Prayer Works! Particularly for Botox.

Prayer works! 

The Lord hears our prayers. 

He listens. 

And He answers. 

It's not always the way we think He will, but He always answers. I am SO thankful yesterday He answered just how I was hoping He would! 

I have worried and fretted over July 14th, 2016 for a long time now. Over a year and a half ago, Riley's doctors and occupational therapist recommended Riley receive Botox injections. These injections are commonly used for people with cerebral palsy and increased tone the decrease the nerve firings that stimulate the muscles. I was nervous about the big decision and took some serious time to read all that I could and ask as many other parents I could about it. After a lot of prayer I decided to go ahead with it. 

So Riley was put under complete anesthetia and had Botox injections in her left hand all the way up to her left pectoral muscle and in her two lower salivary glands yesterday at TCH. We are really hoping the many injections, done with a tiny little needle, help with her drooling and release some of the tightness in her left arm and hand so she can use it better. There is a very good chance they will help her, a small chance that they will do nothing, and an even smaller chance that the Botox will register as pain. That small chance is why it took me so long to decide! Plus the risk of anesthetia, especially for someone with asthma always scares me! 

But it could not have gone better! We were up by 4:30 am and excited and nervous, thankfully with Nana coming with us. We were at the hospital by 6:30 and had finally made it past all the paperwork, nurse interviews and chats with 3 doctors by 8:30. Then the anesthesia nurse picked Riley up and carried her into the OR. Seeing her walk away always shatters my heart into a million pieces! But wouldn't you know she didn't cry at all! She looked scared but my little warrior was SO brave and didn't fight or cry at all! She seriously is so amazing! 

Once in the OR they gave her strawberry sleeping gas to put her to sleep before starting an IV for the anesthesia. The procedure took a little over an hour.  Doctor Dy used an ultrasound guided needle to determine where her injections would be, particularly under her chin into the salivary glands. She has some bruising there and had some bleeding on her bicep and pectoral. But once she was in recovery they brought us back and she woke up better then she ever has before from the anesthesia. I was so thankful Nana was there to hold her just like she wanted! 

Now we wait as the Botox intensifies to full strength over the next couple of days. The fantastic news is that she doesn't seem to be having any pain at all!  I could not be more thankful for that! She was completely back to her crazy self last night and today. I am also thankful for how smoothly the day went yesterday all the way up until my totally crash from physical and emotional exhaustion last night! I know it has everything to do with so many prayers being said in our behalf! I could truly feel those prayers yesterday, they were tangible! They helped my little warrior be even stronger, even braver in her fight against this broken body. Like I always say, she is a big, beautiful spirit fighting a little, broken body. And yesterday, with the help of prayer, she took another step forward in winning that battle! 

Fight on my little Riley! I will always be right here with you! And so will He! 

I always let her rock whatever outfit makes her happy on days like these! She sure was colorful and of course she wore her ballet shoes!

Her left arm and hand before Botox as tight and unused as can be!

New OR jammies and a little scared with Nana! That face!

In recovery and snuggling with Nana! You have no idea how happy I was to see this smile!! All because of prayer!