Making progress

Well it has been a rough day and a half. Her surgery went as well as could be expected but it was late getting started and went way long. She has another set of balloons in, one in front, one in back. Also a large silver dollar size mole on her leg was halfway removed. It was almost 9 pm before we got home with her and I was very concerned as she will be ok in a position but if you attempt to pick her up or even if you are holding her and move your body a little she begins to scream in pain. That is a pretty heart-wrenching experience as a mom to not be able to comfort her when she cries. Now I would say by the time she went to bed tonight she was about 25% better then yesterday so I expect things to continue to improve pain-wise. We came up with one solution and busted out her old baby papasan seat and we carry her around in it which is easier than holding her. Now she wasn't scheduled to see the surgeon until Jan 4 but due to her high amount of pain he didn't want to wait to see her so he asked us to bring her in on Mon when he was already supposed to be on vacation. I continue to praise God for the care we receive from this fabulous physician. I think it is so cute when he calls her "Soph" which is our nickname for her and he constantly displays his high caliber of care. While the last 24 hrs have left me completely emotionally drained I wouldn't say I was empty and I would be remiss if I didn't give credit where it was due. The Lord continues to bless us and while yes I see Sophie suffering through pain I know that were it not for the constant prayers not only could things be much worse but our tolerance/ability to stand up underneath the weight of these burdens would be significantly different. I am SO thankful for the many people who are constantly sending notes of encouragement and prayers. I am SO thankful to my family and friends who take time away from work and their own busy lives (especially the week before Christmas) to pray with us the night before surgery (thank you Carl, we love you) to sit with us at the hospital (Thank You Thank You Mom and Dad!!!), watch Grace and take her out to have a fun time (I swear this week has been the most fun week ever for her and I think it is good that we try to downplay a little of the heavy burden of the situation around her), bring meals to my house (thank you Wellspring church, I love you) and just let me know how much me and more importantly Sophie means to you. Its those constant messages and people reaching out to us that carries me through. Admittedly for a variety or reasons lately I have been feeling very sorry for myself, it even has put an enormous damper on my usually unquenchable Christmas spirit. Sometimes I feel like its me and Sophie against the world and I struggle against feelings of bitterness that this is a constant battle for me with no end ever in sight. However, tonight I feel a lightness in my heart that I haven't felt in a month. Feeling the power and unity of the body of Christ reminds me I am NOT alone. Poignant more than ever to feel the presence of Christ in your life so powerfully at the season of His birth. Thank you, I love you all and God Bless you all in time with your family this Christmas. Please take time to THANK God for the blessings in your life and most importantly for the greatest Christmas PRESENT ever, his PRESENCE in our life. Please continue to pray for Sophies healing and if I could ask a special request it would be please also reach out to Craig, because I am the blogger and the facebooker and the emailer and we live near my family I get the bulk of the love and he tries to be the "brave, tough Dad" but I know he needs to feel that his people love and care too about our struggles so this will be a secret between us, please let Craig know how you care. Thanks again. Love and Christmas blessings, Amanda