Two months have passed since McKay's last check in with his cardiologist. Two months! Two months since the Glenn. Two months without oxygen. Two months of cautious optimism...
And today all the news is good.
Mac checked in with cardiology and now weighs in at 17 pounds 1 ounce and is a smidgen over 27 inches long. He's HUGE!! He's growing like a normal, very healthy kid. What an impostor!
I love it.
At one point today I had a doctor actually utter the words, "McKay is the healthiest heart kid I have EVER seen." Do we get a medal? A trophy? A sash? Oh please, a sash!
I'm seriously crying again just reliving the experience. I don't know if I can explain to you the utter joy that overwhelms my soul every time we get good news about McKay. It's almost as if someone who has been sitting on my chest for months, suddenly decides to get up. And as that weight is lifted I not only feel lighter, feel like I can breathe again, but almost as if I will lose contact with the ground and take flight. It's an amazing feeling that lasts about all of 30 seconds until they start talking "next steps." BLAH. No recap of next steps today. We are reveling in tiny victories that take huge commitments to attain. Today we are winning.
(SIDE NOTE: Be cautious--we were warned RSV season is vicious this year and is reaching a crescendo. Kids from a few weeks old to several years old are being hospitalized. PICU was FULL today. Yes, our lockdown will continue...)
As ecstatic as I was at the oodles of good news for McKay, I am devastated by the hurdles placed before his little heart friend Gracie. Today, too, was supposed to be full of good news and major steps forward for 11 month old Gracie. But as can happen, the tests came back with cruel results, and now her sweet family is wrestling with decisions no one should be asked to make. (Please visit Gracie's blog to learn more.) I want to share her story with you not only because she needs your faith and prayers, but because Gracie's story and struggle teaches me not to take anything for granted. I feel like I hold a miracle everyday--we all hold miracles of different types. Right now, Gracie needs a few extra miracles to come her way and her mom and dad need a whole lot of clear thinking and confidence in faith well placed. We send a TREMENDOUS amount of love to them tonight.
Hug your kids. Kiss your spouse. Praise God and recognize the miracles that are yours. Actually, I think one of mine is calling me now...
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6 comments:
Thank you for the wonderful update! (yes let's celebrate victories and not dwell on next steps) I will visit Gracie's blog right now--she is in my heart and prayers.
Thank you. Your posts are so beautiful, Mindi. I love the way you explain things...the words you use. And your faith, love, testimony. You are truly a beautiful person, inside and out.
Way to go for McKay! He is just awesome. He's here for a reason. That is evident. What a stud.
I'm so happy little, well, BIG Mac is doing great! Missed you guys this past weekend, lets try to plan something again, soon!
I read gracie's blog yesterday, I cried when I saw her little fingers. I can't even imagine...
I should wait and put my makeup on "after" I read your blog! I am happy to see McKay is doing so good and will pray for Gracie!
Lisanne
Mindi - I am so happy for you and for McKay. Wow! 17 pounds. That's a dream come true for me. Mine are lucky to be 17 pounds at a year (they are so skinny and scrawny that my father-in-law loving calls my babies "drowned rats"). What wonderful news, and congrats on being able to avoid RSV this season.
I love your words and they validate everything that I've been feeling lately. I read little Gracie's blog. Such tough decisions! We have some family members who are struggling within their marriages - no serious transgressions or anything, they just don't seem to like each other very much anymore and have forgotten how to treat each other kindly. It is destroying their own spirits and their children's lives. Whenever I think of their situations, I am overwhelmed with sadness because they do have so many miracles in their lives and they can't see them. It is so very sad and difficult to watch. I think you said it perfectly: We need to cherish those blessings, those miracles. Thank you!
Hey Mind I was just happened to come across Paul Cardall's blog. I don't know if you know of him, or if you already read his blog. He's waiting for a heart. His blog is so inspiring and great! He has your link on the side of his blog. He wrote a beautiful post for the young babies that have heart problems, and his wish for them to live this life so that they can see the beauty that he has for the last 35 years. It was such a thoughtful and beautiful post. So now so many people are reading your beautiful words and feeling the hope and faith that you have! You a wonderful and amazing. I pray for you every day.
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