I must first tell you that we came home from Fl. on Friday the 23rd. The next morning was community clean up day. Lisa and I helped plant two tree at McKinley where our kids attend. Then we got a bunch of kids together from the neighborhood and picked up trash. Soon after, Marc and I took Zaachi, Alex and Maggie to a kids race down town. We were all so tired that we abandoned cooking and ate Chinese together.
Sunday came and our friend Jessica Brock was running a 1/2 marathon for Zaachi. We headed the two little ones out at 8am and hunted her down on her course. We got to see her twice and Zaachi got to give her a high five. She ran with his pictures on her shirt and the scripture he has stood on, Jeremiah 29:11. She said that she started praying for Zaachi every time she would train and God ended up transforming her in the process as well. Isn't is beautiful how prayer can happen anywhere. She said she doesn't need any music while running because God always has a song in her head when she runs. She ran with an injury and still did between 7 and 8 min. miles. She text me that she was going to visit soon and give Zaachi her medal.
After hunting her down, we went to church and Lisa, Mercy and Alex (Zaachi's best buddy) came to be with us when our church laid hands on Zaachi to pray for him before his big surgery.
Pastor Rob spoke an awesome message and then had Zaachi come up for prayer. I think we had been good at putting all the reality of what lies ahead, out of our mind, while we were gone, but during that prayer it all came rushing in. When we concluded the prayer, Zaachi said, "Susie, I heard you crying." I told him that it's ok to cry. He looked a little scared and told us, "I wish this never happened to me." None of us really knew what to say, but someone asked him to sing. He sang, I know the plan by Martha Munizzi and he really ministered to the congregation. I stood there thinking, Lord, if you heal him, I think he will end up being a preacher". Today, Rob emailed me that so many people were moved and touched by God through his song. He told Lori, his Sunday School teacher that he didn't want to die. Marc and I were blessed, there was a time when he had lost his fight and he wanted to die. It is good to see that he wants to live and that he is finally able to enjoy life again. He has been a happier kid than I have ever know him to be these last two months. God is doing a work in his little heart and I also believe, in his body.
On Monday we went to Philly and got ready for surgery, blood work, MRI and so on. We met to Dr. Dorman's, our surgeon and he was floored by how well Zaachi was doing. He said that when he had seen him a month ago , he really didn't think he would be able to save his leg. After looking at him on Monday he felt confident that he could save it.
We met up with Jay and Xavier at Aunt Joie's house and we had dinner together. Aunt Joie is my cousin's aunt but she lives in Philly and we have gotten really close over the years. She and her friends always bring us great joy. Then, we traveled to Luis and Kirsten's house in Ben Salem to spend the night. Luis and Kirsten pastor in North East Philly now but we become friends at City Limits Church, where they used to be on staff. We left the kids with them while we took Zaachi in for surgery on Tuesday morning. We were at the hospital at 9:45, ready to go but the Dr. didn't come in till 3:30pm. We noticed a rash and brought it to his attention and he thought it would be best to wait, do CHEMO to keep the cancer from growing, while we treated the rash and then do surgery in about 3 weeks. We all felt very anxious after it was canceled because we had prepared for so long for the surgery. We relaxed with Kirsten and Luis and enjoyed some good food. We got home late, then went in for Chemo by noon on Wed.
Today is Friday and this is where I talk about the CRAZY NICE PEOPLE. We have had the wonderful blessing of many friends coming by to work on our yard. Our neighbor and new friend, Lisa started a project. She saw how much Zaachi and Maggie loved the back yard, but it was a big dirt pit. She asked her friend Christian Brown to look at it and give us some suggestions. After looking at it he made up plans for the yard and thought he could get much of the supplies donated. We were floored by all the kindness. Lisa took it from there and I don't even know who all are involved, but I am blessed. Tonight they got the last of the pavers in and most of the wall is done. It was even on the fox 69 news. To all who were involved, I think Zaachi, Maggie, Jayden and Xavier will spend much of their summer out there, it is an oasis and we thank you for giving.
I feel a bit frazzled and unfocused by all the events of the last two weeks. I could write several pages of amazing things that have happened. I am overjoyed and feel loved and supported, Thank You Friends. I must 'hit the hey', I have to get up at 6am and do Jayden's hair for Upward Bound. Xavier has a wrestling Tournament at Deiruff High School at 11am and then at 1 we are going to a bone marrow drive for our new friend Derek. Plus, Zaachi is still in the hospital getting CHEMO. Not sure how it will all play out but it will be an eventful day, I am sure.
No comments:
Post a Comment