Molly's Surgery is Scheduled

Molly has confirmation of the date and time of her second Chiari I Malformation surgery: Friday, September 26th at 10am.  Yeah, that's a week from today.  We knew that date was possible earlier this week, but the nurse just made it official today.  So here we go with some details.

1. The surgery is the same but different.  It's the same incision, the same recovery time, the same post-surgery rules, the same doctor (Dr. David Frim), and the same hospital (University of Chicago).  The different part is what the doctor does once he's opened up the back of Molly's head.  Last time he created space for spinal fluid to flow.  This time he is going to add a stent, technically (I think this is right) a "fourth ventriculostomy stent."  It's putting a tube at the base of the brain in order to keep the pathway for fluid flow open.  It's a brain straw.  We've asked for the flexy one, but who knows.  So in comparison...the first surgery is making space at the back of the head and second surgery is making a pathway at the base of the brain.  Got it?  Good.

2. I will be live blogging/Twittering this thing.  Reformissionary/Twitter will have all the info you need to keep up, pray, panic, laugh, cry, throw up, or celebrate.  I'm there for you!  Last time all was focused on the blog and there were few pictures.  Pictures will be up all the time through Twitter this time. 

3. The kiddos are staying with church members in Crystal Lake, IL (20 minutes from here).  They are homeschoolers and really great friends.  Their kids are right in the range of ours, so it's perfect.  Our kids will miss school Friday and Monday, but I'm sure they will be heavily involved in homeschooling stuff.  They'll love it.

4. We are nervous.  Molly has been really emotional about all of this lately.  But it's not that we think something bad will happen.  God is good and we trust him fully with all that's to come, even if it's not what we hope for and expect.  We just know what's ahead for the next couple of weeks and none of it is all that fun...it wasn't last time.  We ask for you to pray, especially on the morning of surgery day.  We want this surgery to work and last a long time!  You have all helped us through to this point, and we appreciate you very much. 

Comments

[Tim Etherington]

Thanks for the update Steve, I'll be praying for you all.

Hope they can work out that bendy straw thing. It is the only thing we use in our house. Never actually put one in my brain though.

[Shawn Kemp]

Love you guys and have already been praying lots for you.

[Account Deleted]

I'm so glad to hear it has been scheduled! No more waiting (don't like waiting...).

Will be praying for peace that passes all understanding for you all.

[Beth]

I am glad she finally got a date. We will be praying for you guys!

[Brian Moats]

thank you for keeping us updated brother, and my wife and I will labor over you and molly this week.
thank you for being an example of a christ-like loving husband who cares for his bride.

[Brad Hansen]

Dear Brother - you don't know me, but I have followed your blog for some time now (being a former Trinity seminary grad and erstwhile resident of Mundelein-Lake County). Please know that I will be in prayer for all of you.
Brad Hansen
Mediapolis, IA

[Kevin in Manila]

Thanks for the update.

[Vee]

Will be praying for Molly and the family... I think the updates are a great idea to keep people informed. Even those of us who live the other side of the world [Australia] care enough to pray!

Vee

[Matt Redmond]

Isn't the blogging world weird? Here I am, overcome with with emotion and a desire to pray for people who I have never met but seem to know a great deal of. Anyway, looking forward to praying for y'all and thanks for the blog...it's a daily for me.

[Don Hendricks]

We join you in praying for this new surgery and for complete and lasting health. Your love for your family and wife madks your ministry authentic and helps us to be reminded of what its all about

Don

[Janet Hoekstra]

Molly, Steve and Family. As you know you will continue to be in our prayers. I thank you for the surgery blogging as we will be right along with you both. You are both close in our hearts.
About the straw thing....I think you should make sure it is a colored one to match the bright colors that dear Molly shows in her eyes and smile. Blessings
Janet

[Sherri]

Hi, I'll keep Molly in my prayers. I can relate to it not being fun at all. Kara has an appt. to go over her 13th brain surgery with Dr. Frim on Oct. 2nd.

[Steve McCoy]

Thanks all for your prayers and encouragement. Molly had a pretty good week last week with less pain and fewer balance issues. Yesterday (Sunday) was an awful day for her, and today is pretty bad too. Just keeping you in the loop.

Thanks Sherri. We've kept up with Kara's story from time to time. Didn't know of a new surgery. Praying.

[Dana]

Praying for Molly and you right now, Steve. Grace to you.

[Linda Miceli]

Oh, you bet I will be praying for you Molly!
Thank goodness they know what to do!