Blessings

Count your blessings
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings,
See what God hath done...
(Hymn words by: Johnson Oatman, Jr.)

Reflecting on our current situation of impending heart surgery for Jersey #2, I see many blessings that surround us

• The Referee's employer's open-enrollment news: The medical insurance option offered will see an 11% increase in premium costs, BUT coverage will remain the same! (This is better news than most companies are currently offering).
  
• We are already familiar with this insurance coverage, so that will help us to plan for expenses and budget accordingly
• This insurance is not local, so referring Jersey #2 to the state where her original surgeon is located, should go smoothly
• The surgeon and the children's hospital where he works are in our insurance network
• We have 6 months to continue saving for the medical and travel expenses required
• Jersey #2 will have time to complete the school year, and all sports and activities she is currently involved in, so she won't feel like she is missing out
  
• Granny & PawPaw have bravely volunteered to care for our other 4 children, so that we can focus our energy and attention on Jersey #2 during her surgery and hospitalization...even if it takes 2 full weeks! (We are sure Nana, Aunt, and Great-Granny will help spoil the kids while they are there).
  
• I have 6 months to potty train Jersey #4, and wean Jersey #5 from the pacifier, to make caring for them much easier on Granny & PawPaw!
• We will finish this school year and be on summer break for surgery and recovery
• The surgeon made all the tough decisions about the surgery type (open-heart), the valve type (donated human valve), with very logical and convincing reasons
  
• Jersey #2 endured the H1N1 flu, which was quite mild compared to her experience with the seasonal flu a couple years ago....so that fear is behind us and she should have natural immunity to carry her through winter.
• 6 out of 7 members of our Home Team endured the flu already. (We have no clue why Jersey #5 was not infected....unless he has some natural defense due to battling RSV & croup [both are upper respiratory viruses, also] this past year. Or maybe because he eats so much dirt.)
  
• We no longer need to worry about the decision of whether or not to utilize the newly created H1N1 flu vaccine....nor worry about its lack of availability, even for high risk individuals
• Jersey #2 is only "mildly high risk," because of her heart condition, and specifically because of her valve condition. Otherwise, she is amazingly healthy for a heart patient. She is currently on no medication. She has no activity restrictions. That status should not worsen before surgery.
• The Referee has 1 week of leave already saved up, and now has 6 months to save more. We do not anticipate any problems with him taking paid leave from his job for a couple weeks, around the time of surgery.
• The surgeon may be able to place a valve that is near-adult sized, which might carry Jersey #2 into adulthood before it would need to be replaced.
• All of her cardiology tests and procedures were reviewed by 2 sets of cardiologists, surgeons, and radiologists, at 2 different medical centers, in 2 different states, and ALL AGREE that it is time for this next step in her care.
• Her surgeon is world-renowned in his specialty, which happens to be her exact heart condition. He and his staff are mindful of the risks of the heart/lung bypass machine, and work hard to minimize time on that machine. He is also known for changing course once he is inside the heart, if he sees that the current plan is not going to work well. He is willing to explain every detail of his work, and takes the time to answer all of our questions directly. He works great with her cardiologist, which makes for very smooth, coordinated care.
• We know many prayer warriors who are covering our family with prayers
  
• We are confident that Jersey #2 is receiving the best medical treatment this world has to offer. There are no guarantees....but we have peace in knowing she is getting the best possible shot at life
  
• We know her life is in God's hands...and that is where real peace comes from...
  

So amid the conflict
Whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged
God is over all. ...