Yesterday, on April 21st, we visited the office of Dr. Jerry Oakes, a pediatric neurosurgeon, for the first time. Before we left that doctor's office, we learned that we will be visiting him at least once a year for the rest of Austin's life...
Dr. Jerry Oakes was honest, kind, and straightforward, but he had to deliver the news that Austin does, indeed, have hydrocephalus. Simply translated, 'hydro' means water and 'cephalus' means brain. He has 'water on the brain' that is not draining away from his head as it should. We found out that our bodies make 1 quart of cerebrospinal fluid per day. Our brains (mine & yours) drain the fluid off, but Austin's does not. Dr. Oakes asked several questions to alarm us. Among those questions, he asked:
- Is he developmentally delayed in school?
- What did your previous neurologist say?
- Are you sure you didn't see symptoms before February 4th of this year?
- Does hydrocephalus run in your family?
- Are you his biological parents? (This one was the kicker!!)
So, we had a talk with the doctor and asked many questions and listened to all he had to say. His recommendation and the best course of action is to put a shunt in Austin's brain. The shunt will be permanent and life-long. We will need to monitor it and he will have yearly check-ups with the neurosurgeon to insure that the shunt is still doing it's job. His surgery is scheduled for June 10th in Birmingham at UAB Children's Hospital. We will go over on the 9th for pre-op, lab work, and an anethesia consult. Dr. Oakes will make 3 incisions to perform the procedure- 2 in his skull/brain and 1 in his stomach. This 3 inch shunt along with tubing that runs internally down into his stomach will drain the fluid off of his brain for him.
It was a surreal day, but we know God is in control and He has gone before us EVERY step of the way so far, and June 10th will be no different. We know our God is going before us even now to prepare us for Austin's surgery and recovery.
Again, Austin broke everything down to 2 things that mattered to him. Let me share with you our experience when telling him about his upcoming surgery...
During the day yesterday, after we found out, we were careful not to let Austin see me (mom) cry nor let him hear us call family & friends to tell them what is going on. We decided to tell him last night about the surgery, after he asked us to please tell him what is going on. Joe explained the events of the past few weeks very simply and told him that the doctor we met today will perform surgery on his brain to fix the problem. Austin's first question was: 'OK. Daddy, hold on, will I be put to sleep for this surgery so it won't hurt and I won't feel anything?' Joe, of course, told him, 'Yes, son, you will be asleep so it won't hurt.' Austin was good with that and was perfectly fine to keep listening to his daddy explain things.
Then, Joe told him, 'Son, you won't feel well when you wake up and you will have to stay in the hospital overnight or for several nights.' Austin looked shocked & a little concerned and immediately looked over at me and asked, 'Where are YOU gonna be?' To that, I answered, 'Son, I am going to be right beside you, sitting in your room or I will be in your bed with you holding you if you need me to. Daddy and I will both be there in the hospital room with you the entire time.' Once we assured him of these 2 things, he was fine. He had no more questions and he is 'good' with the fact that he is having surgery in 7 weeks. Amazing!!
I am thinking to myself, 'Where ELSE would we be son but right by your side or holding you while you hurt or helping you while you are sick or scared? We wouldn't ever let you go through this alone, son.' I was surprised he asked that question, but he did.
And, then it hit me, how many times have I asked my Heavenly Father that question just before descending into a valley in life or while I was in the middle of a difficult or gut-wrenching time? How many times have I asked my Daddy, my Abba Father, 'Hey, where are YOU gonna be while I go through this very difficult time?' or how many times have I asked, 'Where ARE you in this mess Lord?'
And how many times did my Daddy, my Abba Father speak to my heart and say, 'I am going to be right beside you supporting you! And when the journey gets very painful and very tough, I will hold you and carry you through!' Don't you know He wonders why we continue to question Him during these times? Just like I couldn't believe Austin thought his daddy & I would be anywhere else, neither is my God going to be anywhere else but walking with Joe and I and carrying us through this valley.
I asked my Heavenly Father this afternoon, 'Where are YOU gonna be, God, on June 10th?' And His response was loud and clear, 'I am going to be right there with you my child and I will carry you through if it gets too painful!'
Austin's simple faith and simple belief system allowed us to see how BIG our God is and how faithful He is when we are facing a valley. Whatever valley you are facing, I challenge you to go ahead and ask God, 'Where are YOU gonna be?' I bet I know His answer...
This entry was posted
on April 22, 2009
at Wednesday, April 22, 2009
and is filed under
Austin,
Austin's Journey
. You can follow any responses to this entry through the
comments feed
.
