Why New York? (Part Two)

Continued from previous post:

So, hearing my daughter pray each day, reading Sherri's blog and talking with her from time to time, I found myself praying for her fervently, thinking often about Isaac... One Sunday, as I was praying for God to raise up a group of people to give her family additional support and encouragement, to uplift them in prayer, I felt impressed that God wanted me to go to New York! That's crazy, what could I do, I thought? I hate flying! We don't have the money...my excuses and thoughts raced on!

If I went, I wanted to take Tatiana with me so she could come back and tell her brothers that Isaac is real! He's not just a photo on the web! And she could pray for him in person! Thinking Ben would dismiss the idea, I told him! He said "Go!" What? Then all the reasons why I couldn't raced through my mind again...then, I told God if it were him, I needed him to give me the opportunity at work to make some extra money to go...Haha...the next month or so, I did have extra calls, paying for me, Tatiana and even Andrew to go to New York! God is good! I've said before, "If it's His will, He'll foot the bill!" He did!

Sherri, Caleb and Isaac met us at the airport. I had no idea what I was going to do there. My hope was that I could just be some sort of "help" to them, and maybe allow time for Sherri and Joel to get out of the house and spend time together. Deep in my heart, I wanted to see miracles happen... I wanted to see things manifest as we had been praying for... I wanted to see my friend smile and be encouraged!

Meeting Isaac: It was so awesome to see the little guy that I had been praying over for so long! He is beautiful! His locks are gorgeous! And don't underestimate him...he's smart and can be a little manipulative, too (kids learn early!)...One thing I learned right away, Isaac loves his big brother, Caleb!

I had the opportunity to help Sherri at feeding times; and I was so blessed to even be able to do that. Some may think this isn't so a big deal, but it is concerning Isaac. You see all his food must be blended up before he can eat to prevent choking and he must have a certain medicine mixed in with it. Isaac has problems controlling the muscles in his jaws/mouth. I'm sure this is as frustrating to Isaac as it would be to others when given food it usually comes right back out. You had to be quick to catch it! I think by the end of my stay I was getting more comfortable with it and not stressing so much as itt dripped onto his bib.

One really cool thing that Sherri and Joel have taught Isaac since they've been home is when he's finished eating, he lifts and swings his arm forward, toward the spoonful you're about to try to give him, and this signifies that he's finished eating! I thought that was so neat! I would try to give him more just for laughs and giggles, and to say "I've been swatted by Isaac!"

My concern before I went was a fear that Isaac was really fragile. Of course, he is, but at the same time he's not. What does that mean? Well, I'm not totally sure if this is the correct jargon, but if Sherri reads this post maybe she'll correct. Isaac "hyperextends" (?) his legs almost all the time. It is difficult to get him in the "sitting" position. You must actually bend his limbs. Sometimes he is okay with that and others, he might fuss. I remember sitting outside in the back yard with him watching the other kids playing. As I was praying for the limbs to strengthen, and Isaac to have normal motor functioning, I thought about how much that Isaac must want to just get out of that body and run and jump and play... My heart hurt for my little friend. It also frustrated me as I could not explain why God would not just heal him, why God would linger...

Isaac didn't seem to throw a lot of tantrums while I was there for the most part except at night, and when Sherri and I took the other children to the zoo, and left him with Joel. During the night, I didn't know how they would feel if I got up to check on him when I heard him crying. I also was kindof scared. What if I couldn't get him to stop crying? One of my thoughts were to just check on him, if all was okay, just let him cry; he'll stop eventually right, a tantrum...well, Sherri won't do that. Why? She is SO considerate. While we were there, she didn't want it to disturb us, but then she also does that each night, because she wants her husband to get enough rest for work. Joel is a state trooper and often that job title comes with excessive stress alone. How considerate. How selfless! I can't imagine how that would wear on the body night after night, day after day...I was only there for a few days. I only had a glimpse of what their life was like.

Isaac also has special chairs, toys, and other neat things to help him in his therapies. The chairs are very helpful. One chair that he uses when he eats braces his head somewhat. Isaac isn't able to hold his head up very well and it sort of rolls from side to side instead of turning side to side, unless he has that bracing it. He does very well at following people or things with his eyes! I asked several times, "Where's big brother?" He would smile usually, and find Caleb with his eyes! Caleb often showered Isaac with hugs and kisses. He is a great big brother!

Isaac also has this neat stretchy fabric that Sherri and Joel or the therapist use to toss or swing him in the air. Sherri and I did this with Isaac for what seemed like FOREVER!!! I'm sure it was only a few minutes, but sheesh! I had to use a lot of self talk ("I will not let this baby fall. I will not drop this baby!") I'm weak! Sherri has gained much arm muscle from this new addition! It was pretty cool, though, and Isaac loved it! And, it's a great workout for those arms!

Isaac also had braces on his legs to help straighten his feet and certain bones at the bottom of his feet. Before I left, Sherri commented on how she thought a muscle in his calf had formed on the top of the brace. She was going to talk with the doctor at the next appt concerning that.

Isaac is a beautiful child. I can only imagine what he will be like running and jumping around one day! I can only imagine what stories he will share when he is able to communicate verbally. I can only imagine what goes through his little mind right now... I thank God for him, and I know God has a great plan for this little child and this family.

I thank God for letting me be part of their story in some little way... I believe this story is so much bigger than Isaac, than the Cousineau family, than the sickness, it's big! Please help me pray for his complete healing and strength for Sherri and Joel as they face daily challenges caring for him, as they wait for that healing...

(Why New York? Part Three --What I learned about Sherri & Conclusion)