Wesley,
You are the toughest little guy I know. This week, instead of enjoying a week of birthday celebrations, your Mommy and Daddy put you through torture day after day. But instead of complaining, you accepted each new procedure with a smile. On Tuesday, Mommy woke you up early to drive you into Chicago for an EEG and an appointment with a neurologist. You cheerfully sat in the back seat for over an hour on the drive in and enjoyed laughing with Mommy's friend who came along to keep us company. When we arrived at the hospital, you marched up and down the halls, yelling at the top of your lungs so that you could enjoy the full effect of your echo. You were happy to eat your breakfast in the stroller in intervals rather than all at one time in your comfy highchair. And you loved greeting the other people in the waiting area, running right up to them with a huge smile and making yourself at home with them before Mommy could come and redirect you.
You cheerfully greeted the EEG technician - until she started attaching wires to your head. You were MAD about that! Thankfully another kind woman brought in an IPad with an "Itsy Bitsy Spider" app that you loved. We watched it over and over again as the technician worked quickly to attach all the wires to your head and get your head wrapped. Once she was finished, you were happy to cuddle with Mommy for the duration of the EEG and watch the bubbles and pictures that were projected on the wall for you. I was amazed at how quickly you could forget your misery and make the best of the situation you were in.
After your EEG we waited for quite a while before meeting with the neurologist. You were so patient as we waited. I was proud of you for keeping a smile on your face instead of getting irritable. Then when we met with the neurologist, you laughed as he checked you out rather than fighting him as you do most doctors. Despite the bad news he gave to Mommy that you indeed did have a seizure and may have more, you were quite content to munch away on your veggie straws, unconcerned with what he was saying. Sometimes your Mommy forgets, but you know that it is the Lord who sustains your life.
Then on Wednesday morning, Mommy and Daddy woke you up early for a second day in a row to bring you to the hospital for your surgery. After having had nothing to eat or drink since eight o'clock the night before, you proceeded to wait for two and a half hours at the hospital before you were taken back for surgery. During that time, you were unfazed. You wandered through the halls in your cute little blue gown and orange footies and cheerfully greeted everyone you saw. You were a light in a gloomy place, and you put a smile on everyone's faces. You loved the hospital lights and the spinning doctor's chairs and spent long periods of time talking to them. How you were able to entertain yourself so easily when your stomach must have been eating you alive is beyond me. God has definitely given you an extra measure of grace my dear child. Your patience and happiness despite discomfort far exceed my own.
When the anesthesiologist resident came to take you away, you willingly leaned into his arms and let him lift you up from Mommy. While it was hard for us to let you go, we knew you were in good hands. The surgical team and anesthesia team you were with are some of the best. And even more importantly, your heavenly Father who upholds your life was watching over you and guiding the surgeon's hands.
One short hour later, we were called back to meet you when you were brought out of surgery. I almost laughed as I watched four nurses surrounding you as they attempted to protect you from banging your head against the sides of your crib as you tried to sit up and stand up while you were still coming out of anesthesia. You are always and forever my little wiggle worm, unable to sit still even for a moment. I don't think they were expecting your determined efforts to escape.
Due to previous bad experiences with anesthesia, this team of doctors decided it would be best to keep you overnight. So, after an hour or so of watching you in the post-op room, they transferred you to the PICU. The moment we set foot on this floor, I felt out of place. Here were rooms full of very sick little children, and we were coming up here for observation of a healthy child after a routine surgery. It was a wonderful reminder to me of how much God has protected you, my dear Wesley, and blessed you with good health.
Around noon you were still clinging to Daddy and refusing any clear liquids. We asked the nurse if we could please offer you your coconut milk and she hesitantly said yes. Of course she was concerned that it might not sit well in your stomach, but at that point she was desperate to see you swallow something. Anything. She didn't realize what a stubborn little fellow you are. Despite being starved, you refused the clear liquids on principle. As soon as we put your coconut milk in your sippy cup, you chugged it down like there was no tomorrow. Then you started getting antsy and wanted Daddy to put you down. The nurse kindly unhooked your IV and your heart monitor, and you immediately made a run for it. Out the door and down the hall you went, as fast as your little legs could carry you. You found the Ronald McDonald play room on the ICU floor and ran in as if you owned the place. What a joy it was to your Daddy and me to hear you laughing and squealing with delight as you discovered such fun things on that hospital floor.
While we were playing with you, the ICU nurse started requesting that the surgeon begin the discharge process. He wanted to wait several hours and then observe you again, but the nurse was insistent. Of course, she's the one who saw you running around as if nothing had happened that morning. Then Daddy came to get you from the play room with a big smile on his face. He said you could be discharged as soon as you ate something and had a wet diaper. Daddy had found food in your room that the nurse had kindly ordered for you - a hamburger, french fries, strawberries, canned pear halves, and apple juice. I still laugh just thinking of handing you a tray with these foods on it. Just to be clear, we did offer you a bite of the hamburger, which you adamantly refused. We also handed you one of the french fries - you promptly threw it on the floor. I mean, who eats french fries when there is yummy rice cereal and pear baby food near by, right?
After gobbling up your food, you were ready to go again. As I watched you, I was again amazed at how quickly you could forget all of the pain and suffering you had just been through and just enjoy the moment that God was giving you. Despite the discomfort you must have been in, you chose to ignore it and instead delight in the amazing colors, lights, pictures and toys at the hospital.
You are such an example to your Mommy and Daddy of rejoicing despite suffering. You are thankful for every little thing that God gives you, and you live your life to the fullest, not missing a second of the life God has given you.
The Lord has been so kind to uphold your life these past two years and to provide for your every need, both great and small. Today, on your birthday, we rejoice that God has given you to us as a precious gift and thank Him for continuing to sustain your life and shower you with His loving care.
Wesley, we love you more than words can say!
Love,
Mama
