Whew, what a difference a week can make! As I am sitting here typing this I cannot believe that a week ago today we were sitting in the waiting room (that the nurses opened up specially for our family because we had such a huge group) at Emory praying that Jamie's brain surgery would go well. Thanks to the many prayers, guardian angels in heaven, and amazing doctors and nurses that took care of Jamie, we are here at home today enjoying our little family :) Last Saturday was definitely the most difficult day of my life- it was the news you think you will never hear and although we now know that Jamie's prognosis is excellent and the doctors do not expect any further complications, we are forever changed. Hearing that a loved one has a potentially fatal medical condition puts your entire life into perspective and forces you to see just how blessed and fortunate you are to have each other and the wonderful life that you lead together. It is amazing to me the strength that God gives you in a moment like this. I consider myself to be a very emotional person that falls apart easily (I am such a scaredy cat that I have never even spent the night alone in my own house) but even when the doctor at Athens Regional sat us down Jamie and I both were determined that he was going to be just fine and we promised each other that we could handle anything. Jamie has been such a trooper and he is recooperating wonderfully. Other than the scar on the back of his head and a stiff neck you would not know he had brain surgery last week!
I am a true believer in the idea that you learn something from every experience, good or bad and there are defintely a few lessons we have learned. The first of those is that you know your body better than anyone and you sometimes you have to take your health into your own hands. The second is that you never know what tomorrow holds, so live today to its fullest. And lastly I learned just what an amazing family we have!
Prior to last week I knew that Jamie, Tyler and I were blessed to be in a very close, caring family (including the friends that we consider family) - but I think I had taken this comfort for granted. It amazed me how quickly EVERYONE jumped in to support us and help out. Phone calls, prayers from all over and hugs were abundant- and you all will never know how much each one of these meant to us. I don't know many people who can leave their six month old with nothing but the clothes on his back for a week and not have to worry about him one bit. A huge thanks to mom, Jess, and the Atkinsons and Williams for that. After Tyler stayed at the Willams house the first part of the week, Jamie and I took over their bedroom through Sunday so that we would be close to Emory and avoid the drive back to Jefferson until Jamie could tolerate the car more comfortably- man was that generous of them! I know that in addition to family here all of our Guardian Angels (who created the special bond that our family shares) were watching over our family this past week and all I can say is we are BLESSED!
