No Mo Bandage Changes

On October 26, 2012, Reid had the devastating surgery that removed his eye and everything surrounding it.  Previous to the surgery, his eye doctor at St. Jude told us that wound care was the most important thing.  He told us that it would take 6 months for the wound to heal.  He said that if we had to live in Memphis, then that would be what would happen.  This news was devastating.  There was no way that we could leave Wyatt behind at home for 6 months. 

 

After the surgery we were in Memphis for 2 weeks and 2 days.  For some people that have lived there for months on end, that sounds like a dream.  But for us is was devastatingly long.  Luckily, my parents were able to bring Wyatt for 4 days in the middle of that stay.  Thankfully, we are surrounded by caring doctors and nurses at St. Jude who understand the family that we leave behind at home is just as important as the family we have at St. Jude. They worked diligently to allow us to come back to Baton Rouge and have the bandage changes done at Our Lady of the Lake. Two nurses have been our sweetest angels here in Baton Rouge. We owe them a debt of gratitude for "squeezing" Reid in, and for coming into work earlier than normal in order for us to be at home.

Mrs. Lori--Reid's sedation nurse

Mrs. Shawn--One of Reid's oncology nurses
who did his bandage changes

 

Reid had his surgery on a Friday.  The very next Monday began the every other day bandage changes that have now lasted almost 4 months.  Around Christmas time, we were about to drop down to every Monday/Thursday, but Reid had some "after radiation" issues, and we had to go back to every Monday/Wednesday/Friday.  There were days that I couldn't face having to take him to OLOL again.  It was almost more than I could handle sometimes. All that I could think about was that he should be at school playing with his friends, and instead I am having to take him to the hospital to be sedated over and over again.

 

Yesterday was his last bandage change.  We are travelling to St. Jude on Tuesday (2/12) which just happens to be Mardi Gras and our anniversary.  On Wednesday (2/13), Reid will have his first "post treatment" scans.  He will be having an MRI at 8:30 a.m.  Please be praying for this scan to be clear. Reid will have surgery on Friday (2/15) at 7:30 a.m.  I will spare all of the details, but once this surgery is complete, we will have no need for the previous bandage changes. Please be in prayer for the surgery to go well.  Please pray for Lance and me as we are separated from him for the MRI on Wednesday and the surgery on Friday.  Pray that God will fill us with the peace that passes all understanding.  Pray for grace above all things.  Pray that Reid is healed fully and completely.  Pray that we never walk this journey again.  Pray that these dark days are closed, and new doors are opened up for our family.  Sometimes the grief over what Reid has lost is so overwhelming that I can hardly breathe.  Pray that we leave St. Jude on Wednesday after his scans rejoicing over wonderfully good news! We covet your prayers for us over the next week.

 

"We wait in HOPE for the Lord;

He is our Help and our Shield." Psalm 33:20

 

We have basically been hermits for the last 6 months.  We were so worried about Reid's compromised immune system that we barely left the house.  We did go to the grandparents' houses a good bit, but other than that, we have been home bodies.  We have resurfaced lately.  Reid went to a birthday party today.  He had so much fun.  It felt good to be "somewhat normal" again.

 

Our friend/pastor/superman Mike Holmes and all of our super hero--Reid! The party was a super hero theme...it was so cute....all the kids (and adults) wore their super hero gear!

Super Brothers--Reid was done with my picture taking!