Donavyn Update: Thankful Thursday

"Let's go get your eye drops in," said the Nana on the last day of post-surgical medication.

What did the Big D do? Hauled himself off to the bathroom fuzzy purple rug and plopped down on his back, ready for the procedure.

Mind you, I've never given him eye drops in the bathroom. But he must have been comfortable there. He's also never cried when I've given them to him. And this last time, I didn't even hold his arms down. He just stayed still until I was done.

How cool is that for a 22-month-old?

Donavyn is doing very well. After double eye surgery a week ago last Monday, almost all signs of red are gone and the barest hint of blisters is disappearing. His eyes seem to be working together much better. And the best evidence of all? He acts just like any other normal boy of his age - playing, running, climbing, eating (or not), giggling, and generally having a grand life.

The answered prayers are the entire reason. Thank you for praying for our boy.

Thank You, Jesus, for hearing and answering.

Read more about Donavyn in the post titled "God Was at Costco."

Big D Update ~ Eye Surgery

Donavyn decorating eggs. You can see some of the problems with his eyes that were addressed by the surgery. Cutie pie boy just wanted to eat the eggs.

Thank you so much for praying for our boy, Donavyn, and his double eye surgery he had yesterday (Monday).

Prayers were answered even before we expected it!

Instead of the 1:00 surgery time, Donavyn had surgery at 7:30 AM. What a wonderful treat for a boy who would be hungry, thirsty, and probably cranky all day if he had to wait. Not to mention the overactive nerves of parents and family members. I was actually still in bed at a friend's house (thanks, Alyson) not too far from the hospital when my son let me know of the change in time.

The surgeon reported that all had gone well in the two-hour surgery. The 2 and 1/2 hour drive home went quickly and Donavyn was able to sleep in his own bed.

Today, mommy reports (and we have eye witnessed) that the boy with two brilliant red eyes is moving like a wild 2 year-old. He is eating, talking, playing, and climbing everything in sight. He is still at high risk for infection and must be away from other children for a week. But try telling this bundle of energy that he can't play outside in the dirt or see his cousins... Oh, boy.

Thank you, again, for praying and thinking of our boy. We won't know until his 2 month check-up whether he will need a second surgery or not. But until then, we pray for a healthy, quick, and complete healing for the Big D.

Big D helping his cousins with eggs while exploring the whisks and colored water.

"Swingin' on Nana's Swing..." ~ Please Pray for Our Boy

Nana had the cutest little boy visit her house.

And what did the Nana and her boy Donavyn do?

They went swingin'.

Yes. And Nana sang a silly song while they were seated side-by-side on the glider swing.

We're swingin' on Nana's swing,

Swingin' on Nana's swing.

We're swingin' on Nana's swing,

Swingin' on Nana's swing.

Donavyn's swingin' on Nana's swing,

Swingin' on Nana's swing,

Yes, he's swingin' on Nana's swing,

Swingin' on Nana's swing.

The song and the lovely swingin' continued, accompanied by Nana doing all sorts of jazz, old tunes, and harmonic pieces.

But the absolute best part of the swingin' and singin'?

Each time Nana said, "Nana's swing," a certain little boy would grin, glance at Nana, and sing, "Nana!" And then he would giggle.

We also," Whee'd" and pumped our legs for joy.

What a precious gift!

Today, Monday, May the 4th, at 1:00 PM, Donavyn has double-eye surgery at Bellevue Children's. He is 22-months old and the light of his parents' eyes (and the rest of his family).

We would all appreciate your prayers for this bouncing bundle of boy. Thank you!

PS And Nana would like to know where the YouTube people were, for this would have been the perfect video! But Nana was too busy singin' and swingin' to run and get the camera.

God Was at Costco

"Who's that, Donavyn?" said a voice behind me in the Costco checkout line.

I turned and there was one of my beautiful, I mean handsome, grandsons. Donavyn, blond-haired and smiling, was happy to see Nana. Nana paid for her items and ran right back to stand with the Big D while mommy paid for hers.

Then we stopped to chat, blocking traffic as only people in Costco can do. You know what I mean, right? Just move already!

"God talked to us in Costco," said Jamie.

"What?" Yes, I was a bit out of that conversation. Were they play talking? Talking to God while shopping? Reading a book about God?

"Yes. We stopped at a sample cart (don't you love those?). The lady looked at Donavyn and said, 'When is his surgery?'"

"Did you tell her that he was having surgery?" I asked.

"No. We just walked up. She looked at his eyes, and asked. And then she said that everything was going to be just fine with his surgery and God was going to take care of everything and don't worry."

"Wow! Did you know her?"

"No. She just said that. Then she gave me a hug and told me to bring Donavyn back after his surgery so she could see him. And that God had her there for just that reason."

"That is awesome. He is going to be just fine," I said as I hugged her. "Our boy is going to be just fine."

You see, I had not stopped long enough to think about how stressful eye surgery was going to be. Not just for Donavyn, who has to travel to Bellevue and Children's Hospital for surgery, but for his mommy and daddy. I always hated when my babies had surgery. But I had forgotten that stomach pit feeling of anxiety, fear, hope, nausea, and stress. Not fun.

And there was God, doing what He does best, though we sometimes fail to see it. Sending an encouraging encounter, literally out of the blue, smack in the middle of a shopping trip for a mommy concerned for her precious boy. Isn't that a wonderful God thing?

I'm glad God was at Costco that day. Now I am reminded of my job as Nana, to pray and encourage. And give lots of hugs and smooches.

Big D's first eye surgery (he will have at least 2 surgeries, or so we are told) is on May 4th. We would love you to join us in prayer for him on that day.

Angie Quantrell loves being Nana to her precious three (and one more on the way) grands. She also loves how God often speaks to us through others in surprising and unexpected ways.