We have had a good summer, and we are thankful for that. It was the first summer in three years that we have not had something major going on, with our sweet girl. The first year she came into this world, our little fighter. The second year she had her Chiari surgery and the third she had her tethered spinal cord release surgery and sweet little Khloe came into the world. Whew, thinking back on those summers makes me very tired and thankful that we have them behind us now. There was no surgeries this summer and it has just felt like a normal summer :) She has gotten to run in the sprinkler and visit the zoo, she's gotten to spend two weeks total at Papa and Deeda's house, and she got to spend 2 days and nights at the Kalahari waterpark in Ohio. Plus, a lot of others little things that have made her happy! She has spent the summer just like any other child, mostly and I am so thankful to the Lord for that! We will never ever forget the GREAT news we got on casting #9 this past July. The sudden 10 degree correction in her spine and the wonderful news that her syrinx has not grown any larger! I am still rejoicing over that news and it carries me through everyday! What a awesome God we serve, amen?! :)
She is currently still wearing cast #9 and doing fairly well in it. This cast is shaped a lot differently then some of her previous casts. This cast seems to be pretty wide, so makes her little clothes fit a lot tighter. But, at least she seems to have more stomach room and that's good. We are winding down now from summer and all its activities. She and her brother Isaac will be starting school this Tuesday. Kaitlyn simply LOVES school and loves her little friends. She's been talking about school and her friends all week this week. Some may say that I am crazy to send Kaitlyn to school, because of her many medical conditions. Well, sometimes I get nervous to send her.. but I know that it's whats best for Kaitlyn, right now. She thrives at her little school and has learned SO much last year in school. I can't tell you all the things that it has done for her. It makes her so happy to be there and be around children her age. Some of them with their own medical conditions. She is getting all ready and is just so happy, she's picked out her clothes already too. It thrills me to see her so excited to learn and excel. This is a Pre-K class that helps her in the area of speech and articulation. We loved her teacher last year, and marvel at the progress our Kaitlyn has made :) We are SO proud of her. I know she will do that much better this year, in school. I am excited for her. If you could remember to pray for her as she starts her new school year, we would appreciate it so much :)
Health wise, Kaitlyn seems to be doing ok, as of late. She has a slight cold/allergies right now, and she deals with it pretty well. Just trying to get that knocked out of her before school starts. What I would like for the people who pray for Kaitlyn, is to pray for her headaches. The last two days she has had a headache, some are more mild and others make her want to go to bed and lay down. Headaches make me a nervous wreck, I can't stand knowing she has them. This is highly associated with her Chiari and the syrinx (pocket of fluid - much like a cyst) that is currently in her spinal cord. Either one of those things can cause her to have mild to very bad headaches. It is unfortunately a side effect that can occur. I closely monitor them and try my best to make her comfortable when she has them. I give her children's tylenol and make her lay down and as of right now that seems to help her get over them. She shouldn't be having a lot of frequent ones and that is what I am monitoring. Will you help me pray that they go away? and that they do not become a frequent problem for her? thank you so much! I can't stand headaches myself, they are horrible! I know everyone knows what they are like, some of you have them daily I'm sure. I just can't stand watching a little four year have them! ugh. I have read that a Chiari induced headache can be equal to a migraine headache, sometimes worse. I can't imagine. I do not think they are that bad right now, and pray she never experiences anything alike. She had one just today, and I made her lay down for nap. I am hoping she wakes up headache free!
She does have some up coming check ups with some of her specialists, that include her E.N.T Dr, her Ophthalmologist and her Neurosurgeon. These are just check ups, but we want to pray that all of them go well. I will give the dates, just so that you can remember her on that day :)
September 6th, she see's her Ophthalmologist, to check on her vision and eyes. So far we have not had any bad news at these apts. :) She is still wearing her glasses for near sightedness and lazy eye. Which is getting better, but she still needs check ups.
September 9th, she see's her E.N.T Dr. to check up on her ears. She has had two sets of ear tubes, due to excessive fluid on her ear drums. This has been a problem she's been dealing with since she was about Khloe's age. We are praying that she will not have to have another set of tubes this year and that her hearing level will be 100%.
September 25th, she see's her Neurosurgeon. This is a regular check up and we are hoping to discuss her headaches with him and her syrinx. I always have so many questions for him! If you would remember her on these dates, we would be so grateful. I will update as to how each of them went. It's going to be a busy month for the Dobbs family, thank goodness we have the Lord and that He has us! I know her apts. will go according to His plan :) I just wanted to give Kaitlyn's prayer warriors a update today! So much to pray about, I am so thankful for each one of you who remember our girl. I hope you have all had wonderful summers! Here comes fall, we're ready! :)