Surgery #12 : )

Dear Friends & Family,

I'm sorry that I didn't get to touch base with you before Ava Gray's surgery yesterday. Part of God's protection this time around was to keep me so distracted and busy that I hardly had a moment to worry or fret. Merciful Father we have, yes? : ) 

For all of you that knew this was coming and have been praying for her & us already, thank you. For those of you who are just now finding out, here's a little background:

Back in early April, we found out on a visit to one of our Vanderbilt doctors that there was going to be another major surgery in Ava Gray's future. It seems the bones in Ava Gray's skull prematurely closed and calcified. That meant her brain had no space to grow. The only treatment for this was surgery. (Albeit pretty significant surgery: on par with her heart surgery. It will probably involve 5-7 days in the hospital and she'll have a nice long scar running from ear to ear to show for it!) 

She (& we) went in at 6am yesterday to Vanderbilt Children's for her 7:30 surgery. She slept peacefully right up until they took her back to the OR. The surgery took a little less than 4 hours, and after a few hours in recovery (waiting for a room) she got to head up to her room in the PICU (5th floor for all you Nash-folks that are taking night shifts!) I'm so thankful that Jonathan and his family were there with us this time - they are so wonderfully supportive and show such love and care for the girls. Also, they are so faithfully praying for them as well, which is such a gift and a comfort to this mama!

Ava Gray's surgery went well. Really well. Dr. Tulipan (her Neuro and shunt surgeon) and Dr. Kelly (her peds plastic surgeon) performed this one together. Dr. Kelly was very, very pleased with the results. He said she did "beautifully." They've warned us that there is going to be a lot of swelling in her face, and that the swelling will be at its worst at the 48 hour mark (which will be around 1pm tomorrow.) Will you pray that for Ava Gray during that window specifically for the swelling (that it would not be too painful, and that it would decrease rapidly!)? Thank you friends.

Here are a few other things we would really appreciate prayer for:

• Havyn. She has been a trooper, but this little girl has had so many fun playmates and houseguests and visitors (with little-to-no-downtime) for a couple weeks in a row that she is as hyped up as a little girl can be. Plus she is going through a major teething spell right now, which can make her pretty edgy.Translation: she is super-clingy to her mama, has difficulty calming down for naps & bedtime, and is bumping into things a lot cuz she's so tired (& then is less able to cope well with these little tumbles in her fatigued state). I am so proud of her for how well she is doing in spite of all this, but it has been tricky for me and for all the folks with me to keep her safe & calm there at the hospital while also trying to be present for Ava Gray. Please pray that she will find places and spaces during our busy schedule to truly rest. 

• Ava Gray. She had a few seizures last night, which is not shocking, but still hard. These are being monitored & controlled well where she is (in the PICU), and we are praying that she doesn't have any more. Another concern is that she's having trouble keeping her food down (also very much expected & usual after such strong pain medicine on an empty stomach and after this major surgery). Will you pray that she is able to start tolerating her regular food quickly? Throwing up with her head in this condition is pretty painful for her, so we'd like to have that just not happen any more . : ) 

• The nurses & doctors that surround Ava Gray. God has already provided her with some of the most outstanding nurses you could ask for. We are BLESSED that He hand-picked these amazing people for this time. Please pray that He would continue to provide understanding & compassionate (& slightly unconventional) nurses & docs who are willing to see a person, not a patient, in our darling Ava Gray. (And that they would continue to be patient with our entourage of family & friends!)

• Jonathan & his family. They have been such a support and a help to us during this time, but I know this is hard (emotionally and physically) on them as well. Please pray that they would find rest during this time as well.

• For me. I started out this hospital stay pretty tuckered out. I am running on fumes now, and don't have anywhere near the reserves I think I need to get through this with grace. Please pray that I would repent often & quickly when I fail & that God would provide rest, reminders of His powerful presence, and hope. I tend to lose perspective when I get too tired. Guess that's pretty normal though... : )

• For my mom. She has been so gracious & giving & loving to me and to everyone around us. I know she's pretty tired, herself, and I am asking that God would sustain her through this as she is here to support me. (Thanks again Carl for sharing your wonderful wife with us! We miss you.)

I'll sign out now (going to try to catch a nap while Havyn is down), and then we'll head in to the hospital to see our little AG. (Jonathan & Ana are with her right now, which is such a relief and a blessing!)

Thank you all for your love, text messages, prayers & for just being there for us. We feel it. 

With nothing but Christ to stand on,

Jules

And just for fun here's a few pics of the girls:

Little AG the night before the surgery:

Chillin....

Havyn taking a nap on her sweet Grandma Blanco:

And then watching a puppet show during the surgery (with her Ana & Grandma Blanco)

Fun times with Grandpa Blanco:

A few of our darling AG after surgery:

Ok dear friends. Really am heading out now. Hope to connect with you all soon, but if I don't return a text or a call right away, know that it's just cuz we're in the middle of it. Thankful for each of you!