Miracles

As I was reading my scriptures before I went to bed I read where the Savior is speaking to the multitude and says"Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them." This scripture had new meaning as I reflected on our experiences this past 6 months.  I was reminded that we had been blessed to witness multiple miracles in our life recently.  I am so grateful for the miracles that have transpired in Ricki's life.  The miracles began in May when there were several times that her life lay in danger and she was spared,  The next miracle is that her voice had become so soft because of her vocal chord paralysis that it was difficult to hear her.  Now I hear her talk and laugh without any effort to be heard. The most recent  miracle was recently when she had 3 tumors removed. One tumor removal will potentially give her the gift of hearing down the road.  The other tumors that were removed were nearer to her brainstem and  gave her the gift of life and the peace of knowing she will not have to worry about them causing her more problems in the future.  I also came to another realization of another miracle Saturday night.  Ricki and I had matching pajamas and were having fun being silly taking pictures in our matching p.j.s.  We were laughing and having a good time and as we were scrolling through the pictures we started scrolling back further and looking at some previous pictures I had taken.  Just 2 weeks earlier I had taken a picture of her in the hospital the day after surgery..WOW!  There was such a difference between the two pictures!  As we looked at the pictures we realized we were witnessing another beautiful miracle! She has had an amazing road to recovery...Looking at the pictures we had just taken you can hardly comprehend where she was just two weeks previously!  I am so grateful for the miracles that are happening in our lives today! Some are big and some are small but all are sweet tender mercies.  In that same chapter the Savior says "Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you."  I know that he has had compassion on Ricki and our family and we have had the opportunity to witness miracles in  our lives today. We are so grateful and humbled by his love and tender mercies. 

Road to Recovery

It has been a week of ups and downs.  One day Ricki has a fabulous day, then the next she is exhausted. It has been a full week of getting schoolwork finished up by the end of the tri-mester.  She has been so blessed to have some sweet friends that have come to her aide to help her get caught up in school.  

This recovery has been easier in some aspects and more challenging than others. She is learning to cope with the constant pains in her stomach, shoulder and back. We are still unsure of their cause.. Insomnia and fatigue have also become a challenge that she has not had to deal with before.  ( which aapparently is not uncommon with patients with brain tumors.)

Overall Ricki continues to make improvements every day and tries to keep a sweet attitude of determination to keep going and finding joy in life!  We are so proud of her! 

Amazing Recovery!

Can I just say how so very grateful I am today?  Ricki has gone beyond my expectations and hope for a quick recovery. She has such a sweet hope for her future it truly inspires me. Today she really wanted to attend seminary. She loves her teacher and the way he teaches the gospel. Rick and I sat in the car for awhile and she didn't come out.  She stayed for they whole 40 minute class.  She was so excited when she came out!  The first thing she said was" I didn't cry!"  The first outing after her brain surgery in May had been pretty overwhelming and she had a meltdown...As parents it is like we are watching a butterfly come out of her cocoon.. As I listened to her experience of her first classroom setting after this surgery I was humbled...she handled the questions of others with kindness and was not fearful and she smiled as she explained to us that when students spoke on her right side she couldn't hear but it was o.k.  

I have to acknowledge the many prayers in her behalf and know that she has been blessed with the strength to endure and rise above these challenges.  It was less than a week ago that I knelt at the side of her bed and wept with her because she wanted the nf2 to just go away.. There have been many little miracles along this journey that life has taken but one of the sweetest has been to see Ricki blossom into a beautiful young girl with an inner strength and peace that radiates through her  warm and loving smile!  Thank you for your faith and prayers.

Home sweet home!

Ricki was doing much better today and we got to go home!  Just as we were getting ready Molly stopped by.  That always brings a smile to her face!  The other thing that brought a smile to her face was getting in the car and heading home!  

 

Two steps forward and one step back

This morning started out great with hopes of coming home early- possibly today.  Ricki was amazing! She walked up and down the hall and climbed up  and down 12 stairs. But then she had breakfast... she began having stomach pains and nausea.. It  was the beginning of a long afternoon.  Thanks to a wonderful and attentive nurse Ricki is resting tonight and doing better.  So we are hoping to go home tomorrow!  

Dad,s update on Ricki

Ricki's update. She is pretty miserable today because the balance nerve took some damage in the surgery and it makes her dizzy and disoriented (nauseated) when she walks and today is the beginning of making those adjustments. Tomorrow may be more challenging because her surgeon wants her up every hour. I hope she'll be brave. The more she gets up the sooner she will adjust. Tough kid. The doctors say it is pretty normal and that the other side will compensate within a few weeks. Right now she is not happy with how it makes her feel. Thanks for your faith and prayers. We have felt the power and peace from all of you.

Resting

Ricki has been resting this afternoon between her walks.  She has enjoyed her stuffed animals that have been her companions the last few days.. They don't make her do anything that she doesn't want to do :0). Unlike mom, dad, doctors and nurses! 

Out of ICU

Ricki was moved from the ICU to the NTU.  She has been in a little more pain today.  It breaks my heart as a mother to see her crying in pain.  She told me today she didn't want to do this any more.. It is at times like this that I wish they were closer to coming up with a cure for Neurofibromitosis.  I know that there are many children and adults that face the challenges of NF. 

She has been up a couple of times now for short walks and doing well with them.  

She is improving a little at a time. We feel strength from all the prayers in behalf of Ricki. We are humbled by the outpouring of love and kindness.

Halloween 2013

Since Ricki's diagnosis of NF2 in May there have been some long nights that seemed to never end and then there have been some that come to an end too quickly. Halloween morning 2013 seemed to come way too quickly. We were to be at the hospital at 6:00 a.m.  We had stayed the night at the Ronald McDonald House so we didn't have much of a drive to get there.  Upon arriving at the hospital we were one of the first ones there.  In no time we were checked in and the nurses had Ricki ready and then we waited.... Dr. Bollo then Dr. Shelton came and visited with us. When Ricki's nurse for surgery came we were all relieved to see it was the same nurse she has had for the last  two surgeries that came around 7:30 ....   iIt didn't make the goodbyes any easier knowing that even after a successful surgery Rickis life would be a little different than before. The next time we heard from the nurse was around 9:30. They had started the surgery. We had an update around  noon letting us know they were working slowly and meticulously.... Upon completion of the surgery We missed seeing Dr. Shelton because we had slipped down for lunch but were able to get the Good News from the surgery from Dr. Bollo around 2:30.  They had removed the tumor in her canal but had seen some signs of other very small tumors. After exploring further they found 2 more small tumors.  What a miracle it is to have such amazing doctors and the technology that allows them to work on such a small and intricate part of our body.  Her facial nerves responded through the whole surgery. They also monitored her hearing.   The response was strong at first but weakened as the surgery progressed.  We will have to wait to see the results of her hearing.  Ricki has been strong as she has been faced with pain, dizziness, and nausea.  She has been determined to not use morphine and the nurses have been awesome in helping her to control her pain without it.  She has been sleeping through the night.  For me it has been one of those nights that didn't seem to end.  We have a sweet baby next to us that has had a rough night.  It has brought back memories of the first night we spent here at Primary children's when Ricki was life flighted here. That night was also a long night of not knowing what the outcome of things would be for our sweet daughter.  That night we were also next to a sweet baby that was having a rough night.  As I pondered on where we were that night and where we are with Ricki tonight, it has filled my heart with gratitude for the many miracles and tender mercies I have seen and experienced over the past 6 months.  Though it has not been easy at times we have been blessed with a peace and assurance that we have a loving Heavenly Father who has a plan for each of us,  There are things we each individually need to learn and grow from  so that we may return and live with our Heavenly Father someday. I am reminded of a primary song the children at church sing.  

My life is a gift.  My life has a plan.  My life has a purpose in heaven it began. My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth and seek for God's light to direct me from birth.  I will follow God's plan for me. Holding fast to his word and his love. I will work, and I will pray, I will always walk in his way, then I will be happy on earth, and in my home above.

Although it has been a long night it has been a sweet night.  I am grateful for this time to ponder on the blessings of life.   What a fitting way to begin November with so much to be grateful for!