A New Road

It is 9pm and I am sitting by Julia's bedside at Brenner's Children's Hopspital. This is not how I thought this day would go at all.

My morning started praying for Timothy and Stellan, whom God has done some amazing things for today. Julia had an appointment for an ultrasound and VCUG to check on the back-to-back UTIs she's had this month. Carter was being picked up by Emily to go to Bible study with his friends. I figured we all be home after lunch in time for nap and school. Not exactly...

They did Julia's ultrasound and when the tech finished she brought in a radiologist who repeated the scan. I could tell they were looking for something, but they said her kidney was hard to picture on one side. They sent us to the waiting room, then came out to say she didn't need the second, more invasive test. Part of me was relieved, but cautious. They sent us across the street to the pediatrician's office. When the doctor walked in, he told us they had found a tumor on her left side. He was on the phone with Brenner's to find out the plan. In seconds we were handed her chart, told to pick up her scan CD, and head to the 9th floor to be admitted to Brenner's oncology. It was a surreal moment. You hear it and I knew what they were saying, but when I walked out I felt my arms go weak. I put her in her carseat and stood in the rain and cried. This was really happening. I feel peace about her and this situation, I just ache for what she will now go through. It's a burden we carry as moms. We feel our kids pain for them.

I am so thankful for the ways I have already seen God's hand in this. After diagnosing her first ever UTI the doctor wanted to schedule the ultrasound and VCUG. I have to say I was hesitant to do something so involved for one infection. Can't we just wait. I seriously considered telling them 'no' when they called us to set it up. Last Friday she came to me and said her stomach hurt again and it hurt to pee. I took her in for what turned out to be her second UTI and the tests were scheduled on the spot. God gave me His definite answer. Had we not had the scan today this would not have been found. They didn't feel it in the exam and she is acting completely normal. But we did and we found it and now we're right where we need to be.

Billy and I packed all our things and headed to Brenner's this afternoon. They took us right in to her room and the doctor came in to talk to us. They wanted to repeat the ultrasound to explore more and take their own pictures. They explained to us what they were seeing. There is a round bumpy mass, 7cm wide, on her left kidney. They scheduled her for a full, sedated CT scan tomorrow of her chest andomen, and pelvis. This way they will have a complete picture to work with as they plan for likely surgery.

We have had complete peace since arriving here. It is an amazing place and I have total confidence in the medical care she receives, but more importantly- we have been completely covered in prayer by so many since literally the second we received the news. Intercessory prayer is a force you must feel to fully understand. We have been living in 'the zone' as I call it. There are no what ifs or worries, just right now. We color, we play, we eat, we watch our favorite shows- and we face things one step at a time. I have not shed a tear since we arrived. Thank you all! I know I need to do this for her and I couldn't do it woithout the love, support, and prayers from all of you.
Julia is comfortable and happy. She got to take a bath before they started the IV and was swimming and singing in the tub like always. It was really hard to get her out.
She has been so cooperative through it all, though. When they took her labs and started the IV she laid completely still with her arm out on the bed, never even flinched! The nurses couldn't believe it. They said they've never seen anything like it.
She is really enjoying the food in bed, coloring on her tray, and TV all in one place. Though tonight she said, "I don't really like going to the doctor. I'd rather be home with you and Daddy and Carter. But I love you Mommy. You're the best." (Okay maybe I did cry once tonight.) I never dreamed this morning that our day would go like this either. So far, we've told her she has a lump in her belly that shouldn't be there and the doctors are taking pictures to find out how to get it out. So far she seems okay with that. So please continue to pray for her comfort and reassurance during all of this. Pray for the scan tomorrow that they are able to see what they need to and make wise decisions. Pray for the sedation and process tomorrow.

Thank you we love you all and thank you for your love for our family!