Friday Morning

The first thing that comes to my mind right now, is that one week ago today we were anxiously waiting as we had just sent Drew off to surgery. Can anyone believe that was only a week ago? It feels like it could have been months ago to me. I am so glad to have him sitting next me, awake & eating bacon (that's good for your heart, right?) and watching dinosaur videos. No, he's not happy, but when you think about it, what does he have to be happy about? He's only four, it's not like he understands the concept of enduring the pain and indignities now because he will be so much better off later. He only knows that he has pain, he can't be held by his mommy & daddy, his voice is weak and we can't understand what he wants most of the time, he doesn't have the energy to get up and play, or even sit up by himself, he has to wear a diaper even though he's potty trained, and it takes at least 2 or 3 people to help him get on the potty. Throw in a poke for a blood test this morning, and waking up to two nurses bugging you and I can't say that I would be smiling either.

But, he did have a very good night and slept most of the night. Still no roommate, so Dan had some good peace & quiet too. Praise God for that! He ate some breakfast--bacon, a couple bites of muffin, some grapes and one piece of cantaloupe. He also drank most of his chocolate milk this morning. Haven't heard any plans for today, but I imagine (and hope) they'll take at least one more chest tube out. He is down to .25 liters of oxygen and still satting at 98! Still the only smiles we see are forced, when we ask him to say cheese for the camera.

Here are some pictures from yesterday, as promised:

Kristen & Shae bringing Drew some dinosaur presents

Drew and Shaelyn

Saying cheese for the wagon ride

Drew going for a ride

Shae is pulling and Ava is pushing

Thank you Vanessa for the balloons!

Eating some breakfast

I want to say thank you to everyone who has been by to visit, sent cards & gifts, brought meals and remembered us in prayer. I am trying to make a list of everyone who has been so thoughtful and generous so I can send thank you notes, but I think it is inevitable that I will miss someone. Just know that it has touched us deeply to feel so loved and cared for by family, friends, and people we haven't even met. It brings to mind one of my favorite verses:

2 Corinthians 1:4-5
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

Thank you for comforting us.