Update from mom

We apologize for not posting for awhile. Ricki has just needed a break from it all. So here is a quick update of what has been going on...We took a much needed vacation to California and saw parts of California we had never seen before that were absolutely beautiful. 

August 16th she had another surgery on her vocal chord to connect the left vocal chord to a new nerve to get it working again.  The surgery was successful and she bounced back quickly.

August 20th she turned 15! 

August 22nd she started school. We are so proud of her! Even though it is very tiring she keeps going.

August 24th we checked out the NF walk in Salt Lake. We had a lot of fun and will be inviting everyone to join us next year! 

Two weeks ago Ricki began having some severe stomach and back pains and then last week she began having ear aches. We have been to the ER and Insta-Care with no solutions for her pain. She is such a trooper through it all.

We are currently waiting on our ENT surgeon and neurosurgeon on when Ricki's next surgery will be.  

Thank you for all of your prayers in Ricki's behalf.  I have seen your prayers answered at different times when I have seen a peace and a calm come over her, when the doctors or nurses are inspired to know what Ricki needs, when someone calls and visits and brightens her day, and especially when she has the energy to keep going. As a mother it is difficult not being able to " make everything better." We are all learning to go forward with faith and enjoy all the miracles in our life that happen everyday.  They are evidence of God's love for each of us. 

My visit to the voice doctor

This past week I went to the voice doctor. We already knew that my left vocal chord doesn't work...but we didn't know if there was something we could do to fix it. I was pretty excited when the doctor said there was a surgery that could possibly help.  It's a pretty simple surgery and it only takes about an hour and a half:) SWEET huh? It'll probably feel weird because my voice has been how it is  for quite some time. I'm sure it will be worth it though. But I'm excited to get it fixed soon, that will be interesting.. Haha well love ya all and I'll try to update you some more soon;)

Hope

I met with my doctor today!:) he gave me lots of hope. It made me feel allot better about all the stuff thats going to happen to me. It's crazy though I never knew that hope was powerful.. I knew that the pioneers needed hope to make it through all the hard things but I never thought I would go through such hard things at my young age, but I realize now that God has many things in store for me. He wants me to learn. I've learned many things. About what I have in store for me. and other medical stuff it's amazing what technology we have out there. Also all the amazing people who care about and support me. I am eternally grateful for all the people who have helped me and who will help me through my conditions. People like my parents, my friends, others who don't even know me, and especially my doctors, with out them I wouldn't be writing this message today. Heavenly Father loves all of us he cares for us and never leaves our sides. Sometimes it feels like he isn't, but it's only for our sakes. Without trials, life wouldn't have a purpose. Just think about it.. I mean we wouldn't learn anything. Life is a test. Tests are hard. They are meant to be hard. If tests weren't hard we wouldn't learn anything from them. Life is an opportunity to learn and teach those who don't think God loves them, who think that he is never there for them. Life is hard, but it will all be worth it in the end. I can promise and testify of our Father in Heaven's  love for every single one of us. Thank you again  for all of your support. 

Gratitude

Hats

So, yesterday (Saturday) me and my mom went shopping! We didn't go shopping for hats but that is what we spent the most time on:) I had a really fun time and I love my hats.

Answer to my prayer

Lots of things describe how I was feeling last night when we got home from Salt Lake.  Peaceful was not one of them. We watched "Diary of a wimpy Kid" and that didn't really help (sadly). I was sitting on my bed still stressed out.  My mom suggested that I think of my dream vacation..it was nice to think about but it didn't really help my stress.  I just felt like I needed to pray. So I did. In my prayer I listed everything that was making me stressed . As I told Heavenly Father I felt more and more peaceful.  When I was finished with my prayer all I felt was peace that everything would be o.k.  It made me glad to know and remember that my Father in Heaven loves me.

My Break is Over!

I apologize for not writing I just needed to take a break! It has been nice just to relax at home.

Yesterday I discovered my break was not going to be as long as I thought it should be.  I was thinking like a year- but no.  The day started with a hearing test.  That wasn't too bad. It turns out my hearing is really good.  Next stop lunch at primary children's.  After lunch we went to Dr. Shelton, my ear doctor. He is one of the best ear doctors out there and it makes me feel really special but at the same time really scared.  So he tells me( while I am freaking out and just trying to breath because I am afraid of what he was saying)that it is best to start with the smallest tumor and remove it before any damage is done to my ear. That sounds nice but there is still a 50/50 chance I can lose my hearing in that ear.  Whatever, I will just deal with it.

If you think that is bad, well it is, but there is more.  So you know how I have a raspy voice and I am pretty quiet? Well my parents told the doctors they were concerned. Doctor Shelton had his assistant Dr. Crocket check it out. First comes the numbing spray up m noise. That was the worst disgusting part. YUCK! Then they stuck a long skinny noodle flashlight aka camera  up my nose. It looked more like a flashlight than a camera.  It was awkward having a camera up my nose. They asked me to say"ee" several times to get a clear picture of what was going on with my vocal chords. The reason for my rasp and quiet voice turns out that my left vocal chord is not moving.  So what that means for me is more medical stuff....