What a Day!!

As usual, I was "so prepared"!

Yeah right...so I thought!  I had everything "all planned out" for this day which we had been eagerly looking forward to for 2 years.  My checklists (mental and written), my time schedule, my bag, and of course, my big expectations!

However, God had other plans for this day...

It was the morning of the surgery, and I was just about to grab some breakfast.  I had plenty of time, and it was only 6:30 AM.

We didn't have to leave until 7:30 for our 9:15 arrival in preparation for our 10 AM surgery time.  Plenty of time.  Doing great.  All I had to do was get some gas and cash from the ATM for the tolls.

So, I began packing up my purse.  Of course, grab that cell phone!

What's this? I had a Voicemail which had come in at 10:55 PM the night before, while we were sleeping.

My heart dropped the first 2 feet when I saw that the area code from which the call was made was for Rochester.

It dropped the rest of the way to the ground when I heard the words, "You've been moved up to the first slot, which means we need you to be here by 7 AM."

It was now 6:38 AM, and I needed a minimum of 90 minutes to get to Rochester.

I lost it.  We left within 60 seconds.  I was a mess.

 Lucas loves to make the "Peace" sign.  Here he is, dancing around before going into the Operating Room.  We made it there by 8 AM, and we had just enough gas in the tank to get there.  I pulled into the Hospital Garage on Empty. The $3 cash left I had in my wallet was just enough to pay the toll, because we didn't have time to stop.  I was so happy to have made it "in time", and not have gotten bumped!  Turns out that the surgeons wanted to start at 8:30 AM.  Thank God!

 Lucas absolutely adored the iPad which Child Life brought to him to help him relax.  It was such a blessing, because when I left the house in such a rush, I actually FORGOT to grab the iPod touch we had bought for Lucas, especially for this day!  I couldn't believe it when I realized I left it behind as I blazed down the Thruway.

Nick with me in the waiting room as we awaited word on Lucas.  I did a little "light reading" for my course on music healing, which happened to be very appropriate for the day!!

 Lucas did really well, and the surgeons were very pleased.  He did have quite a bit of nausea related to the inner ear procedure which affected his sense of equilibrium.  That seems to have passed this morning.  We will now eagerly await the activation of the device, and the experience of first hearing!  Thank you for your prayers!

Five Days Until Lucas Gets His Cochlear Implant!

There he is, Dr. Lucas, taking over the Doctor's computer at his own appointment!  I can't believe that the journey to hearing is finally down to just a few days until Lucas has his cochlear implanty surgery.  It has been such a long journey for Lucas and for us.  I first saw a picture of Lucas at an adoption conference in 2010, and it was an instant connection.  I knew he was meant to be our son.  I stopped breathing and froze, staring at his picture, and it actually almost knocked me on my butt, because I wasn't looking to adopt again...I had just given birth to Catherine less than a year before.  I was just serving the food at the conference as a volunteer!  When I shared the experience with my husband upon getting home, he instantly said, "Yes...I want to do this."  I was floored, and off we went on the wild ride of adoption ...again!
   It took 21 months to complete all of the exhaustive paperwork and clear all of the many hurdles and roadblocks which came up unexpectedly along the way.  It was truly a laborious and trying 21 months, and we almost gave up a few times along the way. 
   Meanwhile, Lucas was on the path to get the cochlear implant surgery in China due to the many efforts and fundraising of many people, including a choir at New York University which held a benefit concert for his cause.  However, when his orphanage learned that we were planning on adopting him, it was decided that it was in everyone's best interest that Lucas get the surgery done in the United States, especially due to the intensive follow-up "mapping" (sensitizing) of the device which is required.
   So, here we are!  Just a few days left...your prayers and good thoughts will go a long way. 
           Thank you!!!  We will keep you posted!

                                                      Baby Lucas at his orphanage, 2006