January 16, 2008

Rough Day

I think today was the hardest one we've had since Whitney was born. Last night around 5:00, we found out that Whitney would have surgery to place a shunt this morning at 8:30. The nurses suggested that we should probably get there as much before 7:30 as possible. So we were up before 6:00 and at the NICU before 7:00.

Whitney's surgery went well, and she was back in the NICU from surgery by 10:30. Whitney woke up slowly. As she woke up, she was in significant pain. She started crying uncontrollably. We tried to console her, but nothing worked. It took the nurses at least fifteen minutes to start her morphine, and it felt like an eternity before it worked. The whole time, Whitney was crying and wimpering. The feeling of helplessness was heartbreaking. It was the worst experience we have had since finding out about Whitney's spina bifida.

They finally got Whitney's pain under control, and she snuggled with Susan all afternoon.

7 comments:

ljbrouwer said...

i cannot imagine how hard that must have been for you. there is nothing worse than seeing your child in pain. i am so thankful that she was able to snuggle with her mommy. we are praying that he pain remains under control and that you two are able to rest and recover from this day as well.
still praying...

Anonymous said...

I thank the Lord for a new day today. May yesterday stay just that...in the past...and only a memory and may our great Heavenly Father bless Whitney with less pain and much healing. May her mommy and daddy be able to see the peace she has while her body heals from such an intensive surgery. Amazing how much wisdom and knowledge these doctors have to perform what they do. Praise the Lord for their willingness to listen to His calling to care for our children when we can not. Now may all the healing begin so soon you will all be together in your home where I am sure you are longing to be together. We are praying you thru this time...
In Christs love,
Melody Timmerman

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that she got to snuggle with you. I can't even begin to understand the toughness during this time, but know that God has put you in this situation for a reason. How fortunate it is for Whitney to have a Mom and Dad that love the Lord so much. You continue to be in our prayers.

Josh and Susan Cnossen

Cari said...

There is a wrench in my heart right now. I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling as parents. We continue to pray for the whole family and specifically to reduce Whitney's physical pain.

Anonymous said...

How very hard it is to see our children in pain. We are praying for you guys and are happy to hear that the surgery seems to have gone well. Never forget that we serve a God who performs miracles- a God who rose His own son from death. The wonder of His power is not whether he chooses to perform miracles with our own children, the beauty is that He can! We are lifting you up in prayer daily. Thanks for the updates.
Love in Christ,
Laura Wiese

Anonymous said...

Hey Susan and Matt,
I finally figured out how to post a comment! (I should have just asked the kids, right? :)) Please know that you guys are being covered with prayers each day. I remember telling Susan early on that when I prayed for Whitney before she was born that I could imagine God holding her little body in his comforting hands. Even now, in her discomfort, He's got her cradled in His almightly hands and knows all that she is experiencing. I'll keep up the prayers for all of you!

Gwen Leegwater

Kelley McNees said...

*I typed some comments, but didn't have an account. If this is a repeat - please forgive me.*

Anyway - My daughter Maggie was born on 01/14/08. She has SB - L4/L5. Her shunt surgery was 02/01/08. As I read this entry, I felt like I was reading about our experience. The wimpering, waiting for the MD to call back with the proper amount of morphine... It seems like years, decades ago - praise God. We also had 2 shunt revisions during Thanksgiving last year. Very, very difficult. My husband and I are also Christians. I'm not sure we would have been able to make it without our faith. We feel priviledged to be Miss M's parents. I'd love to chat sometime. I haven't read many entries yet, but I will... We have 2 boys - 7 & 5 and of course Miss M. May God bless your family!!! We live in St. Louis - by the way.