school year then brought not 1.....not 2....but 3 surgeries. All wound revisions for the initial gallbladder removal.  Now, here we are.  Sitting 5 weeks out from the latest......

Waking my kids up for school is progressively getting harder and harder as the year is coming to an end.  Caed particularly.  But today was different.  As I was trying to get him up, I said, "Remember we get to go see  Dr. G today!  Maybe she'll release you for swimming....."  Immediately a big smile came over his face (eyes still closed however).  And then he whispered, "....and maybe baseball too?"
And that was that.  He was up.  All day he kept asking me when it was time to head to the doctor.  This boy was EXCITED!  I was too.....but yet also very nervous not knowing what she would say.

The final verdict................(insert drumroll here):

     -INCISION HAS CLOSED!
     -he is released to swim!
     -he can finally play baseball (beginning next weekend) and finish out the remainder of the season with the  rest of the Pirates!   (but will be restricted to the outfield......per Mom and Dad)
     -he is back up to 50 lbs!!!!  Pre-surgery weight was around 52.
     -there is a VERY VERY VERY happy boy sleeping soundly tonight, likely dreaming of Josh Hamilton!

We have been celebrating this evening.  What an amazing(ly difficult) year this has been, yet we are so excited for Caed!  He has waited for this day for such a long time.  Words fall terribly short.....

Please continue to pray for Caed, and yes....the incision.  Todd and I are beyond relieved and excited, and yet I would be lying if I said we weren't still scared.  How do we know it really is closed this time?  What if something happens?  We are desperately praying for God to shower us with His Peace and to give us wisdom.  I desire so much to completely let go of the rope I have been clenching this entire year.  I want to trust fully, yet I know from much experience God doesn't always answer our prayers the way we want.  I know He has a bigger....a better plan.  But my heart screams for mercy to be given to Caed with his incision.

So is it an oxymoron to say we are extremely joyful to see Caed get to finally do all these things he has longed for.....but also scared out of our minds?  Can we at last knock down the wall...the guard....we have been progressively building over the past 12 months?  Is it finally safe to do so....or is the enemy still lingering, still pacing, waiting for just the right moment to pounce.....once again?

THANK YOU ALL so much for lifting Caed up!  And we thank GOD for carrying us this past year, in particular.

Desperately trying to REST in His Healing Hands....



                                       (first BIG bath in.......a long time)