This Day in History ... 1987

Before surgery December 1987

Twenty-one years ago we were in Dallas, awaiting Timmy's recovery from major surgery and his release from Presbyterian Hospital. At seven months, Timmy still weighed less than ten pounds - a pound and a half over his birth weight. A surgical procedure that led to our surgeon later losing his license following a child's death, literally saved our baby's life. (For more information see "nissen fundoplication")  Now doctors can do this procedure laparoscopically.

My once-vivid memories are now vague impressions: tiny little Timmy hooked up to a variety of machines, being fed through a tube, nurses frantically trying to find a vein for the IV, Santa Claus and Christmas carolers coming to cheer us up, 2-year-old Christopher playing in the hospital playroom, the loneliness and despair of being so far away from friends with only a handful of visitors to console us. Those were dark and fearsome days.

By God's mercy, the surgery was successful. On our third wedding anniversary, December 18th, Timmy got to come "home" to my parents' house. What a happy day that was! We quickly packed for the long drive to Illinois to be with Jim's family for Christmas as we had on our honeymoon. Within a few short months, Timmy had reached the milestone of 18 pounds, and we were cleared to return to Guatemala.

Back in Guatemala 1988