United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi there! I haven't posted in such a long time...not even sure if any of the "oldies" still check out the message board. We just got back from TCH for Joeys 4th surgery and I just wanted to share our experience. If its possible to consider a trip across the country to have surgery for your child a pleasant experience then that is what we experienced. The Lord just blessed every step of the way. Things went as smooth as silk. Joey had a pronator transfer and another capsulodisis. He didnt even give so much as a wimper the entire time we were there. He feels a twindge of pain every now and then but nothing constant or eventful. He left the holding room on a big wheel with the anesthesiologists and my husband and I following. When we got to the doors where we had to stop he continued to barrel down the hall and around the corner and gave us a wave and a quick "bye mom bye dad!" and was outta sight! He didnt have an ounce of fear in him...Praise the Lord! Another dr. standing there watching was amazed and said "Now that is the way to go back to surgery! It was great. When we got back to the recovery room he was still asleep. He woke up very cool and calm. I am so so thankful. He has slept very soundly the past 2 nights with no complaints what so ever. I've said it before and I'll say it again...Joey is my hero. He has taught me so much as I see him deal with these "trials of life" the way he does. This whole injury and what it entails can make me feel so sad and yet he seems uneffected by it in his attitude. God has a plan and I have a peace that passeth all understanding that grows the more I see him endure with such a positive attitude.

I also wanted to post to share a poem a friend of mine read at our Thanksgiving eve service. It touched my heart. The name is "The Plan" by Dave Breese from the Destiny Newsletter.

The Plan

There is, in life, a bright design--
My soul declares it so.
There is a vision, still by me
Unseen, but yet I know.
Another mind, another heart
Has hoped on my behalf.
Another eye has seen in me
That which I know not half.

A surety within my breast,
More sure than can be shown,
convinces me that I am here
For reasons yet unknown.
But daily on my heart there dawns
A fairer, fuler light,
A brighter morning, more aglow
With clarity and sight.

Til here upon my earthly way
At this mid-point I find
I can more clearly now compare
The road ahead, behind.
The poignant, striking contrast here
I can now mark with ease.
The path that seemed so liquid then
Was really charted seas.

How could I then have doubted that
One far more sure than I:
More wise, more true, more filled with love
Was watching from the sky,
And working with relentless power
To open there for me
The high road of His hope, His plan
That I could not foresee.

My Lord, my God, I know that I
Have not as yet attained,
But help me now more sure to walk
Amid the unexplained.
To show that God ordains on earth
The making of a man,
which porcess is the prelude here
To His eternal plan.

And when that moment golden comes
When faith gives way to sight,
No hesitation shall there be,
No backward look, no fright,
No flicker of reluctance then,
For there I sure shall say,
"The mighty architect of time
Designed it all that way."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May God richly bless you and keep you!
love, Joann )

Amen! Thank you Louise!

love, Joann )

What a wonderful post - you have given me great hope for next week for Maia!

Hope things continue to go well,
God Bless,
francine

Francine, I truly believe the key to it all is in the parent remaining calm. I will be the first to admit I was sad and hesitant about him going through another surgery. I had been feeling very emotional all last week...but I never allowed Joey to see me that way. To him I was very nonchalant and that is exactly the attitude he took! phew! ) The Lord definately blessed. I could feel the prayers. Such an awesome feeling.

I know you will have a few familiar faces there at the hospital with you which will be a blessing as well. Take care and God bless! ~~Joann

Joey is truly an inspiration. My biggest fear is that Elizabeth will eventually need a 3rd surgery and she'll remember this one and understand what she's going through. You're so right about the parent's attitude and how it affects the child.

Holiday blessings to you and Joey and your family.

Karen, I know what you mean about your daughter remembering the surgery and what's going on, but rather than looking at it as something to fear, look at it as an opportunity for her to participate in her own recovery. I think that the reason Nicole had such a hard time after her surgery at 15 months (she was afraid to go to sleep for a while) is b/c although I had talked to her about it, she was too young to comprehend. When she had this past surgery, at 23 months, she was able to understand at least enough to not have such anxiety about going to bed anymore. I'm sure that a lot of the tears they shed come from fear of the unknown. I actually asked Nicole if she wanted to have surgery this time after telling her a little about it and what we were trying to help and she said yes. Now, I know that is not too meaningful of a response coming from a 2 1/2 y.o., but I do know she had some basis for her answer b/c she has shared recollections with me about her MQ surgery. I'll tell you that was a scary ? to ask b/c I don't know what our plans would be if she said no (knowing that she couldn't really comprehend it all too well). I too agree about the paren't attitude affecting the child's response. I don't display my sadness around Nicole either. I don't want her to think it's her that's making me sad or that I'm afraid of the surgery, etc. I watch her sometimes and know that she looks to me for my response when something happens -- before she responds. Kinda scary sometime the impact you can have on someone else's life. Guess I got sidetracked. Anyway, try not to be afraid. -Tina

I can only now understan what my Mom went through because you all share so much on the board. Prayer was one of the greatest lesson I received.

I had no idea of any fears, anger or despair on her part and now I am sure she had. My mom made me feel secure and that I could do anything I put my mind to all I had to do was just keep trying...

So thanks for sharing... I will say an extra prayer for her tonight thanks to you all...

As always I pray for all the parents and children on the board and especially those who are going for surgery during the coming weeks...

Thanks for sharing
Kath

Kath

I am sure your mom had many emotions, one of which was pride in watching you in turmoils and overcoming. We, as Katie's family, have hurt, anger, fear for her future, just so many emotions. But I kick myself in the bottom every time I complain about something then see her, determined to do something she wants, work until she finds the way to get it done. But, having adults like you to turn to helps tremendously. We can only hope she makes it through adolescence with a high self esteem and go on to succeed in life.

So while we are saying our blessings know that we count you (and Miss Carrie, wherever she has been) as one of them.