Our Miracle is Five!

Elijah (our third) is turning five today! Four years ago today, Elijah weighed 10 lbs on his one year birthday. In fact he was two ounces shy, but the nurse fudged it so he could have surgery. Four years ago today, we didn't know if Elijah would walk, talk, or even make it to today. Four years ago today, we were very scared, but afraid to say how scared we were, because we didn't want to admit that it was bad. We were even afraid to pray. The elders at our church asked if they could pray over him, we told them it wasn't that bad; we let them do it anyway (and I'm glad we did!) My parents called everyday, most days I told them only the good things, so I wouldn't have to remember anything bad.

They cut his spinal cord in surgery that day, because it was tied in a knot around his spine. They weren't sure how much it would help, if at all, but God knew. We were in the one city, at the one hospital, with the one surgeon, who knew exactly what was happening and how to fix it. And she did because God placed us there so that He could be glorified!

Three long hours after they took him back, the surgeon came to tell us that all had gone well. And that Elijah should lay on his back as much as possible for the next five days, and we would stay with him at the children's hospital while he rested for several days. Two hours after getting out of surgery, he stood up and threw himself over the railing of his crib, landed on the IV stand and needed steri-strips above his eye. We were so excited! He used his legs, and his arms! He did great for two weeks.

But then we had setback after setback, as he would improve in the hospital and as soon as we went home, he'd regress. His immune system was shot and he had an infection that went undetected for nine months, resulting in nine months of in and out hospitalizations. And Elijah was sleeping for 22 hours each day. He was a different child than before the surgery, than before he'd been sick. Eventually, they figured out the right combination of antibiotics and he slowly got stronger.

Then we realized that his bladder and bowels were not functioning properly. He had in a catheter for several months starting just last summer, but God once again provided the right doctor just at the right time. One hour before he would have had a colostomy, the surgeon made a phone call and we walked across the hospital to a gastro doctor that we'd called before and were told he didn't have any opening until July (it was April). And the surgery we thought was inevitable and was the opposite of what we wanted was cancelled. A long weekend and many months later and it is today.

Elijah is turning five today! He is a wealthy weight and height and in the 50th percentile for his age! He can walk, run, jump and play like every other child his age. He can talk, and play games, and tell jokes. He can stay awake for an entire day and fall asleep exhausted at night from all the fun he's had. He has been using the potty successfully for four whole months and never has accidents and doesn't have any extra bags or tubes to make it happen!

So more than usual, we have a lot to celebrate today. And a lot to praise God for! So, today, as I watch Elijah swim in the pool, run across the not so freshly mowed yard, and hear him shout with excitement over his cake and presents, I will be praising God for every moment that He has given us to enjoy our n0t-so-little-anymore Miracle!