Dwellings

Our first week back home was filled with an apartment FILLED with boxes.  Came back from the hospital on a Friday, moved the following Friday.  

Yep…moved again.  

Not far though ~ a few buildings over to a more private setting.  The week was packed (no pun intended!) with organizing and sorting our belongings while trying to not miss sweet moments that pass too quickly.  Somehow we found a nice balance.  

Friday rolled around and an army of folks came to help us.  Sweet Emma, Lydia's adopted big sister, came over to rescue Lydia from the mess of moving and create a day of precious memories.  Right after lunch a crew of true gentlemen from the Navy showed up and started transporting our stuff from the old nest to the new.  A few minutes later some Grace folks showed up and joined in the work.  By mid-afternoon most of our things were in our new apartment.  Around five a new crew came in, our fellowship group folks.  They helped us make beds, shuffle things around, clean the old apartment, etc.  

Many hands do make for light work.  Thankful for many hands!

Around 7pm we were eating pizza and breaking the new place in with food, good conversation, and laughter.  Afterwards we worshipped together through Bible reading, prayer and music.  What a perfect way to spend our first night in our new nest!

I spent the majority of the weekend making the new space our home.  Decorating is something I truly enjoy.  Making a house a home is one of my passions.  

I love our new nest.  

I especially love a certain room painted yellow per her request and filled with pink things.  

I've had a crux of emotion these past few days. . . 

I love this place.

I love this place with pink things strewn all over. 

It makes me very sad to think of this place with all things pink removed.

   

Will I still love this place when she's not here?  

I had to turn this thought on its ear.  

This place is not her forever home. 

The place He has prepared for her is so, so much better than anything this decorating-crazy-momma byrd could ever create.    

I decorate temporary dwellings on this earth...

Jesus prepares eternal dwellings in heaven.

I think she'll like it much better there...

her sweet little yellow-walled room 

won't even compare.

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Today Lydia had appointments at UNC... neurosurgery clinic for post surgery follow-up and oncology clinic for check up.

At the neurosurgery clinic her stitches were removed and the P.A. said the incisions are healing quite nicely.

Dr. Gold, Lydia's oncologist, is such a blessing (and a hoot!).  He has such a gift in relating to children and making clinic visits such fun.  Lydia looks forward to seeing him.  Today while we were in the waiting room she was rehearsing with me some of the things she was planning to say to him.  He came out to apologize for the wait and she mustered up enough energy to lift herself to an upright position from the stroller to say through her snickering, "Hey, Dr. Gold, you got any make-up?". (You may recall from a previous post a picture of Lydia with yellow paint on her face that was taken while she was in the hospital....this was instigated by Dr. Gold.)  2 minutes later he comes back to the waiting room with nail polish and lip gloss. ♥

Upon assessment Dr. Gold could tell Lydia's walking had gotten worse since he saw her 2 weeks ago.  He had a physical therapist come to work with her and see if a walker could help her get around a little easier.  With practice I think this may give her some independence back.  He also ordered her a wheelchair as the stroller is not very comfortable and we are using it on a daily basis, especially for outings.  The therapist brought in a sample wheelchair for Lydee to take for a spin.  I wasn't sure what her reaction to a wheelchair would be.  When she sat down in it we could see a glimmer in her eye.  

She was thankful to have a more comfortable ride. :) 

Both of these assistive devices are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.  

Thankful for this equipment that will equip our girl to be more mobile!

Also, Lydia has been refusing the liquid VP16 due to the horrible taste.  Dr. Gold suggested we try the pill form and see how she tolerates that.  We'll start that tomorrow as well.  

Although we haven't gotten the  "good news"  we dream of hearing from doctors... that her tumors are gone, 

I'm completely satisfied with the good news of the gospel.

Therein lies the true hope that anchors my soul while the storm rages.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16