Gearing Up.

Wouldn't want to get too comfortable in our new family dynamics or routines, now, would we?  No, never.  I would have to change the title of this blog if we did.

Now that Bella has been home for nearly 6 weeks, it is time to head back up to CHOP and proceed with Lilly's VEPTR treatments.  Yes, that means surgery.

Here's the plan:

We will head first to New Jersey for Easter weekend to spend a few fun-filled days with the Cantilina Clan, allowing Bella to meet the gaggle of cousins, aunts, uncles, and Grammy and Pop Pop (whom she has met only on skype so far).  Hoping she'll still want to keep us after witnessing the true chaos of a Cantilina Sunday dinner--with the fun exponentially compounded by the annual Cantilina Easter Egg hunt courtesy of Auntie Em.  Even the older kiddos are excited about attending this annual event, which they have only once previously in their entire lives been able to attend.  It is epic.

On Monday, Lilly will see Dr. Campbell and have lab work done prior to her surgery (on Tuesday the 10th).  Following this office visit, Tom will drive Jared and Anna south to meet up with Nana and Pap Pap somewhere between Baltimore and Philly on I-95 to hand them off and let Nana and Pap Pap take them back to VA to get ready for school to start back up on Tuesday.  Tom will then drive back to Philly to meet up with Lilly, Bella (who is not anywhere near ready to be left with family members while we're gone with Lilly), and me.

We are praying that we are able to get a room at the Ronald McDonald House so that there are many resources for entertaining Bella during Lilly's hospitalization.

Then Tuesday is surgery day.  Because Lilly's infection has been successfully eradicated (praise the Lord!), it's time to put those rods back in her back to help straighten her spine and open her chest cavity, allowing her lungs and her heart to have room to function properly, especially as she grows.  So Dr. Campbell will work his magic and--Lord willing--Lilly will soon regain the height she lost when the rods were removed.  Dr. C told us to expect this surgery to be every bit as difficult as her initial VEPTR implant surgery was last February (see here to re-read all about that big day or navigate to that general time frame last year if you like!), so we are expecting probably a 7-10 day hospitalization.  Maybe longer, maybe shorter (please!).

We appreciate your prayers for our family as we face this upcoming surgery with even more trepidation than usual since we will have Bella in tow as well this time. 

Please pray for:

• Safe travels to and from NJ this weekend and Philly on Monday. 
• Good health in the lead up to Tuesday.
• A successful, safe, and smooth surgery for Lilly.
• Wisdom and strength for Dr. Campbell and his team at CHOP.
• Wisdom and discernment for Tom and me as we care for Lilly and help her team manage her pain and help her get back on her feet post op.
• An extra measure of grace and patience for Tom and me as we not only manage Lilly’s physical and emotional needs during this time, but also as we care for Bella and help her with  a fairly big diversion from the routines to which she has just begun to grow accustomed in our family.  May Bella’s presence be a fun and helpful thing to Lilly, not an extra drain on each of us during a stressful time.  And may Bella not be upset by Mama staying at the hospital with Lilly at night while she goes with Baba to the hotel.
• A smooth and quick recovery for Lilly.
• That a room might be available for us at the Ronald McDonald House in Philly.
• Good health and safety for Jared and Anna, Nana and Pap Pap (Laird and Harriet Parke, my folks) while they are here without us.

If anyone wants to send Lilly a card or e-card while we're at CHOP, here is the mailing address and a link that explains how send an e-card:

Child's full name and room number
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
34th Street and Civic Center Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399

http://www.chop.edu/ecards/ecards.cfm

Thanks for following along and for your prayers!