Ice Storm & Abby Update

From Brent

We are having a massive ice storm. Power out, running on generator. Not sure how long we'll be down.

From Michelle

Abby's inracranial pressure has been down for a couple of weeks but until now I couldn't celebrate. Was I thankful… of course but I couldn’t celebrate. I tried to, I knew I should but a friend of mine was hurting and scared. Her daughter was still in danger and it hurt my heart to celebrate Abby's blessing while Avalon was still in a dire situation. Avalon's mom, Alicia is always first in line to cheer when we get good news about Abby and brilliant writer that she is, I am sure she would have found the perfect words to give me a friendly tongue-lashing, if she knew the thoughts that were roaming through my head.

Avalon had surgery to relieve her intracranial pressure on Wednesday. Because of a huge mistake by a different surgeon, Avalon's surgical options were very limited. Her surgeon prepared her parents for three possible outcomes: 1. she would be mute for the rest of her life 2. she would be permanently paralyzed 3. the catheter her incompetence former surgeon dropped into her brain (several years ago) would shift during this surgery and cause a fatal injury to her brain stem. Can you imagine kissing your daughter goodbye and then handing her over to the surgical team?

I prayed for a miracle. YOU prayed for one too. And God answered. Avalon’s doctor found the upper part of the catheter (VP Shunt) worked perfectly but the valve was malfunctioning. Once the valve was replaced the VP shunt worked perfectly. It was able to remove the excess cerebrospinal fluid and shunt it into her abdomen. If the surgeon had needed to replace the old catheter it would have, baring a miracle, damaged her brain permanently.

So, now I can finally celebrate the fact that Abby’s intracranial pressure is down and I get to thank God for healing Avalon. God is so good.

Avalon is still healing from the surgery. Pleased continue to pray for healing and pain control.