The Unexpected Blessings are The Best Kind

Weeks before Skip's surgery I started having very lengthy conversations with God. Most of these conversations dealt with my fears and my frustrations that centered around my husband. Some of you know this about Skip, but most probably don't. He and my son have a muscular disease called Central Core Disease. It is an inherited neuromuscular disorder that you can read more about here.

We both did not know the diagnosis for Skip's condition when we began having children, but did find out after our son Seth was diagnosed with a muscle biopsy at 17 months of age. He had similar characteristics like Skip, and more severe in some ways. Praise God Seth is doing great and only has difficulty with running and jumping. Some kids with CCD never walk.

One of the possible complications with CCD is malignant hypothermia. We have to be very clear in talking to the anesthesiologist to let them know of his possible reactions so they can develop a plan which is tailored to this predisposition. When Seth had an operation as a baby, he had a very adverse reaction to anesthesia and it scared us to death.

Now back to my talks with God- I think you can see how I had a lot on my mind to pray about. Skip was not only having total hip replacement, but it was on his stronger leg (his stronger side). There was fear that Skip would not recover so well having to use his weaker side to support himself. There was the fear of surgery and anesthesia itself. The fear of his heart due to high blood pressure he had been having the last year (most likely due to his pain level). And I could not erase the memory of the staph infection just 2 weeks after his last hip replacement. Not to mention, my sweet dear friend Jeannie who had prayed like crazy for Skip's last surgery and gave me such a peace with her reassurance, passed away just a little over a month ago. No one else had called and told me that everything was going to be just fine in the way she did.

This time it was just between me and God. I had to really turn things over completely to God. I gave him ever fear I had, every worry, every part of me that didn't trust. It didn't help that just a couple of days before the surgery Skip and I watched the saddest show EVER together. Have you seen What Dreams May Come ? It is about a man who dies and goes to heaven. It is sad and I don't recommend you watching it before a loved one goes in for major surgery. We both cried a lot and then prayed a lot.

I think I freaked Skip out a little bit about how much I initiated prayer with him. I must have prayed at least 3 times a day with him and the kids during the prior few days before surgery. I prayed in the car on the way to Houston with him, the night before we went to bed, the morning of the surgery, twice when we got to the hospital, and for the full 30 minutes before his surgery started when I was in the waiting room. Not to mention, we had tons of people calling, emailing and texting us with prayers and encouragement. Finally the peace did come and I was able to visit with Skip's aunt and uncle during the actual surgery.

By the time Dr. Kruetzer finally came out from surgery, I had been joined by Skip's parents and my kids. I walked over to the doctor alone. I couldn't tell by the doctor's face what had happened. There wasn't a big smile like I had hoped, but the first words out of his mouth were something like, "It went remarkable." I said, "Praise God!" I then was told that he would be in recovery for a while. The doc also said it was a pretty challenging surgery, but he did great. We later found out it was because of the scar tissue and bone growth from previous surgeries Skip had as a baby.

This is where God is so good. I just wanted Skip to come out alive. I know that sounds so silly, but I was prepared for the worst and God gave me so much more. Skip not only had a fantastic surgery, the doctor was also able to shorten the length of his leg a bit to help even out a discrepancy that he has dealt with for almost all of his life. We are still waiting to see how this will affect his walk and his movement. So far, he looks great. Also, with the last surgery, he was in the hospital for 6 days, and this time 3. He was using a walker for two weeks and this time one day. He has been on crutches the whole time he has been home. Today, he even went unassisted across the room. I scolded him pretty bad after Annie told me, but secretly I'm so excited for him. I want God to continue to blow me away with his goodness and mighty powers. I never want to live in a state of just wanting things to be okay, I want miracles and to see God answer beyond our wildest dreams.

I know things can change in the blink of an eye, but I am trusting my God that He knows what is best for Skip and his health. However, that doesn't stop me from crying out to God for complete healing. I know that Skip is such a special tool in the ministry of God's kingdom, and to be feeling pain free for the first time in over 15 years is going to completely give him the focus he has so desperately longed to achieve. May Skip's best days be ahead, and may he make music and media for God for generations to come!

I just can't end the post here. I feel like I need to encourage someone out there who is struggling with some setback. Maybe you are feeling depressed, unmotivated, trapped, overwhelmed, or maybe just unloved. I want you to know that God is real, His love for you is real, and that He is just waiting for you to come to Him. Let Him in and let Him take over. We can't do it alone guys, and we don't have to. God bless!