Update on Afeefa's Latest Surgery

(Afeefa's new look as of her surgery yesterday. The kids think she's cool!)

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for Afeefa, her family and for us as we care for her. Yesterday Dr. Trese did surgery on her left eye. He felt that the surgery went well and he was able to do the best he could given the circumstances. He noted to us that her left eye was in worse shape than the first one they did; the retina had more folds in it, there was more accumulated cholesterol (pooled blood), and it was more deteriorated, in general. However, he was also surprised that there was better circulation in the left than the right eye, which bodes well for the healing process and overall eye health. I want to thank those of you who specifically prayed that Afeefa would be peaceful before and after her surgery. Considering that she had not eaten since 7PM the night before, I was amazed that she really wasn't fussy as we awaited her surgery----even when it was delayed by an hour. She slept for most of the ride to Detroit, then played, babbled and passed the time cheerfully until the anesthesiologist came to take her for surgery ( I have to thank Kathleen, who came with me, though, because she did a GREAT job of entertaining Afeefa when she was at the point of wanting to fuss & cry). After her surgery, she was very upset in the recovery room, but other than that, she had a peaceful evening, a good night's sleep, and a good day today. So, again, God has been so faithful in answering prayers.

I want to also share with you all that God has been teaching me through all of these long trips to Detroit that while this whole experience is centered on Afeefa, He has some other pretty amazing plans, too. Yesterday in the waiting room we met a mom from Alabama whose daughter, Sara, has already had 10 surgeries. Later, when we were waiting in our triage room, she and Sara came to visit us. She shared more of her story and the journey they have been on with their daughter, we were able to share how God has been at work in Afeefa's life, and then we were able to pray together. It was just a real blessing to be there, to be able to pray, not just for Afeefa, but for her sweet little Sara, too.

Well, I guess I better post this for now. Please, keep Afeefa in your prayers---and pray for Sara and her family, too, as they have a long journey ahead of them, as well.

A friend painted Afeefa's toe nails---all dolled up for her big day in Detroit, and the nurses and doctors thought it was precious. Hot pink is definitely her color!

The boys and Afeefa love buzzing their lips at each other!

You can see that she takes this game very seriously!

Afeefa's Follow-up Doctor Visit Today

I don't have a lot of time to write, but wanted to share that Afeefa had a very good follow-up visit today. Dr. Trese confirmed what in my heart I suspected, but was almost too afraid to say (in case I was wrong)---she is definitely seeing some light in the eye they worked on. Praise God for answered prayers! I hope that someday Afeefa and her family will know how many people have been praying for her and to know how deeply she/they are loved, not just by all of us who have prayed, but by our Heavenly Father. I think Afeefa's healing is a sign of His love for them.

So, to give you a better picture of things. When Afeefa arrived here, we noticed that she looked down most of the time. But a few days after her surgery, it became very obvious to me that she seemed to be keeping her head up more. Then, one day when we were at the dentist's office for my kids' appointments, she was clearly looking up at the ceiling (very bright lights). I sensed then that she had to be seeing something. Today, Dr. Trese asked me if I've seen any changes in her behavior, and when I shared this with him, he said that that is one of the huge indicators they look for to know that a baby is beginning to see. What's more, when he examined the eye, he could see some clear spots on the retina where light can definitely come through. Over time, the hope is that there will be more healing and greater vision. He believes she will be able to get around without the help of a cane in the future, which is so great to hear.

Please, continue to keep Afeefa in your prayers. Her next surgery is this Friday; I will update again afterwards.

One Surgery Down, One to Go!

Afeefa's first of two surgeries was yesterday morning. After her appointment earlier in the week, the doctor indicated that Afeefa's condition was as bad as it could get, and that until they got inside the eye, they wouldn't know what, if anything could be done for her. So, I began praying, and asking many people to pray for a miracle----that when Dr. Trese would do the surgery, he'd find the eye to be better than he imagined. And guess what? The first thing he said after her surgery was, "The eye was in a lot better condition than I expected. Her body had absorbed a lot of the blood behind the eye so I was able to do a very good dissection." The end result will show over time, but we are trusting that the work done yesterday will give her the best chance at being able to see some day. This morning the doctor indicated that it will be a process of months, and even years for the eye to develop, so there won't be a quick answer. But, praise God with us that He answered our specific prayer so perfectly.

During the evening, Afeefa cried a lot----I'm sure from the anesthesia and the pain. During the night, she woke a few times, but I think it's more from frustration at having her arms in braces (to avoid touching the eye) and not being able to put her pacifier back in. Right now, she is resting peacefully.

The days before her surgery, Afeefa enjoyed time at friends' pools---she loves the water. She seems to be adjusting well to our family and is quite happy, in general.

Thanks so much to all of you for your prayers, and to those of you who have brought a meals, watched our other kids, provided clothing and baby toys. I know Afeefa and her family are experiencing Jesus' love for them through you.

Below are some pictures from this week.

Playing in the jumperoo!

Bath time! Eating happily in the high chair

Joseph loving on Afeefa

Pool fun!

At home after her surgery. Afeefa needs these arm braces so she doesn't touch her eye.

Pictures of Afeefa, Answered Prayers & Dr. Appointment

Thought you'd all enjoy a better look at Afeefa. She is a beautiful little baby and we're honored to care for her.
The kids do a great job of getting Afeefa to laugh----it's so fun to hear baby giggles again!

This is Rebecca holding Afeefa---giving Mommy a little break!

This is Micah---he is in love with this precious little one and keeps calling her "God's special little girl."

I want to share with you all the amazing way that God answered specific prayers yesterday. During the night and for most of the day, Afeefa was really upset---lots of crying and refusing to eat. I was not stressed about it, but was beginning to be concerned because she wasn't taking in fluids. At one point during the afternoon, a friend of mine called and prayed with me on the phone, that Jesus would calm her and help her to eat. After I hung up the phone, the other kids were having a snack, so I got a cookie for Afeefa. She took it in her hand, and happily began eating----one after another, followed by some cheese, then some milk. Suddenly, she was a new little baby. For the rest of the day, she was all smiles and seemed to really enjoy herself. I really believe this was a direct answer to our prayers and it was nothing short of a miracle, for which I can only give credit to Jesus and His faithful love for Afeefa and us.

Today Lita Kharmai and I took Afeefa to see Dr. Trese for her pre-op. appointment. Afeefa cried some in the waiting room, and she really did not like the drops in her eyes, but for the most part, she seemed to handle everything pretty well, for which we're thankful. Dr. Trese said that both retinas are totally detached, so the surgery will be to reattach them. The success rate is hard to determine, but the very best scenario (which would only happen in extremely rare cases) would be that her vision ends up being good enough to read the top line of an eye examination chart. What he expects, however, is that she will be able to see objects (not what they are, but that they are there) and light and dark. This would be a huge improvement, as she is 100% blind in both eyes right now. It would enable her to get around and to function more easily. We are happy with this prognosis, but we also will be praying the very best for Afeefa, which would be nothing less than a miracle to give her sight beyond what the doctors even expect. We hope you'll join us in this prayer.

Afeefa is Here!

(above: Nan and Lita, who accompanied Afeefa from Guyana)

After a very long flight from Guyana (with over 3 hours of delays in Cinncinatti), Afeefa Ally arrived in Grand Rapids last night at 1:15 AM. Rebecca and I went to the airport to greet her. She was very tired from the long day, but it was so exciting to finally meet her. As you'll see in the pictures below, she is a very beautiful. She has been a bit fussy through the night and today, but I'm sure she's experiencing separation anxiety and feeling confused about where she is. Pray that she will get the sleep she needs and be able to eat well, too. It has been good to hear from her mom a couple of times; I think that connection will help this time to go better.

I can't write much right now, but keep us in your prayers as we go to Detroit tomorrow for her pre-op visit. And keep Afeefa's parents in your prayers, too, as they adjust to being so far away from their precious little one.

A Temporary New Addition to Our Family

It's been a while since I've written, and I don't have a lot of time now. I do want to share with you all, however, that a week from tonight (so, Sunday, the 11th of July), one-year-old Afeefa Ally will be arriving here from the South American country of Guyana to stay with our family. She is coming for surgery on her eyes, and we have the privilege of hosting her while she is here. If you'd like to see a photo of her and to learn more about Children's Circle Mission, the organization that is bringing her here, their website is www.ccmission.org.

We are all getting very excited to have Afeefa with us, and I almost feel like I'm in "nesting" mode, wanting to get everything set up and ready for her arrival. I have experienced a wide range of emotions, from fear, to excitement, to sadness at the reality that we may all become very attached to this little one who will not be with us forever. We would invite you all to pray for Afeefa and her parents; I cannot imagine how difficult it will be for them to put her on a plane next weekend and to not see their precious little one for 3 months (if all goes well, and more if there are complications). Pray for God's peace to overwhelm them and to sustain them. Also, pray for little Afeefa as she adjusts to our family and her new surroundings. Pray for a successful surgery, which is tentatively scheduled for the 16th of July. And pray for our family, too, as we adjust to having a baby in our home once again.

We will post pictures of Afeefa periodically during her time here. Her parents are hoping to follow our blog as a way to keep up, too, so we'll try to be faithful. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!