Jason and Jen's Journey

This past Friday night when we were leaving my sister's house around 9:00p, Jason noticed a very large soft (the size of the palm of my hand), swollen spot on the right side of Abram's head when he was putting him in his car seat. He hadn't had any major falls that we could think of so it was very strange. And very concerning.

We took him to the ER in Ames and after waiting two hours, finally saw a doctor. The doctor was very glad we brought him in. Abram had not yet gone to bed since his 2:30-5:00p nap that day. And we couldn't let him go to sleep until they figured out what was wrong. He was the most amazing trooper.

At 5-6 hours past his bed time, he was very tired, but remained incredibly happy, content and playful. He flirted with all the nurses who took care of him, flashing his sweet eyes at them!

Around midnight Abram got a CT scan and it showed that he has a SKULL FRACTURE! It is so weird. We could remember one fall in the evening, but he just fell from where he was standing and he didn't cry any more than normal. The two doctors we saw both said it was just a freak thing. They said kids fall every day and many from cribs, changing tables and other higher places . . . and never get skull fractures. They said Abram's head must have hit something at just the right angle. I think when he fell, he must have hit the hinge on the trunk that is used for a coffee table at Kate's house.

So, after the CT scan, we waited for the on-call pediatrician to come and decide what we should do.

The good news was that Abram acted completely normal and happy the entire time, even as it was going on 5-6 hours past his bed time!

At 1:30a, they admitted him to the hospital. They wanted to be able to monitor him throughout the night (or what was left of it!) and make sure the swelling did not increase. They said there is about 1/2 cup of blood in the swelled pocket on his head.

At 1:45a, my baby was finally able to go to sleep.

He woke up his normal happy and chipper self around 7:00a!

Sporting his cute little hospital pants!

A little breakfast.

He took a good morning nap on Saturday.

And was ready to play when he woke up!

Waiting for one last visit from the pediatrician before we could go home.

We were able to leave at 1:30p.

Skull fractures can take 3-6 months to heal. Most of the time they heal 100% back to normal, but 10% of skull fractures don't heal. We are praying and depending on God to heal Abram's skull. Besides getting his blood checked tomorrow and getting another x-ray in a month, there is only one other thing we have to do: not let him fall down at all! Which means I have my work cut out for me! He is a 10.5 month-old who loves to cruise around the furniture and is going to start walking on his own very soon.

While I'm sure there will be times I will be frustrated at my loss of freedom, I am so thankful God spared Abram's life. Those four hours in the ER were an emotional, testing of my faith. Every few minutes was a battle to believe the truth of who God is and not worry about all the unknowns . . . To believe that God's goodness and love never change, even when our circumstances look troublesome. "God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) This truth carried me through the waiting.

I feel like God had been preparing me for that battle, though. Jason and I have been to seven funerals in the past six months, several of them very tragic. Each one has been an opportunity go grow in the reality that our life on this earth is SO VERY SHORT and real life is found not on earth, but in heaven with God. Thankfully Jesus has provided a way for us to live in heaven for eternity by dying on the cross for our sins. If you don't know Jesus, I urge you to trust Him for your salvation and begin a relationship with Him. God knows the number of our days and there is nothing we can do to change that number. Our responsiblity is to make the most of each day we have been given, through His grace. So, if I have to spend a lot more time with Abram each day, making sure he doesn't fall down, that is okay. I will be grateful for each day I am given with him.

Two weeks ago tomorrow, Jason's 27 year old cousin, Ryan White, died in a one car accident. It was very sad, but because Ryan had a relationship with Jesus, we know for sure he will spend the rest of eternity with Him in heaven.

We left early that Wednesday morning for the 12 hour drive to Hot Springs, Arkansas where Jason's aunt and uncle live.

Cashed out in the hotel bed the night we arrived. (Don't worry . . . he doesn't roll around at all. He is almost walking, but doesn't roll or crawl...weird!)