Follow-up on Matthew

Early this morning:

If you can't find Matthew, look in the school room. He is often found sitting at Andrew's desk looking at Andrew's school books, children's magazines, and even folders with no pictures! He loves books in all forms!

Our family has been quite busy, so we are so thankful for a morning without appointments. We needed a slow morning.

To catch us up, months ago I made the children's well visits. Since we have been having yearly home studies at the beginning of each year, our children's physicals have all come together to be at the beginning of each year (for clearance with home studies). So, I kept them on the same schedule this year--not knowing how busy things were going to get.

Cherish had her well visit with vaccinations on Monday, Hope has her well visit with vaccinations today, Andrew has his on Friday, and Daniel has his on Wednesday.

In addition, Matthew has been to see the dentist (surgeon #1), general physician, hospital lab for blood work, urologist (surgeon #2), he will meet his ENT (surgeon #3) on Monday, and have a sleep-deprived EEG on Tuesday--to be cleared for surgery as soon as possible.

The infection in Matthew's mouth needs surgery as soon as possible, and we are trying to get his other surgeons to join the surgery so he can go under anesthesia as few times as possible.

Surgeon #2, urologist, has decided to join the first surgeon. Matthew has a hernia that is causing blockage by the tube leading from the kidney to his bladder. The surgery will include sewing up the hernia, and leaving a button on the outside of his lower abdomen to ensure the hernia stays closed. This, and other things that the surgeon will fix, will take about 3.5 hours.

So, added to the dentist who needs a minimum of 3.5 hours to fix Matthew's teeth, he is up to about 7 hours of anesthesia.

We meet with surgeon #3 on Monday to see if the ENT will want to remove the cysts from the back of Matthew's head at the same time. I doubt it. I am assuming that surgery on the mouth and surgery on the abdomen will not be followed with surgery on the back of the head. However, we were told to go and find out, so we will meet him on Monday.

In addition, Matthew does this all day long:

Therefore, he will have a sleep-deprived EEG on Tuesday to ensure he will be safe under anesthesia.

Please continue to pray for our family. We have lots going on, and we need the Lord's wisdom.

Homeschooling is still going on, but momma is not being a drill sergeant about it. We worked ahead diligently in the beginning of the year, as we knew transition time would come with unexpected hurdles to jump.

The more we get to know Matthew, the more we are aware that he has been living in constant pain. I am so thankful God chose us to adopt Matthew, and that we are able to see and meet his needs right away!

💙 "Thank You, Jesus, for Matthew!" 💙

We would like to give a special "Thank You" to all the families who have been bringing meals. What a blessing!!! Thank you for caring for our family in such a tangible way!