Advocating For Heather!

     Over the last two weeks our oldest daughter, Heather, has been in the hospital. On March 15, Heather had a total hip replacement on her left side, at a local hospital here in Chattanooga. We opted for Heather to have the surgery here because Heather's Neurologist is here. 

     Dr. Rankin got saved back in 2007 when Heather was in the hospital having over 100 seizures a day. He watched her recover after each seizure with the grace that only The Lord could give, and his heart would melt each day. Since that time, Dr. Rankin has truly become Heather's Health advocate.
 

 

     I have heard that word "advocate" used several times since Heather's surgery by several medical personnel. Each time the word was used, it was directly addressed to my wife and I about Heather. My wife and I have realized the importance of being our daughters' advocate for almost 19 years since she was just a child. Since we know Heather and her special needs, better than any, the Doctors look to us in helping them make decisions. It is so uncanny to have the medical staff say to us, "We are not sure what to do, what do ya'll think, you know her better than us." What a responsibility, but yet what a trust The Lord has placed in us in making sure Heather is cared for correctly. It is extremely sobering and at the same time sombering.

     The word advocate is used only one time in our King James Bible. I John 2:1 states, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"

     An advocate is one who pleads and defends the cause and case of another. As a child of God we have a command to not sin, but when we do sin then we have an advocate, Jesus Christ, who pleads and defends our case before a holy and righteous God. Christ is the only One who saves from the penalty of sin and the power of sin.

     When Jesus does something it's always right. I remember years ago, reading a little sign that stated, "God don't make no junk!" When He redeemed me, He did so, not just for eternity but I am being preserved daily. I am eternally safe and secure by the payment of God's precious Son on Calvary's cross.

     He paid a debt, He did not owe, I owed a debt, I could not pay, I needed someone to wash my sin away. And now I sing a brand new song, Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. My Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

If Jesus pleads and defends my case before God our Father, how can I not plead and defend the case of my daughter's health before the highest authorities in the medical field. We know Heather and have studied her problems for years now, not to outwit, or outsmart or play act practicing medicine, but to plead and defend her case.

     My wife and I are extremely grateful for every person in the medical field that has contributed to the health of not only our daughter, but also to all the other special needs individuals that are around.

Update of Heather's health condition (March 26):

 

     Just wanted to bring you up to date about Heather, so you would know how to continue to pray for her. She has had several complications since her total hip replacement (Due to a collapsed hip over a year ago, because of Avascular Necrosis, caused by heavy doses of Prednisone and Solu-medrol over the years, for inflammation in the brain) on March 15.

     Her heart rate is still way above normal, avg 120, normally 85. Praise the Lord, her lungs are sounding better after pneumonia in lower lobes, and her seizures are better controlled, but still having severally daily, 5-10. She was moved to Siskin Rehab Hospital late Friday night, but no strenuous therapy has begun. Some Resp. Therapy and Physical Therapy while in bed.

 

      Heather has a very bad infection at the incision, that they are treating with powerful antibiotics. They believe it is strep and not staff, but they are watching it closely. Heather has an extreme high tolerance for pain, but she is complaining of hurting a lot. She looks as if she has been burned badly. Please continue to pray about this.

     Her white blood count is high, and she has continued to have a low grade fever, which of course is due to the infection. Pray that the infection doesn't go deeper or she would have to go back into surgery.

     They are estimating 3-4 weeks of in house therapy after the other things get back in control and then months of out patient therapy.

     The Lord has again used our daughters' health problems to give us an opportunity to witness to others we would not have otherwise met. Blessed be the name of The Lord!

Thank you for your friendship and your continued prayers, for they help to sustain us.