Beautiful Chorus

"That was the real you singing hallelujah, 

looking down a barrel"

Lyrics from Learning to Love Again from Mat Kearney's CD Young Love (best CD I have bought in years!)

Yesterday was a better day, but ended with a very challenging night. Oliver's pain seems to be under control and he has even smiled and been playful a few times (we hope to post a video soon). He is on so many medications it is difficult for him to settle down, so sleep is hard to find.We had a wonderful meal of chicken Parmesan brought to us by a local family that braved the rain with their three beautiful boys. Their middle child's is named Oliver too, and he also has TSC. His mom, Melanie found us by Googling and then stumbled upon our blog. We've only known each other for a few weeks but, there is already a very special bond!

Love this Buddha Belly :) 

We had an important chat with Dr. Thiele to discuss the results of the monitoring thus far. Basically, we need to take out the entire left anterior temporal lobe and an area of the left frontal lobe. During the surgery, a neurophysiologist will be mapping Oliver's brain so that the “eloquent cortex” will be preserved.

The wide angle lens makes my feet look like skis :) 

Although we are tired, we are thankful! Thankful that Oliver made it through the first 48 hours without any complications from the surgery (other than that anesthesia scare). We are thankful that he is having seizures that are consistent and giving clear indications where they are originating and spreading from. We are thankful for Jim and Anne getting in town ahead of the hurricane. My mom and grandmother arrived safely back in Concord, and we are thankful for that as well. Our house sitter reports that our home made it through Irene mostly unscathed.We have been receiving excellent care from the staff here which is a blessing. We are overwhelmed at God's grace and goodness to us. There are so many ways we have seen His provision even in this intense place :)

Swelling day 4. Looking much better! 

Thanks for the advice, Aunt Catherine! The prune juice worked like a charm. 8 explosive diapers later and one grandaddy now wearing scrub pants because he got the worst of it...

This is before the prune juice worked its magic

Here are photos of David and Allen. They have both shaved their heads in honor of Oliver. David is Andrew's brother and Allen is like a brother.

Allen and his son Chase

Uncle David and Alexandria (Oliver's newest cousin)

We are singing Hallelujah even in the midst of this figurative and literal storm. Thank you for joining your voices with us! Together, we are a beautiful chorus :)

SMILES!