Thursday, 28 April 2011

• Another Bump in Micah's Perthes Road

   

  Recently, we found out that Micah's hip has worsened to the point of needing immediate attention.  Noticing that his limp had become more pronounced, Wade and I were both wondering what new information we would receive with his scheduled appointment.  This Perthes journey which began 2 years ago has been a tough one.  Next week we will make another 4 day trip to Dallas in order for Micah to be placed in a Petrie Cast.  While under anasthesia Micah's legs will be spread as far apart as possible and then casted with a bar between to keep them in this position. (I know...pretty vulnerable position)  He will be in this Petrie Cast for 8 weeks...EIGHT WEEKS!!! 

  

  (Petrie Cast)

   Afterwards, he will have a similar brace that he will wear until the ball of the right hip joint grows back in a way that is securely in the socket.  It is my understanding that on average this takes 18 months to 2 years. Because Micah's hip is now categorized in the "worst case scenario" he could be in the brace longer.  As you can imagine, this news knocked the wind out of us.  Just two weeks ago Micah accomplished one of his goals in the swimming pool and swam his first "BB" time in backstroke. 

  

  Micah is in lane 4

  

  (Micah finishing up his backstroke race and earning his first "BB" time)

  Looking forward to his Summer swim season, Micah set his sights high on making the Ponderosa Invitational.  He knew his best chances of qualifying were in two events:  backstroke & butterfly.  If I could only communicate how hard he has worked.  Two years ago, Micah had to give up all of his other sports:  baseball, soccer, and basketball... all of which he enjoyed MORE than swimming. But the doctors told Micah that swimming is the best therapy, so 3-5 days a week Micah has been in the pool.  After his last surgery in October 2010, Micah's commitment to swimming increased.  He asked if he could begin competing in USA Swimming meets like his brothers.  And then 2 days after his "BB" success, he learned that he would be "giving up" swimming as well.  Many tears were shed.

  

  (Micah with two of his buds from church: Caleb & Jack)

  

  (Noah, Ayden, Jack, & Micah)

  We are not exactly sure what all of this is going to look like yet.  We are thinking that we will move Micah's bedroom into our dining room for the next two months as his legs will be wider than his wheelchair making it impossible to maneuver to the back of the house.  A friend is working on some shorts for him that will velcro up the sides, to help with the clothing side of things.  For the driving side of things, we will remove the two passenger bucket seats in the van so that Micah can sit in the back seat, and then take two vehicles wherever we go. That's about as far ahead as we can see at this point. 

  

  (Christopher & Micah)

  Will you pray for Micah?  Pray for his adjustment to an entirely new life.  I'm still asking the Lord  that what Micah lacks physically, that He (the Lord) would give back spiritually... I'm praying that Micah would grow in his understanding of how much God loves him and that this journey of pain, struggle, and disappointment would only increase Micah's dependence upon his Maker and Helper...and that God would knit his hip joint back together without deformities and without any further delays.  Will you also pray that we will handle the challenges that arise with grace and dignity?  We know that things are coming that we will have to figure out as we go, and we are thankful again in knowing that our Help comes from the Maker of heaven and earth.  Micah has received encouragement from this Truth as well as the promise that Christ's strength is made perfect in weakness...actually, he is clinging to these Truthes.  We know and understand that this will be difficult. This road has already been painful, heart-wrenching, and tearful.  Even though we don't understand all of what God is doing, we do trust that He is in control and are confident that God has not forgotten Micah...in fact, Micah's name is engraved on His hands...we know that this too shall pass, but nonetheless we are still grieving as this long road just got longer.  Thank you for all of your love, prayers, and support. 

  

  (Micah & me)

  

  (Just a crazy picture.  I hope it brings a smile)

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