It's a miracle...

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their care and concern in behalf of our little Ruby girl. I know that over the past two weeks countless prayers have been offered. Her name has been placed upon the prayer rolls of the temple. Fasts have been rendered. Faith has been exhibited. Blessings have been administered. Words of love and encouragement have been imparted. And we truly have cause to rejoice in our merciful Lord as we have witnessed not just one miracle - but miracle...upon miracle...upon miracle...

For those who may be feeling a bit "out of the loop", allow me to fill you in. Exactly two weeks ago, Ruby had an encounter with a dog who apparently couldn't resist sinking his teeth into those pleasingly plump cheeks of hers.
We spent several hours in the Emergency rooms of two different hospitals and were seen by doctors and nurses - each confirming that the punctures and lacerations in her lips and cheek would require several stitches. However, we insisted on seeing a plastic surgeon (and were finally referred to one), who, after looking her closely over, actually advised against suturing the wounds. He assured us that in time, every single one of her wounds would heal completely on it's own. "Stitching everything up", he said, "would increase her chances of having permanent facial scarring". That was our first miracle. Not actually needing any stitches.

After being home for a day and a half, we noticed a red spot on her face. She didn't have a fever, but all signs were pointing to infection. We called the Emergency Room at the hospital, and were advised to bring her back in. They told us that most likely the antibiotic they had initially sent us home with, was probably not doing the trick, and that if we came back in, they could give us a new prescription. After taking one look at her, the pediatric doctor determined that the infection was serious and that she would need to be hospitalized. They administered an IV, and immediately started the antibiotic. Although having to be in the hospital for nearly four days was less than ideal, we were truly blessed to have taken her in when we did. By doing so, Ruby received the treatment she needed to fight the infection before it got too out of hand. Another miracle.

During the time Ruby was in the hospital, the doctors and nurses were concerned about an abscess in her cheek under the surface of her skin. Every effort was made to keep her wounds from healing over so that the infection could drain out. On the fourth day, the redness and swelling had gone down considerably, and thankfully, her doctor didn't feel the need to keep us there any longer. He was still concerned about the abscess in her cheek, (which had not gone down in the slightest), and spoke with the plastic surgeon about the possibility of having it surgically drained. The surgeon said that he wanted to see us the following week to discuss our possible options. Unexpectedly, he called us at the end of the week and wanted to take a look at her. We took her to his Scottsdale office, and after looking over her face and feeling what the other doctors were calling an "abscess", he informed us of their error. It was not an abscess after all. It was nothing more than some inflammation of the tissue (induration) caused by the injury. She was still infected, but he told us to make sure she completed her course of antibiotic (7 days orally at home), and that after some time, the hardness and inflammation would go down. What a miracle that Ruby wasn't going to need surgery.

Within 1/2 an hour of her accident, John, with the assistance of Joe (our brother-in-law), gave Ruby a blessing. He particularly felt impressed to bless her to remain calm, to be comfortable, and allow the doctors to do what they needed to to help her. Miraculously, Ruby has not experienced any pain due to her injuries. And if she has, she has not made it apparent in the least. She has been in good spirits. She has remained her happy and optimistic self. She has allowed us to treat her wounds. And except for immediately following the incident, she has not once even so much as cried or complained to us about her "owies". Now that, to me, is a miracle.

It's a miracle that she is healing up so quickly and beautifully. She had a laceration (about an inch long) from the corner of her mouth going down towards her chin that tore almost completely through her cheek, literally just hanging together by a thread of skin. In fact, everytime she sucked on her binky, the cut opened up and we could see into the inside of her mouth. Miraculously, it's now completely closed up and healing wonderfully.

It's a miracle that she is not afraid of dogs after this ordeal. We have seen a few here and there at parks and being walked around the neighborhood, and all she wants to do is "pet the doggy".

We really do feel so blessed. It never is ideal to see your children get hurt, but this could have been so much worse...and the fact that it wasn't, to us...is a miracle.

I love the advice my dad gave to us, to put this in the Lord's hands, for He is the Master Physician, and great healer. Truly it is nothing short of a miracle to have witnessed the Master take my daughter in His hands and literally bless and heal her.

Unfortunately we don't have better pictures from the first day. These were taken in the ER with John's camera phone...





After they cleaned her up...






Doesn't appear to be in much pain...

Up walking around (don't you just love her one exposed bun cheek?)


Coloring


Sharing her binky with bunny


Smiling and in good spirits

I have several pictures from the days following the accident, but I think I've given you enough to look at for now. :)

Just wait though, there's more to come...