Lucy is between a rock and a hard place. Her lungs and heart chamber are filled with fluid, so much that chest X-rays show her lungs as nearly a solid mass of white.
You can take medicine that drains fluid out of the body, but those medications are tough on your kidneys. (“Like body blows” the Renal Specialist told us). Lucy’s kidneys are very weak, partly from briefly shutting down two months ago after an illness, and partly because her heart can’t pump enough blood through them to function properly.
And that’s the real issue: her giant, weak heart just can’t get the blood efficiently around her body. Not enough for the lungs to clear their fluid, not enough for the kidneys to filter out blood toxins, not enough for the digestive system to function well. The work of being alive is almost too much for her.
So she lies quietly on the couch and watches one PBS kids show after another. We love the shows. As each one begins, we great the characters by name and Mommy hums the theme songs as Lucy smiles and points. The Cat in the Hat! Dinosaur Train (La-La-Looooo)! George (“George is a monkey, and he can do things we can’t do”)! WildKratts (Calling all wild, wild Kratts)!
Lucy’s favorite is the Electric Company. She loves the hip-hop rhythms, and sometimes sticks out her arms to move them side to side in front of her like a rapper. Helen will do a little dance to the Electric Company theme song, stamping her feet and nodding her head while she turns around in one spot. They like for Mommy to rap along, emphasizing the words like the characters. (“We’re learning to WRITE, and learning to READ! We have good TIME while we plant the SEED!)
After years spent scolding my children about how bad it is to rot your brain with too much TV, I find I now cannot live without the comfort of all day, all kids PBS. Lucy may not be able to play or talk or move, but she can point at the TV and ask for her little animated friends. I’m grateful for them. We’ll rest between our rock and hard place and watch TV a little while. – Katie
God be with you all, grant healing in His way here or hereafter, and fill you all with his peace. glad pbs shows bring some joy to you, lucy, as you rest and Pray, Believe, Surrender. love and prayers! jackie
We are still praying for Lucy and for you, her parents.
Seventeen preschoolers prayed with me today that Jesus would sit right next to Lucy and keep her from being scared in the hospital. I know He is sitting right there with her no matter what happens next. That’s our God. And that’s all I know.
Prayers continue!
Praying hard for you and your little one. There is no place too hard, nor rock so solid that the Lord cannot make a way. That is what we are praying for; for the Lord to make a way for Lucy to improve and for all of you to have the sweet presence of the Lord filling the room.
Not alone, but standing with many. PRAY ON!
Blessings,
St. John’s Prayer Train
Lucy is remembered down in Austin, TX as well. She has a Marine praying for her that is constantly inspired by her determination and fighting spirit. The Lord her rock will deliver her once again from this hard place.