Friday, January 1, 2016

Good-bye 2015, Hello 2016

This past year has been one of the most difficult years I have ever had. It was an incredible roller coaster ride that, without my family, friends, and faith in God, I'm not sure that our family would have made it through. Here's my list of the best and worst for my family in 2015 and a few things I'm looking forward to in 2016.

The Worst of 2015
(I'm not sure that I can put these in a particular order. Some were worse than others, but I can't sort them all out right now.)

πŸ’₯ Our daughter (PG) having large spells and tics that would last minutes to hours. She was eventually diagnosed with both Tourrette Syndrome and epilepsy. We're still waiting for her to be six months seizure free so she can be off restriction.

 πŸ’₯ Our son (SuperBoy) needing multiple MRIs because (as we discovered) sedation doesn't work for him and the doctors needed more images than they originally realized. 

πŸ’₯ SuperBoy was diagnosed with a Chiari malformation and needed more tests to confirm how significant it was.

πŸ’₯ In June, it was determined that, due to the restriction of cerebral-spinal fluid and pressure on the brain stem, our son would need brain surgery to make more space for the brain and allow the fluid to flow the way it should. This was heart breaking news.

πŸ’₯ PG was not able to play with her friends at the park, climb trees, go across the monkey bars, or do anything where she could fall. She would often cry because she couldn't be with her friends and do what they did at the park. (This broke my heart every time and caused some differences in opinions on parenting.)

πŸ’₯ Many, many, many doctors' appointments, tests, and phone calls to specialists at Children's Mercy Hospital.

πŸ’₯ Being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and learning all the complications that can go with it. Also learning that each of our four children has a 50% chance of having it too.

πŸ’₯ Some friends whose daughter had been fighting cancer for nearly her entire 15 years, won her battle by God calling her home. 

πŸ’₯ My kind, incredible, and extremely intelligent brother-in-law was fighting cancer. He was doing better when he took a sudden turn and was taken Home to be with His Savior and his dad who passed earlier in the year.

Some of these were heartbreaking and others exhausting both mentally and physically.  The good didn't outweigh the bad, but it's always good to count your blessings and remember the good with the bad.

The Best of 2015
(Again, these are in no particular order.)

πŸ’₯ Finding the medications and dosages to help PG with her severe tics and seizures.

πŸ’₯ SuperBoy going on a church trip and two camps before having his surgery.

πŸ’₯Everyone who bought bracelets and helped sell bracelets to pay for SuperBoy's camps.

πŸ’₯ SuperBoy's surgery was successful. He only had to stay in the PICU one night and less than a week in the hospital. 

πŸ’₯ Amazing friends and family who were at the hospital during SuperBoy's surgery or helped by watching our other children so both DH and I could be at the hospital. Also those who brought us meals so we didn't have to worry about fixing supper when SuperBoy was at home recovering.

πŸ’₯ Incredible doctors and staff at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics.

πŸ’₯ The Easter and Christmas programs that I directed for our church as well as the children's choir singing beautifully.
 
πŸ’₯ Birthdays and holidays spent with loved ones. 

πŸ’₯ My niece graduating from high school, joining the Army National Guard and graduating from basic training and AIT training with flying colors!

πŸ’₯ Finally receiving a diagnosis after being chronically ill for 5+ years. 

πŸ’₯KC Royals winning the World Series!

With a year like we had in 2015, 2016 must be better, right? Well I'm choosing to look for the positive and search out God's will and blessings for my family. No matter how 2016 turns out, I know for sure that God will walk with us each step of the way. Here are a few things I'm looking forward to in 2016.

πŸ’₯ Fundraising to pay for medical bills, equipment, and hopefully a more accessible home.

πŸ’₯ Getting appointments with geneticists and specialists to get more health issues figured out.

πŸ’₯ Date nights with my DH. 
 
πŸ’₯ Family staycation or trip.

πŸ’₯ More birthdays and family celebrations.

πŸ’₯ Watching our children learn and grown as we homeschool. 

This year I'm working on putting the past behind me and looking forward to the future, whatever it may hold.