We came into Shriners at 7:00am with two very tired and upset little girls.
We already wanted to go home, no one wanted to be stuck in the hospital all day long.
Kaitlyn was NOT happy about being at the hospital and kept asking to go home, and when she would be able to see her Papa and Deeda (we always go to their house on the way home for awhile, they are half way). She didn't want her cast at all, and kept telling the nurses "No, thank you! No, thank you!" Haha :) at least she's polite right?
She was 4th inline of the 5 children being casted today, which met for an extra long time at the hospital. They always put the younger children first, which makes sense.
Kaitlyn was starving during her 7 hour "fast", poor baby!
Khloe has been teething and running small fevers, so she was a cranky pants most of the trip.
So all in all it started out a little rough!
When the Dr came out from the OR to talk to us, we weren't sure what we would hear.
The last several times that we've talked to him, it has always been the same news.
So, we come to expect what to hear from him. Her curve has been holding at around 50 degrees *outside* of her cast. It has been that way for the last several casts, with no change. It has been very discouraging to us, and disheartening to hear "no change" so many times. He told us that we need to think about just bracing, until she gets old enough for surgery. We didn't want to hear that, the last casting. It was so upsetting, but we just gave it to God and trusted Him. What else could we do?
We sometimes question if the casts, trips to Chicago and all the money it costs, is really worth it anymore? We've even been asked why we keep casting her, why keep putting her through it?
Well, simply because the casts hold her spine much better than the brace ever could. It gives her spine much more support, and hold.
Braces are known to not hold progressive curves like Kaitlyn's, and for that reason, we are simply not ready to brace her.
I have been seeking Gods will for Kaitlyn so much, praying so much, asking for wisdom. I've only ever wanted to make the most informed and educated decisions for my sweet girl. It's so hard sometimes to make these decisions for her. I spend so much time researching and reading, so that I can. But, without Gods wisdom and guidance, I know I couldn't.
Up until just a few days ago, we were so unsure what would happen with the rest of this month. Didn't know if our sweet girl would need to have yet another major surgery this summer, making it her 3rd surgery in the summer in a row. Didn't know if we would even be able to cast her.
It was so frustrating not knowing what was going to happen!
All we could do was just pray and seek Gods will for Kaitlyn.
I told God to let his will be done, weather I liked what that was or not!
By the grace of God, Kaitlyn's MRI came back stable! We were given the news a day before we needed to leave for Chicago. Her syrinx has not grown larger, so surgery at this point is not nessacary! We were over the moon happy with a GOOD MRI reading. This would be the first good MRI results for our Kaitlyn. :) PTL
So, we headed to Chicago and trusted The Lord for the rest!
David said "I hope the good news continues in Chicago!" :)
I just want to say that God has had his hand on this trip from the start to finish. He made sure her syrinx hasn't grown, He used Gods people to give and made the way for us to financially get to Chicago and back. He kept us safe on the many, many traffic jams and accidents on the road to Chicago. :) We figured that Kaitlyn's curve would still be 50degs outside of her cast this time, like every other time. I even thought she may regress some, since she had been out of cast for two weeks this time. It so easy for little spine to do that! I just wasn't sure.
But, when Kaitlyn went with Daddy to get her regular X-ray scan, at the hospital, things started looking up! David said that her scan looked better, he was almost certain that it did. I am always skeptical about the X-ray scans, because its really to hard for us to tell. It's really a safe guard for me, so that I don't expect to much or to little.
I said "that would be a amazing, lets see what the Dr says" so we got lunch at the caffiteria and waited. At this time, we normally talk about our hopes with outcome of this perticular casting. We pray together as well.
When the Dr came out in the waiting lounge, my heart was in my throat as always. He sat down and the first thing he said was "Did you see her scan?" David said that he had and shared his opinion. the Dr said "it looks better today, I don't know why, but it's better, we'll take it!"
I wanted to stand up and start shouting in excitement!!
The best thing was the Dr was even amazed and really just shocked I think. I love it! We asked what her numbers were outside of her cast and he said that previously as we know, she was at 50degs outside of her cast, but today she is measuring 40degs outside of cast! That my friends is a 10 degree correction in her curve!!! :-0 we were so shocked!
She got 10 degs correction when it seemed impossible, when she was out of cast for two weeks! That is HUGE for Kaitlyn!
He also got her curve down to 10degs inside of her cast, which is medically straight! :) Which means her spine is still able to be mutipulated and has not harden or "set" much, yet. That is also very good news for Kaitlyn.
It is a miracle, it is amazing and it is ALL of God. She has SO many people praying for her from all over the states. Some of you we have not even met! God answered the prayers of his children, He deserves all the praise and glory for this amazing news. We are making some head way in her curve, after so many casts! I am SO happy, I can't keep from smiling all day and praising God. It's a awesome thing when the Dr seems dumb founded and amazed. We know why it's suddenly getting better, it's GOD!
He is doing a work in our daughter, and she is a living testimony for Him!
A living example of Gods love and grace, of his miracle working power and love. I know that she's not "out of the woods medically", and we still have a long journey ahead. But, I know that God is with us every step of the way and He is holding Kaitlyn and helping her through. :) What a comfort to know that God has it ALL in His hands!
Through the good and the bad, we will continue to trust and seek His will.
We are on cloud nine and want to let the world know what God is doing in the life of our sweet little girl.
Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto me and I will answer thee, and shewest thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not" that has always been my life's verse. But, anymore it has never been so dear to my heart.
It is truth, God will answer and do mighty things. If we just trust Him and call upon Him. My Mother always said that this verse was Gods phone number :) what a blessing this verse is!
Thank you friends and family for your constant prayers for Kaitlyn!
Without them, I shutter to think were we would be. Prayer works, they reach God and He's listening! Please continue to pray that she continues to show correction in this cast. Her Dr. was going to brace her yesterday, but when he saw the correction he decided to cast again. We will continue for awhile longer as long as she continues to get correction :)
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers!
May God bless you all in return!