A Long Day That Has Just Began

We were able to get back to the townhome from the hospital last night around 5:30.  Miss. Lauren and Zach were still off exploring the Charleston Fort and beach area.  We settled in and tried to catch up on messages from family and friends.  It was nice being out of the hospital for the day but the weight of having to be back at 5:30am this morning was still looming over us.  Tina and I had a long hug and prayer and tried to remind each other that Christ is King and will give enough grace to sustain us during this trial.  We confess and believe He has overcome the world, sin, death, and disease.  We believe His will, will come to pass perfectly. 

The grandparents and a dear friend from Michigan who flew into Charleston to support us came over around 6:30.  It was nice having a house full of people to keep our mind from dwelling too much on Anna’s coming surgery.  Miss. Lauren and Zach arrived back home around the same time and Zach had much to tell us about his grand adventures from the day. 

We all enjoyed a nice big meal provided from our dear friends at CrossBridge Ministries and just had some sweet fellowship.  Everyone left around 8:00pm and we got the kids down and then turned in.  Sleep was minimal.  Tina and I were up at 4:00am crying and pleading with our Lord to sustain us, protect Anna and for His will to be done.  Having to let Anna go this go around was starting to be overwhelming.  She looks so healthy but we know she desperately needs this procedure. 

Anna asked where we were going and we told her back to the doctors so they could work on her boo-boo on her heart.  We felt bad because she has no real idea what that means.  We can do nothing but trust in the Lord to cause these memories to be faint shadows in her mind.    

Once at the hospital we got through check in really quickly.  That was nice.  But, unfortunately Anna’ anxiety started to increase once we got back to the nurses check in area.  She would not take the oral medication that was going to help her relax.  Tina and I had to hold her down and try to force her to take it.  This was terrible for us.  I kept thinking, “there must be a better way to get her this medicine!”  They finally decided to give her a shot , which caused her to cry even more, but she was relaxed and out of it within 5 mins. 

Letting her go was amplified by the stress of getting her the medicine.  It took Tina and me some time to compose ourselves after letting her go and then we headed off the PCICU waiting room.  We are now waiting for the first update, which should come shortly.  We will try and give another update later this afternoon.  Again, we covet your prayers.  Thank you for your faithfulness to lift Anna and our family up.  May our gracious King Jesus be exalted through our trial and may He bless you for your faithfulness in praying.