Good Appetite

So little man Luke is resuming gallantly to his three favorite sporting activities... smiling, looking cute (naturally with little effort), and eating.  He managed to slurp down 6 bottles during the night.  And I, his mommy, was completely overjoyed to be at his beckon call every time he woke up.  It is completely amazing how resilient these little people are!  Life resumes so quickly after open heart surgery.  

Today he will get his second chest tube removed, as well as his heart leads.  This will make it much easier to pick him up and cuddle.  Yeah!  He does have some residual congestion as a result of the breathing tube, and will continue to be on a low dose of oxygen, and LASIK to remove the extra fluid around his heart.  We were able to see his chest X-ray taken right before surgery, and his heart was taking up 2/3 of his chest cavity.  Like any muscle, if its working hard all the time, it will get bigger.  ❤  Seeing that xray made it even more real for us. Now that its fixed,  over time, it will resume to a more normal size.

Yesterday evening, the hospital chaplain stopped by for a visit.  He commented on how much he loves this hospital, as it is filled with so much love and healing.  I have to admit, when we came to Levines Children Hospital for the first time on Monday, I was thinking the opposite.  I couldn't get over seeing sick kids in wheel chairs and hospital beds, and wanted to see those children free from these walls, doing things that kids should be doing.  But the chaplain was right.  Isn't this life?  Curve balls can be thrown at us at any time.  Sometimes we can jump, sometimes we can move to the side and have a "close call", and sometimes they just hit us.  And instead of pleading "why me", these are the opportunities for us to use our faith.  To be reminded not to take things for granted. To be reminded that our Father does not abandon us.  To bring us together as brothers and sisters through L❤VE, through His presence. 

Dear Heavenly Father, today we are so grateful for Luke's life, for these amazing doctors and nurses, and for taking all of our fears and anxiety away during this process.  Thank you for helping us accept the unknowns, and filling us with your peace and love.  We will forever be grateful for this.  Amen.