Life, love, tragedy and paying it forward

Life. In an instant, it can change you--forever.

Yesterday, I saw my doctor for a follow-up after my "emergency surgery" in May. I knew how bad I had gotten; I knew the possibilities. But, there is something to be said for your own doctor (whom you love and respect very much) to tell you---"You know, this could have killed you. If the tube rupturing hadn't, the sepsis very well could have."

Thank you, God, I went to the ER and I kept going back to the urgent care clinic each morning until the PA working ordered me a CT scan of my abdomen. You see, I was on major antibiotics and they were doing NOTHING to stop the infection attacking my bladder that was likely coming from the infected blood in that tube that was stretched over 3 times it's normal diameter. I was sick. I was in pain, serious pain, and I am not a whiner. I could not even stand upright because my abdomen hurt so badly.

Surgery was done and I was instantly better. Thank God.

Then Kai was hit with a reaction to his antibiotic and life changed for me....a gal 1,100 miles away from a child I had never in my life met. I prayed in ways I have never prayed before. I poured out my heart for him and his mommy. I saw God work in miraculous ways MOVING MOUNTAINS to allow a truly miraculous recovery for Kai. Then, I got to go see him, in person, face to face. I held him, I whispered in his ear, I tickled him. I told him I loved him and told how I had prayed for him.

I am forever changed for having been a part of that journey. Thank God.

Yesterday, a 7 year old boy drowned in a pool. He hasTrisomy 21. He was resuscitated on site. He is now in the PICU under a cooling blanket, on a vent, and sedated. I am seeing the Down syndrome community move for this family the way they did for Kai's family. Prayers are popping up all over the world for this sweet child. I see his pictures and I see his mommy's smile. I see his daddy's eyes. I cannot imagine the anguish this family is feeling right now. I will continue to pray for them, watching our little Down syndrome community lifting them up, and seeing people pay it forward in love and support.



love,

 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)