Pre Opt Appointment

"To pray is to let go and let God Take over"

Philippians 4:6-7

We have had a busy few weeks!  I met with the Amarillo ISD Homeschool Department and got Natalie all ready to go for after surgery.  I was able to meet the two teachers, that will be coming to our home to work with her until she is released to go back to school.  I feel so blessed to be apart of an amazing elementary school and school system.  Everyone worked so quickly getting Natalie all set up and explaining everything to me.  I feel relieved to have that off my plate and knowing that it is all in place. 

Football season is upon us!  Carter started football games this past weekend.  He and his team did amazing and won both their games.  Carter did come home from school last week, thinking he broke his wrist in PE.  I thought, this is exactly what I need right now...ugh.

We are lucky though, it was only a bad sprain.  He has a little brace he has been wearing and has told me it is feeling much better.  Please pray for extra protection for him while I am gone.  

Natalie also had her first volleyball games this past weekend as well.  I did not think anything could be as bad as watching tball, but I may be wrong.  Second grade volleyball is pretty brutal.  First, most of them do not know how to play, because this is their first year, which is understandable.  Second, most can not hit it over the net, so when someone does from either team, everyone cheers.  I do have to say, they have all improved in just one weekend.  Natalie only gets to play one more weekend and then, she is done.  She really wanted to play volleyball this year so, we decided to let her play until surgery time.

Natalie's surgery is less than a week away!  

How am I doing? Honestly, I have my moments.  Yes, I am an emotionally basket case most days, trying to not lose it.  I know she is going to do amazing, but I hate handing my child over to doctors that plan on cutting into her.  This will be her 11th surgery and I know this will not be her last either.  Handing my child over, is a true test of my Faith each time.  I have an ongoing battle inside my head daily; fear vs letting God take over and knowing He is in control of all of this.  The struggle is real...

I am apologizing up front if you run into me in the next few days or in these past few days and I have seemed not with it or in another place.  I feel like I am going through the motions right now of my daily life and I am so overwhelmed at times.  

Larry, Natalie and I took the 6:15am flight to Dallas on Monday.  If you are doing the math in your head right now, I got up around 4:15am. There is something so wrong about that and for all you business men and women out there, that do this on a weekly or even daily basis, I am sorry.  I feel for you and I now pray for you daily, for strength and sleep.

We started our morning off at Scottish Rite with some X-rays.  Our doctor wanted some clear pictures for surgery.  The had to twist Natalie for a few of them.  Weird, but they said they need to see how bendable her spine was.  

Off to we went to Children's Medical Center's Pre Opt Clinic, where we had an exam and lab work done. I am embraced to say this, but I missed the Heart Clinic on Monday, where everything is done right there and they know us so well.  Natalie was so brave about giving blood and being examined.  

We got home Monday night around 5:45pm, so it was a long day.  Little miss, decided to wait until the car ride home from the airport to finally take a nap.  Isn't that how it always goes?

Carter woke up Tuesday morning, trying to say he was not feeling good so he could stay home.  I think me being gone for a few weeks, is getting to him as well.  I promised him, I would pick up him up early one day from school and have some one on one time together.  Sorry, for any of his teachers reading this.

I got a call from the school on Wednesday that Natalie was not feeling good.  I went up there and she started crying, saying her head was killing her.  I decided just to bring her home with me for some one on one time this afternoon.  As soon as, we got in the car, the below picture says it all!  Sorry, Ms. Robertson for her missing the rest of the day.  

Her anxiety is in full effect this week.  She has asked us every night, why she has to have surgery.  If that does not break your heart, I am not sure what will. I hate this for her in so many ways.  I know she needs this and will do amazing, but I hate she has to have another surgery right now and one that will keep her home from school for so long and change her life some.  I hate even more that I know this is not that last surgery she will ever have!  Some day, she will need these rods removed and her spine fused and she will need another heart surgery at some point in her life. I have always told my kids to not sue the word "hate", because I feel it is a strong and powerful word, but that is how I feel about this whole thing.  

I have spend the week cleaning house, buying groceries for Carter and Larry while I am gone and packing clothes for everyone.  I am sorry to say, but my son may be eating lunchables for the next few weeks.  I promise he will eat some fruit and veggies at home, hopefully.  We are just going to try and make it through, doing whatever we can do...so no judgement, please. 

If you all do not mind, please be praying for everything to fall into place this week, as we prepare to leave.  Please pray for peace and comfort for all of us.  Thank you all!  I will be updating more and more in the next couple of days.