Today I had the privilege of delivering a meal to a real cool people who have a son, Jack, who recently had brain surgery. Jack has a rare genetic disease called Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). TSC causes tumors form in various organs, primarily the brain, eyes, heart, skin, kidneys, liver and lungs. Jack has at least one in in brian that has caused numerous seizures. Today I saw him for the first time (I’ve kept my head in the sand for a while now) and again was reminded of perspective.
Last night my wife and I had a discussion with a few friends who were hurt by a comment I made. As with most communications, the comment made to one person traveled through three others, changed meaning, and ended up hurting someone’s feelings. Typical rumor mill chain of command. Being over 40, you’d think I would know better than to let this happen. Alas, I did not. So we ended up in a discussion for about a half an hour with emotions driving a good amount of it.
As I get out of my car at Dell Children’s Hospital, it’s sunny, hot and the wind is blowing pretty hard. Ahead of me is a father pulling an IV pole with 5 bags attached and an oxygen canister. The mother is carrying a child who looks under the age of 6 months who is attached to all of the tubes coming out of the bags and tank.
I enter Jack’s room inside the epilepsy section and see his head wrapped in gauze, wires coming from underneath connected to a machine on an IV pole. A drain tube and bag filling with red fluid. A port for an IV in his arm. Jack is sitting in his fathers lap, playing. His aunt is sitting on the bed with him. Playing with him. He Loves his aunt. He stands up and falls into her arms, giving her a big hug. His dad makes a shift on the bed to give Jack room to move with the wires. I saw my son in Jack’s face, they are close to the same age.
Today the hurt feelings in an adult over careless spreading of my words were wiped away. Brain surgery on a child under 2 years of age caused me to put everything into perspective. Don’t be careless with my words. Love my children every day. Love and cherish my wife on an on-going basis. Thank the Lord for blessing me with such a wonderful family and life.
If you would like to learn more about Jack and his wonderful parents, you can see his Mom’s blog by clicking here: Jack.
Please consider praying for Jack. For they are hoping that on Wednesday his second surgery will be completed. Yes, another brain surgery.
September 26, 2011
Family