My Strange Vacation

Many of you have asked me how I am feeling and what these past few days have been like. I figured I would let you know what it has been like here in Bethesda, MD.

I am not really able to go out so most of my day is spent in the bed at the hotel! This sounds a lot worse than it is! The bed is VERY comfortable and the room is spacious! There is a pool on the roof so I have been able to go up and get some fresh air a few times! The weather here is amazing! I love it! It has been in the 80’s with a nice breeze during the day, and at night it even gets a little chilly!

There are so many wonderful places to eat within walking distance, so we are not going hungry! The hotel also has very reasonable room service that we have taken advantage of many nights when it was too late for mom to go out to pick up something! My appetite has been a little out of whack in the past month, but hopefully will go back to normal soon! I am just thankful to be able to eat at all… Many people with my conditions lose their appetites or the ability to eat completely!

Most teenagers would hate being stuck with their parents in a hotel room for 2 weeks, but I have actually enjoyed it! If I were “healthy” I would never get to spend so much time with them! We have had a great time laughing and joking around! It has made all of this so much easier! It is not “easy” going through all of this, but we are adapting! I did want to give you a mental picture of what it is like here and didn’t want you to think we are sitting around all day sad and worried! It is actually completely opposite! We are very excited and happy and smiling! This is actually very relaxing and almost seems like a vacation! Sounds kind of strange to call 2 major surgeries and many trips to the hospital a vacation, but what can I say, my whole life is a little strange!

So on a more serious note… Surgery is tomorrow! I can’t believe I am only 2 weeks post-op and heading back to the hospital for another surgery! I am SO excited! I have no fear about this at all! God has answered all of our prayers for peace and comfort for this surgery! I know that this surgery is a blessing and it is a miracle that I am able to have it so soon!

My surgeon is also a HUGE blessing! He genuinely cares about me and has made that very clear to us! I don’t know many neurosurgeons who will answer their cell phones at 3 in the morning on a holiday! He is also shared with us that he and his wife are praying for me and that they will pray for me tomorrow morning together before he does the surgery! This means so much to me! I am very blessed to be here and have him as my surgeon! God definitely put us on the right path by canceling my surgery the first time! We feel very blessed to be here!

“Thank you” doesn’t even begin to express my appreciation for all of your prayers!!!! I have seen so many of them answered especially in the past few days! But that is for another post! Please continue to pray for the surgery tomorrow, wisdom for Dr. Henderson, peace and patience for my parents and family, and a quick recovery!

It is also my dad’s birthday today, so Happy Birthday Dad!

Love,

Mackenzie