Easter

A week ago we were fully expecting to be spending this Easter weekend at the hospital.  What an Easter miracle that Michael recovered quickly enough to be able to come home last week.

Michael continues to make progress each day.  His eyes are starting to stay in sync and focus a bit better and for longer periods of time although they cannot turn out completely.  He has a hard time blinking, so he stares for long periods of time and then rolls his eyes way up into his head periodically to try to get the equivalent effect.  We have a gel we put into his eyes to help keep them from drying out.  Fortunately he closes his eyes fairly well when he sleeps.  What used to be his weak eye is now his strong eye, so he still gets to be a pirate for an hour every day, now with his right eye patched instead of his left. 

We're still trying to figure out ways to keep him from throwing up his feedings.  Sometimes it's a matter of feeding him again every time he throws up until one of the feedings sticks.  He's showing several motor-neurological deficits which are not improving yet.  In addition to his inability to blink and form facial expressions, he cannot close his mouth all the way, his left foot remains curled and he has general weakness on his left side.  The last day or two we have gotten him to laugh a few times.  It's so great to see his mood improving and yet heartbreaking in that in hearing his laugh, his face remains frozen showing no emotion.  We pray vigilantly that his nerves may reconnect.  That he may one day again be able to do something as simple as smile.

We had several kind families provide Easter for us this year.  One set up an Easter egg hunt for our children last weekend while we were at the hospital.  Another family, whom we hadn't even met before this weekend, was inspired by Elder Rasband's recent General Conference talk and created Easter baskets for us and each of our children.  It was great meeting them, our children had a ball with Easter, and we felt a huge burden lifted. 

Liz's dad drove out from Utah to join us for the weekend.  We kept him busy with a few projects around the house while Liz's mom continued to help us hold down the fort.  We had an early birthday celebration for Liz and enjoyed an Easter lunch together before he had to drive back.  It was great having some family in town to spend Easter with.

We are so grateful for Easter and all its meaning.  Nevertheless, our hearts sting in the moment.  Some days and moments are very difficult.  But we try to press forward with faith.


Today at church we had a special musical program for Easter.  With the chaos in our lives right now it didn't work out for either of us to sing in the choir.  Which was probably for the best anyway, since Liz and I basically sobbed during much of the program.  It started when a trio sang "Consider the Lilies of the Field".  I don't think we'll ever be able to hear this song with a dry eye again, with lyrics such as:

Consider the sweet, tender children
Who must suffer on this earth...
The pains of all of them he carried
From the day of his birth.

We thought about Christ's resurrection, which we celebrate this Easter season, and how grateful we are that some day Michael will  be resurrected with a perfect body, free from cancer, free from scars and disabilities.  During a time when we're feeling so much sorrow, we were deeply touched that this is actually a time to rejoice. Christ has already overcome every trial and burden we are facing right now, and in the eternal scheme of things, the victory has already been won.

 

Michael relaxing with Grandpa

Decorating Easter eggs