Daddy's Blog

Well, this is the first time I have blogged in my life, however I think it is a good think to write down my thoughts about Dina and I's little Lorelle and what has happened during the last 4 days.

First of all I have just a few things to note.

#1. My grammar and spelling is not very good so I apologize in advance.

#2. Those the experience is nothing like a few friends of our, who have suffered more, I do express my love and admiration for them.

#3. This record is probably more for me in the future so I hope this doesn't annoy anyone.

As many of you know 2 1/2 years ago a little girl was born by the name of Lorelle Ivy Henline, she was born with a birth mark which made her left cheek bigger then the other. We decided to go and see a specialist in Lethbridge. Upon going to she this doctor in Lethbridge she indicated that there was nothing we can do at this point. This of course annoyed Dina and I to no end.

Our thoughts were "...if they can separate twins why can't they help Lorelle with her cheek..." So we heard about the Alberta Childrens Hospital in Calgary and got a referral up there.

We were first visited by a few doctors which explained to us that this is more common then we think and that it is called Lymphatic Malformation (click on the like to find out more about it http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/250/)

Dr. U. Amendy. He wanted to try using what they call Scleral therapy. This is when they take a machine (x-ray machine) and a needle and take the fluid (or try to) from all the cysts and replace the fluid with a solution that agitates the cysts and shrinks them. They tried this 3 times of which Dr. Amendy was not pleased with the results.

We then had a meeting were referred to Dr. D. McPhalen a plastic surgeon. He was willing to go into surgery and see what they can do, this of course was the last resort because this would involve cutting the cheek open and taking the cysts, lympthnode and any fluid that was in out. This of course would be a more serious operation and would take 4 hours to 6 hours of operation.

After Dina and I thought, prayed etc. about this we decided that we should do this. Dr. McPhalen explained everything about the operation and what to expect which included the following:

1. Cheek to swell for a few days.

2. Stay at the hospital for three or more days depending on her recover.

3. 2 weeks recover

4. may need to operate again.

So we finally got a date (May 2nd, 2011) This of course was very bitter sweet. as this would test our ability to press forward and help our beautiful little Lorelle.

So the day came and we went to Calgary, the nurses did there pre-operation procedures. They then take us to a room where we wait until the operation room is ready to go, we are not able to go with Lorelle once the Nurse takes her. At this point I could only imagine what those good people out there that take their kids to get operated on for a life threating treatment and what their thoughts would be. Thought Lorelle was only going for a surgery that was not life threating at all the thought was always in my mind what if I do not see her again. This is the time where tears flow from my eyes as the nurse took Lorelle from Dina and I, I though we have experienced this when she had her Scleral Therapy, this time was a little different as she would come back physically different and I would miss that cheek, it was a part of her, it made her who she was. A few days before the operation I had a fear that she would get put under and leave Dina and I, the reason for the fear was when I was younger my Grandfather went into surgery to get his hip replaced, when they put him under he left this mortal stated to go home. My Fear was this would happen again, the night before she went into surgery I gave her a Priesthood blessing.

Now, I just want to explain something about my experience with Priesthood blessings. I hope it is okay to just mention something about them. They are a very emotional experience, Often times Brethren (myself included at times) will try to think of what they will say before the blessing is given in preparation for the blessing. My experience is that if one lives there life the way they should (this is a constant struggle that I have everyday) that this is the preparation you need and the Lord will fill your mouth by the Holy Ghost and it is a truly amazing experience. Obviously each person prepares differently but this is what I have found in my life.

Okay back on track. As I gave Lorelle a blessing the word and thought came to my mind were that she will be fine and that the operation will go smoothly and that no harm would come to her, she would recover quickly. This replaced the fear for me.

As she was taken and Dina and I shed a bunch of tears, 4 1/2 hours went by and we were asked to come in and be with her in the recovery room. She of course for the most part was sleeping, however did look at us and say a few words that were hard to understand to be quite honest.

As she was recovering and gained a little more consciousness, I would look into her eyes, This of course made my tear water again profusely. Her look was almost the look of "...why did you do this to me, can't you see the state that I am in..." as I talked to Dina about this she mentioned something to me that was very useful. Dina mentioned that "...we needed to do this as this is what we felt, and if we waited she would end up doing this in the future, we are helping her now so she doesn't have to do this later in life where it could be a lot harder for her and her body..."

On Tuesday I asked a brother in my Quorum who indicated to me that he might be in Calgary for work. He texted me and I asked him, he indicated that he was not able to make it as he was still at home. Dina had the immediate thought to call a good friend of there's that lived in Calgary to help give Lorelle and blessing of healing. This brother and friend came and I gave her a Priesthood blessing for healing. In the blessing it stated that her recovery would be quick and she would heal fast.

Guess how Lorelle was feeling the next day...100%, she was Lorelle, happy, adventurous, silly but most of all loving. Dr. McPhalen came in and could not believe how well she was doing, she was eating normal and her pain was not there. This I fell is a little miracle. Dr. McPhalen wanted her to stay one more night and the next morning he was so impressed we were released by 9:30 am.

As I got to stay in the Hospital with Lorelle the whole time, I had a lot of time to think. I have many things to be grateful for. They are as follows:

1. The blessing of doctors and living at a time where modern medicine is available to us.

2. To live in a country where I do not have to worry about a bill for this operation or anything else that Lorelle has had to go through. This is a huge blessing.

3. Probably the greatest blessing is my family and my wife. How life would be nothing with out my kids who lets face it can drive you nuts and crazy are truly the great blessings that we can received and that life is precious.

Well this is just a few things that I wanted to write down to remember. I hope I did not bore anyone. Thank you.

James