2 Months ago today we were sitting having lunch after church when I noticed a hard lump on Wyatt's forearm. We tried not to panic but both Brandon and I were immediately worried. Later that week we saw his pediatrician who said it was strange and ordered x-rays that looked good. 2 weeks after that we went back for an ultrasound that showed it was a soft tissue mass. With this new knowledge they referred us to a surgeon who also said he wasn't worried, but that he could justify surgery if we were because of the ultrasound findings. We were still worried, although no one else seemed to be, because they couldn't explain what it was and basically were just recommending watching it closely for growth which would then be a sign of something to be concerned about. So we went ahead and did surgery and a few days later were told that the pathology report needed a 2nd opinion because there was a portion of the biopsy that didn't quite seem to fit and as a result they felt it was best to send it up to Portland. So here we were with another week to wait for those results. Finally, after literally 2 months of battling against our own fears and minds, which threatened to send us careening down the path of what ifs at any moment, we got the 2nd results back saying it was totally benign, a granuloma. So today we celebrate Wyatt's "Good News" as he calls it since that's what we've been praying for with him these past weeks. We didn't want him to be worried, but also wanted to pray for the results with him.
Among many things God has shown me these past months how much I think I control and try to control. When things like this happen we gain a new perspective on who is really in control and new understanding of surrender and the fact that although it is painful, even exhausting at times because we have to fight so hard against our own human nature it's really the only way to live. I realize that whether I willingly surrender it or not it is all in His hands and always has been. I've been so stretched these months as I've had to face fears and pray boldly and live within the confines of today as tomorrow was to scary, and today I am so unbelievably thankful for God's mercy and protection of our family in this!
Psalm 28:1-2, 6-9
To you, Lord, I call. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help. Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my sheild; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. The Lord is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation. Save your people! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Here are some pictures from Wyatt's surgery a few weeks ago.
Wyatt got so silly when they gave him his meds. He hid from the camera in most of the pictures and then when he did come out he was trying to lick me, and I was sure he was going to fall out of bed he was so looped. Silly little boy but it made the goodbye easier so I was thankful for that.
He did great in surgery, but woke up pretty upset because he didn't know where we were. However, once he calmed down he was a real trooper. He complained very little about the incision and didn't seem overly upset by any of the events of the day other than that Sadie didn't come with us. When we got him home he said, "Mommy this wasn't a fun day!" When I asked him why he said, "Because I wanted Sadie there and she didn't come." Later right before bed I told him I was proud of him for being so brave and not being whinny about his owie and he told me very mater-of-factly, "I was whinny for the Doctor." I said, "Oh really what did they say?" His response was, "They told me to stop, but I didn't until that man carried me to you." Funny little boy!
We spent the remainder of the day watching movies and taking it easy but by the next day he was back at it chopping corn with Uncle Ryan, giving Sadie a hard time, and giving his Mommy a run for her money!
And amazingly by a week in he is actually somewhat proud of his scar. Typically this little boy wears a band aid over a scratch long after it has healed so imagine my shock when he wanted the band aid off and wanted to show his Uncles his arm. Maybe we've reached a new milestone!
