" For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

I have been meaning to post sooner, but it has been far more crazy then I imagined. I haven't even been able to read a book yet. Gracie is really wanting me near...when I walk away she just says "mommy, mommy, mommy," over and over till I come back. It might get old later but right now I'm enjoying it.   We are out of the hospital and back at the HP House (Hackerrman-Patz House), so I'm taking advantage of nap time and posting from my iPhone. Please forgive typos-lol. Before I update on Gracie I want to let you know I will be posting pictures that may be hard to see. I don't want to offend anyone with them, so I'm giving you fair warning now.

Gracie's surgery went very well. I had prepared myself for putting her under to be one of the worst experiences of my life and our little angel just dove her face right in the mask and started singing. It was hard, but not like I'd expected at all. I think it helped that the anesthesiologist was having her sing with him. I think she thought the mask was a microphone or something. Dr. Standard was very pleased with what they were able to do and said she is going to have a beautiful foot when this was done. It was so great to hear someone that's not family tell me her foot would be beautiful. Recovery was hard as she was still out and when she did come to was so upset they had to give her meds that made her sleep a little longer. The 2nd time coming out of it was much better. We all slept pretty good that night and she just did amazing!

Getting ready for surgery

In recovery, my brave girl

They let me ride in bed to her room, I just needed to be close to her

Awake and hanging out in her room

 

The day after surgery she was shocking us by flipping onto her tummy and rolling all over her bed, so they decided to take her epidural out on day 3 instead of 4 because there was concern she'd pull it out. Day 3 was the hardest. They were going to send us home on day 4, but waited because her pain was not managed. I was up all night with her and we were both overwhelmed. Day 4 was better and she even tried walking a bit. Day 5 we got to go to our home away from home at the HP house and were so happy to be out of the hospital.

Day 2, got out of bed 2x!

Day 2, I'm ready to go!

Day 2, kinda bored

Vroom Vroom, brother's gift came, an ambulance

Day 3, her Maggie Bear from grandma came

Got her toe splint, hot pink

  Day 4, Gracie tried walking again for the first time!!!  She wasn't in a lot of pain, but was very scared and frustrated.

http://youtu.be/TX53A1k2P9M

http://youtu.be/fyfRDmAqY6A

Glad to be home

I get to go home today!

Helping me turn her pins to lengthen/straighten tibia

 

Clinic Day, 2 FH friends

Standing all by herself!

Gracie's leg after first home cleaning

 Overall Gracie is doing amazingly well. She had her first clinic yesterday and they were pleased with how she looks. Getting back into any kind of schedule has been a challenge as well as getting back her appetite. Today Gracie had her first round of PT, and it was hard. She was frustrated more then anything. She wants to go like she could a week ago and is up in arms at being slowed down. For me, the therapy isn't as hard as watching her cry because she can't get into a toy she got into our first night here, or sit and get stuck because the fixator is so big. It breaks my heart watching her having to re-learn to crawl and walk.  While I know in my head its all necessary, for good reasons, and short lived....it hurts.

I've been told a lot lately how strong I am, and while I agree and appreciate it, (lol-it takes a lot of strength to go thru this), its really my baby girl who is so strong. I look at her and she's what I see when I think of strength. She has a metal cage surgically attached to her leg and drilled into her bones.  It takes away her ability to crawl and walk, and all she wants to do is play. Not wallow or cry or whine but play and giggle and have fun. She is my hero! How can I spend too much time crying about this when she's not???

We have been so blessed by everyone's prayers, the care packages we've received from home and by perfect strangers. A couple days before surgery we received an email from Paladin Sports that the women's running club would be running for Gracie at their May 4th 9k night run at San Tan Regional Park. They are having See Gracie Run printed on their t-shirts, and have started a fundraiser for her. This came all from signing Landry up for tball with them. They happened upon our blog and have been blessing us with their actions and prayers. A friend I've only known on Facebook lives out here in Baltimore and is bringing us dinner tonight. She reached out to her friends for prayer and the offers for visits and meals have followed. Our family has been praying non-stop, as well as our church family and friends. We have felt those prayers!!!  We just want to thank everyone for their love and support. I also want to thank my parents and Nora who have been loving on Landry and spoiling him rotten while we've been away. We miss him so much, but a lot less then we would if he wasn't getting the best care ever!

Right now, I see fibular hemimelia as a roller coaster ride. Some days showing you how strong you are, and others how weak. I do believe though, that it is creating in our family a testimony and strength that will glorify God. It has built, in each one of us things we cannot see, but will last forever. Please continue to pray for quick healing/recovery, no infections, health for our families, rest, and strength.

God Bless!