Surgery is over and Maggie is in a room on 2C. Pain is under control. She had been anticipating renewing friendship with her nurses on 5C (post surgery) floor. The decision was made for her to be taken to 2C which is a step-down unit for closer monitoring. She has an epidural for pain management (a newer approach we’re trying for the first time) which means her vitals need to be monitored closely. She was a tad distraught about not being on 5 at first but seems to be settling in. Her nurse here is a Forrest county girl with mutual friends and is off to quick start toward becoming one of Maggie’s new favorites.
According to Dr. Berch, the surgery went according to plan with minimal blood loss and no complications. He did remove more liver tissue than originally planned to make sure we get all of whatever is there. We’ll have to wait a day or two for the pathology report. The portion removed was from a non-vital area and should not affect organ function. We’ll be watching closely for any signs of leakage or bleeding for a day or two which extends the first estimate of our length of stay.
Last week I read in Chambers'”My Utmost for His Highest” this quote that slapped me in the face. “Beware of allowing your self-awareness to continue, because slowly but surely it will awaken self-pity, and self-pity is satanic.”
Self-pity satanic? Wait. I’m one of my best friends. Isn’t it totally acceptable for me to keep company with the most commiserating friend I know, at least for a time? Don’t I know me well enough to offer customized sympathy and total understanding. The only problem is I don’t always realize I’m doing it and forget to stop at the line between healthy introspection and unhealthy self-absorption.
But God is faithful and always brings me back with a bucket of cold reality dumped over the head. Today it involved moving into our room on 2C – a floor we have never visited (3C and 5C are our usual hangouts). Someone explained it is the step-down unit (for close monitoring) and the palliative care floor (which goes by a different name that I cannot remember). It seems the floor is home to four patients who never leave. As in this is their home. My self pity friend heard that and moved on to find greener (or browner?) pastures.
It’s not easy seeing a child, your child, in pain without the ability to remove it. Knowing it is temporary helps you get through the first post-op hours until those eyes finally flutter closed for a well earned sleep – which Maggie’s eyes did as I sit typing. Without complications, we’ll leave for Hattiesburg in a few days. Imagine making a home here with no promise of loading the car for a ride home at the end of the week. Or month. Or ever.
My mind doesn’t want to think about that very long. But it needs to when self pity taps me on the shoulder with a cup of coffee and scone. Maybe I need to snatch those goodies and take them to the person next door who needs them more than I.
Thank you for your prayers for Maggie. We feel their power and the love prompting them. I’ll keep you posted.
Praying for a quick recovery!
Praying for peace, comfort, and a good pathology report.
Have been praying all day for Maggie (and all of you). I pray God continues to strengthen her and she can come home soon. Much love and prayers!!!
GOD is AWSOME with amazing miracles everyday. ????
Praying for you guys.
Our prayers are with Maggie and the whole Hanberry family. Thank you for the updates that keep us connected even if we can’t be there in person.
Have been praying for Maggie all along. The whole family also.
Praying for uncomplicated and swift recovery. Blessings, strength, courage, and healing. Much love to all.
Prayers for peaceful rest and good results. I know y’all don’t know me, but you give me so much strength. I have never known a stronger family, our prayers are with Maggie and the entire family.??.
We are praying for her and the family. Ben and Carmen Davis
How comforting to know even during these post- op hours you are resting in the arms of God! Love you and Maggie.
The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms! Deuteronomy 33:27
So thankful the surgery is over without complications! Thank you for your post and the food for thought!
Our thoughts and prayers, as always, stay close to sweet Maggie and her family!
Hope you both make great new friends this trip!
Continuing to pray for y’all ! Love y’all very much !
Much love and many prayers….
Love and prayers to Maggie and you all!
Praying for Maggie and the entire Hanberry family. God bless you and may you continue to draw strength from the great “physician ” I Am.
Praying for a good report.
Praying for Maggie daily during my quiet time….
Release your self-pity to Him….He’s got a cure for that AND for it ALL!
You inspire me✝
Praying for Maggie and her recovery from surgery. Praying for a positive pathology report and for wisdom in all medical personnel carrying for Maggie. How awesome is our God that he placed a nurse that has mutual fiends with Maggie thus forming a positive common bond!!! God knows our needs before we even ask.
Praying that Maggie sleeps peacefully tonight as well as rest for Mom and Dad.
Praying you rest in his loving arms, as we know he is carrying Maggie thru this phase of her recovery.
Praying for a quick recovery and good pathology report.
So thankful all went well. Praying for an uneventful recovery and a good report. ???
Thanking God the surgery was successful and praying that Maggie will recover quickly. May God’s peace surround you as so many lift you up in prayer.
I’m so thankful for a successful surgery! Pray God’s healing hands over Maggie and much needed rest for all of you. Much love and prayers!???
Balling….thank you. I love you and so glad surgery went well. Please tell Maggs I love her. Tell her when she wants to smile, think of playing gears with Rowan and when she wants to laugh, think of CRAZYVILLE with the Lee’s and some of mine an JC’s arguments! I love her so much!
Praying for blessings this week and beyond, and especially for comfort this week!
Praying for peace of mind, grace, and a quick recovery!
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Melissa, what a good word on self pity, Oswald gets me every time!That’s a place we all can slip so easily. Thank you for bringing His word to us through your blog, because when He speaks to you, you speak to me. I pray Maggie’s home will soon be her Hattiesburg home back with all of us where she spreads so much joy to everyone who knows her. Ya’ll are loved.
Praying for you all that God will continue to surround Maggie with His presence, that you all will have peace knowing that we serve a God who is Worthy and doesn’t allow us to walk in any path that He has not already foreseen and will prepare us for and continue to give us His strength when we ask. Prayer for healing and continual tender mercies to be poured out on your precious family. Much love to you all!
Praying?
Praying for all of you .
Ouch on the Chambers quote!!! Funny how God seems to work in themes and places a message in front of you over and over (this has been mine lately)! Thank you for your transparency and for your ministry!!! Love your sweet family and your love for Christ that shines oh so brightly!!!!
Praying for sweet Maggie to recover quickly and a good report. Sending love and hugs.