We've been back in the States for over a month now, and the Lord has been incredibly faithful in leading us step by step through this medical process.
We got off the airplane and hit the ground running. Since we landed in mid-June, we've had one surgery with one night in the hospital, one ER visit, three specialist meetings, two urgent care trips, three pediatrician visits, one radiologist appointment, and four dentist appointments.So while it has been a great comfort to be going through this process with English speaking doctors with four grandparents around to help, we can't really say it's been restful while we've been here.
The Lord has truly been faithful to lead us through this last month and open up so many doors for us. The fact that we've been able to see so many doctors in such a short time is a direct answer to prayer. So here's a little update on each of us over the past month.
Atticus:
He had surgery on July 20th to remove his tonsils and adenoids and put in ear tubes. Apparently he had some mild hearing loss from undiscovered fluid build-up in his ears, but thankfully the doctors don't think the hearing loss will be permanent with the ear tubes. He's been recovering well, but we're still waiting on his runny nose and cough to go away, which the doctor thinks should happen on its own as his body heals from the surgery.
Denton:
He now has clear-sounding lungs for the first time since he was three weeks old! The cystic fibrosis test came back negative, which is what we expected but still gives us a huge sigh of relief when we actually heard the results. So we're moving forward with the asthma and thracheomalacia diagnoses. With new daily asthma medicines, he has finally had clear, easy breathing. At this point, we don't even think he'll need that huge dose of antibiotics we originally discussed with the doctor. He now has clear-sounding lungs for the first time since he was three weeks old! The cystic fibrosis test came back negative, which is what we expected but still gives us a huge sigh of relief when we actually heard the results. So we're moving forward with the asthma and thracheomalacia diagnoses. So with new daily asthma medicines, he has finally had clear, easy breathing. At this point, we don't even think he'll need that huge dose of antibiotics we originally discussed with the doctor. However, he picked up some bug from Atticus after the hospital stay, right before his appointment. The doctor said he would prefer for us to stay Stateside until November - through the beginning of the respiratory season - especially since Denton has a respiratory illness now and he wants to see how Denton responds. However, the doctor knows we want to get back to Romania quickly and said he would have us check back in two weeks. If Denton fights off this illness and is breathing well, the doctor will give us a green light and work with us from a distance. Please pray for healing and wisdom. We do not want to spend more time away from Romania, but we also want to resolve Denton's health issues. Obviously we will stay Stateside if we need to, but we desire to get back to Romania. Pray that God would heal Denton and that we could fly back on September 4 as planned. But most importantly, pray that God would give us and the doctor wisdom to do the right thing rather than being obstinate about securing our plans.
Elin:
Everyone has asked how they can pray for us. Our daughter is by far my biggest prayer request. I keep saying that doctors can fix our boys' sicknesses, but only Jesus can fix our hearts. Elin has really enjoyed seeing all of her friends and spending so much time with grandparents, but she really seems to be feeling the effects of all these constant changes and instability. We've started working with our Child Behavior Therapist again to do whatever we can to help her and help ourselves be able to parent her through this truly difficult time. Her anxiety is presenting as violent, hour-long rages where she completely loses herself. On the plus side, she has made several comments about how she wants to return to Romania. We know that the Lord's faithfulness extends to her, too. He will provide for her heart just as He has provided for the boys' medical needs.
Us:
Derek has really enjoyed his time in Romania at the language course, and he said that he really felt like it helped him improve a lot. He's survived his first week by buying fresh loaves of bread and cooking a lot of bacon. Later he decided to cook himself a whole pot of beans and live on that and tortilla chips. I learned a long time ago that he truly just doesn't care all that much what he eats. Takes the pressure on me way down! He's ready to be back with us.
I've been very grateful to see so many friends and family, enjoy worshiping in English, and spending lots of time with our parents. But I also have a whole new appreciation for single moms - a job I already knew was very difficult. I jokingly told Derek that if he kicks the bucket while I still have three toddlers, I will grieve his death while on Match.com! Just kidding! But I am very ready to have my best friend back home.
We have definitely been encouraged by our community the past several weeks. So many people have reached out to us, prayed for us, and loved on us. We are so very grateful for the way our community has so clearly shown us Christ's love. And we know you are continuing to pray for us.
We got off the airplane and hit the ground running. Since we landed in mid-June, we've had one surgery with one night in the hospital, one ER visit, three specialist meetings, two urgent care trips, three pediatrician visits, one radiologist appointment, and four dentist appointments.So while it has been a great comfort to be going through this process with English speaking doctors with four grandparents around to help, we can't really say it's been restful while we've been here.
The Lord has truly been faithful to lead us through this last month and open up so many doors for us. The fact that we've been able to see so many doctors in such a short time is a direct answer to prayer. So here's a little update on each of us over the past month.
Atticus:
He had surgery on July 20th to remove his tonsils and adenoids and put in ear tubes. Apparently he had some mild hearing loss from undiscovered fluid build-up in his ears, but thankfully the doctors don't think the hearing loss will be permanent with the ear tubes. He's been recovering well, but we're still waiting on his runny nose and cough to go away, which the doctor thinks should happen on its own as his body heals from the surgery.
Denton:
He now has clear-sounding lungs for the first time since he was three weeks old! The cystic fibrosis test came back negative, which is what we expected but still gives us a huge sigh of relief when we actually heard the results. So we're moving forward with the asthma and thracheomalacia diagnoses. With new daily asthma medicines, he has finally had clear, easy breathing. At this point, we don't even think he'll need that huge dose of antibiotics we originally discussed with the doctor. He now has clear-sounding lungs for the first time since he was three weeks old! The cystic fibrosis test came back negative, which is what we expected but still gives us a huge sigh of relief when we actually heard the results. So we're moving forward with the asthma and thracheomalacia diagnoses. So with new daily asthma medicines, he has finally had clear, easy breathing. At this point, we don't even think he'll need that huge dose of antibiotics we originally discussed with the doctor. However, he picked up some bug from Atticus after the hospital stay, right before his appointment. The doctor said he would prefer for us to stay Stateside until November - through the beginning of the respiratory season - especially since Denton has a respiratory illness now and he wants to see how Denton responds. However, the doctor knows we want to get back to Romania quickly and said he would have us check back in two weeks. If Denton fights off this illness and is breathing well, the doctor will give us a green light and work with us from a distance. Please pray for healing and wisdom. We do not want to spend more time away from Romania, but we also want to resolve Denton's health issues. Obviously we will stay Stateside if we need to, but we desire to get back to Romania. Pray that God would heal Denton and that we could fly back on September 4 as planned. But most importantly, pray that God would give us and the doctor wisdom to do the right thing rather than being obstinate about securing our plans.
Elin:
Everyone has asked how they can pray for us. Our daughter is by far my biggest prayer request. I keep saying that doctors can fix our boys' sicknesses, but only Jesus can fix our hearts. Elin has really enjoyed seeing all of her friends and spending so much time with grandparents, but she really seems to be feeling the effects of all these constant changes and instability. We've started working with our Child Behavior Therapist again to do whatever we can to help her and help ourselves be able to parent her through this truly difficult time. Her anxiety is presenting as violent, hour-long rages where she completely loses herself. On the plus side, she has made several comments about how she wants to return to Romania. We know that the Lord's faithfulness extends to her, too. He will provide for her heart just as He has provided for the boys' medical needs.
Us:
Derek has really enjoyed his time in Romania at the language course, and he said that he really felt like it helped him improve a lot. He's survived his first week by buying fresh loaves of bread and cooking a lot of bacon. Later he decided to cook himself a whole pot of beans and live on that and tortilla chips. I learned a long time ago that he truly just doesn't care all that much what he eats. Takes the pressure on me way down! He's ready to be back with us.
I've been very grateful to see so many friends and family, enjoy worshiping in English, and spending lots of time with our parents. But I also have a whole new appreciation for single moms - a job I already knew was very difficult. I jokingly told Derek that if he kicks the bucket while I still have three toddlers, I will grieve his death while on Match.com! Just kidding! But I am very ready to have my best friend back home.
We have definitely been encouraged by our community the past several weeks. So many people have reached out to us, prayed for us, and loved on us. We are so very grateful for the way our community has so clearly shown us Christ's love. And we know you are continuing to pray for us.
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