Yesterday Sebastien got all ready for his big day and a lot of preparation at the hospital was part of it. He also was so sweet and we recorded a little message just at supper time so that you all would be able to follow him on his journey through his Ostomy Closure. Thank you all for sending some wonderful thoughts and prayers his way as he was getting ready I read them to him to cheer him up and get him ready, thank you also Kim and the Mini TFO Team for making him smile and cheer him on with your wonderful video message, that was awesome. He truly appreciated all your thoughts and wishes and it gave him strength to face this big surgery.
Well, I totally pictured today different and trying to reserve all David’s energy and mine to be there for him after his big surgery as a long night with pain and discomfort was ahead of us after he comes out of this operating room. Well, this morning as we prepared him over the last few weeks very intensely with flushing his mucous fistula with Saline, breathing exercises to help with expanding his lungs after surgery, moving exercises of his legs and arms as he won’t be able to walk for some time, role playing that he will have a tube in his mouth and nose for some time so he isn’t in complete shock when he wakes up and pulls it out as he has done in the past and it is not nice to put it in, a garment was made that he will need to wear during the 8 weeks post surgery to help his stitches not to rip, and the list goes on and on…our nurse walks in Sebastien’s room and says the surgeon needs to speak to us urgently.
All those thoughts went through my head and I thought what could be possible wrong with our son that the surgeon needs to speak to us so urgently, usually that would mean something is not right with our son. So here we were, David arrived with little Genevieve at the hospital at 6 o’clock so they have a chance to be with Sebastien and give all their love to him for his big day, our nurse telling us to await the very important news from the surgeon in regards of Sebastien’s procedure.
Hours go by and finally we hear from our surgeon:
” I need to tell you that I have received a call for a GIFT OF LIFE for a liver /kidney transplant for 2 of our very sick patient and as you know this is a very time sensitive procedure as we will need to transplant this liver as soon as it arrives at the hospital. I want Sebastien to be ready as planned and if the liver arrives and after I examine it looks good to be transplanted I need to cancel Sebastien’s surgery so I can use the O.R. room and staff to help me with this life saving transplant. “
Me and David looked at each other and we both know how it feels waiting for this life saving call to receive a transplant for your child and how important that is to the recipient, a child who is dying if he or she doesn’t receive this life saving procedure. So it might sound weird but my focus started to become praying for the family that had lost this precious child and praying for their journey of grief and thanking them that they have made this Life Saving Decision to save another child by donating the organs as well as praying for the surgeons, staff, the 2 children that will receive the organs and their family to have strength for this long day, weeks to come and be comforted that their child has know a chance to live.
At 10 this morning our surgeon came and she told us that the liver is a go for the transplant and that she needs to cancel Sebastien’s surgery and I told her: ” My husband & I are very happy that you can do it and we will keep on praying for you and your team and the family! I know Sebastien will get his chance to be finally closed of his ostomy and we know deep down in our heart that your 2 sick patients need this so urgently!”
We explained to Sebastien that his surgery needs to be done on another day and that 2 other children really needed his surgeons help and he said he would pray for them and that it is ok. He looked a bit disappointed but we will do it in 2 weeks again on December 16.
Our nurse said : ” Sebastien is a lucky charm as this is already the 2nd time that we get a transplant call each time Sebastien gets admitted!”
Thank you all for praying and please keep those surgeon and nurses as well as the 2 families and their sick children in your thoughts and prayers and the family that has lost a beautiful and special child to be embraced by comfort and peace and healing.
Dear Sébastien, Jasmina & David and Geneviève,
Thank you for sharing with all of us your appreciation of the Gift of Lift which you have received and which keeps on taking place at the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. You always see things in a positive and loving way and that helps you and many others around you as they go through different medical trials. Keep on sowing Love, Strength and Light through the witness of your lives! God works miracles in many ways. May he bless you and all your loved ones forever.
As Norman says there is a positive outlook to the delay of the Surgery today. It was definetely more important for the Transplant to occur for those other children, and hopefully soon Sebastien will have his turn. At least with the delay He can enjoy his Birthday Cake and St. Nicholas Day treats. Love you, Cathy
You guys are awesome. That is all I can say because I am in awe of how positive and encouraging you are…and Sébastien… he is truly a gift straight from heaven, he wears a pair of secret wings, I just know it! We are praying for the surgery on December 16th, that it can finally happen for this angel. Miss you guys! xox
Lieber Sebastien, Jasmina, David und Genevieve,
ich wünsche euch alles Liebe und Gute, viel Kraft und Gottes Segen. Ich bin in Gedanken mit euch.
Liebe Grüße aus Kötschach!