Incredibly Dwarfed

I took Micah for his annual follow up visit with his cardiologist, Dr. Jedeikin.  Micah was born with two very small VSDs.  Nothing that will affect him or need an intervention, but for us that was a big deal before Zachary. The VSDs often can close themselves.

When Micah was first born, the medical team checked him out as part of the hospital standardized procedure.  When they explained that the cardiac ultrasound revealed the VSDs, David and I were nervous.  Could we let him cry? Could his heart suddenly get worse? Would he have a normal life? How do we take care of his condition? What was the condition called again?!

We called a close friend and she came over and calmed our fears.  She reminded us that the medical team at the hospital would not have discharged Micah if there was even a concern about his heart.  A couple days following the hospital discharge, we had a follow up appointment made with a well respected pediatric cardiologist. Enter Dr. Jedeikin.

We naturally turned to Dr. Jedeikin when we needed to know about Zachary's heart.  He explained the weekly fetal ultrasounds of Zachary, he explained all of the anomalies with Zachary's heart and usually ended the consult with a hug.  Little did we know that the experience with Micah's heart would be incredibly dwarfed by our third son.
At Micah's checkup, Dr. Jedeikin came in the room and just hugged me.  He was amazed Zachary was still with us.

At the time, we were scared about Micah's heart condition.  All we heard from the doctor was all of the possible horrific outcomes that could happen to Micah but didn't hear that the same outcomes occur in less than 1% of patients.  This was our biggest mountain that we had to climb at that point as parents.  We write this blog to show families that despite the mountains in front of them whether it is a Micah sized mountain or Zachary sized, there are always unknowns.  If you submit to God, do His will, you will have peace during the hike.  That mountain will be incredibly dwarfed by God's love and plan for your life.  

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During this time we are trying to live life normally, so we took our FIRST family trip with all five of us.  We went up north to Alpine, AZ.  The weather was beautiful (highs in the mid 70s).  David, Micah and Josiah played in the forest while Zachary and I watched from the porch.  The elevation got to Zachary by the end of the weekend. We were above 8,000ft so at times he required oxygen from his O2 tank and we limited his physical activity, but there is still plenty to do up there.

Zachary's diaper rash has times where it gets better and then it reverts.  After about 10 days post surgery, his bottom was so raw that it bled when you wiped it.  When I would go to wipe it off, Zachary would be sweating, he was crying so hard.  It would break my heart.
We have found that he needs to air out his bottom daily to help his own skin heal.  Air, with a combination of several creams we have discovered, help keep his diaper rash in check.  Please continue to pray that the diaper rash is kept to a minimum.

Our love for Zachary is incredibly dwarfed by God's love for him.  God has a plan for Zachary that includes more tough times.  God never said life is easy but he did say when you are tired from the tough times to rest in Him.

For now we are thankful he's doing well and with us and growing (slowly)!  We are praying for a healthy winter and our FIRST family Christmas with all of us at home!!
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30