Rudyard Kipling’s “If-” is one of my favourites. Reminding myself that nothing stays the same is a prudent way to cope with the triumphs and disasters of our journey with Ted’s special heart.
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
This week following an entire school holiday period without even a sniffle, Teddy now has a cough. I have spoken with his paediatrician and his cardiologist and his surgery is now in doubt for the 18th of February.
Rescheduling isn’t particularly simple as it involves coordinating a massive team of specialists not to mention our own family logistics. So here I find myself in an even more uncertain state of limbo than I was a week ago. Ted now has until next Thursday to lose the cough.
A harmless little cough is enough to halt the Fontan journey so we need it gone. We have five days. Get your prayers on people!
First week of school was excellent bar the acquisition of the cough. Like how he is on his toes to look taller? Cute.
teddyhasaspecialheart 
I nearly lost my breath when I opened your post tonight as Bryan (my husband) has recited this same poem – well, the bolded portion of it – to me when discussing surgical recovery. We have often talked about how our sanity in the hospital (is there such thing?) comes from handling any news on a sort of Foulcaut’s pendulum. Never get too happy at the good news or too sad at the bad. I don’t often manage this – my tendency is to freak out at nearly everything, anticipating the worst, and then enjoying the pleasant surprise when it isn’t as grim as I once believed. Anyway, my heart aches for you in the time of waiting. The only anticipation that is enjoyable is that of a baby and during Advent. We’ve never had to anticipate surgery this long and I can see how it weighs on you.
I am praying for Teddy. That this irritating cough will pass quickly so you can forge onward to February 18th and get this F-word behind you.
Much love from Charleston.
Elisabeth >
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Carolyn and Teddy, we are in prayer with you every step of the way. love m xxoo
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Carolyn look at Ted just wanting to be tall like his gorgeous Tabi. I can just imagine how frustrating the appearance of the cough has been. Timing is the worst. I hope that Ted manages to recover and shake the cough off in time. Will you keep him home from school to minimise getting infections from other kids in the lead up?
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Teddy and Tabi both look great in their school uniform. I hope Teddy’s cough passes quickly and all goes well
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