Praises and Prayers

Hi Everyone!  Before surgery tomorrow we wanted to share a few things.  First of all, we wanted to remind ourselves of the many specific ways God has taken care of us and proved Himself faithful during this time in our lives.  We thought it’d be neat for you to hear all the incredible ways He’s been working.  We praise God for these things.

• I have never signed up for any of the “extra” insurances offered through my work until last year, sort of on a whim, I signed up for short term disability coverage.  God saw ahead of us and provided financially for us before we even knew I had an AVM.
• After finding out about my AVM we learned that pregnancy can be a very dangerous thing for a woman.  The very same day that Seth and I officially had the “I think we’d be open to trying to get pregnant” discussion was the day I had the seizure, which is how we found the AVM.  God protected me.
• Generally people have to “jump through the hoop” of seeing a neurologist first, then be referred to a neurosurgeon, etc.  For some reason (we’d say God’s provision!) our first appointment happened to take place with my neurosurgeon, who is one of the best around, and he was able to see us right away.  He has been very accommodating and knowledgeable.     
• God has provided Seth for me as an amazing support, and I also have a loving and supportive family all living in the area willing to help out in any way possible.  Not to mention we have an amazing support in our friends and other family members....that would be YOU! :-)  THANK YOU!
• A friend of mine sent me a Bible verse early on in all this that really meant a lot to me.  A few days later 3 of my dearest friends gave me a daily devotional book.  On the day they happened to give it to me, the exact same scripture was the verse that was highlighted in the devotional for the day.  (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
• The AVM is on my left side, and I’m left handed.  This means a few things.  1st, most people’s speech is controlled by the left side of the brain, but because I’m left handed mine is likely controlled by the right side, so it’s not likely my speech will be affected. 2nd, because the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, if I have lasting numbness or paralysis from the surgery it will at least be on the right side of my body rather than my dominant side.
• The timing for the first surgery has worked out well for Seth in order for him to avoid taking a ton of work off. The majority of my stay was over his Christmas break.  I came home from the hospital on January 3rd, and he started back to school on the 4th.
• We have been blessed to hear stories of God’s glory being revealed to many as they’ve journeyed with us.  Praise God!  
• I have been able to reconnect with a friend from high school who had brain surgery as a teenager.  Although our stories are not exactly the same, it has been beautiful and therapeutic to hear her story and be able to share mine with her, someone who understands many of the things I’m going through.  Julie, you are inspiring!
• I have experienced rapid healing from my first surgery. 
• I’ve had incredible nurses, and it has almost seemed like I was given certain nurses at certain times to fulfill exactly what I needed at that specific time.    
• There are likely a million other things we are leaving off the list, but those are some very specific ways we’ve seen God working.

We also wanted to ask you to pray over some specific things as well as anyway you feel led to pray.  Please pray for:

• All medical staff involved:  surgeons (Dr. Pritz is the lead surgeon), anesthesiologists, nurses, other doctors attending to me, and anyone else we’re forgetting!   
• No coma or hallucinations this time!  
• A smooth and successful surgery.  That surgeons would be able to completely and safely remove the entire AVM.
• No paralysis or increased numbness
• No speech or vision problems
• No complications from anesthesia 
• Overall safety and physical protection
• Peace and comfort for waiting family and friends and Cami as she goes into surgery
• Ability to rest and for a speedy recovery and protection from scary thoughts during recovery
• God’s glory to continue be revealed to many 

Again, we thank you so much for your commitment to praying for us and journeying through this with us.  God bless you!  

Love,

Seth and Cami