What a difference two days makes!
Chase is doing unbelievably well. The neurologist laughed incredulously when, after testing Chase’s right hand strength with a high five, Chase said (extended right hand) “Yes, now can you give ME a high five?”
Every moment is a different emotion, one minute up, the next down, but always -much like Saturday’s thunderstorm- strong, inevitable, and a breath-taking display of God’s power.
I turn into a giant ball of stress every time I think of what is yet to come in regards to treatment options and our family life. I feel numb every time I consider this being life-threatening. I feel crazed from dealing with a 2 year old boy on continuous steroids. I wept last night as Chasey lay in his bed and sang the words of one of his favorite songs…”Thou will keep me in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.” (Isaiah 26:13). And as crazy as it sounds, I laugh. Life with Chase IS comedy. Anyone who regularly reads efamily knows that.
For instance, he loved the Cars movie before he was admitted, but since being admitted, he has obsessed, and he has been cycling between “Cars: Radiator Springs” and “Carstoons with Finn McMissile” almost non stop. The attending neurosurgeon joked that he removed the “Cars” part of the brain, but no dice…both Bob and I have it completely memorized.
Chase also loves to ride the elevator now and every time they wheel his bed into it, he says “To the moon!” or “To infinity and beyond!”
Incidentally, the elevators here have little sound buttons (cars, trucks, trains) and Chase’s grandpa is quite smitten…word reached us that the “door open” button may have been pressed the other day in order to play in the elevator. I’m not naming names … This is probably just a rumor.
We also laugh with Chase about his “baseball head” – with the 40+ neat stitches visible across his cranium.
As I finish typing this, the intercom just announced a “Code Red” on a lower floor and I’m reminded again how moment by moment I need that grace.
I’m so thankful for God’s grace and the joy of laughter along the way…even with a malignant brain tumor.
There is talk of Chase being discharged soon, so stay tuned …
Glad to hear Chase is doing well and that you’ll be discharged home soon! Lifting you up in prayer over the coming days.
Ellie, you know what is so striking in these posts? It’s SUCH a scary and sad situation you guys are in, and yet in every post there is SO MUCH LIFE in little Chase. What a kid.
Ellie and Bob: I am continually amazed at you and your Chasie and little family. How are the other children, they must be very concerned. I am certain that Chase will be with you a long, long time. Nothing can hold that little God Spirit down. I have prayed for him continuously, talking with God, asking questions, and letting Him know we trust and believe that all is well. all my love and blessings, maralee green
As I follow your saga it takes me back to our daughter’s brain surgery experience…the ups and downs, panic, numbness, learning curve, new appreciation for Ps. 139, the awe over having a child with a head full of stitches, and that child’s sweet antics. She was captivated by the oxygen sensor light on her finger and kept singing, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…”