We’ve had a sobering reminder of the frailty of our plans in this life.

Isaac cut his right thumb fairly seriously while we were working today. Michael accompanied Isaac to the local emergency room, and now they are being sent to Springfield, IL to see a specialist there.

I don’t know many more details than that. Suffice it to say, we won’t be accomplishing much more this weekend on the Monroe house project.

I rest in the confidence that Our Loving Shepherd is in perfect control of this situation. I am feeling weak though, so as the Lord brings us to mind, we would appreciate your prayers.

Update: 4:30 pm.

Michael and Isaac stopped by home to pick up a few things before heading to Springfield. It was good to see Isaac, even though he had a big bandage on his right hand. He was able to come into the house and see everyone.

We are humbled and grateful by the outpouring of love and prayer from all of you. I will post updates here as I have them.

Update: 5:30 pm.

Last I heard, Michael and Isaac had arrived at the hospital and were checking in. I’m so anxious to hear further news, such as when Isaac’s thumb will be operated on, etc. I don’t know if they’ll admit him to the hospital or if it’s an outpatient surgery. There’s so much I don’t know.

Interestingly, one of our pastors went with Michael and Isaac to Springfield. It’s hard to believe how loving our church family is during these times. We are so grateful.

Update: 6:30 pm.

Michael just called and said that he had turned Isaac over to the operating staff. They said it could be an hour or two, or it could be longer. So now we just wait and see what they’re able to do. They’ll knock Isaac out completely, so it will go quickly for him. The rest of us will wait and pray.

For me, the mundane things of life demand my attention. Some children want supper, others need to be sent to bed. Squabbles must be settled, and laundry is running in the background. Isn’t it interesting how the mundane things of life can be rather comforting during stressful times? And these same mundane things aren’t nearly as irritating when there are bigger issues hovering.

I can best summarize my feelings right now with this that I just wrote in an e-mail to a friend:

I don’t know what the next few days hold… but I do know that we rest securely not only in God’s hands but in the care of His people who are surrounding us with earthly reminders of our Father’s love.

Update: 7:30 pm.

Surgery is done! The doctors had originally said it might be several hours, but the whole thing went much faster than they anticipated. Isaac has four pins in his thumb, and everything is reattached. Since the cut did go through the growth plate, Isaac’s thumb might not grow properly, and his range of motion may be more limited in that thumb. But it sounds like everything else should be fine. I get the impression that the tendon and nerves and everything else is going to be fine, and I’m sure he will learn to use that thumb and compensate for any deficiency in growth.

Isaac needs to go back to Springfield a week from Monday to see the doctor again.

They will be at the hospital for a few more hours tonight and then will come home. Is it possible that this nightmare will be over before midnight? I will be glad when our family is reunited.

Update: 9:30 pm.

Michael just called to say that they are in the van on their way home. Isaac is pretty groggy. The surgeon was surprised that the hospital did not admit Isaac and keep him overnight.

Not only was Isaac under general anesthesia, but they also gave him a local anesthesia on his thumb as well as a dose of Tyenol with Codeine. Isaac needs to take the Tylenol every six hours for a while, even through the night. The nurse said that it’s important to keep ahead of the pain, because it’s much harder to take care of the pain after it gets bad. We’ll have Isaac sleep in our room in my recliner so it will be easier to take care of him.

Michael and Isaac should be home within a few hours. I will be so glad when this day is over. It has been unreal in so many ways.

Update: 11:00 pm.

Isaac is home. Michael will be home soon. He asked to be dropped off at the Monroe house so he could bring the blue car home. He’ll stop and get Isaac’s pain medication on the way home.

Isaac seems chipper and talkative. The first thing he said to me was that he was able to keep his thumb. I hadn’t realize that he was worried that it wouldn’t be salvageable. He also told me he hasn’t seen his thumb since the surgeon fixed it. Isaac’s hand is all wrapped up in a huge bandage, so I’m guessing none of us will see that thumb for a while.

Laura was still awake when Isaac got home, so she has been visiting with him. It is interesting to me how well these two kids can get along sometimes. They are better friends than they realize, and they love each other more than they realize. Maybe someday they’ll understand.

I wish I could thank everyone who has been supportive of us during this very long day. I’m sure I’ll never be able to adequately express my thanks. No doubt there were people praying that I will never know about. Still, let me say thanks to the Crumbaugh’s for being there for us; thanks to Pastor Dave for driving Michael and Isaac to and from Springfield; thanks to Melissa J. and Bethany R. for offering to bring meals to us; and thanks to our mothers and other family members for praying and checking in on us. Thanks above all to God for guiding us through this day and reminding us that no matter what, He is with us in the tough times.

Update: Saturday morning

We settled into bed last night with great relief and exhaustion. Isaac was awake after sleeping on the way home from Springfield, so Michael started a movie for him before we fell asleep. We had alarms set to remind us to give Isaac his next pain pill at 3 a.m.

A little after 2 a.m. Isaac woke me up begging to have his pain pill early. His thumb was hurting him so badly he was crying in pain. We gave him his pill along with some food and encouraged him to be patient while the meds did their job. Unfortunately it was still a rough road for Isaac for several hours after that. He tried to be brave and patient, but I could hear him crying softly as the pain was just more than he could bear. Finally he was able to sleep, and he didn’t wake up until it was time for his 8 a.m. pill.

This morning his thumb has been hurting quite a bit, but not with the same unbearable pain as last night. Still, I suspect that as he gets closer to being ready for another dose of medication, the pain will be worse. Since our fingers are so full of nerve endings, I suspect it’s just a very painful place to be injured so badly.

Michael and I are trying to figure out what to do with ourselves today. We have agreed that for now, until Isaac is stabilized, we will not all go over to the Monroe house to work. Instead, Michael and I will take turns going and doing the things we do best. In some ways, it might be easier to work without interruption if we aren’t trying to corral all of the children and work at the same time.

For a long time I’ve tried to explain to Isaac that when one member of our family hurts we all hurt along with them. He hasn’t believed me, so I pointed out again to him how his injury has affected our whole family. We are not capable of proceeding as before. We all cringe with him when he is in pain. We all check on him and give him things he needs. We all feel somewhat handicapped when we see his big white bandage. We are a family.