Monday, August 22, 2011

Hopeful Expectation

Tomorrow is the BIG day. We hope you'll send us pictures of you wearing your O-Team shirt!

Start time for the surgery tomorrow is probably around 7:00. We'll update the blog when we can.

Our meeting with Dr. Thiele today was reassuring and uplifting.  She is very experienced and clinical, but still communicates a genuine sense of caring and sympathy for what we are going through.

Our meeting with Dr. Duhaime went very well. We had expected this to be very difficult; however it reassured us. It probably helped that we knew most of the scary things in advance (from other parents who have graciously shared their experiences). It was helpful to hold all the measuring instruments in our hands, the grids, the strips and the depth electrodes. These are the things that will be placed both on the surface and the inside of Oliver's brain to measure the seizure activity. We left with a clear picture of the area of Oliver's brain they will be studying. Overall, we left feeling like these doctors are both confident and competent.

Dr. Duhaime explained that the worst part is usually 48 hours after the surgery, so please pray for those days in particular. Oliver's left eye will be swollen shut and he will look like a prize fighter after 10 tough rounds.. He will also be at the peak of his pain and discomfort. Of course, at that time we'll be sleep deprived. Should be interesting....

Andrew and I feel a peace that this is the best decision for Oliver's long term health and development.  We know the risks, we know the benefits. We are 100% sure that this is a risk worth taking.  The truth is that doing nothing would be potentially more dangerous for him.  Left unchecked, his seizures could cause brain damage and or premature death.

The course of Oliver's life will be greatly altered within the next few days and weeks.

We ask for prayer for a good night's rest. We are feeling less anxious than expected and we thank God for this unexpected gift. We have to wake up at 4:45 a.m.-YIKES- so we'd better get to bed.

Thank you for your love, prayers and support. Our hearts are so full because of you!


Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  -Ephesians 3:20-21



1 comment:

Katie said...

We can't stop thinking about you, dear friends! Know that we will be calling out to the Lord for you over the next hours. We love y'all!