Addie Verhulst

Finally, we have a date for Addie's Epilepsy surgery, February 15th.  She will be admitted to Children's Mercy Hospital (downtown) and will have temporal lobe resection surgery.  That is a medical way of saying she will have brain surgery to remove brain tissue that is causing a seizure focus point.  This surgery is done in two parts and will mean she has the 1st surgery on Monday and then admitted to ICU for a few days while they record seizure activity.  The 2nd surgery will be done on Thursday after they have accumulated enough data to pinpoint exact seizure locations in her brain.  After that surgery she will remain in the hospital for a few days to recover and stabilize.  She will be sent home to heal and start her journey to recovery, and hopefully a seizure and med-free life! 

What can you do to help?  Many people have called, emailed, text or asked what they can do for us during this time.  What we want and need is prayer....unceasing prayer!  As I was pondering the idea of what we needed from our friends and family I kept coming back to the same answer, prayers!  Prayers for Addie, her surgeons, and staff involved with her care.  Prayers for her family and friends as they await her recovery.  Addie's surgery time is during the Lenten season this year - let Addie be the reason you grow closer to God this year during Lent.  

Those of you that know Addie understand when I say she is a ball of fire!  She has never met a stranger...if you were a stranger you are no longer to her!  :)  God gifted Addie with such a vibrant personality  He knew Addie's path and equipped her with the strength she needs to run her race in life - we just ask God to give David and I the strength to keep up with her!

So, we will keep you updated with her progress as we can.  Wanted to end with something that really struck a chord with me yesterday as I was trying to set up her Caring Bridge site...I am involved with a women's bible study that meets once a week during the school year.  In haste, I opened my study to quickly try and answer some questions yesterday while waiting for the kids after school. Opening my book I found my hand written notes that I had written down from the book of Isaiah (which we are studying this year), and right there was God's message for me.  Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you.....I will strengthen you, I will help you.."  My fear and anxiety for Addie is my human reaction to my child being ill and getting ready to go through a surgery.  I needed to hear those words....."Fear not, for I am with you."