Sometime the Best Medicine is Furry

Molly had a rough morning filled with pain.  Bless her heart, she tried to endure it.  She knew she couldn't get out of the PICU unless they kept the pain manageable.  It wasn't manageable at all this morning. 


Before the pain got out of control a volunteer stopped by to see if she was interested in a therapy dog stopping in to see her...well, she was so happy!  




Before the dog got there I read Molly this blog entry from her big sister, Bailey.     

http://baileydfreemire93.blogspot.com/2012/01/first-time-i-have-had-to-let-god-play.html


Just hearing from her big sister was a help.


Then the pain started to get worse and the first med didn't work.  They called back for the stronger narcotic.  It had finally started to kick in when Chloe came by.  It was just what Molly needed.  Once again, God provided the right help in the right time - and this time it was a four legged furry cute Portuguese Water Dog named Chloe....


We are now out of the PICU and in a regular room.  My guess is that Lily is going to be great therapy for Molly.

Ready Freddy?

It's 5:00 am.  I am up with ease because the nurse has come in (for the umpteenth time) to check on my precious girl.  She is holding her own, trusting God and standing on His promises.  She is an amazing young woman.

We know that the power of prayer has kept us calm, guided the hands of the surgeon and sustained us.  We are overwhelmed by the number of friends and family who have comments on Facebook, texted us, called us, and especially prayed for us.  I can tell you that God has answered all of our prayers.  To HIM be the glory!

The staff at Lutheran General has taken good physical care of our family - especially Molly.  She is resting comfortably in the PICU and they have kept her pretty medicated to keep the pain at bay.  When she is awake I read her the comments from my phone and computer.  She is blown away by the outpouring of love.  She smiles as I read them, makes comments, laughs at some...then reaches or asks for her phone to try to text back or comment on Facebook....she is NOT responsible for anything she is saying under the influence of the heavy narcotics...lol.

She understandably is afraid to move her neck, lay on her back, lift her head.  Her muscles are sore in the back of her neck where the 6" incision runs up and down over her spinal cord and base of her skull.  The surgeon skillfully moved the muscles aside to work on the area needing surgery and the moving of those muscles around like that causes some of their own unique pain...not to mention the removing of the dural band at the base of the skull.  It is incredible how wonderful she looks over all after this.

Her spirits are up, she takes the pain with stride knowing it won't last forever and anticipates the day when the healing is crossed over to being on the better side of this process.   She looks forward to the day when she can fully know the results of the surgery and be headache free.  She has trusted God and turned to Him as her source of strength.

When she was a very little girl on the way to school or wherever, I would ask her, "Ready Freddy?"  she would respond with "ready Teddy."  I would say "Ready Eddy?"  and she would say "Ready Spaghetti"....this would go on and on until we exhausted all words that rhymed.  Heading into surgery we were both more than READY FREDDY.  Both calm and excited for what was going to lay ahead for her, she is READY SPAGHETTI!

Just Brain Surgery....

For years Molly has suffered with daily headaches and very frequent migraines.  For years we have sought answers...we have been to Allergists, Eye Doctors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Naprapaths, Acupuncturisst, Neurologists and finally a Neurosurgeon.  With a diagnosis of Chiari Malformation I and some answers!!

Through the years Molly has missed out on so much life due to the headaches and migraines.  There have been missed events, slumber parties, friends and family times.  She has suffered through headaches while trying to learn at school, play an instrument, taking dance and tumbling, and be a "normal" kid. When most kids age 8, 9 and 10 were outside playing, riding bikes and climbing trees, she was laying on the couch with a "sufferin' rag" (cold, wet washcloth) on her forehead and eyes.

She has been in pain so often that it has been a way of life for her.  Yet still she kept a pretty positive outlook on life.  I remember telling her that I would not stop looking for answers and a doctor that could help and her response after about 5 years was "don't worry about it mom, this is just how God made me.  Maybe I am supposed to be like this all my life".  I wasn't convinced.  I was sure that God had things He wanted her to learn through this, but that there were answers out there.  I kept at it.  God lead us to this moment in time.   This moment of hope, answers and relief.  It won't come without it's own price to pay, though.  Recovery will be a hard road, but the success rate is high for this kind of surgery.

Even while suffering with Chicken Pox she still wanted to "Serve Tea"!

We'll keep you posted on her journey, thanking God each step of the way for provision and care.

Just exactly how Molly faces scary and hard times!!  She just goes for it!

but when she smiles, she lights up the room!

You can see in her eyes here that she isn't feeling well....

Always ready for adventure and giving the thumbs up....just like today!