Do Not Fear

Grace has had a busy week with drs.  She got to get out of the house twice...for 2 doctors visits...orthopedic dr and neurosurgeon visits on Tuesday and Thursday.  The ortho. dr said her elbow should be healed in 3 weeks, which was good news to hear.  Yesterday, we made a trip to see Dr. Swift and spent a long time with him discussing Grace's progress.  Overall, Dr. Swift continues to be pleased with how well Grace is progressing.  He believes that she will still need about 4-6 weeks before she will be able to resume her normal activities, and so we will continue doing about what we have been doing now, up some during the day, with lots of rest in between.  

Grace and I both were curious about swimming, since most pools will be opening this weekend and Grace loves to swim.  Swimming will be great for Grace because it will help regain her muscle loss without impacting and straining her spine, BUT Grace will not be able to swim until her incision heals completely which could be another few weeks.  I am thankful she will be able to swim this summer but to a child who is missing out on so much I am wishing and praying for that incision to heal rapidly.  He also told us she can never ever get on a trampoline again....another sadness for her and horseback riding (which she did weekly last year and loved) she will only be able to do occasionally, like once or twice a year, but not weekly.  Basically nothing that impacts her spine.  So, again, I am thankful for so many blessings that she will walk and run and dance again in time....but there is sadness too, that limitations have been set.

Lastly, he told us that the goal of surgery was really to help with endurance and strength of her legs, and he is still hopeful that he achieved that.  He would love to see that she is able to walk and run for distances, without tiring out, or needing to be carried, eventually.  Due to the area of surgery needing to heal completely, he said there is no way of knowing if this was successful for about 6 months from now.  I look to Isaiah 41:14 for comfort "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."  I know my nature and that is one to worry over the next 6 months and so my prayer is to take each day, each minute as a gift from God and not worry about the next 6 months.  I know God will help us and guide us through that.  He has brought us this far and given us so many blessings in the process.  I am so thankful for everything that the Lord continues to do through Grace.  I am also thankful for each of you.  I know that if worry takes root in me that I can call out and the Lord will be there and answer and many of you will show up.

Thank you my sweet friends,

Carrie