Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Hair, Selfies, and Prayer - October 21

Andy came home last weekend from college and took one look at Asa and asked in passing, “Who gave him a buzz cut?”  At first I was very confused and had no idea what he was talking about.  “Buzz cut?”  And then, face palm, it dawned on me.  Andy hasn’t been here to see the daily miracle transition from bald to beautiful, so at first glance, he was thinking haircut, not hair growth. 

So, here is a few pic of the miracle hair growth.  We are still a bit unclear as to the color.  My personal guess is that it is a color in the range of my strawberry kids, a bit lighter than Asa’s original more auburn headful, but whether it’s a lighter blonde or brown version of either of those two choices depends upon the day and light or what color shirt he’s wearing.  Time will tell.

For those of you over 40, this is Asa's
"what you talking' about, Willis?" look.


Next week is clinic.  We have been told that it will also be the week of port removal, but we have yet to see an OR time for that.  Expect to see a sudden update with that info.  We personally would appreciate prayer.  Port removal is a minor procedure, but a major pain.  We can’t feed Asa for hours ahead of time and a verbal, hungry toddler stuck in a car seat in rush hour traffic and a waiting room is an unpleasant force to be reckoned with.  And, though yet more minor, for a few weeks after surgery, we can’t throw Asa in the tub or shower and both those, along with finding the closest favorite open toilet, are favorite pastimes.  Zero fear of water.  All this pales in comparison to what we’ve endured, but after enduring, even the silly junk is just flat tiring.

Developmentally Asa is full force ahead.  A few weeks ago the early childhood specialists came in and evaluated him.  I had called them weeks before that, back when Asa still was not even walking yet and there were bigger concerns about his hearing.  By the time they arrived, it was really a moot visit.  After months of delay, Asa is at or above level developmentally.  It was a fun morning of celebration as we got to share our journey and Asa’s miraculous healing with these sweet ladies as they watched first hand proof of how far God has brought Asa.  I honestly think had they not had paperwork in hand that showed Asa’s real past issues and such a huge scar on his belly, that they would have wondered why I had called.

Do please continue to be in prayer for our friends.  I wish I always had a happy story to tell.  Some are.  Cousin Mark is having a rough time with chemo, but doing better and prognosis absolutely excellent.  Pray for Caroline’s parents long term.  Because I’ve not been in their shoes entirely, I don’t know which part is worse, burying the child or trying to figure out how to move forward, or if the comparison of those is inappropriate because both are so hard, but it is always appropriate to pray.  Also, please pray for Jake’s parents.  Jake was on the oncology unit and in clinic with us and lived in our area.  He lost his battle this week and in addition to his parents, I know it was very hard for the doctors to be at the end of what they can do, difficult for caregivers to watch.  Medical staff does their own grieving. Another family from work will be burying a husband and father this week also as a result of cancer.  It’s never easy.


Thanks for praying for us, with us.  Thank you for celebrating with us.  We are in a different season now, but pieces of you never really move on.  Suffering always leaves a mark.  If you have a blue Asa bracelet, I would challenge you to continue to wear it as a constant reminder of God’s care for you personally in the land of the living and his faithfulness beyond.


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