Miracles Do Happen

Welcome to the story of Alexander Michael Zarzana. A five year old boy who endured brain surgery to remove two Arterio Venous Malformations from the right frontal lobe. This is the conclusion of a seven post blog series written in the form of a letter to my son Alex. If you are reading this blog for the first time, I recommend that you start on the first posting of the series so that you can enjoy the story from the beginning. This blog series is being written for four reasons:

1. To strengthen the faith of my young son Alexander on the day that he is able to read this blog for himself. We serve a God who does great things.

2. To encourage parents who may go through the same type of struggle that Joanne and I did. 

3. To give due thanks for the nurses, doctors, and surgeons that took amazing care of our little Alex.

4. To give glory, honor and thanks to the Lord who brought our son back home to us.

Alexander the Brave One

Daddy and Alex

My dearest Alex,

I prepare my heart and spirit with care before writing the remainder of this letter. You see son, the world we currently live in is one that doubts God's existence. It is filled with people who wonder if God has fallen asleep, or perhaps never existed; or did exist for a time and is now dead. There are some whose depth of disbelief and anger toward God goes deep, believing that He has left us to float along aimlessly on a planet in outer-space; with a helpless struggle to find meaning and purpose where none can be found. But the conclusion of this letter, in my opinion; attests to the inaccuracy of believing such a thing.

The next day, you awoke from recovery. Your nurses and therapists came in once more to assess your condition. It was believed that the bulk of your immediate recovery had already been seen when you stood and balanced yourself on the walker. Your caregivers were certain that therapeutic services would still be needed to get you to stand and walk on your own. But as I stated earlier, we serve a big God who cares deeply for us and has the ability to answer our requests. It is not that God always heals, because He doesn't; but sometimes the Lord chooses to show His magnificent power, especially to those who put their trust in Him.

I believe the video that you are about to watch is  the result of many prayers lifted up to heaven on your behalf. Not only were you able to stand and walk on your own, but you were also able to do this.

Alex's Unbelievable Recovery

By the way, it was not easy for daddy to keep up with you. 

Everyone who witnessed this miracle were astounded and amazed . You could see that mommy was a little nervous and kept a hand near to protect you. She too was beyond words when seeing how well you were. 

Do you remember the prayer I prayed for you before going into surgery son? It went like this, "God, please comfort and strengthen Alex in this time. I ask that he come out fully restored and whole in the end. I recognize that you are using these physicians to bring healing, but you are the great physician and can heal Alex in places where doctors can't. Please heal him."

God answers prayer!

After witnessing this miracle, we went back to your room and spent time watching movies together and playing games. The nurses brought in a sweet drum pad for you to play. Something to encourage movement on your upper bodies left side. You and your brother rocked out on this thing for nearly an hour, recording beats at high and low tempos.

Drum Pad that Alex and Christian Played On

We remained in the Hospitals care and watched movies you loved while enjoying food that every child envies (bacon, pizza, ice cream etc.). You took a nap in the later evening, so Christian and I colored a special picture for you and hung it across from your bed. I took a snapshot of it to have it as a keep sake.

Picture that Daddy and Christian Colored

Christian and I traveled back to the Ronald McDonald House and slept the night away. It would be impossible to tell you in words how I was feeling that night. I made a lot of calls to express gratitude to many family and friends that had been praying for you. They were filled with joy to hear of your recovery and were also convinced, even some I know to be skeptics, that a true miracle had transpired.

Christian and I woke up the next morning and traveled back to the Hospital. Upon our arrival, we were soon greeted with incredible news from one of your nurses who sat down in the room with us and said, "Let me first say that no one can believe how well Alex is doing. No one here has EVER seen a child bounce back in recovery like this. After talking it over, the doctors and the team have decided that Alex can be released from the Hospitals care." Your mother and I just sat and listened with smiles on our faces. The thought, "God is good" was one that resonated in our minds as the nurse spoke. Truly He is.

After receiving the news, we heard that there was a Hospital Bingo game that was about to kick off. You wanted to be a part of that action so we got our bingo card, cuddled up and tuned the TV on to the game. Daddy held the stamp card and you marked our spaces as they were called. Here is a picture and video of the game I enjoyed with you.

Daddy and Alex playing Bingo Together

Alex Announced as a Winner!

The smile on your face was priceless after hearing the girl congratulate your winning. If you didn't hear it, the gentlemen on the television said, "Alex is smart!". Mommy laughed when she heard him say it. We smiled and agreed with the man's assessment of you :)

After the Bingo game, we had to play the waiting game for a couple hours as we awaited the final word that you could go home. Before leaving, it was my hope that you would get to see your amazing surgeons Dr. Baird and Dr. Gupta before leaving. They both made special trips in the midst of busy meetings to get a picture with you. I wish I could see into the hearts of these two individuals, especially in the moment that they took these pictures with you.

Alex and Dr. Baird

Alex and Dr. Gupta

Dr. Baird's face turned red with joy as she held you close in that picture. Dr. Gupta was elated as well. You gave them both a hug before parting and thanked them for what they did. I thanked them too, and I thank them still now. I have more thanks toward them than they could ever know, your mother and I are both forever grateful. Thank you Dr. Baird, thank you Dr. Gupta, thank you medical team for tenderly, effectively and faithfully caring for our son and the many other sons and daughters that you lovingly embrace until recovery. I could only imagine some of the trials you suffer, but I thank you for suffering with me and my family as we hoped together for Alex's recovery.

After receiving word that we could leave, we loaded up our luggage and traveled away from the Hospital. We were on our way to a restaurant for a celebratory dinner. At the bottom of the hill that traveled up to OHSU, we spotted one of your physical therapists who took care of you. I rolled down the window to get her attention. She was filled with excitement as she saw our family leaving with you in tow. She gave a thumbs up to the awesomeness of your leaving the hospital.

Alex's Therapist Giving a Thumbs up

We drove to the restaurant and enjoyed some fondue together. Our friends Taylor and Melissa joined the gathering. As we waited for the food to come to our table, you cuddled up in Mommy's arms and rested for some time. 

Alex and Mommy Resting Together Before Dinner

That look you see on mommy's face is a mixture of exhaustion and joy. As I prepare to seal up this letter, I want to remind you that mommy was consistently and faithfully by your side as you recovered. I am of the opinion that there was no person, including myself; that prayed harder for you than she. I am telling you this so that you can walk away from this letter with thanksgiving in your heart for mommy's love. I ask you to soon find your mother after reading this and give her the hug, kiss and embrace she deserves for being the amazing woman she is.

We left from the restaurant and stayed one more night at the Ronald McDonald House. We all cuddled up together in the king size bed and slept in peace once again as a family filled with love. And not just any kind of love, but the kind that only God can put between families. Truly His eyes are watching over us, His hands are upon us, and His heart is with us. I hope that every family that reads this story understands that God desires to watch over them in the same manner as well. They need only ask the Christ into their hearts and invite Him into their homes, so that He may be a part of their lives. 

I don't know what all the future holds son, but I believe that you will have your own family; and perhaps more than anything, I hope that you will lead your family into the grace of Christ. God has used you, and He will continue to use you. Let Him do so and remember to always give Him thanks.

I leave this letter with one final message, but it is not my message; it is yours. This is a message for all those who bent the knee to our Lord and asked for Alex's recovery. Alex has something to say to you.

One Final Message from Alexander the Brave One

The End

Interested in supporting the author of this blog? You can do so by purchasing "The Son Who Chases the Father" at chasethefather.com 

Joshua Zarzana can be found on Facebook or Twitter

Thank you for reading.

The God Who Heals

Welcome to the continued story of Alexander Michael Zarzana. A five year old boy who endured brain surgery to remove two Arterio Venous Malformations from the right frontal lobe. This is the sixth of seven posts on this blog that is written in the form of a letter to my son Alex. If you are reading this blog for the first time, I recommend that you start on the first posting of the series so that you can enjoy the story from the beginning. This blog series is being written for four reasons:

1. To strengthen the faith of my young son Alexander on the day that he is able to read this blog for himself. We serve a God who does great things.

2. To encourage parents who may go through the same type of struggle that Joanne and I did. 

3. To give due thanks for the nurses, doctors, and surgeons that took amazing care of our little Alex.

4. To give glory, honor and thanks to the Lord who brought our son back home to us.

Alexander the Brave One

At 9am in the morning, I headed downstairs to get your mother some coffee and a breakfast sandwich. When I returned, the nurses and physical therapists were in the ICU to wake you. "We want to try and assess Alex's baseline and see what kind of strength he has." Your mother and I were anxious to see how you were. Many questions lingered in our mind, the same kinds of questions that lingered from your first surgery. Would you have mobility on your left side? Would you wake up, once more, as the same Alex that we knew before surgery? Would there be any permanent damage?

The two nurses present had to call out a few times and gently shake your shoulder before you began to wake up. Seeing you regain consciousness was a blessing in and of itself. Throughout the middle of the night, I had paranoid fears, wondering if you would wake up at all. You were barely able to open your eyes as you woke. Mommy and daddy were right by your side as you came to. Mommy held on to your right hand and smiled down on you. My eyes intently studied each of your movements as you slowly became cognizant. I noticed that your left side did not move. 

As you began to try and sit up, a nurse placed her hand beneath your back to help you up. You were lethargic and drowsy as you tried to wake. The other nurse removed the blanket from your torso and placed your legs over the side of the bed after sitting you up. Fear began to set in my mind as I watched the nurses balance your limp body. Your head drooped, arms hung at your side, and body looked near lifeless. The therapists brought in a dog named Sunny in efforts to get you to become more responsive. Here is a video of that moment:

After taking that video, your mother asked me if she could watch the recording. Anguish was layered on her face as she asked. I responded with concern, "Why do you want to watch it?" Your mother laid silent after asking the question. "Honey, I don't think it is a video worth watching again." We were both broken as we witnessed your unresponsiveness to Sunny and the nurses requests. There was a little movement from your left arm, which was a blessing to be counted, but in hindsight of the present situation; we were both wrecked within.

The nurses and therapists spoke with your mother and I:

"We want to get him into therapy immediately." they said.

"How long do you think he will have to undergo rehabilitative services? Do you think he will be able to walk on his left side again?"  I asked.

"It is too early to tell how long he will have to be in therapy. We can't promise full rehabilitation on his left side. From what we are seeing, it will likely take weeks to get him up and walking on his own. We can't promise a full recovery, but the slight movement from his left arm is a good sign, so stay optimistic."

The nurses tried their best to make your mother and I feel positive, but we were beside ourselves. Why couldn't you have just woken up like you had from the first surgery? I thought to myself. At one point, that was my confident hope. But now I just hoped that you would be able to regain your strength and be able to walk and play again.

After realizing that we were going to be in the Hospital for some time, your mother called the local Ronald McDonald house to request a room. We were blessed to get in the same day. I went to pick up your brother from Grandma Karen's. He asked how you were doing as we traveled down the freeway to the Ronald McDonald house, but I didn't know how to respond. "Just pray for your brother Christian." I said. "Okay, Dad." Christian responded back. After about five minutes of silence, your brother piped up again:

"Hey Dad, you know God can heal people right?"

"Yes Christian, I know that."

"God is going to heal Alex Dad."

There wasn't a shred of doubt in Christian's voice as he said it. I wanted to respond to him with some of my skeptical side, tell him that God doesn't always heal everyone. Christian understands this truth, but he was confident that his little brother was going to be fine, and who was I to take that from him in that moment. I glanced back at Christian and said, "I hope you are right son". After dropping our stuff off at the Ronald McDonald House, we traveled back to the Hospital where you slept. Christian wanted to try and wake you up so we allowed him to do so:

"Alex, wake up." Christian said as he shook your shoulder.

I believe that what happened next was a miracle. You woke up with excitement and greeted your brother. It was a surprise to see how responsive you were. You asked to be sat up and mommy and daddy got a wheel chair next to your bed and placed you upright in it. Here is a picture of you and Christian sitting together.

Christian and Alex Reunited Again

You still did not have much movement on your left side but we were ecstatic to see you wake in the manner that you did. Amazed at what seemed to be a sudden turn of events, Joanne and I discussed what to do next and we decided that I would stay at the Hotel with your brother overnight. My eyes and mind were tired from lack of sleep, but back at the hotel room, after watching a cartoon with your brother, he and I cuddled up and fell asleep peacefully. I now had a reason to feel positive, and my faith was bolstered in believing that you would be okay. After all, there were thousands of people praying for you, thousands, and we serve a God who is in the business of answering many prayers with a powerful response. I have lived a life of witnessing God's providence throughout my walk and journey with Him, so why not believe in Him now? Why not trust that God could do something big? Another day passed where you spent time in recovery. Your friends Layla and Stacy showed up again to say hello to you. We went out into the courtyard and took a picture together. Here is the pic.

Alex with Joshua, Christian and Layla

Another day came and went with little movement being seen on your left side but your mother and I, along with more family and friends than we can count, continued to pray for your recovery.

The next morning a response to those prayers was clearly seen. I called your mother on the way to the Hospital from the Ronald McDonald House:

"Josh," your mother said,  "The therapists came out today to reassess Alex and he was able to stand up on a walker after getting out of bed!"

"That's amazing honey!"

"I know, right! The therapists couldn't believe how well he was doing. They still want him to have therapy, but praise God that he is up and nearly balancing on his own with a walker! He even took a couple steps forward as I helped him balance!"

"Praise God." I said, "Praise Him."

After getting to the Hospital and arriving back at your room, I greeted you with joy. You smiled at me cheerfully with some pride on your face and said.

"Hi Dad."

"Hi buddy" I said back, "I am so proud of you, I heard you got out of bed and walked."

"Yes I did." You said with a grin.

You wanted to get out of bed again and show me that you were able to stand up with your walker. You looked confident so your mother and I decided to let you. Here is a picture of the proud and relieving moment.

Alex Standing with his Walker

Witnessing your recovery continued to bolster my faith. We still had a long road ahead to get you back to normal strength, but praise and adoration before God was expressed as we rejoiced over your healing. God is good, and as you read this son, I pray that you know that truth beyond a shadow of a doubt. Just how good God is, will be told in my final letter of this blog. I love you.


To be concluded 27 September 2014.

Interested in supporting the author of this blog? You can do so by purchasing his book, "The Son Who Chases the Father" at chasethefather.com 

Joshua Zarzana can also be found on Facebook or Twitter

Thank you for reading.