"Ok! So I know that a lot of you guys have seen random posts about surgery, skin grafts, hospitals and "thanks for praying"...but don't actually know what's been going on. So this is for those of you whom I have not had a chance to really talk about all the things that have been going on in the Dumaresq home. {AND for the record, I am obviously not a doctor, so some of this is my understanding of what has been going on with my burns.}
The last week of November, I had a toasty and unfriendly run-in with a heating pad. I was using it on the back part of my leg one night and I left it on for too long, therefore giving myself some interesting looking burns. They were not terrible in appearance, and so we decided to go and see my regular primary care physician. My doctor tried to get me in to see some burn specialists, but believe it or not, there was no place "burn related" that could see me immediatly (due to the specialty of my burn and because we were approaching Christmas). A week later found my burn infected, and after a lot more scrambling on my doctors part, I FINALLY got in to see a plastic surgeon at UVA. We found out that I actually had 3rd degree burns, requiring a skin graft (there wasn't really enough skin to grow back by itself, so it needed help from outside skin sources). I ended up having my first skin graft surgery on Dec. 24th, and fortunatly it was out patient care, so I was home for Christmas. The week following that surgery was one of the hardest weeks, and I know that the enemy was trying to discourage me by every means possible. Because of the location of the burn, I was only able to lay on my stomach or side for 2 weeks, and not able to bend my right leg at all. I was extremely limited in what I could do (even reading was/is hard) and I couldn't sit at all.
The next week I had a doctors appointment, where I learned that I was going to have ANOTHER surgery, this time using my own skin as the "donor". Because my burn was over a week old, the first skin graft was necessary to get my burn to a place where it would accept my own skin. I had a week of "rest" before the next skin graft, but basically that meant another week on my stomach/side and not going anywhere. God really used this week to restore my strength, for I had not been sleeping well at all due to being uncomfortable or poor circulation in my legs. From the day that the doctor told me I needed another surgery until the day of the surgery, God filled me with strength and hope AND even a little craziness ;). It was actually such a blessing to me...:)On January 9th, I went in for my second surgery at UVA. The surgery went well, and I had some of the nicest nurses/doctors/residents taking care of me. Originally, I was expected to have to stay in the hospital for 4-5 days, but because God answers prayers, they allowed me to go home the day AFTER my surgery! I did have a bit of a rough night that night in the hospital, but overall God blessed me with minimal pain on my burns and the site where they took the skin from. Just for the record, it is possible to travel 30 minutes face down on the front seat...haha! I am currently home now, and am not in too much pain. I will be laying extremely still this week, on my stomach only this time with no sliding my leg at all. I go back to get a checkup next Tuesday, and then we will see what happens next! All I know is that I will not be doing anything that's considered "strenuous" for at least 3-4 more weeks.
The last 3 weeks have been some of the hardest weeks of my life, yet I am even more confident of God's goodness to me and how much he wants me to believe that He IS good. God has sustained me on my completely worst days, through meltdowns, tears and some really bad pain. He has prompted people to send me encouragement at the perfect time. Every single time. He has sent verses at times where I was fed up, and refreshed my spirit in a way that only He can do.
All I know is that God is good, and that He tenderly cares for us SO incredibly much! If you are going through a rough time right now, cling to what we know of God's character--He is faithful, he is good, and He is our savior--and Hold on tight! He will not let you down, but will uphold you "so that your youth is renewed like the eagles" (psalm 103:5). Praise God.
~"[...]These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:7~
In His Care,
Anna"
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