Celebrating One Month Later

So here we are, one month later. This time last month we were hovering over P's bed in ICU debating whether or not either of us should sleep that night. We were scared out of our minds. We had nothing to hold on to but our God. Tonight he is asleep on the floor in our living room "camping". God is so good to us. What a month we have had! Never in a million years would anyone guess that this kid just had heart surgery a month ago.

Pierson "camping" in our living room floor 1 month to the day after surgery to repair his Coarction

We did celebrate today. We let him choose where we would go for lunch. We just knew we were in for Chick-Fil-A or Sonic but he chose Blue Goose for their fajitas. Sounded like a celebration to us! I think one of the things we have learned through this journey has been to celebrate more. Every day is a gift and we need to rejoice in what He has given us. We should mark special events and make a point to thank God for them, no matter how small we may think they are. Big or small, every good and perfect gift comes from Him.
James 1:17  Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
Our hearts and lives have changed so much since the day P was diagnosed. We didn't know that there was a world of parents and children with Congenital Heart Defects out there. But there is. A heavy burden on my heart is awareness for CHDs. 1 in 100 kids is born with a congenital heart defect. 1 in 150 has a Coarctation of the Aorta like P. My best friend who is a kindergarten teacher made this analogy: At most public schools that means at least 1 child in each grade level has a CHD. That's more common than Autism. There is no regular screening in place for CHDs. These defects are present at birth yet they aren't screened for at birth. Why? Why isn't every child given an echo cardiogram? Every child gets their foot pricked to check for genetic disorders that are far less common than CHDs. It just seems silly to me. If we had not have had Dr. Adams and her diligence Pierson would have dropped one day and we probably would not have been able to save him. That makes me want to throw up just thinking about it. How many kids could be saved if every newborn was screened for CHDs? How many babies go home and die from "SIDS" who actually have CHDs that could have been corrected with surgery. This just seems like some of the most valuable preventative medicine we could have.
When I took Pierson in for his BP screening at the doctor's office this week we got a minute to talk to Dr. Adams. She said that some parents had heard what had gone on with Pierson and decided not to skip their well child visits. Good! Can we say victory? I hate, hate that we had to go through this but will rejoice in that God is using it for His good and for His plan. If even one more child's life is saved because of this then let's call that a victory. That's one less parent who will have to experience the nightmare of losing a child. He is working our trial for His good. He is good. We are able to both enthusiastically rejoice and take perfect rest in Him for that.
Romans 8:27-28  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose.
So what is next for us? Life! Pierson's recovery is going well. We are slowing down on weaning him from his blood pressure medicine... his heart needs a little more time than the original 6 weeks we were shooting for so he will be on for a little longer than the expected 6 weeks. That's so ok. His incisions have healed nicely and he loves showing them to people when he is asked. P started back to preschool this week. He goes 2 days a week and he was glad to be back, and his teachers and friends were glad to have him back. His teachers can tell a difference in his energy levels. They also said he seems happier. Well I bet, he can finally keep up with the other kids! Last weekend we finally took his 3 year old pictures (hey, we've been a little busy!) and our photographer Sarah Null (who also happens to be our good friend) took pictures and incorporated Pierson's surgical battle wounds. These pictures are so special to us. If you were wondering why Pierson is playing with a trash truck in his pictures it's because he loves trash trucks. It's part of who he is. Wednesdays are trash days at our house and his favorite day of the week. He wakes up on Wednesdays and knows it is trash day! We know our recycling man on a first name basis. Pierson told my mom yesterday that he wanted to be a doctor that heals kids hearts and drives trash trucks to the hospital for kids to see! Sounds like world's best future congenital heart surgeon ever right there!
I am also tackling the joyful task of getting thank you notes out to everyone who has blessed us with sweet encouragement, meals and gifts during this time. Rest assured -- they are on their way folks! The love we have received through all of this has just been unreal. We are beyond blessed and so thankful. There just aren't words.

I wanted to leave you with this verse and some of Pierson's 3 year old pictures. When we were at Dr. Laird's office for P's tests the day he got diagnosed I knew in my heart that something was wrong and was scared. I turned around in the room where we got P's EKG and saw Hebrews 13:5 on the wall. I want to share that verse and the two that come after that with you tonight. Even if Pierson had not had a good outcome, this verse still would have been true. If you're walking through a valley right now, remember this verse. It is His truth and His truth is forever. He loves you so much.
Hebrews 13: 5-7 for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  so that we confidently say,  “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?” Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.