"A huge huge huge thank you to you all for your incredible support of our family this week. This time a week ago we never could have imagined that our happy healthy energetic girl would be diagnosed with a brain tumour and undergo major surgery, with the very real possibility that she wouldn't come through it alive.
We are thankful for so many mercies - too many to list - and so many examples of Father God at work in the small and large things. We never knew how significant it was to live ten minutes from one of the country's best children's hospital with all their excellent staff and facilities, nor of Marcus & Jen's decision to move to Sheffield 18 months ago, nor of Matt's recent change from self employment to employment.
Phoebe is recovering well from the surgery and small achievements like the first smile, the first meal, the first cuddle and kiss, sitting up unaided and so on have been a source of real encouragement to us. Friday was a really good day, she made progress in mobility and motor skills and was awake and cheerful for a good while. We also got the results of the MRI scan which showed there are no other tumours.
Saturday has been tougher, she's been vomiting, tearful and exhausted. There is concern over leaking brain fluid from the wound so the EVD (external ventricular drain) has now been connected which will drain the fluid to ease the pressure on the brain. We are realising that the road to recovery will be long, with setbacks along the way. We have been given a very rough estimate that if there are no further complications we should be home by next weekend, and hopefully at some point this week we will find out whether the tumour is malignant or benign.
We have been amazed and humbled by how many people have served us by praying , as well as in so many other practical ways. Your prayers really do mean everything to us. How anyone goes through this without faith in a loving sovereign God and without brothers and sisters in the faith we cannot imagine. So many friends and family have commented on the amazing extent of the church community we have around us and it is evident that you guys are a living example of Paul’s commands to the church in Philippi to “make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:2-4)
Many times this week life has felt unreal, but you standing with us in our pain keeps us recalling what is real - that our kind Father knows just what is good for us, that he graciously provides for all our needs, and that he, more than anyone, sympathises with our deep heartache because he watched his own son suffer and die.
We long that God will use this for his glory, specifically that many people will come to Christ as a result of hearing the good news that we so desperately are clinging to right now. Please have the courage to speak this life giving news to your friends and family. As our story comes up in conversation please quickly let people know that Jesus is the hero of our story, regardless of the outcome for us.
We continue to trust the words of Phoebe's favourite Colin Buchanan song : "God never slips up , never says oops, never makes any mistakes, coz he's got the perfect plan, and can he do it? Yes he can”."
The sermon this morning was such an encouragement to us. We hope to add a link to this tomorrow.
This afternoon Phoebe greatly enjoyed a deep bubble bath which brought large smiles! But then she was tired after the effort. Also Phoebe had the cannula removed from her foot today.
It has been great having Jon, Heather and Rosanne (Phoebe's uncle, aunt and cousin) come and visit us this weekend from Scotland. It was lovely having Rosanne read stories to Phoebe this afternoon.
Thank you Lord!
