Here we are, the day prior to surgery, just getting home from having several pre-op tests at Duke and my mind is spinning with all that we have to remember and do before tomorrow.
But before anything else, I wanted to take the time to create this blog and thank all of you who are thinking and praying for our little guy and what he's about to go through, and to update you on the process and his progress. Your thoughts, prayers and friendship mean so much to us.
As you may or may not know we discovered the later part of last year that after months and months (and probably years) of pain in his leg, that it was probably the result of the movement of his spine, hip and everything connected to that. It was around November/December that his hip actually dislocated, leaving him in excrutiating pain. We were given several options, the most appealing to all of us was letting the hip settle without doing any surgery. At the time it sounded like the pain would eventually subside, possibly within 6 weeks. That didn't happen. The pain has actually increased exponentially to this day.
Shortly after the hip dislocated, we realized that his scoliosis was so bad he needed surgery. By the time we made these decisions and were ready to schedule the surgery, August was the date we were given. Within a very short time we realized his pain was increasing at such a rate that August was going to be a very long time away.
So we were so happy to learn YESTERDAY that a cancellation had come about and we were asked if we were willing to go ahead with surgery for Friday. We believe it came from the Lord, as we very much were at the end of our rope dealing with his pain and sleepless nights.
So that brings us to this morning when we had to tell our precious little guy that not only would he not be having the amazing birthday party Elise, Alex and Nate were planning for him, but his surgery date had been moved up and he was scheduled for surgery tomorrow! Needless to say, there were some tears shed and a very disappointed looking face in our rear-view mirror on the way to the hospital.
For those of you who haven't seen the little verbal dance he and I do to spell out words - it's a trip, but it works! It's pretty drawn out and tedious, but he's able to get his questions asked and points made. We run through the alphabet in a specific way with him stopping me with a sound or nod at each letter as we make his way through a sentence. And let me tell you, it's not easy twisting around backwards to watch his face as we run through the alphabet for the 30 minute ride out to Duke! So he asked a lot of questions, but we were so touched when he told us that he agreed that God was in control and that it was the right thing to do - such a great attitude!
Most of the morning was spent hooked up to some electrodes that monitored his pulse and heart rate to get sort of a fingerprint for tomorrow's surgery. That was grueling as he was so very uncomfortable and hurting in his chair, which the nurse was nice enough to accommodate us in by not making him lay in the bed. Every move in and out of the chair is so painful - the less the better. But they often had to move his legs, hips, etc. to get everything attached and then he was to lay there relaxed. After 2 doses of morphine he finally relaxed and dozed just a few minutes.
Then it was off to draw blood, get the pre-op tour of the hospital, talk to more people. By the time we left he was one very tired, uncomfortable and miserable fellow. We couldn't wait to get him home and comfortable until we start the whole process again tomorrow. At least he has had a couple hours of restful sleep since we returned and we're hoping to get some food in him before the end of the day. He has had only a bit of apple juice.
To end this for today, I would just add that he is one very skinny little boy going into this. He is probably at his all time worst physical condition. Not only has he endured so much pain for so long, he has lost nearly 15 pounds, weighing in at only 77 pounds this morning! Surgery is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, 5/29/09 at Duke University Children's Health Center. We so appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we begin this new journey.
You have an army of prayer warriors battling on their knees at this very moment. "For where two are three are gathered in My name, there I am among them," Matthew 18:20. He is always there, because we are His, John 6:37-40, and His purposes cannot be thwarted. Even more, "He remembers that we are dust," and He shows compassion to us, Psalm 103:14. Hebrews 4:14 "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." We pray these scriptures for you all today!
ReplyDeleteJust to join the many who are praying for David and family.The Body of Christ is in unity around Him who cares for David and desires that the church pray for him and for his restoration to comfort and health.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I as memebers of the Indiana, PA Sovereign Grace Church stand with you all in prayer tonight and in the coming days. We consider it a privilege to be joining you in prayer.
In Christ,
Frank & Donna
I'm praying for David and your family!
ReplyDeletePrayers In The Night
ReplyDeletewritten for the Bradley Family
Friday, 5.29.09, 2:15am
Our prayers are that this night
you will receive peace and rest,
and wake in the morning fully refreshed
by the incomprehensible power of God.
The Lord goes before you
and you are not alone.
Your Heavenly Father adores you;
His child He will not give a stone.
Through all these days, years, months, and miles,
He has walked you through every fiery trial
For His own glory and your eternal good.
The Sovereign Lord who created the galaxies
Condescended to become human flesh.
Tempted and tried, hung on a cross to die,
Knowing all manner of grief and pain.
Yet three days later He rose again!
And we are granted life through His resurrection.
The power of God that raised Christ will raise us too
so that in this Christian life, we will be made new.
Turn to Him now and look upon His face,
and the world will grow dim in the light of His grace.
Hear your Savior interceding for you with perfect prayers,
pointing to His wounds, how He bought you fair and square.
No evil may touch you, no pain and no harm,
but that which the Lord allows; so do not be alarmed.
"Fear Not!" the Lord said to fearful disciples many a time;
"I control the wind and waves; they obey my voice and are mine."
We obey Your voice and come to You right now;
before Your throne we humbly bow,
seeking Your face and the light of Your grace
to fill us with increased faith.
How grateful we are to have a high priest
Who knows that we are frail and weak,
who remembers that we are but dust
and loves us still; and so we trust His sovereign will.
Amen!
Sarah M. Bosse
Continuing to pray, only knowing an inkling of what the holds for him but knowing greatly the ONE WHO HOLDS DAVID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeth Branch for the familu
David,
ReplyDeleteyou are going to eat lightening and crap thunder. Get well soon
Jack
Bradleys, we have been thinking about yall and praying for you all day. We hope David's surgery will be as successful and helpful as Jackson's was for him.
ReplyDeleteI just saw Jackson's post --- please excuse his language (!)... he is quoting a Rocky movie. I don't know if you remember this or not, but when he was recovering from his surgery he thought he was fighting back to be well in the spirit of Rocky!
Ms. Laura and Mr. Ken