Maria is healed.  

We received the news today.  

Thanks be to God.

I’ll never forget the day when my sweet therapist told me not to limit God. I did not even realize I was doing that at that time. She encouraged me to pray for a miracle and reminded me that God always finishes his promises. 

At that time, Maria was intubated and had a long road ahead. I talked about my fear regarding her upcoming procedure, her pain, things that went wrong, our family, etc. I was so focused on today and tomorrow and limited prayer to this. 

From that day forward Nick and I began to pray for complete, miraculous, divine and unexplainable healing of our sweet daughter.

Our faith in Gods abilities and will for Maria increased.  However, I still struggled with letting go of control.

Trickled throughout Maria’s journey, the Holy Spirit inserted themes of surrender. This is something that Nick as well as Maria’s healthcare providers know that I have struggled with.

Letting my guard down was not an option at times, and God gave me the strength that I did not know I had to advocate on behalf of our daughter. 

However, with time, her healthcare providers began to know her and all of her quirks. The need for Jacque to be a fighter and an advocate began to subside.

Instead, it was time for me to surrender. I began to pray the surrender novena. “Oh Jesus I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.”

This was a challenge at first however, after meditatively praying this simple, beautiful prayer for nine days, everything truly began to fall into place

And when I say everything, I mean everything! 

From securing a babysitter with an RN to her specialists running point on her follow up plan, none of this involved me yet all were on my mind.  

For the first time ever, I feel a great sense of peace, knowing and appreciating that I’m not in control.

This past week Maria began to drink from a straw independently!  This may seem like a small feet however, this is huge for our girl!

Today Maria had a bronchoscopy.  Her ENT shared we have zero restrictions from a feeding standpoint!

In addition, her cardiothoracic surgeon was present for her bronchoscopy. He was shocked to say the least! her airway is now 80% of the size of kids her age.  In addition, it has required zero ballooning to date.  

Of the hundred (yes that’s how few have her condition) cases he saw at Cincinnati (the leading hospital for this), majority required ballooning and dilation. 

In addition, majority of kids who had this procedure done were one and a half years old or two.   The success rate of this procedure is highly correlated with age. Maria is truly a miracle! 

Airway management, feeding intervention, etc will not be a part of Maria’s story as she grows up! 

Thank you, God! We are rejoicing in this news today! Thank you all for the continued prayers! We are so blessed to have you all praying for Maria pray for Maria and all her heart friends, including Evie and Bennett.  

Have a wonderful evening,

The Whislers