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amazing photographer
.......she captured our trip on film
Thursday, February 26, 2009
purpose
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
I am having such a difficult time trying to decide how to write this post. The appointment yesterday was interesting. The neurologist hasn't changed his bedside manner or view of himself in the last 4 months, but praise the Lord, Moody and I are completely in a different place!
We got to the office and unfortunately Abe was fussy as he had missed his nap. My pride kicked in immediately as I wanted my boy to "perform, show off his skills, wow this man!" Why did I care? Pride. Sin. He was really tight as he often is when he gets tired, and I just knew the Dr. wouldn't see all of the progress that we see on a daily basis. Ugly, I know. Moody and I waited in the office for awhile for the Dr. to come in and literally 10 seconds after he entered the room, Abe fell fast asleep. HE WAS OUT!!!!!
The first thing the Dr. asked us was if we were ever contacted about Abe's MRI. He couldn't see in his notes that he had ever talked to us about the results. Yes, we have been sitting by the phone every day for the past 4 months hoping that somehow, someway this will be the day that someone calls to let us know how the image of our sons brain looks!! PLEASE. Moody simply told him that a good friend goes to church with one of Drs. partners and he called us 30 minutes after the MRI. :) I think Moody enjoyed it actually. "You must have the inside then" was his response.
He then continued on with this......."oh, I think it is coming back to me, you had some village dr tell you he was o.k right and I think I made you (pointing to me) cry!" Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner!!! He did make me cry, YES he did. Something about "I'm sure the MRI will reveal significant brain damage and I'm not sure if he will ever walk or talk" made me cry. I guess I'm a softie that way. I had to kick Moody's foot because I was afraid that he just might come unglued at that point. He asked us if we wanted to all go out in the hall and view the scan together. (side note, Abe was born in a hospital in Addis, seen by a good Dr. in Ethiopia, our pediatrician and an International Adoption specialist once we returned and none of them suspected anything other than typical developmental delay--so the village Dr. part really stung)
Ok, truth. I haven't seen the image. I just couldn't ever see a reason to have that picture in my head. I simply wanted to see Abe and the miraculous works the Lord was doing in his brain and not some big, black hole. I read the report, I knew that it would look completely abnormal, that it wouldn't offer me any hope and so we declined to go look with him. Surprisingly, he was pleased with this answer. He agreed that the image would do nothing to encourage, so he ran out of the room to refresh his own memory.
He entered the room with "that was impressive." I had no idea what in the world he meant by that one, so I asked. He said that Abe is impressive, he would never imagine that Abe (remember,perfectly sleeping baby) would be the child to go with that scan. I guess he was going off of our testimony of Abe's progress. He again used the words, "significant abnormal brain development" and explained things a little more in detail.
This was helpful honestly as it cleared up several questions that we have had. Abe's injury is not what you typically see in an inuterine stroke. Typically you will see a hemi (one side affected) or an isolated portion of the brain injured. Abe's scan is just much worse than either of those two. He is missing both the left and right frontal lobes and a small sliver of brain that runs down his right side. This completely explains why his left side has been more involved than his right. Because it isn't "typical", he would like Abe to visit a hematologist for a complete stroke work up. He thinks it will show that it was indeed vascular in nature or possibly it just never formed correctly very early in his development. Either way, we need to be sure that he isn't at risk for a future stroke.
He also thinks Abe would be benefit from his spasticity clinic. He is an expert in the field and we feel good about this as another option for Abe's therapy. Maybe this alone is the reason that we first stepped foot in his office. I think time will tell on that one. We plan to schedule and appointment with the clinic and see if it is a good fit.
We left the office so very different than we did last time. I will never forget walking outside last time and watching the cars zip by and thinking "how are you going on with your life people, don't you know that my world just turned upside down!!!" I realize now just how egotistical that thinking is- but at the time, it is exactly how I felt. Yesterday, we walked out with our precious boy, filled with hope. Hope that only the Lord can bring, hope that He is in control, hope that Abe is progressing, hope that he will continue to progress, and hope in a Father that loves us beyond what we can ever imagine! HOPE.
As Moody was putting the kids to bed last night, they prayed for Dr. A. They prayed that the Lord would reveal Himself to him through Abe. That he would see something miraculous taking place before his eyes, something that he has to acknowledge isn't within the realm of modern medicine and desire to know more. Will you join me in praying for him? I have to say that this is clear evidence of a work the Lord has done in my heart. I can honestly say that I so clearly see the Lord's hand in bringing us to that office. He works all things for our good.
Thank you for the many texts and emails that I received yesterday. They are such an encouragement to all of us. You are loved and appreciated. :)
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About Me
- emily
- "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from becoming polluted by the world." James 1:27
42 comments:
what a sweet post and know that we will purpose to pray for Dr A. and little "pumpkin pie" as well. we would love to see you soon. let us know what works for you guys...can't wait to squeeze him again and for him to meet the girls. love you alexander family:)
Oh Em. Just know I'm praying- for all involved...you guys, Abe, the kids, and Dr.A. You guys have touched so many lives in your testimony as you handle all of this. We serves a God of miracles-and we pray, believing.
Love it! Thank you for those of us who can not be in your home and hear this! H
A-team:
I have a foster child with a congenital brain malformation and we work with the same Dr. A. The kids and I continue to pray for you all and will make an addition to our prayers.
We think about you daily.
Alexanders--
You don't know me, but I have followed your story all along--ups and downs and you are in my prayers every day. Abe is truly a miracle--he has changed so many lives, including those whom he doesn't even know. You are an inspiration to me and I felt the need to tell you that, as so many others already have. I will pray for your doctor--maybe this is just what he was needing in his life. I see his heart softening through his experience with Abe and your family. I wish you the best and will keep passing on your story. WE lift you up in our prayers.
Peace,
Friends
thank you for your honesty. i have prayed for your family and abe and now i will add dr. a to the list. god is obviously at work in you and through you and in abe's little body.
WOW... thanks for sharing all of that!
Praying for Dr. A
God is doing such a MIRACLE... There is so MUCH PURPOSE to Abe.
Love you guys!
Tracie
What a thorough and blessing filled post. Thank you for continuing to share in this journey with this blogger world!
Melodie
Oh, your poor heart as a mother. Doctors have no idea what they do to people's hearts sometimes do they?
I'll pray that God reveals himself to the Doctor through Abe and your family.
I pray too that God continues to encourage you.
Praying for Dr. A.
Praying for precious Abe.
Christina
I'm just sitting here crying, praising God for what he's already done and has yet to do. through abe and through your whole family. because this is the stuff that counts. what do you do in the face of not so typical life situations? do you roll over and give up? NO! you stand by your precious family member, do what's absolutely best for them, live normally as a family, and just live life laughing and glorifying God. It's that simple and beautiful! I LOVE watching this journey of yours...
love
becca
when we adopted our daughter from romania 13 yrs ago they told us she was blind, and deaf, by american doctors, and after 3 yrs of every therapy possible they said she was autistic, she is 14 and totally normal, God is HUGE,Tara
Emily, for some reason I wasn't able to view this until now. I'm feeling overwhelmed with spirit and joy at this post. You sound wonderful! Just wonderful!! That Abe is going to blow the socks off of everyone he encounters. And I'm not just talking about milestones, but with just him!
I never asked you but am assuming he's well over his sickness from a few weeks ago? Poor guy!
This is exciting and promising news and I can't wait to see how things unfold!
Thank you for the update. Someone else wrote that you have touched so many lives through your faith. I, for one, have learned so much about scripture and God's goodness through watching your family from afar. I will continue to pray for you, my friend, Abe, your family, and all that come into contact with you.
Didn't we know from the minute that Texas Tech outfit appeared that this was a special boy? God has such HUGE things in store for him. Of course Dr. A would find this out to be true. It is not, after all, a science thing...it is a God thing. I completely surrender my prayers and faith to our Lord and not to man. Love you guys and will continue praying for you all and the Dr. Abe will continue to astound and amaze..I have no doubt in that!
Oh thanks so much for sharing your journey through this. Know that we are praying! And I read Parting the Waters....so good, thanks for the recommendation.
Thanks for being a testimony to all of us following! Thanks for sharing! I will add Dr. A to my prayer list. So cool to see Abe right where God had destined him to be... with team Alexander!
Wow. Over and over Jesus continues to show himself in little babies. I love it. Thanks for the update- I'm still praying.
Looking for an update all day and for some reason, I couldn't see this until now. What a beautiful story He is writing through that little cutie. The Lord has been faithful all alog and continues to give you just what you need, when you need it. We'll definitely pray for Dr. A as well and look forward to watching him fall in love with Abe just like the rest of us have.
Sweet Emily. Thank you for your transparency. It is incredible to see His Spirit move in and through you. And we are honored that you asked us to add Dr. A to our prayer list for Team A!
It is so clear that with Christ as the center of your family, peace is at the center of your core. I have full confidence in the Giver of Peace who is Mighty To Save!
Watch out world ... here comes ABE!
Love & Blessings,
Kim
we are praying!! y'all are such a huge encouragement to us!!!
We will definitely pray for the neurologist & continue in our prayers for Abe & your family.
I'm glad that you not only can see Abe's progress but also your own. Your family has had a lot of unexpected news to digest & you've been doing beautifully!
...but God chose the weak to shame the strong...1cor. 1:27.....to work for His glory.....thank you for sharing your beautiful story!....my favorite part is the sleeping angel before the dr.....how precious!
Oh, Emily. Thank you so much for the update. We know, as you know, that God right there with you. It makes me smile to think that there is NO family better suited for little Abe. God knew what He was doing, for sure. Thanks for blessing me today. :)
Emily-
We are friends of friends of yours. My husband Adam and I are looking into adopting from Ethiopia and have been reading your blog for the past year. We have fallen in love with Abe (just look at that smile!) and celebrated with you & cried tears with you. God is at work in a HUGE way in your life. It is so very apparent to us. You are JUST WHERE HE WANTS YOU... depending on Him for your identity, joy, hope etc. That doctor, he is so very small. The Lord of the Universe is at work here, He is doing great and mighty things. Your father in heaven loves you and has good things in store for your family.
"Holland" is a beautiful place. We are praying for you today.
"I am the Lord the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27
Elizabeth Ward
St. Louis
Em - you and your sweet family are such an encouragement. Watching as you take each day at a time trusting in the Lords almighty plan. I just want to thank you for giving us a window into something so very personal. Your testimony is amazing and I'm excited to see what God is going to do in and through little Abe. Much much love and many prayers for all of you and Dr. A.
Hi Emily. I've been praying for your family since learning about Abe.
These are challenging times for sure, and I pray that God gives you all the strength you need.
I am amazed continually at how God works in our hearts so that we will walk more closely to Him, while at the same time He uses our lives to touch others... and ultimately... HIS NAME IS PRAISED!!!
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Your faith and trust in the Lord is a witness to so many of His faithfulness and love!
Praying and Trusting with you!!
Praying.
R
Hi there, dear friends...
You are such a beautiful family and such a beautiful instrument for the goodness of God. He is truly using your family to make change! Wow!
I will pray for Dr. A. and so will Meron...but honestly, she would rather pray for Abe (she has a bit of a crush on him). WHEN they meet, she will be giving kisses!
Love,
Laura
I appreciate you being so transparent. I don't think you even realize how much God is using your family.
We are continuing to pray for Abe, and will add his dr. to the list! We know that God is the Great Healer, and we will continue to pray for his healing power.
Hope! God is so good and our HOPE is in HIM!
Praying for you all!
I'm sorry I'm a couple of days late in this, but yes, I will join you in praying for Dr. A. God can do anything.
We prayed for Dr. A this morning and praise God for the way that He is working in your hearts to have a love for this man when there is no human evidence for why you should continue to be with him. We are so encouraged by all that God is doing in you, in Abe and in the lives of those who are in touch with your journey. Thank you for your candor. God is GOOD. love you! Dana, NEil Remington and Karis
I appreciate your honesty and I really admire your courage! God gave Abe to YOU and Moody for such a great purpose!
Emily,
I have no words.
You rock! and God is awesome and sovereign. I'm filled with thankfulness that you have an amazing support structure in your precious family, church and your faithful blog readers.
Wow...that is amazing!!! You wrote it all so well and your strength is so evident!! I will certainly pray for this doctor and for his bed side manner to improve...but most importantly that Abe brings him to Christ :) We know that little boy is full of miracles...kristi
I must be living under a rock, I had no idea. Just know Emily, I will be praying, a lot for Gods healing and peace over the situation. You are simply amazing.
will definitely pray! OUR God is THAT BIG!! he can SOOOO do the BIG miracles.....just ask sweet Katie! LOVE doing life with you from afar...
Well-spoken (I mean written) post
I choked up during the paragraph about HOPE. That really is from God. You are blessed to have Him in your life. Can you imagine walking this without Him?
Such a wise choice to pray for the doctor. God is already revealing miracles in your hearts.
Abe is a beautiful little boy....I am waiting and watching for him to prove his doctors wrong. They forget to teach "miracles 101" in medical school ;-)
Emily,
Thanks for you recent comment on my blog. Very kind.
On another note, I just joined Face Book. Are you a member? If you are comfortable I would like to add you to my page, but I need your name. If so, would you email me: roxannekristina@hotmail.com
Peace,
Roxanne
PS: Wait, scratch that. I just paused while writing this comment because I realized I had your email address. Just requested you as a friend. No worries if not interested.