Once again, thank you Jamie for a wonderful post and for leading me to this incredible documentary.
Above is a short trailer of the winner of "Best Student Documentary" at the 2009 Illinois International Film Festival. Michel Ilbawi, M.D., leads the pediatric heart surgical team at the The Heart Institute for Children. Headquartered at Hope Childrens Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, they perform over 400 operations and care for more than 3,500 children with heart defects each year.
I watched the trailer and of course teared up. I am definitely going to purchase the documentary. I want to be able to one day show Natalie what all she has survived and how incredible surgical teams are.
Larry told me after her second surgery, he took a couple of pictures that he was going to tuck away for safe keeping. These are not the feel good photos either, these are the ones with tubes, monitors and a big incision; the ones right after surgery. He said to me that when she comes home one day crying because she feels beat down on whatever, he is going to sit her down and show her what all she has survived and accomplished in her life. She has conquered so much in her life so far and she is not even 2 years old, yet. I hate to think what she still has in front of her, but I know with God gave us our special angel and with Him, we can all survivor/accomplish anything.
"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights"
Habakkuk 3:19
We used to keep "that" picture on our fridge. Some people just didn't get it. But I would tell them, you know, just when I think I'm having a (excuse me) shitty day, all I have to do is look at that picture and put myself into perspective. It also reminded us daily of where we once were and where we are today. We periodically look at Kaston's special book, he asks questions, talks about what he remembers, names the doctors in the pictures, then runs off to go play. NO big deal. It's a bigger deal for me than him.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed visiting with you last night. Can't wait to get together again, soon! I just wanted to share this scripture with you based on some things you said last night. It has helped me through certain times during this CHD journey.
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Hope you guys have a great week!
Jamie