Day 4 (Monday 3/4/13) – The Power of Prayer

Yesterday (Sunday) was the worst day for MJ and all of us emotionally since surgery. MJ had the most pain, was refusing to eat, and even in the afternoon began to refuse all meds. He was just done with this whole mess. Sunday morning I was beginning to get scared. Somehow we had to overcome these obstacles and get MJ better before he took a turn in the wrong direction and got worse. I texted a friend to give her an update and she rallied for prayer.

Our church family prayed specifically for MJ in each service Sunday morning. I cannot tell you how comforting it was to know Dan and I were joined in prayer with so many at those specific moments. I literally felt the warmth of those prayers. Sunday afternoon when we got MJ in the wheelchair then he asked for dinner - I immediately knew God was right there answering all of those prayers. On Sunday afternoon I stopped in my tracks after MJ was out of bed with tears in my eyes... “Thank you Lord. Thank You.”

We were so grateful for the prayers knowing we had a night ahead where MJ was going to be on no meds since he was refusing. I was scared for him. But somehow the R.N. was able to get one more dose of meds into his (bad) hand IV for the evening to get him through the night. Thank you Lord.
 

The end of the day Sunday helped us feel we were finally turning in the right direction. Monday morning was a new day and MJ was acting more and more himself. We were ready to take on the day and be more pro-active with his care plan. Dan devised a plan with the nurses to get MJ’s foot IV out without him kicking and protesting and the plan went flawlessly. MJ was upbeat, in no pain, and ready to take on the day.

We knew PT (physical therapy) was going to be the turning point, the deciding factor on whether or not MJ was going to stay another night in the hospital. Knowing his personality and the fact we may go backwards if we push him too far - my only goal for him today was to see him stand up. All weekend we have been trying to entice and encourage MJ to get up by talking about the awesome view we had out his hospital window. All week long we have been encouraging MJ telling him he is stronger than he thinks he is. I knew if he could just see how strong he is that would be more than half the battle.



MJ kicking the ball with PT.

PT got there and we started small by kicking the ball from the side of the bed. It was difficult and painful for him – but he was encouraged and kept trying. After a bit of negotiating MJ was still reluctant to try and stand. He was scared. So at my request PT left the room to find a walker that she had suggested on Friday. While she was out of the room, we continued to encourage (without being pushy) and while I was internally praying - MJ mustered up all of his courage and said he was ready to try to stand. His dad helped him to his feet for the first time since his brain surgery. It was an amazing moment. When I looked at the picture it both broke my heart and made me so proud. You can see both the fear in his eyes and the determination to overcome it. 

MJ standing for the first time
with the help of his dad.

After standing for a few moments you could see his fear change to a comfort that ran through him like God was whispering to him - I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Yes sweetie – you certainly can. All of a sudden he said “I want to go to the window”. He wanted to see the view, and that he did. PT came back with the walker and was so excited to see MJ across the room from where he was when she left. Once he got that walker the rest is history. He was unstoppable. We set short goals and he kept lengthening them – “I want to keep going”. He took a long lap around the nurses’ station on our side of the floor and took a detour to the playroom. 



MJ seeing the view for the fist time.

The rest of the day kept getting better and better. After the playroom MJ walked back to his room with the walker but he didn’t want to lie down. He was energized and excited he found that strength we were telling him about. He wanted to sit by the window. He wanted to enjoy the view we had talked about for days, and he basked in the sun and colored in coloring books. After lunch and some rest he wanted to go back to the playroom in the afternoon, and again we came back when he was done playing and he sat and looked out the window.

He reached his goals – he surpassed his goals. Within 24 hours he was a completely different kid and without a doubt I knew it was because of all of your prayers. My baby was back – and we were going home!



MJ walking for the first time.



MJ enjoying the view waiting to go home.