In the Waiting Room

That is where He met me.

But let me back up and start from the beginning. Last week Kamryn had two spots that looked like bug bites. On Friday they looked like they were getting worse and she came down with a fever. After discussing this with my personal nurse, Angie (it's nice having nurses in the fam!) we decided since she had a fever we better take her in to the doctor. So Friday night I took her to Acute Kids where they lanced those spots and put her on antibiotics. That was a horrible experience for her because it was so painful and I had to hold her down. We thought that would take care of it but Sunday she still had 103 fever indicating the antibiotics weren't working. We quickly headed to the ER at Plano Presby. Within 30 minutes of walking in the door they were telling us she needed surgery to cut out the spots and would be admitted for 3 days or so for IV antibiotics.

As soon as they said she would be fully sedated under general anesthesia I started to panic. My tiny girl was just too little to be put to sleep. My fears were rapidly growing and I wanted to grab her and make a run for it. Ben kept reminding me that this was the best thing for her. This is when the phone calls and texts started pouring in. We had so many people praying for Kamryn and for us and sending us scripture to remind us that God is in control and to rest in Him.

That evening when the nurse came in to tell us they were going to take her down for surgery we still hadn't talked to the surgeon or the anesthesiologist like they promised. I wasn't about to let her go before I talked to someone. And then they reassured us that we were going down with her. My mom and sister were there with us already. My boss and a friend stopped by earlier to pray over our family. It meant so much to have support from so many in this scary time. Right when they were about to take us down there was a knock at the door and in came a slew of friends. It was heartbreaking when Kamryn panicked and jumped for me thinking they were more doctors. Then she relaxed and smiled when she saw familiar, friendly, non-masked faces.

As our friends walked in, they wheeled us out for surgery. I felt bad that I couldn't talk to all these people who came to see us. I didn't realize their timing was actually perfect. They took us down to the OR and a line of people followed. The nurse teased Kamryn about being a celebrity. We got off the elevator and I felt the panic coming back. Was all this really necessary?

We met with the surgeon and the anestheologist for a brief few minutes and then it was time. Kamryn was scared and so were we. While we waited for them to prep the room I asked Ben to call our entourage in the waiting room and have them pray. They prayed and so did we. Ben prayed over our sweet girl and asked God to hold her while we couldn't. They gave Kamryn some of the good stuff so she would actually let go of me. It took about two seconds for her to not care if I was holding her. Seeing her lying in that bed drugged up was difficult. Against every instinct I had, we left her there. That was one of the hardest moments in my life.

As we walked down the hallway I was sure I would lose it. I felt like falling apart but walking into the waiting room I felt a strength that was not my own. Seeing family and friends and elders from our church who just stopped by, all talking and laughing...it was just what we needed. They sat with us through the surgery and it was such a great distraction. The fact that these people cared enough to be here on a Sunday night at 9 pm was overwhemling. That is when it hit me. The King of the universe knew just what we needed before we did. It was Him who had these people show up at just the right time. They could have been there an hour earlier and all left by surgery time. It's easy to chalk that up to coincidence but I truly believe He orchestrated these circumstances so we didn't have to be alone in the waiting room. I don't want to pass over these moments...these moments where He meets us and renews our hope and trust in Him.

And it didn't stop in the waiting room. The next two days in the hospital were filled with people bringing meals and gifts and us answering phone calls, emails, and texts from people who were concerned and wanting to help. It hasn't stopped yet and I am overwhelmed and thankful.

Kamryn is getting better each day, almost back to her normal self. I woke her up after a four hour nap yesterday and she was ready to go back to bed two hours later. She has a lot of sleep to catch up on.

I can't thank you enough for praying for us and for loving us. Most of all I am thankful for a God who is in the details and loves us so intimately. Apart from Him we have nothing.