Wednesday, April 21, 2010

One Year Ago

It has been almost one year since our journey began. At this time last year, we were blissfully unaware of what lay ahead for our family. Up until recently I wanted to go back to those days before we knew, but I don't feel that way anymore. I think I have finally accepted that this is our life. It is not the life I would have chosen, Abby has suffered too much for me to ever say that, but I accept that this is our path, our journey, our life. Now I like to think that we are blissfully aware of God's awesome power!

April 23rd is my birthday and marks one year since we took her to the ER at ACH for her seizures. April 24th marks one year since the MRI that sent us to the ICU. Those days were life changing for our family. I will never be the same person I was before then, neither will Abby. But in most ways, that is a good thing. I feel other's pain more deeply now and have a desire to help others when they are going through hard times. I am ok with receiving help from others-God is using them and will bless them for it. Bible verses, hymns, songs touch me in a way that they didn't before that day. Prayer is more important to me than it ever was before. I feel closer to Jason-the only person who can understand how I feel.

And my girls are even more precious to me than they were before. I try to soak up the moments I spend with them because I know that those moments are fleeting. Life can change in an instant. I don't want to waste my days being angry, bitter, unhappy. That doesn't mean there aren't bad days, but even on the worst days I am very aware that we could be in a very different place. We could be counting down the days of her life, we could be on chemo, we could be in ICU, we could be mourning over her.

It puts everything into perspective. I still like nice things (furniture, clothes, shoes, etc.) but it is not what I strive for anymore. That was the first lesson I learned in ICU. No matter how much money we would have had, we were still reduced to sleeping on a cot, doing laundry in a community washer/dryer, and taking showers in a public restroom. And we were still begging God to spare our child, just like all the other parents in that ICU. Another mother in a similar situation and I were talking about this-how we feel like we have a secret. All the little things that used to matter, don't matter anymore. Like how big your house is, what color to paint your bedroom, what baseball team your child is on, etc. And life is a lot better when you figure that out!

I also feel so much closer to God now and wouldn't want to go back to my relationship with Him before. There were some dark days early on but I could always feel His presence. I thought of how much it must have hurt to see his Son crucified and how much he must love me to make that sacrifice. I thought of Jesus and how He prayed in the garden to let the cup pass from Him. I prayed that many times as well but unlike Jesus, I wasn't always ready to follow God's will (and for the record I am not comparing myself to Jesus, just that those words ring true in my ears). I thought of Abraham and how he was willing to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac, without complaint. I read about him and realized how little faith and trust I had in God. I read Lamentations 3:21-24 and knew that although it felt like I might be consumed, He would not allow it. I thought of heaven and how these hurts here on Earth will be no more and I prayed that the trumpet would sound. I saw the genorosity of others and realized that God is faithful to provide "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" Ephesians 3:20. I heard others prayers for Abby and saw the results of those prayers (a miracle!) and knew that 1 John 5:14 was true, "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us". He was there in that MRI suite with us, in that ICU room, on the plane back from Houston, in the OR with Abby during surgery and in the chapel with us while waiting, and He remains with us today, providing hope and comfort, just like it says in Deuteronomy 31:8 "He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee". I realize now that He is faithful and He is trustworthy, even when our faith waivers and we doubt His power. And His knowledge far exceeds mine and that is why I trust Him. No matter what happens to her, I trust Him. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" Proverbs 3:5

We will be heading back to St. Jude for another MRI in about 2 weeks. Pray for Abby, that the tumor will not have grown and that against all odds, it will have shrunk on its own! Pray for Jason, Lyla, and me. It is a stressful time leading up to the MRI, it is hard waiting on the results, and we will need prayer to make it through. And pray that while all these landmark dates roll around, we will feel like rejoicing, not mourning!

5 comments:

  1. Morgan, first I want to wish you a happy birthday! This whole post really touched me, I can so relate to it. You and I had many of the same lessons to learn. We would not have survived all the months going through chemo and practically living in the hospital if He wasn't there to lean on every single second.
    And it didn't take long to learn that material stuff just doesn't matter, neither do most of the "problems" you have thought were important. I keep all of you in prayer, as well as in my thoughts. Hope the girls are enjoying the spring!

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  2. Great post! You summed up how I feel as well. We would gladly give up all our material things for good health. In the end things are meaningless and only people and relationships matter.

    Happy birthday, and good luck with your visit. You know I will be thinking about you.

    Alicia

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  3. Morgan, you are a true inspiration. Many days I have wondered how you and Jason manage to put one foot in front of the other and keep going, but like the poem Footprints tells us, your not making those steps, but the Lord is carrying you both through this time in your life. I pray everyday for Abby, I believe God has a great purpose for her. I pray that you and Jason will continue to have the strength to cope with whatever this journey brings you. I stand amazed at how great your faith is. You and Jason are a great example of how the Lord can transform your life. I am thankful that Abby and Lyla (and the new one), have Jason and you as parents, and I am honored to consider you as more than a sister in law, but a sister.

    I love all you very much,

    Misty

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  4. The Blanket Fairy's Christmas in July

    Hi this post is for parents to sign their children up for Christmas in July. This is good for Pediatric Cancer Patients located in the United States. I will leave this post open until we have filled all of the spot or until May 15th 2010. I have families that have volunteered to "adopt" a pediatric cancer patient. Only the parents can sign their children up. My volunteers will get your little one a special gift, wrap it and have it shipped to them for Christmas in July. These gifts will come from smoke free homes. This will give your angel something to look foward to. There will be some requirements.

    1. Parents must give me a blog or fan page something showing information on their child. I do post all blogs on this site to help raise awareness on Pediatric Cancers and to get some prayers sent your way.

    2. Parents must have their child submit a letter with their requests of what they would like or favorite characters etc. to The Blanket Fairy.(parents can email me this letter to kimortega@msn.com) Please put in the SUBJECT LINE: Christmas in July Letter to The Blanket Fairy so it catches my eye. I will need a mailing address for your child, this information will be fowarded to the family that is "adopting" your child for Christmas in July. All letters must be submitted to me by May 15th.

    3. Parents will be required to email me a picture of your child with their present from their adoptive family. This is so everyone can see the joy on your child's face when they get their present!

    I hope this is not asking alot of the parents but this is something I would like to do every year and pictures speak a thousand words and to earn the trust of my volunteers and people that help donate this is why I am asking for pictures. Without my fans I would not be able to do all of this. Thank you everyone for your support.

    If you want to sign your child up please do so by leaving a comment here on this discussion. Please when signing your child up leave a blog website, your childs name, age and what state you live in please. This is the only way I will be keeping track of who is signing up. I can't wait to see the pictures of your children with their present! If you have any questions please feel free to email me.


    Thanks

    Kim Ortega (aka: The Blanket Fairy)


    Here is the link you need to sign your child up at.



    http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Blanket-Fairy/490397070410?v=app_2373072738#!/topic.php?uid=490397070410&topic=13846

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  5. Love the post... your words could have been my own.

    We are praying for Abby, and great MRI results. Nothing but good news!

    God is good!
    Sending lots of love,
    Kellie Beggs
    http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/alyssabeggs

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