Saturday, September 27, 2014

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.

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