Sometimes words are too small a thing

First - Josie is doing just great.  She has seen her local cardiologist and pediatrician and all seems well.  We will do some added follow up shortly just to be cautious.

Just had to get OUTSIDE

I was pretty sick when we got home and am still very very tired, so I have been laying low and Mr. M is just making sure we get the basics done.  Like food and sleep.

This has been an extraordinary road we have all been on.  The original plan was to work on Josie's lungs in the hope of getting them healthy enough to work on her heart.  In a single e-mail Lucille Packard Children's Hospital turned that plan upside down.  Josie's heart has now been repaired and the hope it this will allow healing for her lungs.

So now we go from a sprint to a marathon.  A surgical fix for a heart is a relatively quick thing.  It will require work and watching, but basically it was done in 8 hours.  That is just amazing to see.

Now we work on the lungs.  That is a slower healing.  It is not a certain thing, and if her lungs don't heal that is serious indeed.  But the heart repair has put her in the best possible position for that healing to occur.


Which leads me to my final note . . .

 I have always hated the comment about it takes a village to raise a child.  I'm pretty sure I am packing lunches and brushing teeth by myself.

But for something like this - well a village is probably not enough.  Maybe a small city.  This is not the kind of thing that goes well without lots of help and support, and we got that in spades.

First and foremost was all the kind thoughts, emotional support and especially the prayers.  I can't imagine doing something like this without those thoughts and prayers.

Secondly - there was an enormous amount of HELP that has been (and is being) offered.  Coworkers are covering for me at work (not minor at all-not everyone is offered such support from their management and coworkers). Family has taken off to drive us where needed.  Friends have helped with airfare, with meals, and with hauling ME to the doctor and vet.

Sometimes words are too small a thing to express how very grateful and blessed we are by our friends and friends we have not yet met.    Still, please accept our thanks and gratitude for all the help and support we have received.

The story is not yet finished, so we appreciate your continued prayers for the healing of Josie's lungs.

We hope you holiday season is wonderful and bright.  To quote Tiny Tim . . . God Bless us every one.

With Gratitude

Mrs M - Josie LiNi's Mom