grace led in life: Pre-op appointment day

Today was pre-operation appointment day. We took Isla in for x-rays and to see her surgeon and medical team. We discussed how Isla is doing currently, looked at x-rays, discussed her condition, and talked through Friday's surgery.
It is always so good to Isla's "team" - these people have all played a huge role in Isla's life. We are constantly filled with gratefulness that they are fighting for Isla - helping to save her life.
They are always very humble about it, but we cannot visit with them without thanking them. They feel like family to us...
It is heart-wrenching to see your child live with a life-threatening condition. If you remember when we brought Isla home, we had a well known medical team say she will not live and she is too severe for any doctor to attempt caring for her. It shattered us. We have such a deep gratitude for Isla's doctors and medical team at CHOP. They said YES to fighting for Isla's life. They are a breath of fresh air for us. God led us to CHOP when it felt like all was lost and now we see Isla thriving and we pray for the miracles to continue.
Only time will tell for sure, but we felt it was a miracle today...
Isla's surgeon said he feels that Isla's curvature of part of her spine had straightened out a bit! That is not just good news...but GREAT news that we pray will continue! We praise God for every victory - it may seem small, but any good news is a victory!
Sadly, our precious girl is very fused again. Her ribs/thoracic vertebrae that were cut in her first surgeries continue to fuse back together. Her doctor continues to say that area is "a big block of concrete". So, much was discussed for next surgery and we talked about a few things that may happen in the future. Right now, the crucial focus needs to continue to be her lungs - keeping that ribcage open for the hope of her lungs to grow.
Overall, her team feels like she is doing well and they plan to do her 3rd VEPTR expansion this Friday.
Our day at CHOP went from mid morning until 2pm...we all were quite tired, so we just headed back to the hotel to rest, play games/toys, and process the day.
Tomorrow we will head back to CHOP in the morning to meet with Isla's Pulmonary doctor and for her to have a lung/breathing test.
THANK YOU for praying for Isla and our family!