Neurosurgical Check-up

On Nov. 19th, it was Nico's one year anniversary for his tethered spinal cord surgery.  On Nov. 20th, we went to our neurosurgeon's office for a check-up appointment.  It went very well and Nico's looking as fine as can be, all thanks and praise to God.  Watching Nico you'd never know anything was wrong except when you see his scar on his back.  At the appointment we were reminded that there's so much to be thankful for and also that we still need to be observant of any back pains, walking difficulties, and bladder/bowel problems.  There's still the possibility that the spinal cord will reattach itself and Nico will need another surgery.  This could more than likely happen when he's in elementary school.  But like I said, for now we have so much to be thankful for...  

Lord, thank you for Nico's life and health.  Thank you for moving us to a state with such a talented pediatric Neurosurgeon.  Thank you for working your wonders through her hands.  We love You.  Amen.

I believe Nico's surgery went as well as it did because we were blessed to have so many souls praying on his behalf.  If you were one of these kind souls, we are indebted to you and cannot thank you enough.

In our Catholic Christian faith we also ask Mary the Blessed Mother, the saints in heaven, and the souls in purgatory to intercede for us.  Meaning we ask them to make a humble request to Jesus in our favor.  I found a prayer to St. Anthony in my prayer book a few days after Nico was born.  Since our son is also named after this saint I thought the prayer was heaven sent.  I prayed it a lot when I thought of Nico's surgery. 

Holy Saint Anthony, gentlest of saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures made you worthy to possess miraculous powers.  Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety.  Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me... (Nicholas' health).  The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the saint of miracles.  O gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms.  

It's a beautiful prayer and I'll continue to say it for my son.   I hope that perhaps someone else might gain the peace they're seeking through this prayer.