Father-Daughter Dance 2012 & Fear Battles

Last night was the annual, Douglas-county father-daughter dance.  We'd heard it was quite the fun & memorable event, and Ken & Maggie had been looking forward to this before her surgery came up...   we weren't sure how she'd feel just 3 days out from surgery (I know, I know... why were we even considering it?) but she seemed to be healing well & had been so excited for this; really wanting to go.  So, we waited to make the final decision yesterday afternoon --- she's healing well & her energy was great, so they'd go, but take things easy.  Ken said it was too cute to watch her; they deck the fairgrounds out with decorations & he said it's much like a high school dance, except all fathers & daughters there - from little girls to college-aged.  At first Mags stayed by Ken's side to hold his hand and walk out to the action... and he said it was only about a minute, before she wouldn't wait for him anymore & was busting out all her favorite moves.  Arm karate chops, electric slide kicks, shuffles...  she's so entertaining & cute to watch dance! :)  So much energy & passion fills her up when she's into a song.  She was totally excited about the fact that they played "Party Rock" and "Baby" --- and came home telling me all about the dance, the decorations, & how cute the dress was that her friend, Anna, was wearing.  Ken said he had a blast - the best dance he'd ever been to. :)  So glad they had that memory together!  They didn't stay too long because he didn't want her to get worn out (and she was pretty quick to tell him when she was tired & ready to head home.)

While they were gone, I was doing a quick Internet search on tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy recoveries & when their voice starts returning to more normal.  (it's a little squeaky & saliva-filled at the moment, so she sounds different.)   That's when the fear attack hit; my search pulled up all these cases gone wrong in pediatric patients - parents telling their horrifying experiences of how their child started bleeding 9 days after the surgery & the fatalities were astounding.  I didn't know this procedure was as risky as it was!?!  Apparently the reason is because they laser right close to a main artery in the throat, and as the scabs start to break up & dissolve, sometimes bleeding can occur... a scary thing for sure.  Her doc had told me about this potential danger (not in any great detail) - but just to watch for bleeding because if it happens, it'd be about a week or so after the procedure.  He said they have to go back in & cauterize things.  That is, if the patient can get to the ER in time.  Otherwise, they can choke on & drown in their own blood, sometimes unstoppable from that artery.  He said he sees this happen about 3x a year down here. (patients bleeding after the surgery where they have to go back in there & try to stop the bleeding)  We live in a small town, so those odds now, seem rather high.  Oh my goodness, the flood of fear came in like a tidal wave.  What have we done?!  What if this happens to Maggie?!  "Lord, please help her to heal fully, to not have any adverse affects or bleeding..."   It has been a battle to pray through the fear & worry of "what if" and seek God to TRUST and pray for continued peace.  She's now 5 days out from surgery, and the dangers are mostly within the first 2 weeks after.   I've been gently reminded of His faithfulness, of how there has never, ever, been a time when He has forsaken us...  times when I can look back & shake my head at what unnecessary fear & worry I had over something, and how God loves us so and always wants us to draw into Him, trusting.  And He especially loves our children.  His children, I should say.  If you think of it though, we'd certainly love & covet prayer for Maggie as she continues to heal, especially through these first 2 weeks post-op, and also for peace in our hearts as we continue to do our best to care for her and make her comfortable, wanting to trust God's love.  Thanks friends...  hugs to you all! :)