Cecilia is Home...

From the time we left this morning to the time we returned tonight was only 12 hours. Exactly 12 hours, and yet it was so much more. Let me try to explain...

Before I begin, I have to confess I am extremely tired. This turned out to be a lot more than removing a few teeth and inserting a couple of ear tubes. So if I don't make complete sense, or if I tend to ramble, bear with me...

Cecilia is two years old. We have said over and over through the past couple of weeks, that she is acting like a normal two year old (which is a good thing.) The antibiotics have been working and she has been so much more enjoyable to be around recently.

You see, Lia has been living with constant ear and sinus infections. These infections have been controlling her behaviors. I mean, just think about it. Have you ever gotten water in your ear and been unable to get it out? On more than one occasion, I'll admit, I have been caught jumping up and down on one foot, head tilted to the side at the public pool, with no regard for who might be standing by watching. It is a miserable feeling. Now multiply it by both ears, and sinuses, throw in some pain and the inability to make yourself understood. I think that is how my daughter has been feeling for most of her short life.

So recently, due to the antibiotics, Lia has been a normal two year old. She is becoming more loveable all the time.

So at 3:07 pm when we saw Lia after her surgery a pit in my stomach hit like a brick of despair. “She looks like the little girl I met on that first day in Huaraz, Peru.” I couldn't put my finger on it, but the tears welled up from deep within. It wasn't until later that Luciana said her thoughts, response, and reactions were exactly the same. Lia looked lethargic and her face swollen. All we can figure is the swollen face in the orphanage must have come from the rampant infection that we have not been able to eradicate, but at least keep under control.

So when we brought her back to the house this evening and turned off the car, I said “Lia, you're home.” I guess I said it as much to myself as I did to her. Today's twelve hour trip took me all the way back to that orphanage in Peru. Back to that strange little girl that scared me the first time I set eyes on her. Back to my own fears of incompetence.

We are home...more home than ever before. Thanks be to God.

For those who want the details...

We found out today that Cecilia will probably need hearing aids. The tests showed mild to moderate nerve damage in both of her ears.

Lia's next surgery will be on November 10th. At that time they will close the palate and reconstruct her upper jaw. The surgery we faced today was simple compared to what we will confront in seven weeks.

Thanks for your prayers.

mbp