Day 6. At the end of a long day, I sit. Music plays quietly next to
Watts and the ICU is quiet. Today has been slower, more time to ask
questions, more time to come up with a game plan.
Watts
is stabilized and sedated, sleeping peacefully amidst the tubes and
wires and beeping machines. His body is swollen, but his color is better
and he's fighting like a champ.
We've been trying to
be here for Watts, talk to a million doctors, sign papers, get a crash
course on medical jargon/leukemia/infections, pump every 2 hours to
salvage supply, and attempt to process and wrap our heads around all
that has happened in the last 6 days. All while trying to somewhat
normalize everything for Piper. Sweet, strong Piper. The past few days
have been incredibly rough on her tender heart.
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6
days. Last Thursday, we grilled out on the back deck and laughed at the
kids' funny faces and antics, a week later we are here. Last Friday
morning, we all went on a 3 mile run and got bagels at Breuggers, this
Friday we will be at Brenner. How quickly life changes.
Taped
above Watty's head are six pictures of him smiling and laughing with
his papa, sister, and me. Even in only 6 days, it's hard at times to
remember what life was like when everything was normal, when he was
"healthy."
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His blessings cover us. Throughout the
day we glimpse them, even in the midst of chaos. I've started jotting
them down, in true Ann Voscamp style, a chronicle of beauty through all
of this.
That we have a diagnosis and treatment can start.
The humor (and confidence) of the ambulance respiratory transport team that took Watts and me from Moses Cone to Brenner.
The kindness and awesomeness of Dr Sam Ajizian.
Ronald McDonald House.
Love and support of everyone.
Supernatural strength for Michael and me to function under all of these circumstances.
And the list goes on and on.
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Throughout
the past six days, the words, "He makes all things new in His time"
have been pounding through my head... while holding my thrashing
fever-stricken son in the ER, while jogging behind the stretcher towards
the ambulance to head towards Brenner, while sitting in the little room
with the doctors receiving the worst news of my life. He's been in
every moment through all of this...dark as it might seem, I feel cupped
in His hand.
