Yesterday I shared how God answered prayers in an incredible way during Ethan’s surgery. Little did we know, only a few months later, we would be walking through another medical crisis—this time with our other son, Zach—and once again experiencing the peace, power, and presence of God through prayer.
Fast forward to a few months later in our family…our other son, Zach, was trying to learn back flips from one of his best friends, home from college Easter weekend. I woke up to a text telling me not to touch his back, neck, or arms when I woke him up for church. I walked into his room to wake him up and he said after going to Dutch, his friend decided to teach Zach how to do back flips. After Isaiah spotted him on two, Zach decided he was ready on his own. He landed on his neck and almost passed out. He had no feeling in his right arm.
We went to Easter service and then Easter lunch at my parents’ despite him being very sore. He was able to move, so we figured he was just sore from the fall. After a week, things weren’t better, so we requested an xray. Xray showed nothing was broken. Still things didn’t improve, so I requested an MRI. This showed there was a fracture on the C6 and C5 and C6 were misaligned. The surgeon decided on an anterior surgery because it’s a faster recovery. But, then ordered a CT to confirm everything. Posterior surgery was recommended after that, due to a bone fragment pressing on a nerve. Longer recovery. We got a surgery date of June 12, so I reached out to friends and family for prayers. A few weeks ago, I was again writing on the back of our communication card at church for another huge prayer request. It felt like we had just done all of this, but this felt even scarier because it was a neck injury.
About a week before Zach’s surgery, I added his story to social media for anyone who didn’t already know what was going on and would pray for him. We received so many messages, texts, and written prayers. My anxiousness began to lessen. Let me add, through all of this, Zach said he never felt nervous. Thankful for his faith and prayers too!
Day of surgery…June 12…I woke up and spent time with God, gave Zach his prep solution, got ready to leave…and Harry called Zach. Harry, who has been such a huge part of Zach’s faith journey, prayed with Zach and then we were on our way to Sac. We got to speak with the surgeon and ask questions before Zach got prepped. When we left the room, I felt no anxiousness or worry at all. I told Mike, Zach is going to be just fine. God is wrapping his arms around us. God hugged us all in that moment and held onto us the whole day. We got to see Zach right before he went in, and just like with Ethan, I prayed over him (and still teared up) but as he was wheeled out, my heart was at peace. In my prayer, I said it is incomprehensible to me here on earth that God loves Zach more than we do, but I know that He does. That was all the comfort I needed in that moment.
The surgeon called us when Zach was out of surgery. He said he was able to align the discs exactly as they should be, and we had an xray to prove it. I asked about the feeling in his arm, and he said there’s no telling when that would return. We were thrilled that Zach had had a successful surgery, and we’d see him in an hour. He was in a lot of pain when we first saw him, but one of the first things he said was, “I can feel my thumb.” Right after surgery. Zach was up and walking day 2, with pain, but he was moving. Will it be easy to recover and wear a collar for 3 months? No. Does Zach have the ability to witness to others of the goodness of God just like Ethan did in January? Yes. And I believe that’s one of the reasons God allows us to go through tough things. He’s refining us. Allowing us to grow closer to Him. Strengthening our faith. Relying on prayer.
I know not all prayers end up in the way we hope for. In my boys’ two cases, we have felt fully blessed by the power of prayer. We have been blessed by our family, friends, and church family. It could have gone differently, and we would have a different story, but nevertheless a story to share the mercy and grace of God. Because God is good all the time…and all the time God is good. Zach missed being paralyzed by this much. But God loves him THIS much.
Verses that comforted me during both of these surgeries:
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, and thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.