Do You Believe In Miracles?
By CJ Mills on Jun 23, 2008 in asher, life, parenting, videos
I do - especially after today. Many of you were aware that after Asher’s temp dropped on Wednesday, the Doctor decided to take a proactive approach and run all sorts of tests on Asher - one of which included a CT scan of his brain. The results were not good. According to the CT scan, it appeared as though Asher suffered from some brain damage. The CT scan showed cysts in the brain which caused some obvious concern. Andrea and I were a wreck. The Doctor said she was blown away by the results based on Asher’s development thus far, so she ordered an MRI, which would give more detail on the severity and location.
The MRI was not scheduled until Sunday, so we waited 3 LONG days for the MRI - fearing both the unknown and the possible known.
After suffering through long days of no news, our Doctor, who has been absolutely amazing with us, called us around 9:20 last night to let us know the results. She said the MRI and the CT scan do not match up. Whatever brain damage was present in the CT scan is not present in the MRI. However, because the initial CT scan did show some abnormalities, they are not able to say that he is completely clean. In other words (my words, not hers), there is no scientific or medical explanation. She said, however, that “this is the best possible diagnosis you could ask for.”
Hearing it on the phone was one thing, but I wanted to hear it in person…and that happened today.
I got a call from Andrea around 9:00 this morning while at work. She said that Asher was going to be released today. While doing our final paperwork (eerily similar to only a few days before), our new Doctor stopped by to talk to us about the MRI. During the conversation, he used the word “strange” over 10 times to describe the results. “The MRI did not show the same abnormalities that the CT scan showed” - there, I heard it in person as well.
The funny thing is that Andrea and I weren’t too surprised by the Sunday evening phone call, or the face to face conversation today. Here is why:
- The night before the MRI, our Pastor, his wife and Andrea’s mom met us in the NICU to pray over Asher. Andrea’s mom felt a strong calling to pray over him, knowing, for some reason, that everything was going to be OK.
- While in the NICU, Andrea and her mother both had the same picture in their head - Jesus holding Asher’s head in his hands. In fact, they both explained it around the same time.
- The sky on the way home from that prayer meeting on Saturday was absolutely amazing.
- During church service, while the MRI was being conducted, Jim O’Donnell stood before the congregation to share that 12 years ago to the day, his wife nearly passed away after a heart transplant, only to make a remarkable recovery. Jim’s perspective on life has always been a true blessing to my wife and I, and his wife is one of the many unsung heroes of this world. Their story is truly amazing. Listening to Jim struggle to get the words out during the service, fighting back tears all the way, provided me an odd sense of peace. I found it interesting that the day Asher was schedule for his MRI aligned perfectly with Lizzie’s miracle story.
- I helped lead worship on Sunday - again, during the MRI. It was a very powerful moment for me.
- My mother-in-law was also leading worship at her church, during the MRI, and recalled singing the words to Holiness: “Take my mind, transform me.”
- We had a crazy number of people praying for us. Everyone at church, work, family, friends - it was so encouraging. I even had a few of my blogging friends put up posts (here and here) asking people, who had never heard of Asher, to pray. THAT is why I blog.
I don’t know what you believe, or how you want to interpret this story, but I know that I’ve been changed by this entire journey. We still have a ways to go. Andrea and I are having to figure out how to be parents to two kids at the same time - one of which is still a month away from his actual due date. We still have to pay extra close attention to Asher and carry his sleep apnea monitor with us everywhere we go. We still have to wait another four to six months for a follow up MRI to show what the most recent MRI showed - nothing. We still have to worry, as all parents do, that our kids will grow up to be “life changers” among all they encounter. We still have no control of tomorrow…..
I wanted to leave you with a picture that I am holding on tightly to tonight. Enjoy watching Jadyn’s first real interaction with her baby brother…
Nikki Sebren | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
I do believe in miracles! Thank you Jesus for healing Asher and allowing him to come home to his family
Nikki Sebren’s last blog post…Update on Brad
Ashley Barlow | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
Congrats guys! I’m so happy for you! Praise the Lord that your family is complete now! Your family is in my prayers! Asher is so adorable!
GregQualls | Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
Once again… Awesome!
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Heather Duling | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
What sweet pictures.
Thank you Jesus for healing Asher.
What a blessing that he could come home today. Let this testimony bring people to Jesus. Praying for your night tonight as a family of four.
Heather
brent(inWorship) | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
WooHoo!!!!!!
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Brooke | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
congratulations
tam | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
im speechless.
in total awe before our amazing GOD!!!
thank YOU LORD!!
tam’s last blog post…Healthy Insanity?
heather | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
God is sooooo Good! So excited to hear the amazing news that can only come from the Healer Himself! we will continue to keep you all in our prayers
ckroboth | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
Praise God…
The power of our Awesome God.
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Maren | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
Congratulations! Asher is proof that miracles do happen. As for parenting 2, before you know it, you’ll be a pro.
Maren’s last blog post…Knifty Knitter
Lauren Kerr | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
I am so happy for your family. I have continuously prayed for your entire family and especially for Asher’s recovery. What an awesome God to bring him this far! I pray that one day when I have kids I will hopefully have an ounce of yours and Andrea’s courage and strength. You guys are truly amazing! And what a beautiful picture it is of Jadyn holding her baby brother. God Bless!
Tina & Steve | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
WOW, what a true answer to prayer! We love you guys and are so happy to see you all together at home
Obicham te, Buddy!
Laurie Sherck | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
I am a 100% believer in miracles, and think we are all witness to one!! There are great things ahead for Asher! I have a lump in my throat, and chills running up and down my arms just reading of your journey the past frew days and all I can say is Thank You Jesus!! Thank you for watching over Asher, CJ, Andrea and Jadyn. You are awesome!!
Keeping you all in my prayers as you adjust to life with two children, and the random beeping of an apnea monitor. We Love You!!! Aunt Laurie
Chris Elston | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
holey cow! wow!
ScottMocha | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
What an awesome God we serve. Thanks for sharing this story CJ, it rocked my world. YAY GOD!!!
ScottMocha’s last blog post…YAY!!!! A Praise Report
Tyler | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
hey cj-
i’ve never read your blog before but i read about your situation a lot over the past month on various blogs. that is incredible what happened. God is amazing.
Tyler’s last blog post…Floods, Serving, and the Other
Brody | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
Amazing post. Thanks for sharing.
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Andy Borgmann | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
It’s so nice to see that little guy finally home. For some reason, after watching that video, I finally feel like the “trip” is over.
I love you guys very much and I am so proud of how you have handled all of this.
Looking forward to seeing you guys in a month!
Andy Borgmann’s last blog post…Dad’s Are Like America: Happy Father’s Day!
amy | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
Thank you so much for sharing Asher’s story!
As parents of 2 NICU babies, we know your both your struggle and your joy and we rejoice with you over God’s goodness!
Jess Gerstmeyer | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
AWESOME!! Prayer is so powerful, and God is SO AMAZING! I don’t know you guys personally, but I was moved to tears at my desk today while reading your post….you have a beautiful family. (I especially liked the part of the video where Jayden poked Asher in the cheek….)
Brad Ruggles | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
Lisa and I are so happy for you guys! What an awesome answer to prayer! This little guy is going to lead quite a life.
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Nick | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
awesome… isn’t He?
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Velma Sherck | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
Yes, I believe in miracles and the power of prayer. I did not request prayer for Asher in our Service on Sunday morning as I was afraid that I would cry but I spent most of the prayer time praying for Asher and Rachel as well. The time was probably pretty close to the time that they were doing the MRI. Anyway PRAISE THE LORD!!! He is an AWSOME GOD…Love you. “G-G”
Marvin | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
this is fantastic news bro! Praise God!
Jono | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
Very VERY good news. Things will certainly be difficult at home, but you have a great network of friends and family that will be by your side the whole way, whether physically, mentally, or spiritually–myself 100% included. You might be interested in talking with my parents about the “miraculous” diagnostic news that my niece Zoe received when she was a newborn. It eerily parallels the same reaction your doctor had to the CT/MRI discontinuity. Keep it righteous….
Tina Whitney | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
God is Awesome !!!!
Christopher Spurgeon | Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
What a wonderful story, we will continue to pray for your family. Crazy how God works!
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mandy | Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
wow.
i just….
i.
wow!!!
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Ammar Alwattar | Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
I was sitting on an air plane yesterday next to Angela and she was telling me about her nephew Asher. This is an awesome story and I will keep checking out this blog! God Bless.
brandiandboys | Jul 12, 2008 | Reply
what a beautiful story… congratulations to your family. i’m so excited to see that sweet baby come home!
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