1 Month Ago...

This is Abbie posting for the first time!


Today marks Max's one month post surgery date. In so many ways this past month has flown by. His physical recovery has been amazing. His emotional recovery is taking longer but that is to be expected at his age. A common phrase I hear about 150 times a day is "Mama, hold you" which is Max asking me to hold him. I sure love holding my little boy but if I'm being completely honest, some days (especially as I enter into these last few weeks of pregnancy) it is really exhausting! It's hard to believe all that he has been through. As much as I have just wanted to get back to normal life once we got home from the hospital, I also want to make sure I am taking the time to reflect on this experience as I know there are lessons learned through every trial and tribulation we face.

Lessons such as...

• God is my rock and strength in times of weakness. There are things I had to do and experience in this last month that normally would have literally made me pass out (I have major hospital anxiety) but by His grace and strength in each moment I was able to be there for my son when he needed me most. 
• I want to live a life of gratitude. Each night in the hospital as I lay beside my sleeping Max, I would reflect on the day and all the people who were involved in helping Max get better that day. We saw so many doctors, nurses, technicians and teams throughout our stay that I cannot count the number of people who were involved in Max's excellent care. Out of all those people, we really only had two poor experiences. When your child is sick or in pain, you want the best care possible and we got that care in Edmonton, where we were blessed by professionals who provided the qualities of compassion and kindness towards Max (and us) as we dealt with many moments of uncertainty, fear and pain. As we move on from this event in our lives, I want to remember to give thanks each day for the people and moments who made my day sweeter. 
• Lastly, I have needed more help post surgery than I needed last time around. This is partly due to Max's age and awareness of what he went through but mostly due to the stage of pregnancy I am in. I have had to learn to ask for and accept help. So often in our society, I feel like the expectation is that we should just be able to do it all with a smile on our face. Again, if I am being honest, I have had a large number of very bad days this last month where I have felt completely physically and emotionally overwhelmed and have had to rely on others (mostly my incredible husband) to help me get through. It is on those days, I am so grateful for the frozen meals people have spontaneously brought by and for friends and family who pray specifically for the struggles we are facing. 

I'll end this little anniversary post by sharing a few pictures. We were so happy to be able to take Max to visit his Grandpa/Grandma and Auntie/Uncle this weekend in BC. He had a really great time and for the first time since surgery he didn't want to "go home!" He will be on sternal precautions for a few more weeks. His Dada can't wait to wrestle with him and take him skating and sledding!! Max has another check up with his cardiologist this Thursday so please pray for that appointment and that the fluid around his heart will have been absorbed. 

Thank you all for your kindness, prayers, comments and emails. We have read each one of them and have felt extremely blessed and loved on this journey. 

Love, Abbie 

Hanging out with my BFF and cousin! 

Visiting Dad at the Firehall!

Family snowman building in BC! 

Hanging out with Frosty!