• About
    • Meet Kristin
  • The Book
  • Podcast
  • Blog
    • Turquoise Table Stories
    • Recipe Collection
    • 5-Day Meet Your Neighbors Challenge
    • Conversations
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • About
    • Meet Kristin
    • Meet the Team
  • Start Here
  • Join the Community
  • Register Your Table
  • The Book
  • Podcast
  • Blog
    • Turquoise Table Stories
    • Suppers for Sharing
    • Recipes
    • Conversations
  • Media
  • Speaking
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

The Turquoise Table

Kristin Schell

  • Start Here
  • Register Your Table
  • The Community

in Conversations

What about the other mama?

Yesterday, Husband & I took Littlest to her spine doctor. We make these treks frequently to monitor any change in the curves of her spine. As the saying goes, this wasn’t our first rodeo, so truthfully I wasn’t concerned about the appointment. It’s just part of our routine with Littlest. That is not to say I’m not burdened with questions, worries and hope for our daughter’s diagnosis. It’s just that knew this particular appointment wouldn’t yield high drama.

And it didn’t. At least not in a medical sort of way. Littlest pranced into the xray room (by herself this time) they took a few films, gave her some My Littlest Pony stickers and we talked about what’s next with her surgeon. Next =  another round of scans which will be scheduled in the next couple of weeks.

Can we stop right here and give thanks and praise to our Lord? For the calm and peaceful ease in which we attended this appointment. For Littlest’s ability to be more concerned with what stickers she was going to pick than whether her kyphosis or curves increased?  For the prayers that bathed Husband and I and resulted in clear minds and calm hearts. And for the gift of time. Praise God for more time! And for the seemingly small decision of her doctor to only order a CT Scan and not feel the necessity for an MRI right now. Performing only a CT Scan requires 1/2 the amount of time Littlest will be under general anesthesia. God has been so merciful and gracious throughout.

But, my heart quickened yesterday in a way that I didn’t expect. I can’t really explain, so I’ll copy my journal entry from earlier this morning:

For Granted

I hopped in the plush leather clad seats of our new mini van, picked up Littlest at our neighborhood pre-school, and dashed across town to an amazingly impressive and gorgeous building — Children’s Hospital. For $3 I parked my swagger wagon in a sheltered garage with hundreds of cars all visiting ‘Specially for Children at Dell Children’s Medical Center. For four years we’ve made these visits. Each time I am more grateful than the last of our cross to bear. When friends ask referring to Littlest’s congenital scoliosis “how do you do it?” I often reply “it’s only floor 3. I can handle floor 3. Floor 4 is Hematology/Oncology and Palliative Care.” It seems selfish to write that, but it’s true. And humbling.  

Yesterday was good news for Littlest. More time for her spine. Husband & I are yoked. Together we decided to seek a second opinion, explore our options and learn more about this rare condition bending Littlest’s spine. Within hours of our appointment we received not one, but two, entrees to another unique and glorious institution in Dallas. I’m in awe and praise of the immediacy of God’s answered prayers. And so grateful for the many prayer warriors standing in the gap, praying for wisdom, discernment and clarity for Husband & I to know what to do next for Littlest.

But I wonder? Is there a child, just like Littlest, who has NO access to medical care? Is there a mama who wonders about her child’s curiously bending spine and has no one to tell her what congenital kyphosis means? Or to advise her that two tiny mal-formed hemi-vertebrae in her child’s still developing back are causing part of the curves and need to be removed? 

The choices we have for Littlest are a gift. Sheer provision. Choices of doctors, hospitals, treatments, and for medical insurance. Littlest’s condition is rare, but we have options. 

What about the ones who don’t, Lord? Who will teach them about rare and difficult spine issues? Who will show them? Heal them? How can they be healed if they don’t know YOU???? Lord, my heart breaks for the mama and her Littlest who don’t know why the spine bends askew. Who don’t know the words congenital, kyphosis, vertebra. But, more importantly, Lord, my heart breaks for those who don’t know You.

Show us, Lord. Where we should go.

Thank you for your prayers for Littlest, for our family, for wisdom and discernment for what we should do next regarding medical care. Can I be bold enough to ask that in addition to praying for our medical needs that you lift up those who have no options or access to medical specialists? Will you stand in the gap with me and pray that God’s miraculous, merciful hand will touch and heal those who do not know.

Thank you and much love,

Kristin

 

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Conversations

« Facebook: A lesson for life
His T-Shirt Says HOPE »

Comments

  1. Teri Lynne Underwood says

    at

    Your heart is beautiful, my friend. And yes, I pray with you for those “other mommas” and their little ones.

  2. Shelli Bourque says

    at

    Praying for you and with you, my beautiful friend.

  3. Christy says

    at

    As always, praying for Littlest and knowing God does have a plan. And we will continue to pray for her and for the “other mamas” too. Love you, friend.

  4. Kim says

    at

    Love your heart. Joining you in prayer!

  5. mia says

    at

    Good news indeed. Time, more time, Lord!
    Wonderful post.

Meet Kristin

Welcome! I'm so glad you're here.

I'm on a mission to love my neighbors. I put an ordinary picnic table in my front yard, painted it turquoise and invited neighbors, friends, and even strangers to hang out and do life together at the Turquoise Table®.

I hope you'll join us!

About Kristin

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

The Book

Buy Now

The Podcast

The Turquoise Table Podcast with Kristin Schell

Listen Now

Join the Movement

  • Start Here
  • Join the Community
  • Register Your Table
  • Your Tables

Subscribe for Updates

Quick Links

  • Media
  • Contact
Happy Easter from my peeps to yours! 🐣🕊 Happy Easter from my peeps to yours! 🐣🕊
Mom’s weekend & two crashers. ➡️ Mom’s weekend & two crashers. ➡️
January 1, 2022! Please eat your black-eyed peas. January 1, 2022! Please eat your black-eyed peas.
The man. The myth. The legend. #24 🍾🥂🤵🏻‍♂️👰🏻‍♀️🤍
December 💚🎄♥️ Fa la la la la December 💚🎄♥️ Fa la la la la
And so it begins… 🎄🎅🏼⭐️ #christmas And so it begins… 🎄🎅🏼⭐️

#christmasaffair #tradition #merrymerry
Follow on Instagram

Copyright ©2005-2019 Kristin Schell · Site by Design by Insight