Surgical Check-up

Hello Ava followers. I have some great news to share. Ava’s check-up went really well this afternoon. We were pleasantly surprised with Ava’s growth chart. Her weight was 31.7, which puts her in the 42nd percentile. Her height was in the 95th percentile!! Two years ago (before she reherniated) she wasn’t even ON the growth chart. This is HUGE! It tells me that she is doing excellent. Her body is not only healing but thriving! Dr. Shilyanski was very surprised. I made him a special collage. It says, “Because of You…Ava is Alive.” It sums up so many feelings we have for this man. He was a miracle worker with Ava. God used his hands on our daughter.

I thought you might like to see the process. Yes that is a pacifier in her mouth. She still loves that thing and we just can’t get her to part with it quite yet…..

Blood pressure check. She sat there patiently and waited for it to beep.

Then to the exam 27 room we went….she gets so excited to draw on the board. Her and Daddy were drawing some pretty good pictures.

Wait…..Okay a SMILE guys. We got a smile!

Daddy and Ava….I love this picture.

“Which hand Ava?” See her tongue?

And Miss Ava on the table. Isn’t she getting so big?

We discussed preventative measures to keep Ava safe and healthy. I asked if we could do a CT scan to keep an eye on her diaphragm….her Doctor agreed quickly. He also asked if we wanted to do an x ray today. We thought that was a great plan. We will do the CT scan in June if the x rays look good today. Also Ava will be visiting the Spine Doctor in June as well. (Many CDH kids have spinal problems so we want to make sure she get thoroughly checked out. We don’t know what the future is going to be for Ava but it makes me feel better if we stay on top of things before they happen. I’m not good with surprises :)

Here is Ava doing the first x ray. (This was the VERY first time she didn’t cry for an x ray. It almost made me cry that she was growing up and wasn’t a baby anymore.)

Here is Ava’s x ray picture.

Here is a normal chest x ray. Interesting huh? Her left lung that was damaged and small at birth is now larger than her right lung.

This is the second one they took. She was being such a big girl :)

And here is that x ray.

I have to say my little girl has come a LONG way and I am extremely proud of her.

Our wonderful Nurse Practitioner, Mr. Peterson asked if I ever thought Ava would be this good……I answered, “No I never thought she would be this good.” I owe it all to God. He is the Handiworker. He knows and cares about my little Ava. Before Ava came along I had heard of Miracles, now I personally have witnessed first hand God’s Miracles. Wow is it awesome to behold!

Our way home the road was very bad. The snow was blowing and drifting and at one point the back of the Suburban started to swing to the right, then to the left. I felt for sure we were headed for an accident. I prayed and prayed for God to protect us all. I was calm and I believe that God took over the steering wheel and guided the car. We made it home safe and sound. It is an AMAZING feeling when you know that God is right there with you. So glad I made Him my friend many, many years ago.

Thanks for stopping by Ava’s site. We hope that Ava can provide some sort of inspiration for you and your family. We have been down the long/dark path and have not seen light for days and days. I’m here to remind you there IS light at the end of the tunnel. Please trust that God has you right where He wants you. This too shall pass.

Again some inspiring Bible verses that may help you tonight.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

~Terri