Kaitlyn's taking a nap and Mommy is using this quiet time to update her blog.
The last two days have been so very long and exhausting on our family.
We left for Chicago on Monday morning and spent the greater part of the day in the car.
Thank goodness for the TV in our truck, it keeps the kids so quiet most of the ride :)
We dropped Isaac off at my parents house, on the way, because they are about half way there.
From there we headed to our hotel in Chicago, which we get half off, for Kaity being s Shriners patient.
Always, very thankful for that :)
We ordered pizza and went swimming that night, with our girl.
She was such a sweet heart that night, and we enjoyed every part of our squishy hugs and love.
That night, I slept ok.. but it took awhile to go to sleep.
My brain wouldn't be quiet and I kept thinking about all that we've been through with Kaitlyn
in just two short years.
How in every sistuation, I thought I would have lost it.. how would I ever get through this?
When it is ever going to just STOP?!
Why it's taken 7 months for Kaitlyn to get her 2nd cast.
After coming through brain surgery with her, isn't that ENOUGH?!
Why do we have to go through casting?
All these thoughts kept flooding my mind that night, it was like alittle war going on inside me.
So I just prayed for what seemed like two hours, and just gave all my frustration and fear to the Lord.
It was then, that I felt peace in my heart again and was able to go to sleep.
We got up at 5:30 a.m and started our very long day.
On the way there, Kaitlyn had the face, that she knew something was about to happen
to her, yet again. I've come to recognize that little facial expression and it brakes my heart.
I turned to her and held her little hand and said "Mommy, loves you Kaitlyn and I'm not doing this
to hurt you, Mommy wants to get you better!"
She turned to me and smiled so big and said "I know."
It took everything in me to not start to ball in front of her.
What courage and strength that little girl has inside her!!
We got to the hospital at 7:00am and started the process with checking her over and
taking her xrays.
We waited for 4 1/2 hrs in the hospital, until she went in the OR for her cast.
She was the 4th in line, out of six.. to get her cast.
I was very proud of her, bc she never threw a fit and or fought us.. with ALL that waiting.
So at 12:00 P.M she was sent back to have her cast applied.
David and I sat and waited in the waiting lounge, anxious to hear some good news from her Dr.
About 45 mins later the Dr. came out to talk with us.
Now at the end of April this year, we had went to Chicago to get her fitted for her brace.
So that it would hold her spine from getting out of control, while she was healing from surgery.
At that time, they took a xray and she was measured at 62 degs *OUT of cast.
When the Dr. came out he told us that she was about 53 degs *OUT of cast.
I was shocked, happily shocked, I will add.
The brace which is only ment to hold a curve, had actually helped her spine.
By about 9 degs!! WOW. we were NOT expecting to hear that at all.
Another miracle, in my eyes.
PRAISE THE LORD!
So from 53 degs, the Dr. was able to get her spine down to 28 degs *IN cast.
This is very good news, and wonderful numbers to start with.
We had lost ground, in the 7 months she was out of cast.
But, by Gods grace, we have gotten wondeful results from this 2nd cast.
We are very hopeful that we will keep seeing good results, now that her surgery has been done.
We are ver anxious and excited to see what correction she gets in this 2nd cast.
The Neurosergen and the Orthopedic Dr. both believe that her Scoliosis may have resulted
from her Chiari Malformation.
And that by having this surgery, we may see good results with casting and the goal of getting her
spine 100% straight again :)
I cling to that hope, it's what gets me through this.
I can't help but think that, God was protecting Kaitlyn all those 7 months...
because He knew that her Chiari was getting worse and that by putting a cast on..
it could have harmed her.. until her surgery was done.
God has ALWAYS had my baby girl in HIS hands, every step of the way.
HE has a plan for this little girl, and this has all been in HIs timing and in His will...
I wouldn't want Kaitlyn anywhere else.
I can't wait to see what her lifes story, will bless another person someday and help them.
Kaitlyn is doing ok, she's still very exhausted from casting day.
Which was 9 hr day in the hospital and several hrs of traveing home.
She's trying to adjust to her new cast, I don't think she remembers her 1st cast, as she was so young.
She just needs to find a new rythm to her days.
Yesterday was a hard day with her, she kept wimpering and saying "Ow Mama" over and over.
I caught her trying to peel off the tape a time or two as well.
This is hard on her, she's not liking the idea of no "Wa wa" (water).
We're SOOOO thankful for the central air in our house, for Kaitlyn's sake.
We're trying to keep her cool and comfortable.
I always say, the cast is like having a third child in the house.
Have to make sure its taken care of 24 hrs a day, no water, no food on it, no dirt.
No pull-up accidents (that is the WORST)
Re-taping and P. it's A LOT of work.
You can't imagine.
She needs your continued prayers and we're so thankful for ALL the prayers that continue
to be uplifted for our daughter.
PRAYER is POWER.
I will upload some pics (much better ones, then my mobil ones) of her new "spring green" cast.
We chose a bright and happy color this time :)
With love,
Rachel