7 days to go!

 

Written by Keith

Thanks for all the prayers for Hannah!  We have been quarantining the family as much as possible.  We have all been pretty healthy so far.  Hannah had a day bug last week but thankfully it came as fast as it went.  We have been debating this but we are going to do some light trick or treating tonight.  Prayfully the open air & antibacterial wipes will prevent infection.  This is the first year that Eli fully grasps the concept that trick or treating = candy & fun.  So we didn't want to rob him of the experience.  

 

If you have an opportunity to pray for Hannah this week.  Here are some things that have been on my heart.

- Please pray that the family stays well this week in preparation for Hannah's surgery.  Also pray for the health of my parents as they are coming up on Sunday to watch Eli for the surgery & to provide helping hands post surgery.  

- Pray that God directs the surgeon's hands during this delicate surgery.  

- Pray for Hannah to have a speedy recovery.  In many cases cochlear implants can be an outpatient procedure.  Hannah is staying the night because of the issues with her brain.  There are unknown risks.  Specifically pray that she does not have any seizures.  Kids with her brain condition are more susceptible.  

- Pray for Ellie and myself to love each other during the additional stress

- Pray the surgery is successful and that Hannah will be able hear!  This is really exciting for me.    

This is step 1 for Hannah's hearing & speech recovery.  The link below is a first hand story about what Hannah will go through.  Cochlear implants are not the same as glasses or lasik.  They will help her hear but the hearing is different.  I don't really understand what different means but she will have to learn to hear in a different way.  Learning to hear is not something I really ever thought about.  

http://handsandvoices.org/deafhardofhearingchildren/inspiringdeafandhardofhearingteens/

Lastly please pray for Ellie & Hannah post surgery.  Pray that Hannah will learn to hear & speak.  This learning means more doctor & therapy appointments.  Ellie is a trooper & doesn't talk about this much but it is physically taxing on her.  Hannah has already had a 100+ appointments this year! Pray for endurance and patience as she will need to have more speech therapies post surgery to go along with the other physical stuff.  

 

Thanks so much for remembering our family during this time. We will keep you updated!

"And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him."

           1 John 5:14

2 weeks to go!

We're in the final countdown until Hannah's surgery. 

2 weeks. 

I know for most people the autumn season flies by and for the most part it has with us too, but waiting for this surgery has seemed long. We are anxiously awaiting the day. 

 

Starting Monday we are initiating a kid quarantine. Eli will be home from school, no playgroup, no nursery, etc. 

Don't worry we'll still get out of the house, but we are trying to do all we can to avoid infection especially as flu season begins and it just started getting cold here, uhum yesterday.

 

I think I'm 95% ready for the surgery. I know this will help her hear and it has proven over and over amazing results, but seeing my girl in pain is worrisome. We know she will be in good hands with the doctors and nurses at Cincinnati Children's but it's still hard. 

 

The next two weeks will be fun for all of us. Actually, Hannah and Eli have started to really play well with each other. Hannah misses Eli when he's at school and Eli constantly asks me when Hannah's going to get up from her afternoon nap so he can play with her. It's sweet. 

 

Today we had the pleasure of dedicating Hannah and Suzi at church. 

We are thankful for the church the Lord has placed us in and the way they care for us and our children. Since Hannah is Hannah almost every kids ministry worker knows her. I often here "you're Hannah's mom, right?" I don't think I've ever heard that about my other two.  I hope that's a good thing. 😊

 

But more than just their care we know people pray for her and us. Someone I barely know even came up to me this morning and asked when Hannah's surgery is, that's amazing to me--that people think to pray for her and she, in her unique way, is having an impact on others. 

 

So, 2 weeks. 

Thank you for your continued prayers for health and the upcoming surgery. 

As we wait we can only imagine the great things the Lord has in store.