Wednesday, April 8, 2009

on the eve of surgery


We spent a long day at pre op at the doctor's office, then headed on over to the hospital (which has it's own starbucks and mcdonalds) to go through their pre op process. It was a really long day. Luckily we ran into some friends at the doctor's office that we were able to kill some time with. They're daughter is just a little younger than Seth and is approaching her own cochlear implant surgery soon.

Seth breezed through it all and charmed everyone, of course, but by the time we got home I felt ready to throw up from the nerves. Everything felt so intense, and I was painfully anxious about something happening to Seth during the surgery. I had a little bit of a breakdown, then decided to suck it up for the most part and give Seth a pre surgery bath, as it will be a few days before he can have a real bath.


As I type this, Seth is asleep on my lap. He is the cutest, sweetest little boy, and I am going to have so much trouble handing him over to someone tomorrow. But I know that God won't be handing him over, that Seth is resting in the hands of God, and that He won't be letting him go for one second tomorrow. All the same, I will be very happy when the surgery is over and my baby is back in my own arms.  All day long he has been in a great mood but very, very clingy. I have not really put him down at all, on his insistence.


The older kids are having sleepovers tonight, as we have to be at the hospital at 5:15 tomorrow morning. Surgery is scheduled for 7:30 and will last a couple of hours. Ava and Jace were very insistent on being able to love on Seth before they left for their respective sleepovers. We went to youth group tonight, and after we finished our study, our small group knelt around Seth, laid all of their hands on him, and prayed a really beautiful prayer. I wish I had a picture of all those girls praying over him...he loved it. He was staring around wide eyed, smiling at all of them. Then as we were leaving, a large group of our youth and the other leaders all surrounded John, Seth, and I and everyone prayed at once. It was overwhelming, and so welcome. Tonight I feel much better about everything than I did this afternoon, but I am still really nervous.


Seth's surgery is scheduled to start at 7:30 and it will go on for a couple of hours. That's straight surgery time, not counting the time it takes to sedate him, any complications, or the time it takes for him to wake up. We would love to have prayer all throughout the morning covering Seth, his surgeon, his anesthesiologist, and everyone connected to his care. We know that Seth's life and his hearing are in God's hands and that he will be in control tomorrow, but we also know about the power of prayer! It would mean so much to us if all of you, who have literally helped us along to get to this point, will continue to lift Seth up right through his surgery and recovery. I know many of you have fallen in love with Seth just like we have, and your prayers mean more to us than I can ever express.

I'll be updating as much as I can, as long as I don't completely lose my mind, which is a distinct possibility at this point. I cannot even fathom that we are really here...that it is time for his surgery. Wasn't he just a newborn?

35 comments:

Cathy said...

I will be praying for you tonight and especially tomorrow morning that all will go smoothly and Seth will hear soon! He is such a precious boy!

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

I will be praying for you all tomorrow morning.

Madison Sanders said...

I'll be praying. Everything will be fine!

You're right, God hasn't went anywhere, and he won't go anywhere tomorrow.

Shanda said...

He is so completely adorable! We are standing with you in prayer! I will be looking for your updates tomorrow. Peace to you my friend!

Unknown said...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

- Philippians 4:4-9

Praying for the peace that can only come from God to wash over you and sustain you. You are not alone!

In Him,
Faith (and family!)

Jennifer W. said...

I will be praying!
Jen

BeLoVed AiMeE said...

he is such a doll. praying fora smooth surgery and for your peace as well. what a blessing this will be in the end ..though getting through it might seem hard. <3

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ said...

I am so excited!! I'll definitely be praying! Will you be at ACH? If there's anything I can do for you guys, please let me know. I'm close enough to bring dinner and I'm available for anything at all. Please don't hesitate to call on me. Looking forward to updates tomorrow! :)

liz said...

i can't believe its time either, time has just flown by! good luck to seth and your family tomorrow, i'll be thinking of you!

liz from ovusoft

Joy said...

Prayers coming your way.
The hardest moment for me was handing him over..(obviously a different surgery) that's when I cried.. But then you take some deep breaths, say a prayer and it'll be okay.

I'll be praying for you guys tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellyn,

I'm so excited for the outcome of this entire procedure.

I will be praying tonight and tomorrow all day for the wisdom of the doctors, for the ease of your anxiousness and worry, for Seth's over all well being. I will be posting on my facebook as well to send prayers your way.

This blogging community are right behind you praising God and loving on Seth. Give him tons of hugs and kisses from all of his prayer warriors and blogging family.

We'll be thinking about you all!

Love Analiza and The Bernat Family

Lanie said...

Hey Guys,

Our college group prayed last night too. I woke up at 4:40, 5:15and 6:50 to pray. I got up at 6:50 and have been praying off and on all morning...I will continue to pray until this is all over. I hope you feel peace and know that God's arms are wrapped so tightly around you. He did not bring you this far to let you down now. Know how we love y'all and are praying for you.

Lanie

Anonymous said...

Goodness. This post literally brought me to tears. I can not wait to hear the great news I am so excited for you guys. You are waiting now and I hope that you are peaceful in some way as you wait.

Praying for you! Can't wait to hear the news!

Julie said...

He is SO precious! Is he standing??? What a big boy! Praying hard! Waiting for all your "tweets."

Mommy3 said...

He looks like such a big boy standing in that doorway! And I love that pic of him in the bath tub with those blue eyes! He is so so sweet. Will be lifting all of you, especially Seth, up in prayer through this. Can't wait for the update. I have a good feeling about this. :)

Kameron said...

I'm praying right now!!!

Susan said...

Praying right now as I get my kids ready for MOPS! Can't wait to hear that he is recovering and everything went JUST GREAT! :)
He's in GOOD hands!!

Stephanie said...

I can't believe Seth is standing! Wow - he looks so big.

As I type, I'm sure Seth is in surgery now. I'm praying constantly for everyone involved. Please post as soon as you get a chance after surgery. I know I will be anxiously waiting to hear just like everyone else.

God bless you!

Aimee' said...

Praying for Seth!

E @ Scottsville said...

Wow - PRAYING FOR SETH THIS MORNING!!!!

Eva said...

He is so cute. Praying for you today.

April Bryant said...

Praying for Seth this morning!

April

Anonymous said...

I am thinking good strong thoughts for your family! Go Seth Go!! Post soon to let us know how everything went.

Sew a Fine Seam said...

Praying for you all.
I couldn't believe the picture of Seth standing. I thought 'that can't be Seth! He's just a baby!!'
Wow, how time does fly. So happy for you that you will be getting this surgery over with soon.
Blessings,
Jill

by: Allison said...

I am praying and waiting to hear how things went when the surgery is over.

Unknown said...

I will be praying for little Seth today that his surgery goes smoothly. You are such a loving mother, he is so lucky to have you fighting for him!

Mandy & Jeremy Hall said...

Thinking of you this morning!!! SETH WILL HEAR!!!!!

Always in my thoughts and prayers...

Kaycee said...

I will be keeping your family in my prayers. He is such a little doll :)

Laura said...

I thought about Seth this morning when we would have been in surgery and sent up a prayer to keep him safe and for the surgery to go well. I just read your tweets and see that it did indeed. Glad to hear the vomiting is now under control. Hoping Seth's recovery is smooth!

melifaif said...

Best of luck to Seth and your family! Prayers are flowing and He will follow you through.

Les said...

Look at him standing in the doorway looking all grown up! Eagerly anticipating a GREAT surgery tomorrow. Thinking and praying for you lots friend.

Unknown said...

So glad to hear your sweet angel came through surgery without major complications! Sending him lots of love and comfort these next few days, as he recovers. What an exciting time for your family. Praying and praying! So happy to thank God tonight for His hand in your lives!

Unknown said...

So glad to hear your sweet angel came through surgery without major complications! Sending him lots of love and comfort these next few days, as he recovers. What an exciting time for your family. Praying and praying! So happy to thank God tonight for His hand in your lives!

M J said...

I will be praying for you loads tomorrow!!!! :)

Angela said...

His eyes just make me melt ~ they are so big and blue! Your kids are beautful!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...