"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

James 1: 2-4

This is what I read last night, by no accident. Friday's VCUG test proved very difficult for us. Avery was brave, but had a hard time during to procedure..understandably so. As we were reassuring our little one, the radiologist said to us, "do you see all of this reflux into the left kidney? That is not normal." Robbie and I burst into tears. We knew what that would mean for us.

After the procedure we went immediately to the urologist's office. There, he performed an ultrasound, increased her daily antibiotic dose, and let us know that he would have to operate once again. This time, we will have to wait yet again. Next March, Avery will have another ultrasound, and surgery will follow within a few months. The plan is for her to have surgery between 2 1/2 and 3 years of age. This time, they will be making a bikini-line incision and will be operating on the bladder. The plan is to remove the ureterocele (bulge in the bladder) and remaining portion of the extra ureter tube. The recovery should be similar to the last surgery.

I said this in my last post and I meant every word. We feel your support no matter where you are. Robbie and I are heart broken, as we were with the first surgery news. We are going through all kinds of emotions right now. Still, we trust in the Lord, and certainly do not lean on our own understanding....since we really don't understand it at all. We will praise him in this storm as much as we do in sunshine. It is very difficult for us and we ask for continued prayers and support for our family as we face this together. We are still trying to process everything. I wish I could write more, but first I must sort if out myself.
Avery is precious, and we know the Lord will guide her through this. We thank you for all of the love, support, emails, comment posts, phone calls, and by-chance meetings since Friday. :)  We love you all very much. Thank you. We can't say that enough. We are truly blessed.

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
-Casting Crowns



Attention Prayer Warriors..

I have decided that it would be nice to write about my precious girl and all of her experiences to share with others who love her. Avery is our everything. Robbie and I have been blessed more than we could have ever imagined with our beautiful daughter, Avery Lynn. I could write thousands of words describing the emotional journey that brought us our daughter, but let's just say that I feel that this particular scripture describes to a 'T' our journey for Avery...

 

"I prayed for this child and the Lord answered my prayers."
1Samuel 1:27

 

For those of you who know us well, you know of our struggles to become parents, but God is so good and is ever-present in everything. I truly believe that in our struggles, we were molded into the parents that we are today.

 

And now a little history to lead us to our present. When I was 19 weeks pregnant with Avery, I was delivered this news, "it's a girl...and there is something wrong with her left kidney." My own history repeating before our eyes. We prepared ourselves with numerous extra OB visits, specialist consultations, and meetings with Avery's surgeon. And on November 11, 2009 at 6:18 in the evening, Avery Lynn came into the world and we were never the same. Being a parent is getting a small taste of how the Lord must feel about us, His precious children. Avery is a gift and we adore her.

 

Avery had her first test on her urinary system, a VCUG, when she was 24 hours old. Here is a picture of her before her test....

 

 

It was so hard to let tests be done to our little girl. It still is. Keep reading....

 

After the first test, another followed at between 2-3 months of age called a Mag3 scan. This test involved an IV, catheter, and radioactive material all while being strapped down for an hour. The test was extremely difficult to watch as you could imagine. Here is a picture of Avery on the day of this test....

Immediately following this test we were sent to the surgeon's office. There he informed us that he had to operate and soon. My heart ached at the thought of handing my precious tiny baby over to have surgery. Avery would need to have a heminephrectomy..meaning a removal of a large portion of her left kidney and extra ureter tube. This was an emotional roller coaster that left us no choice but to hold on tight to each other and ride on through. God is always, always there. Right around this time we lost one of our strongest supporters, Robbie's mom, Peggy. We love Peggy so very much and miss her more than words can describe. When Peggy was in the hospital, Avery 'sent' her one of her stuffed animals, a lamb to keep her company and let her know that she was dearly loved. Peggy requested that the lamb be with Avery on the day of her surgery. So, tucked into a little bag on her surgery bed, the lamb sat and watched over Avery...and so did Peggy. Now before jumping to that, let me say that Avery's surgery was post-poned twice, once for a unrinary infection and once for unusually low temperatures. But in May 2010 it was time. Avery's surgeon allowed us to pray with him prior to the surgery. He and the ETCH staff were wonderful. This part of our lives is painfully hard to talk about. Even typing this is tightening my chest, but I want to share what really happened. Now, here is a picture of Avery and I right after her surgery.

Okay now in order to show you how miraculous her recovery was, this picture is of my little fighter 2 weeks after her surgery....

Oh yes, we are at the beach...a much needed trip! 

Avery has had no problems since her surgery. She is remarkable. Her scar is about 1.5 inches, whereas mine is around a foot. Now this is where the prayer warriors come in. Although the kidney surgery is over, we are left with the possibility of needing a second surgery to repair issues with her bladder associated with a blockage from her extra ureter tube. This Friday, June 17 2011, she will be having another VCUG test to determine whether or not the surgery is needed. We need you, prayer warriors, to pray that the Lord will protect her and deliver her from needing another surgery, and that He will allow us to feel His presence and trust in Him no matter the results. Also that Robbie and I can find strength in Him to get through this. Lastly that He will provide comfort and peace to Avery during the test, since she will have to be secured to a table and catheterized again. I will share the results of the test on here over the weekend. Thank you for you prayers. And please know how much we love you all, and can feel your support no matter where you are. God's plan for us is perfect, have no doubt. Avery is a precious gift, let's lift her up! May God bless you and all you do.
love- Katelyn

Avery now, 19 months