Thank you Jesus!! Surgery is scheduled!!!!
- Anna Morgan
- Nov 24, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 27, 2020
I have a story of how God lined up providers, hospitals, and stay for Alex’s surgery to happen before the new year. If you have been following at all you know what a year it has been with Alex’s surgery being scheduled multiple times and canceled due to insurance or provider issues. Each time we were scheduled we got excited, saw a light at the end of the tunnel only to be told weeks before surgery everything was on hold. This was an emotional roller coaster for all of us. After our appointments last Tuesday and Wednesday in Texas we told the doctors we wanted to move forward with the surgery there at Scottish Rite. We were told they would begin putting the pieces together and get a date for us as soon as they could.
Thursday morning we said goodbye to our new friends in Texas and headed for home. Again, we decided we wanted to take our time going home and make some memories. Our first stop was for a picnic. We found a little spot on the side of the road with some picnic tables. The kids were able to run and play, we had lunch, and found mistletoe in the trees. We stopped in Little Rock to spend the night and break up the trip.
Friday, our first stop was in Memphis. The kids were excited when we told them we were going to go in the pyramid shaped Bass Pro Shop. It was fun to see all the fish and animals. The real excitement was being on the second floor walking around when they announced there was an emergency and we all needed to evacuate by the nearest exit. They cleared the building and first responders arrived. The evacuation was handled very well and the kids did a great job, immediately reaching for the hands of littler siblings or offering to carry people. Some of them were nervous but kept it together. It certainly was a part of the trip we won’t ever forget. Next we went to T.O. Fuller State Park. You would never know you are so close to a big city when you’re in this park. We had a picnic lunch, played on the playground, ran up and down the hill, saw the owls in the nature center, and walked through the Chickalisa Indian mounds and village. The little owl was so cute and was talking to the kids. They would try to mimic his sounds and he would echo. It was a perfect day for being outdoors and we got a history lesson as well.
As we were driving we received a phone call from Dr. J’s scheduler at Scottish Rite. She wanted to let us know they had a surgery date for Alex. December 14th is the day!!! We could not believe it would be able to happen this quickly. We have to be back in Dallas on December 9th. Surgery will be on the 14th and they expect Alex to be in the hospital for about seven days after surgery. A few minutes after this call Dr. Johnson called to see how we felt about the date, see if we had any questions, and talk over a few things. She has been such a blessing. One thing we learned that was really cool is that they used the CT scans to have 3D printed models of her bones made. As they are finalizing the details of the surgery these models are helpful. This picture is the moment we told her.
We stopped for gas down the road and got everyone out of the car. We told the kids about the new surgery date and had a time of thankful prayer together. It was sweet to once again see all of them be excited for her. Brent and I both feel confident with this team of doctors and have a lot of peace about putting our sweet girl in their hands for this. Once again, we get to see God’s plan in all of the delays. It was certainly hard along the way but sweet of God to give us this. Paul did realize that this means her surgery will be on his birthday. We are planning to celebrate his birthday together before we leave town and then Grandma and Pap Pap will have birthday day with him and LaRue has told him she will make him a cake that day as well.
The long term plan is that we will stay in Dallas until the end of January. She will have a six week procedure that will give us a better understanding of how she Is recovering and at that point her doctors will let us know if everything looks good enough for us to head home or if we need to stay close a bit longer. This of course means we will be there over Christmas. The wonderful thing is she should be out of the hospital around the 21st so Brent plans to go meet Mama to pick up the other kids before Chrismtas so we can all be together for Christmas and New Years before he takes them back to Grandma. This will certainly be a different kind of Christmas but it will be good in lots of new ways. I don’t know what we would do without so many people willing to help, pray, and support in so many ways.
We decided that since our Christmas season together would be so short this year we would break our rule and begin celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving. Thursday will be all about Thanksgiving and then back to Christmas. Saturday I took the kids out to Kingdom Acres for their fall festival so we could pet the animals, visit with friends, get some Maple cream and syrup and have a visit with Santa. This was our first Christmas activity of the season.
We sat down with the kids and asked them each for their favorite in each Christmas category, Movie, Book, Activity, and Cookie. Our goal is to get those six things in each category done before we head out for surgery. We know we won’t get everything done that we do most years but we did want to try to hit the kids favorites while we are together. This afternoon we took off for the woods to find the perfect cedar tree. The kids ran all up and down the hills through the trees looking for just the right one. When we found it everyone took turns sawing until it finally timbered! We decorated while eating pizza and watching a Chrismtas movie. The tree won’t be up very long this year but the experience is always so much fun we wanted to make sure we did it. We had a good day.
Many people are asking how they can help. Thankfully many have asked if they could do this or that specific thing. Right now I find it difficult to figure out what to say when someone asks how they can help. Below is the link to the GoFundMe that was set up for Alex’s medical needs. It has been a blessing along the way the last years. It has helped keep appointments we needed, her medications and supplements. The many medical trips we have needed to take for her and all of the other unexpected things that have come up along this journey.
There is also an Amazon wish list with things she needs after surgery, things that we know she would enjoy and that will help keep her entertained during the time she is in the hospital and in the spica cast.
When we do finally get home there will be a meal train and more tangible ways people can help but for now, with the long distance these are the immediate needs.
As always the most important need is your prayers. We know God is holding our daughters life in His hands and that his plan for her life is perfect. We trust that will for her even when we are confused or sad or even angry with the way things are going. We ask that you continue to pray for peace in this journey for the whole family. Pray for the other five children as we leave them behind in a few weeks. They are very excited to get this special time with grandparents but also anxious about not being nearby when she has her surgery. There are certainly a lot of emotions going around in this house right now and I expect that will only increase as we get closer to surgery Day and even beyond that. Pray for Brent and me To have wisdom in how we parent and that we would be understanding of the children’s struggles while trying to parent well.
I know this was a lot of information and there is probably a lot I left out. Please don’t hesitate to message here, email, or text if you have a question or would like something cleared up.
Helpful links to share with others.
https://linktr.ee/alex_fearfullywonderfullymade
Prayers for all of you!