Thursday, September 10, 2009

Time

So, it's getting late and all of our family have left for the night. Brandon is in the bathroom doing whatever men do before "bedtime," and I'm sitting in the room with Nolan watching him sleep. What a day we've had. Now that it's over, I can actually talk about the events from the day with some of the burden lifted. My greatest fear is now gone...I actually really truly feared losing Nolan today. I know, I know, way to be positive, right Megan? But I'd be lying if I didn't say that I thought that possibly the events from today were going to be a bookend to Nolan's story. You can't help but wonder, is this why God has allowed the last few months to happen, to strengthen our dependence on Him, so that we're "prepared" for something really big? I've prayed, "Lord, please don't take our baby. I trust you, I love you, but, I just don't know if I could handle that." But, here I am again, reminded that the Creator once again, makes no mistakes, and He was present in that operating room today. As God tells Hermie and Wormie in The Common Caterpillar, "I'm not finished with you yet," and He's not finished with Nolan either.

They took Nolan from me at 7:30am, and immediately, my arms ached for him. I am so in love with that little boy... A nurse came and informed us at 9:22am that Dr. Smith (the neuro surgeon) was just beginning. Wow! 2 hours of getting him prepped. Thank you Lord for such a meticulous surgeon! She wanted to make sure the anesthesia was working with no ill effects, they got his 2 Iv's in, an arterial heart monitor in, and she wanted to have him in perfect position. The surgery lasted until about 4:30pm. Dr. Smith made the incision (ear to ear atop his head), pulled his skin and muscle down and removed his forehead. Dr. Havlik (the plastic surgeon) then takes his forehead and places it on a tray and cuts it into pieces to reshape it and makes it bigger by using disolvable plates and screws to connect the pieces. He said he cuts Nolan's forhead into 15 pieces!!!! He then places the forehead back in position and Dr. Smith comes back and closes him up. Wow! I mean, who knows how to do that? Thank you Lord for gifting people with these skills.


Now what we have to expect is 1-2 nights in the ICU and a 4-5 day stay total. They also expect his eyes to swell shut for a day or 2, but once he's able to see, we will get to go home. Right now, he's resting very peacefully. He's also running a fever, which is normal for post surgery.


We thank you all for your prayers. We heard them, we felt them. Please continue to pray for a quick and complicationless (I don't even know if that's a word) recovery. Please also pray for Nolan as his eyes swell shut. We imagine that will be scary for him. Thanks again for all your faithful prayers.

7 comments:

Rachel said...

Megan,

So glad to hear that things went well. I can't imagine what you and Brandon went through today, but know that my prayers are with you guys, the girls, and of course Nolan.

Rachel

Hunts said...

Oh Megan, my heart aches for you and Brandon and the girls to have to go through all this. You made me cry reading this (darn you!), especially when I saw Nolan's picture. There are a lot of people out there, including me, that would have that same fear if put in this situation, don't be hard on yourself. Thankfully the Lord knows what we think before we actually think it and He still loves us and is faithful to us. We'll continue to be in prayer often for Nolan's recovery and for you and Brandon and the girls. Love you guys!

Unknown said...

Megan, we continue to pray for Nolan and that he recovers quickly as well as strength for the two of you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to tell us!

Angie Hufford said...

"Oh no, You never let go, Through the calm and through the storm, Oh no, You never let go, In every high and every low,
Oh no, You never let go, Lord, You never let go of me...You keep on loving and you never let go...Lord you never let go of me." May His presence fill you to overflowing, as you rest in knowing He never lets go!

Sarah Neuhart said...

I too am so thankful for the dedication, amazing skills & precise people who are in the medical field. Our God is good and surrounds us with all that we need...and more! Our prayers are with you & Brandon.

Wani said...

I'm so thankful that everything went smoothly and was complicationless (its totally a word!). I think we will probably come see you guys after our appointment so we don't have to drag the boys with us.

Stephanie Withers said...

Megan, my heart goes out to all of you. I continue to pray for Nolan, your family and the doctors and staff that are caring for him. I am so happy that the surgery went well and pray for a quick and smoothe recovery.