Girl’s Get-A-Way Cruise

Amy Wyatt didn’t have the typical Kodak moments after having her first child.  After many hours of labor and the eventual delivery of her son Spencer, he was whisked away to the Neonatal Intensive Care.  His little body was in distress and he suffered a stroke.  Amy got to hold him almost 24 hours later when the doctors called her into the NICU to say good-bye. 

Her precious first-born son was losing his color and losing his life.  The doctors had him hooked to many machines trying to extend his time.  He had heart damage, liver damage, kidney damage…  The doctors told Amy she could hold him to say good-bye, but they would need to unhook him from the machines.  They were asking her permission to stop rescue efforts.  With a tearful nod she watched as they unhooked the tiny boy from the blips and squeaks and wrapped him tightly to cover his now gray skin. 

Amy and her husband took him in a room to pray over him while the nurse began filling out his death certificate.  “God,” Amy cried over the small bundle, “You say in your Word that you will give those you love the desire of their hearts.  Lord, the desire of my heart is to keep my son.  But Lord, I know he belongs to you.”  The doctor came in every couple of minutes to check Spencer’s pulse so he could call the time of death. Like someone flipped off the switch on a fan, Spencer’s heart slowed with every beat. 

Again the doctor came to take his pulse, but this time he reached to take the baby from Amy’s arms.  “NO! I don’t care if he’s dead.  I just want to hold my son,” Amy pleaded.  “You don’t understand.  Your baby is not dead.  He’s alive!”  The doctor rushed Spencer back to the NICU for a thorough examination. His heart beat with perfect timing. 

The staff began to run tests to find out what happened.  What they found was astonishing.  Heart damage – gone.  Liver damage – gone.  Kidney damage – gone.  It was a miracle. 

Spencer is eight.  He is a walking, never-stops-talking miracle.  He loves the Lord and will share his faith with you in a heartbeat.  The only sign of what happened to Spencer at birth is an area of insult to his brain.  Spencer has epilepsy.  

Spencer and his new seizure response dog, Lucia.

From the time of Spencer’s first seizure until now, Amy has carried a burden most of us never have to even think about.  She is never away from a phone.  She carries seizure meds on her belt at all times.  She sleeps every night in increments of thirty to forty-five minutes.  She wakes up to check on Spencer all night long.  During the day, she calls his name every ten minutes.  “Spencer?  Are you alright?”  “I’m okay.”  She waits for the confirmation and goes on with her business.

This would have slowed a lot of people down.  Not Amy.  She travels the nation sharing the story of Spencer’s birth and giving God the glory.  She speaks at churches and conference centers.  She is a part of the Epilepsy Advocate Program. 

Lately, Spencer’s seizures have gotten worse.  What once happened every couple of months, has slowly increased to once or twice a week.  The medications are no longer working.  The next step is brain surgery.

Amy, her husband Greg, and Spencer have a big decision to make.  Amy has spent many a night on her knees in prayer.  How do you say yes to having part of your son’s skull removed so doctors can cut away a portion of his brain?  No mother ever wants to make a decision like this. 

Amy needs a vacation. She needs some time to get away.  Let her soak her problems by the pool.  Let her feel the goodness and grace that only God can provide on a cruise ship.  Please choose her to go on the cruise!  She desperately needs a girl’s get-away.  And what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t offer to go with her?