Amazing Grace

On Thursday evening, JC came to me complaining of a tummy ache. I didn't think too much of it as we were recently exposed to the stomach bug that's going around. So, I prepared for what I thought was going to be a long night of the dreaded stomach bug. Well, the symptoms never came. By Friday afternoon, he was in more pain and couldn't even walk upright anymore. We rushed him to Barrow County Hospital E/R. They did an x-ray and saw a blockage in the small intestine. He was rushed to Children's at Emory by ambulance at 3:30 A.M. Chris was with JC and I was home with Nick. Chris and I were on the phone together throughout the night.

Once at Children's, JC's treatment moved very slowly. He did not receive his first dose of oral medication until 11:00 P.M. Needless to say, we were very frustrated with the very slow treatment he was receiving. The medication that they ordered for JC was supposed to add water to the intestines allowing the blockage to pass. This sounds great in theory, but the medication smells awful and tastes worse. We called it stinky skunk juice. JC could not keep the medication down. This caused us more frustration because the resident was completely incompatent. I had to insist that they prescribe an anti nausea medication to help him keep the medication down. We were really concerned that JC would need surgery.

When JC was born he had an intestinal blockage. He had surgery when he was less than 24 hours old. At one year of age, he had a repeat blockage and was very ill. It was one of the worst times in our lives. JC couldn't eat or drink, and they placed a tube through his nose down into his stomach (NG tube). He was so sick and sad. The blessing in all of it is that he was so young, he doesn't remember.

JC is now 11, so we haven't had a bowel issue for 10 years. When we found that he had another obstruction, we just couldn't stand the thought of him having to go through all that again. We pleaded with God to have mercy on JC, and He did! The obstruction had passed by Sunday morning! His x-ray was totally clear and he went "' #2" 3 times! He hates that his going potty has become public news, but we can't keep silent about what God has done!

Chris and I were in Ron Riley's Sunday school class for several years. One of the things that Ron impressed upon us was that we are never to rob God of His glory. So, we praise God for our son has had a healing touch from the Great Physician!

As JC continues to battle CF, God will continue to be faithful. When JC was born, my dad was given a verse that we have claimed as JC's life verse. Psalm 34: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, BUT the Lord DELIVERS them out of them ALL! God has truly shown his amazing grace to us and we are truly blessed. JC came home from the hospital on Sunday afternoon, just in time to play in the snow! God is so good.