Special Gratitude Edition

Guest Post Written by Tonya Penfield

 "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever." – Ephesians 3:20-21

Our grandson, Wilder Penfield, was born on December 16, 2020. He was named after his great-grandfather’s famous great-uncle, American-Canadian neurosurgeon Wilder Graves Penfield https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilder_Penfield. Mr. Penfield is notoriously known for his groundbreaking work in the field of brain surgery and neuroscience.

Wilder was born with a damaged kidney which necessitated the need to be on dialysis for the first three years of his life. At three years of age, it would then be safe to have a life-giving transplant. By God’s grace, Wilder’s angelic aunt unselfishly and enthusiastically offered her kidney and the opportunity to greatly improve his quality of life.

Wilder is a big fan of dinosaurs and superheroes, following in the footsteps of his father, my son Blake. In Blake’s younger years, this devoted mother would spend untold hours effortlessly trying to assume a villain alter-ego to enhance my son’s creative adventures and woefully attempt to match his inherent imagination. Wilder’s favorite character was Batman (just like his dad) and when he was not monitoring the streets of Gotham City, Wilder was unabashedly roaring like a Tyrannosaurus Rex. 

On July 9, 2024, Wilder’s transplant was successfully completed, and our grateful family exhaled a welcome sigh of relief as we anticipated a full recovery; however, on July 27, God allowed other plans. Wilder developed a serious UTI which forced him into septic shock! We had no idea of the gravity of the situation, but an angel of the Lord was sent to light our path and direct our steps. Throngs of medical staff stormed the ICU while Wilder’s parents were asked to wait outside for what seemed like a lifetime. Occasionally, a nurse would step out to pray and to hug them, but they truly had no idea what was going on behind the ominous curtain of Wilder’s room.

After several hours, Wilder was stabilized with multiple medications onboard to include such strong substances as morphine and Fentanyl, as well as several medications to control his precarious blood pressure. He was intubated and given paralysis medication (to ensure he did not pull the tubes out) which put him in a comatose state and the necessity for a feeding tube. They outfitted him with restraints on his arms and more needles and tubes than our suffering souls could count. It was so difficult to stay vigilant by his bedside in the ICU for over thirty days, but we rotated as both Wilder’s mom and dad contracted the COVID virus and could no longer fight alongside their Superman. Soon, we discovered Wilder also tested COVID-positive, which we considered a blessing since his weary parents were now permitted to return to the ICU and be reunited with their vulnerable little boy. It comforted me every time I saw the blanket covering his frail body which we gifted him that providentially proclaimed: “You are a Child of God, You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”.

With prayer vigilantes storming the heavens in concert with God of the Angel Armies, Wilder fully recovered and was sent home in the victorious month of August! Although his parents currently catheterize him only at night to ensure there is no bacteria remaining that could develop into a UTI, this may not be a lifelong process as expected. Of his own volition, Wilder joyfully bounces out of his big-boy bed, no longer tethered to a dialysis machine as he’s been most of his life (“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” - John 8:36).

Wilder is full of JOY and exuberantly living the abundant life our Savior sacrificed His own life to provide. His ROAR is contagious and dominates every conversation.  Batman and Robin only pale in comparison to this mighty rescuer who was miraculously saved by our Divine Rescuer, Christ Jesus… again!