Linzhi Rose

Oh my sweet baby girl. Those who know Linzhi have seen the precious heart God gave her. Always willing to help even if it's hard for her, no matter what, she will try. On Wednesday, June 8th, Linzhi is going to have a major surgery in order to get her right arm moving so she can have a more independent life. We have watched this angel go from a terrified, shut down orphan to a blossoming, out going, heart on fire for Jesus young lady. She is no longer one of the 147 million orphans, she is a daughter and we are blessed to be her mama and daddy.

Today we met with her surgeon at the University of Chicago. He is a gifted surgeon and we are blessed to have met him. He went over the procedure in graphic detail. Linzhi will have incision starting on her right side, all the way up and through her arm pit then down to her elbow. We're talking multiple inches. My heart sank, my head was spinning but I kept my cool and took notes trying to act like I wasn't going to pass out. Not from the idea of it but the thought of our daughter in pain. Oh my heart! Once she is open, he will move her lattisimus Dorsey muscle through the path he creates to attach it to her bicep. See, linzhi has a bicep muscle but it's like a deflated balloon. It cannot assist her in any function so she cannot bring her hand to her mouth. Linzhi has figured out a way to feed herself with a fork but she cannot spoon feed herself and CJ and I feel it's starting to irritate her because she is getting older and doesn't want to be a "baby" anymore and having mom or dad feeding her most of the time...Well, it's just not fun anymore especially at birthday parties or family events when she wants to be like everyone else. So of course, God's timing is perfect and now is the time for Linzhi to get her arm "helped out" (per Linzhi).

We will be in the hospital 2 or 3 nights depending on how she is handling pain. I will be there the entire time and CJ will be spending the nights with us. I have kid coverage at home with Grandma Sharon/Grandpa Willie, Aunt Onnie and Jill and Aunt Terry and we're thanking the Lord for that blessing!

I will be posting from the hospital because I'm sure there will be a lot of down time and I started this blog to capture memories and this will be a big one for Linzhi Rose.

Please keep our daughter in your prayers!!!!