grace led in life

Happy Thanksgiving everyone 💛
We have so much to be thankful for. So grateful for each and every one of you that has prayed for Isla and our family, supported us so kindly, and encouraged us along the way. 

Isla is 3 weeks into recovery...
She is doing ok but has had some tough days this recovery. Isla is such a tough girl...she doesn't want to slow down but has definitely still needed rest throughout the day. We are so thankful for her Home/Hospital schooling - her para educator will come to our home for a couple of hours a day to do some school with Isla as she is able.
We are thankful for this crisp air season - creates more of a cozy atmosphere for rest.  

We wanted to share a bit more about the complications during Isla's last surgery. 

Isla's expansion of her V.E.P.T.R. rods went well and was successful, but her airway has become significantly worse, which caused a very difficult time of intubation (placing of the breathing tube). 
Isla has had the label of "extreme difficult airway" for a while now, but her airway has become significantly worse, even since her last surgery (8 months ago) The anesthesiologist told us "Isla's airway is now an acute angle". It took multiple attempts and 5 or 6 anesthesiologists working together to try to find a way to intubate our girl. We thank God that after multiple attempts, one finally worked, and surgery could move forward to expanding Isla's V.E.P.T.R. rods. 

We are working on trying to meet with the airway specialist ENT team and we will be speaking with Isla's surgeon this next week. We aren't ready to go too deep into details here yet, but this is very serious. Airway issues are very dangerous, and these surgeries are necessary for Isla to have lung function. When the risks with an airway become dangerous, the ability to do any surgeries goes down. 
Our hearts are hurting and there are many unknowns ahead. 
Please keep praying for miracles for Isla. 
Please pray we can get these consult appointments asap with the specialists. 

Our hearts and minds have felt heavy. We are reminded of just how precious life is. We have such thankfulness for all the miracles God has done in our family, but certain circumstances are a big reminder that each day is truly a gift. Isla has been through so much... so many huge challenges and the strength and determination she has to not let anything stop her is truly a God-given deep desire in her and it is incredible. She is a miracle. We love her so much. She is hurting yet has such joy. 

Isla had harder week with the low fevers and feeling a bit weaker than her normal... 
She spent the day prior to Thanksgiving in the ER for 8 hours. We needed to be sure to check for infection. Praise God, we were able to rule out infection at this time... ALWAYS SO THANKFUL FOR THAT! 

Thanksgiving Day we made a yummy meal. Isla requested that we have a "fancy dinner" and wore her sequins and crown. 

The sun peeked out from the clouds and so we decided to take Isla for a drive to one of our fav places to watch the sunset. 

We arrived at our spot, and it was just beautiful. Typically, it is very windy by the shore, but there was no wind... it was SO still, peaceful, and such good medicine for us all...a gift! 
The sunset was BRILLIANT - filled with so much PINK! 
So good to get in God's creation and be reminded of who he is... to reflect on his goodness. He has done countless miracles. He is faithful... always. So thankful... From the rising of the sun to the place where is sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised same. Psalm 113:3