A year ago, we were sitting in the hospital with our daughter, who had just undergone 7 hours of surgery. On June 29th, 2012, the Friday of the Canada Day weekend, we headed to the hospital bright and early with Keziah, an overnight bag as well as a whole bunch of emotions that just could not be put into words. We were so ready for those large bubbles to come out. We were done with driving back and forth to Toronto every week. We were ready to take her out in public without others looking at her like she was a freak. It was an exciting time. But what would she look like without her freckle?? Will her left eye be left totally messed up, droopy and pulled open? What about the scars? Will they look worse than the freckle? Will we regret this whole journey??
After an incredibly long wait, we were ushered into the recovery room, only to walk right by her, not recognizing her. Can you see why??! We went from large freckle, to freckle with two large balloons, to no balloons and hardly any freckle. Un.be.liev.able.
She looked amazing. Was this really our girl??! Incredible. The next day, the swelling started. And boy, did her face swell up!! It didn't faze her one bit though!
After a two night stay, filled with visitors, we were discharged to go home. We were to be back two weeks later for the skin graft to be revealed and that awful pump to be taken out.
Thankfully, it didn't take too long for the swelling to go down and tada, we were left with this. Breathtaking, no?!
And so, a year has passed and not a single regret has surfaced in our minds with what we put Keziah through. Going through these pictures again is hard, especially knowing we are going to be doing this all over again in a few months. But it also reminds us of Who is with us every step of the way: God. He has been and continues to be our source of strength and wisdom.
It is amazing how a year has gone by already. I do believe that a year ago, a toddler went into surgery and out came a preschooler. She has grown up so much in the past year!!
This almost 4 year old, or, as she says "more three-er", continues to be a joy. We have talked briefly about what is to come in the fall, but so far so good in regards to her reactions. We shall see when the time comes closer. So far we haven't received a surgery date. While we wait, we are enjoying every minute of this summer we have been having, with 4 camping trips planned, praising God for all His goodness.
