The Hills and the Valleys

Some people like the live on top of the mountain looking out over the hillside enjoying the breeze through their hair.  Others feel more protected in the valleys down near the stream.  Either living situation brings it's own natural beauty and obstacles.  We built our house upon the top of the hill enjoying the breeze and views, but unless you have a secure foundation in the Lord no matter where you live rough weeks can make you feel like your family can be blown right off the hillside.   We started off the week with a discharge from our 2 week ICU stay; probably the most expensive "vacation" a portion of our family will ever take.   It was a formality we knew we would undertake when we stepped out in faith and adopted Huahua and I am so thankful to be on this side of the surgery with her.  We knew the risk going into the surgery, but never wanted to believe our baby might not survive the initial procedure. So no matter if you want to live in the valley or watch the sunsets from ridges, your faith needs to remain strong and focused on the true healer to walk through the unknown with a medically fragile child.

So now is the unsettling part....getting her body to start functioning with the fontan circulation and her new pressures.  She is active, lively and happy and but it's so hard to believe her lungs are still filled with pesky fluid.  Her breathing is more stressed the last day or so and she will go in tomorrow for another X ray.  Pray for her lung fluid to have decreased, so that she will not have to be readmitted.  If she is admitted, they will sedate her and place another chest drain tube.  If necessary for this procedure, pray for her spirit to continue to be strong and accepting of this treatment, as we continue to love on her and bond with her.  Last time in the hospital when the subsequent drain tube was put in, she was getting fussy.  She can tell when level of activity increases in the room, as more people always arrive for procedures.  She is so keen and aware that something is about to happen and it usually involves her in an unpleasant way!  I began singing "Jesus, Loves Me" and so softly the three nurses began all singing along.  How sweet is God!  He is in control and will heal her according to His plan.

Being at home around her siblings is the best medicine for her.  She is at peace with lots of laughter and fun!

Getting checked out on Wednesday.

She told me it was okay if she colored her hands with chalk because she could just wash them off when she was done.

Love those sweet eyes.  Today after running some errands she had the car keys and she said "Mommy, Huahua drive the truck home"  I asked her if she was old enough to drive and she said "yep!" with a boat load of confidence.  So full of life and energy.  We are so blessed with this girl :)