Izzy's New Leg

Well, I'm sure you've been wondering and so, without further ado, here she is with her brand new leg, smiling for her daddy...

Her beautiful hair is growing back, she's all smiles and truthfully, I might have more photos to share if I could get her to stay still long enough. When she's not swimming or riding the 4-wheeler with her cousin or riding her bike, you just might find her playing with Charlie (her lovable, extremely tolerant WV Brown Dog) , playing with her baby dolls or teaching her ignorant aunt about the simplicity of using her new leg. You can't tell from this photo, but they made the shell (the part that her limb fits into) hot pink -- just for her.

I'll have to get more photos to share, as you just have to see how the toes were made. She can actually wear flip flops again : ' )

Praise God...

from whom all blessings flow...

"If I cry and don't smile then the devil will be happy -

so I'm gonna smile."

-Izzy McManaway,

4 yrs. old, a day after having her leg amputated.

It's been over a week & Izzy is doing remarkably well. She came home from the hospital the day after surgery and attended the school's Spring Patriotic Play the day after that! She has several walkers, one of which she promptly decorated with zebra stripe duct tape to make the handles easier to grip.

She has had sporadic pain today, but this evening is feeling better after her doctor prescribed a new pain medication. The surgery has not slowed this child down. She continues to keep up with her sisters and cousins, loves playing with the dogs & eats like a growing girl should.

So many prayers go up for Izzy; each one powerful and deeply appreciated. It's really this that makes me tearful... the loving hearts of people who remember her to our Lord and Saviour. I cannot cry for Izzy. How can I when I only see a child full of smiles?! But the tears do roll when I witness the love of others reaching out to her. Just like Bryson's prayer did to me this morning. What joy and lessons we can learn from children.

Thank you Bryson! God is using you to bless the

heart of others ♥

Izzy on the way home from Morgantown, the day after surgery.

Glory to God for all things †

Izzy: Post-Surgery Update

Izzy with her sister, Zoe, just before surgery yesterday.

Izzy's surgery took place yesterday, on Tuesday, May 10th and was successful. Her left leg was amputated just above the knee and the surgeon was very pleased with how everything went. He was satisfied that the skin graft will heal in such a way as to facilitate fitting for a prosthetic in only a few weeks! That is remarkable to me.

Izzy's attitude has been amazing --Jenny said that is the evidence of so many, many prayers! Izzy is accepting of this, understands that her leg was bad and that she needed a new one. Her talk is all positive and forward looking. She has asked many questions about her new leg but has never said anything sad or longing for her old leg. I credit her parents for preparing her so well and the loving mercy of God.

When Izzy came out of the recovery room yesterday and they were directed to her hospital room for the night, they were happily surprised to receive the largest room the hospital had to offer -- and what's more, it was decorated from end-to-end with one of Izzy's favorite people: Justin Bieber! There were posters, balloons, streamers,... Jenny said it was beautifully done; so thoughtful! God bless those who go out of their way to bring a ray of sunshine into the life of another.

I am currently awaiting news from Jenny -- she told me yesterday that if all went well, they may be able to come home today. That sounded incredible to me, but that's what she said. Her pain is being managed with morphine and lortab and even under these types of drugs, Izzy has been talkative, fully coherent and even laughing at times. ♥

She is in God's hands.

Thanks to all the prayer warriors out there, for the surgeon and my dad as well as Izzy. The effect of your prayers is clearly seen. Please continue to remember them.

Glory to God for all things †