Seriously?!

THRIVING WITH DEGENERATIVE DISK DISEASE

We were asked several times if Bailey had been in some kind of accident....Has she experienced any trauma to her back....If there could be ANY explanation for the condition the imaging showed.  There MUST be SOME explanation....Right?!  One would hope....

The doctor explained to me, that the imaging showed a severe form of 'degenerative disk disease'...and that if he had never met my 16 yr old daughter....He would have thought he was looking at an image of a 70+ yr old woman.  *nice--eh?  I think I've heard this from another Dr-->  Blog about the findings in MY MRI

So what is DDD?

The first thing I read, when I began researching this was that as a person ages, their body obviously begins to break down.   Spinal discs are soft discs that separate the interlocking bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine. The discs act as shock absorbers for the spine, allowing it to flex, bend, and twist. Degenerative disc disease can take place throughout the spine, but it most often occurs in the discs in the lower back (lumbar region) and the neck (cervical region).  Bailey's pain is in her lower back.

Web MD lists the following as to WHY DDD occurs-

Loss of fluid in your discs. This reduces the ability of the discs to act as shock absorbers and makes them less flexible. Loss of fluid also makes the disc thinner and narrows the distance between the vertebrae.

Tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer (annulus or capsule) of the disc. The jellylike material inside the disc (nucleus) may be forced out through the tears or cracks in the capsule, which causes the disc to bulge, break open (rupture), or break into fragments.

OK...REALLY.....I want an ENGLISH reason for WHY my 16 yr old daughter has a "Severe" case of DDD....

As I searched more....

Those with DDD, are typically very active, sport playing individuals who are older and have lived a full life of 'doing stuff'.  This does NOT describe Bailey at all.

This promted Bailey's doctor told us that Bailey's case is very rare.  *wow - if only I had a dollar every time we have heard the word "rare", when telling us about a new diagnosis.*

Sometimes-- there isn't a "WHY".  Sometimes, things just are what they are.

So what do we do?  

We Thrive Anyway.  And continue to spread a message of hope.  We don't let another diagnosis stop us from living.

What Does It Mean?

We are used to MRI's, blood draws, infusions and unfortunately we have become used to bad news.  Last Friday, Bailey had her 'every 3 month MRI' and yet again we got news that Bailey's tumor is not responding to treatment.

We have been on chemotherapy since March 2011, and have little to report, other than we have TWO tumors inside Bailey's head, that seem insistent to stick around. 

The "nasty tumor" decided to change shapes on us.  Yet again, leaving the doctors telling us "We aren't sure what this means."  Not very comforting is it?

There is no life, without change.  These doctors may tell us that they do not know the reason for the changes in Bailey's tumor...But WE choose to believe the changes are bringing us closer to a deeper understanding of Love, Hope and Faith!

While we are disappointed that we don't have MORE GOOD to report--medically, we still hang on to the LOVE that we have as a family.....The HOPE that everything will work out for the best and the FAITH that God knows exactly what HE is doing, and that in times of doubt and hopelessness -- We continue to draw closer to HIM.

We are okay. There is SO much other GOOD to focus on.  

We had an AWESOME Summer, filled with Rockies games, Nuggets games, the Zoo, LOTS and LOTS of swimming, splash pads, movie dates, BBQ's, and late nights.  We are grateful for a new school year, and the changing season.

THRIVE ON!

Kindergarten!

Brooklyn showing off her sign language "K" for Kindergarten.

I knew this day was coming.  I've seen 5 "first days of Kindergarten", so I kind of knew what to expect.  It was a BIG deal for each of my kids.  But this day was different...Still a BIG deal...But this was the FIRST day for my LAST kiddo...So more of a big deal for ME. :)

I expected tears...You know, the overly emotional mom who is hugging and kissing her kid, as the teacher tries to pry us apart...but the tears didn't come.  Instead, I felt this enormous sense of pride.  SIX happy, THRIVING children all in school!  YAY!

There are moments when you are proud of your kids (everyday)...Then there are moments when that pride turns in something more.  I don't think there is a word that describes the feeling, but my heart was swelling with an overwhelming sense honor. 

Honor in that I feel like I have REALLY amazing children...And that I get to be their mom!  

Back to School

We went school supply shopping and I couldn't believe the list of stuff these kids "needed"!  It seemed like we were preparing for the end of the world!

As we loaded up the cart with highlighters, backpacks, pencil sharpeners and colored markers, I couldn't help but fill with so much pride and joy!

All SIX of my children will be headed to school this year, and as much as I say I am excited for the school year to begin, I am also a bit sad when I think about how fast time goes by.

It's been a wonderful Summer...Filled with camps, swimming, sleeping late and those "I'mmmm Boorrreed" days.  

Bailey will be heading back to school with a tumor that has now decided to change shape...What this means for sure, we don't know....But she is also going back to school with the positive attitude, she has carried with here the entire time she has been on chemo.  I'm so very proud of her!

She will also have a new look! 

Braden is officially in High School!  He is excited and nervous about it (weren't we all?)  We have had several meetings with the school, to make sure Braden is in the right classes and that he is comfortable navigating the ENORMOUS hallways! 

He has an MRI in September to check on his optic nerve tumor and also the plexiforms that scatter his spine.  So far, neither have presented a major issue...and we are praying it stays this way!

Riley is 12 going on 25, I swear!  She wants to grow up too fast, and sometimes this takes my breath away! She will be a 6th grader this year and will continue with playing the violin as well as GLEE and Drama.  I cannot believe how fast this girl is growing up!

Rachel, my little bundle of spunkiness will be an AMAZING 4th grader!  Where has the time gone?  She's excited about 4th grade because she says "4th graders get more recesses!"  (Ha!  I would be excited too!)  Rachel will start Occupational Therapy and continue to receive sensory help in school.

Riker is a 2nd grader....And as HE puts it..."I'M SOOO EXCITED!"  Riker has always loved school and has done very well.  He likes reading and math and has tested above grade level in both!  Riker will continue in Karate and will soon move up to a purple belt!  He loves to show off his moves!

Brooklyn will be starting Kindergarten!!!  AMAZING!  I know that I will shed a tear when she actually goes off and my house is quiet....But I am so proud of her!  She is very smart and very ready to be in school!  She is looking forward to ,"meeting new friends and becoming super smart!"

It's early morning at the Children's Hospital...

 The unspoken tension in the car, on the way here was high...Bailey and I both know this feeling well.  The "what ifs" rolling around.  The holding of our breaths, until we hear that welcomed term..."STABLE!"

Lord....We are READY for some GREAT news today.