Aug 20, 2007

Miracles Do Exist: Example 2 (Part 2)

I'm back now, but if you haven't read Part 1- go here first.



Having Seth gain weight, was awesome, and to finally see chubby checks emerge was the best. In the mean time, during the first 7 months, we had regular visits from a physical therapist to our home who was helping Seth reach milestones in which he was severly behind in comparison with children of his age. The nutritional issues were of no help to the situation. His pediatric orthopedist had put Seth in a type of cloth brace which he wore for a few months, and then at about a year he began crawling. My daughter Ashley starting walking at 8 months, but you never saw a mama more proud when he Seth got up on his hands and knees for the first time. He continued to thrive on his new diet and he got stronger too. At 16 months, it was time to go in for an anticipated surgery that we knew was coming. This time it was to put Seth in a cast to help his hips seed in place. They were still very loose and out of the sockets. Two weeks before we went in for surgery, the surgeon had us come in for x-rays to get a good idea of where we were at, also he talked about the fact that he would also be doing a muscle biopsy on Seth's thigh to determine what type of syndrome or myopathy Seth had. At this point, we didn't know Seth had CCD, we just knew that he had something similiar to Skip and Skip's grandfather. At the appointment, the surgeon told us the best case scenerio would be that Seth would were a cast from the waist down for 6 weeks. Understand here, that he was only going to have an opening in the bottom for diaper changes, and there was basically no way to keep all the area clean. We had a pro on the subject since Skip's mom had dealt with Skip in a cast as a baby. Only Skip's condition was way worse. She knew what we were in for, but was there to help us. The second case scenerio was that if the hips were not going easily into the sockets, they would have to operate and cut bone to adjust the hips into the proper place, which would require much more time under anesthesia and a much longer recovery. I wish I could remember all the technical terms that were used, but I was so in shock as to what my baby boy of 17 months was about to go through, that I just needed bottom line talk.

We prayed so much during the week of Seth's surgery. We prayed that he would only have to wear a cast and they wouldn't have to do corrective surgery also. At this time, Skip had been called to ministry and was traveling back and forth every weekend to a little church known as Bay Area Fellowship which he had started working at when Seth was about 11 months old. He had not been a previous pastor, but the Lord worked on him so much through our son, and he knew he was sold out on serving the Lord who brought us through so much. We had all of our parents with us as we sent our little guy who was very scared and very upset into the operating room. It was one of the hardest moments of my life, just like last year when I watched them wheel Skip off to the operating room for his staff infection surgery following his hip replacement. However, about an hour into surgery, our doctor emerged. We were very scared because we anticipated the surgery to last about 3 hours. The doctor's first words were, "Whoever you are praying to, I suggest you continue." We didn't understand. We figured that he meant they just were going to only put the cast on, and we immediately started praising God for answered prayer. We were so wrong. When they did the muscle biopsy, they also shot a dye into the hips to see the exact position with an xray to determine what procedure would follow, and what they saw was Seth's hips had seeded in place on their own, what it was supposed to have done with 6 to 8 weeks or more in a cast. They didn't have to do one thing with my baby boy. We were at that point SPEECHLESS! All 10 of us in the waiting room, crying and speechless. Our surgeon was in his early 70''s and a very sought after orthopedic surgeon in San Antonio who had clinics everywhere and he said he had only seen a miracle like this once in his practice and it was on an elderly man. Our family immediately dropped and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving like we had never prayed before. Talk about faith building for all of us. Talk about a testimony to share as a pastor for Skip new in his ministry. Within a month Seth began walking, and we were praising God even more. He gave us even more than we ever dreamed of asking for that day Seth went in for surgery. Isn't that just like our Precious Father who gives us such good gifts? It makes me immediately think of the scripture that says, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:11.

If you made it through this post, I applaud you. It was probably my longest post ever, but one that I've been meaning to share with you for quite some time. I really needed to write this post today, because not only am I having PMS in the worst way, I also spent the day in tears with my friend Terri about my house situation and my struggle to get my family together in one spot. This post reminded me that God has such a better plan and I need to trust him once again that He is FOR ME. Thanks for hanging in there, and I hope you have many miracles of your own to share. Let me know if you do sometime. God bless!

19 comments:

Susan said...

Thanks for sharing this store with us. A miracle indeed.
Susan

Anonymous said...

Man, It is so awesome to read that in words. We have been through alot with that little boy. He is a real miracle in the flesh. Go give him a kiss for me.

Unknown said...

Susie, I love this post. Little Seth is a walking miracle, praise God. God is so good and needless to say His timing is oh so perfect. When God gives you the desires of your heart I will be there to rejoice with you. Love you guys, in our prayers.

Darlene said...

What an amazing God we have to go to.

Children are so special. I'm glad your precious boy is doing better.

And while your a great mom and a good wife, don't forget to take care of yourself too.

God Bless you sweet lady.

Shawna said...

Oh, Susie, you brought me to tears. WHOO HOO!!! I praise God for bringing Seth through so beautifully. What miracles! I am so glad you shared this with us. What an incredible testimony.

Isn't it disgusting how the enemy can pile stuff onto us one thing right after another until we get down? You were so right to fight right back and give God glory by posting this testimony. Good for you! Our day to day troubles are so small, and our God is so big and capable. I cannot wait to read your victory testimony when your house sells! I'll celebrate with you.

Canadian Bird said...

What a terrific testimony & devotional, Susie!
I was kept enrapt throughout both parts to see how God could out-do himself over & over again...Praise Him!
And I agree with "chappyswife" when she gave you kudos for using these posts to give God the glory when you were feeling the hand of oppression by the enemy.
I keep sharing my Dad's favourite verse lately (& one of mine too)...Romans 8:28 "For those who love God & are called into His plan, everything works out for GOOD!" And it will!

Christina Ketchum said...

That is a beautiful story and I feel so blessed having read it!!!

Susan @ Blessed Assurances said...

I love stories like this, I understand high running emotions, that was me last week.

But God used that week to show me just how much He has taken care of me over the years. I am blessed, as are you. But I know it is not easy, I know you are growing weary so I continue to pray for you.

Have a blessed week!
Susan

Connie said...

What a wonderful testimony!!!

Trusting is so hard some times, but always worth it.

Sohl Gal said...

Beautiful writing. Thank you again for reminding me that He has a plan, and I have to let Him reveal it in Him time.

DA Wagners said...

I came for a light read,and I left w/ tears streaming down my face! God bless you for going through so much w/ your baby boy! My heart aches for you during that painful time, but I rejoice w/ you now in knowledge of God's miracle!

The Glow Girls said...

Susie, I have read and heard this story several times from you and from Skip at BAF and Bil. Each time it still tugs at my heart. It just confirms that God is full of miracles. Especially with our little ones. I know there will be story of how you have grown and your family through your selling of you house. Believe or not God has you right where He wants you. It may to grow you, become stronger, even bring you and Skip together and your family together in way that you may not see it right now. But it will be revealed. I'm here tooo with a box full of tissues as well.

Anonymous said...

Yes, He does.


Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/

Barb said...

This post and the one before it were an absolute pleasure to read, Susie. My word. What a miracle. And I simply had no idea all this was going on. Our God is amazing.

I can only imagine how stunned you all were when that surgeon came out after only and hour and told you the wonderful news. What a testimony this is!

Thank you, thank you for sharing this with us.

Wimberley said...

susie~
i just love reading your blog... thanks for sharing your life stories... you have inspired me to begin my own blog..
i love you!!

Ruth said...

Wow, Susie. What an awesome testimony you all have!! God is just so very, very good! Thank you for sharing your story. I wasn't aware of Seth's medical history. It is an awesome story.

inspired said...

to God be the Glory great things HE has done ;o]

Denise said...

Susie,
WOW! What a great testimony and a timely one at that! I needed to hear this tonight. My name is Denise and I am the mother of two sweet girls and a very special two and half year old boy, with extreme medical needs. Fletcher is our miracle and absolute blessing to our family. I started a blog in January to chronicle the Lord's goodness to our sweet boy and to us. I'd love for you to check it out. Again, thanks for such a sweet story about your Seth.
Be blessed ~ Denise

Robin said...

Wow. I love how God has worked in your lives for so long and you have always been willing to share.

Happy Birthday Seth!! Here's to many more!