Blessings come through rain drops

I'm glad I've waited to update you on Mason's progress because you may have been confused with the rollercoaster this past month has been. Although all the things that we've learned have a positive outcome, it has been alot to digest.

About 3 weeks ago we went to Shriners for Mason's overall orthopedic evaluation. They took an xray of his spine and it showed us a problem. In October, his scoliosis was causing his spine to be 14 degrees off now it is 25 degrees off. Once it gets to 50 degrees off they would have to do surgery to put a metal rod in his back. So they casted him for a body brace that he will need to wear during the day everyday. It goes from under his neck to past his hips. He was amazing during the whole casting process. We had 4 people holding him down and wrapping him w/ plaster. As I tried to fight back tears, I looked at my little boy and was so proud of him. God has given him an amazing fight to endure so many things. We're grateful that this was caught in time to avoid surgery. Now our prayer is the brace will fix the problem for good.


Two days after that we met with another surgeon to do his hand surgery. We felt very confident with him and were excited that the ball was finally rolling with his hands. He said he wanted to do both hands at the same time. He will cut some of the tendons and put a pin in both thumbs. Mason will wear casts to his shoulders for 6 weeks. Even though it will be a long 6 weeks the reward was that Kevin would finally get to see his sons handprint on Father's Day. We have waited 2 long years for this day to come. In order to do the surgery we needed to get clearance from Pulmonology. We went and met w/ Dr. Kriseman who said yes that is fine but had some concerns about Mason's tonsils. They looked large to him and he was concerned about his ability to breathe during and after surgery. He asked us to follow up with ENT.



This past Monday we went and saw ENT (Ear,Nose and Throat). Dr. Orobello said yes they're huge and yes it would greatly affect is ability to breathe and NO he could not do the hand surgery until they came out. Talk about taking all the air out of you. :( To say I was discouraged would be putting it mildly. Here's where all the blessings come in to play. Dr. O is always difficult to get in w/ surgery but God always makes a way when there seems to be no way. This Tuesday May 3rd Mason will be getting his tonsils removed. He will keep him in ICU overnight and then a regular room. Then we have to wait two weeks before any other surgeries. We were able to get an appointment w/ Dr. Hess (Hand Surgeon who is also booked) May 26th.

Not exactly how we would have planned it but God in all His wisdom has protected Mason once again. Praise the Lord that we went to ENT and discovered this problem. The way his tonsils look they wouldn't have been able to get the oxygen tube down his throat to even try and do the surgery. We are so grateful for all these blessings and the doctors that God has brought into Mason's life.

It has been a long month with many lessons to be learned. When I first received the news at Shriners about his brace, my heart sank. As I was driving home, I asked God "why can't the kid get a break". I was frustrated that it was one more thing to add to the list. Can't something just be normal. After throwing another successful pity party, God sweetly reminded me of all the blessings. When I came home that night, I was reading a caring bridge site of a little girl battling cancer. As I read my heart broke for this precious family. They don't have a surgery or a brace to "fix" what is happening to their little girl. I was humbly reminded that becoming bitter is never better. The difference between that is "I". God has his hand on Mason's life and he sees full well the bigger picture. It is my job to stay on my knees and ask him each day to mold me to be the wife, mom, friend, daughter that will bring honor and glory to His name.

Blessings at times can seem difficult to find but when you look closely they will pour over your life like a tidal wave. One huge blessing came last Friday when Carrie Underwood sang "How Great Thou Art". What made an impression on me most was watching the crowd. As they stood to their feet mid song and applauded "her", I looked at Kevin and said little do they know they are applauding the Lord Jesus Christ. When you hear his name and see the magnitude of His glory, you can't help but get off your feet and raise your hands and applaud him. I wonder what was going through their heads as she sang. I know what went through mine was thank you CBS for allowing this to air so the world can hear the good news of Jesus Christ. So I've put the CEO/President of CBS address below and I want to encourage you to write her and thank her for airing this song. I can promise you she will be receiving mail from those that did not approve, I want her to hear a million times over for those of us that did. Have a blessed week. We will update you next week from the hospital.
Under His Mercy,
Wendy

Nina Tassler
7800 Beverly Blvd. LA, CA 90039-2112 (323) 575 -2747