Ricki's Heroes

Yesterday we went to Primary Children's hospital for some pre-op stuff. Then, to finish off the day we spent the evening at temple square. Ricki had her picture taken with some of her heroes. She is my hero!  I learn so much from her sweet smile and sense of humor as she faces her challenges. 

The Magic of Disneyland

Disneyland was the best medicine! It was truly magical!  It was so wonderful seeing Ricki laughing and screaming in delight as she went on the rides.  What a blessing that we were able to get away from it all for a few days and leave our cares behind.  It was a magical experience.  Ricki's health hadn't been great and we were beginning to wonder if we should even go. In addition to her stomach,back, head and chest pains that she had been having for awhile she had began to have severe stabbing pains in her leg.  Ricki handles it all with such patience, grace and determination I am amazed at her inner strength.  She insisted that she was going to be o.k. at Disneyland, and she was.  We put her in a wheelchair and she did pretty good.  I could tell several different times that she was not doing well but she would insist she was o.k... And she hung in there and made it two days at Disneyland!

Angels among us.

 "

We have been so very blessed. It seems wherever we are, Ricki is blessed and touched by the love and kindness of many. A few weeks ago we were blessed and inspired by a visit to her grandma Jensen.  What an example of faith and perseverance she is.  She can't see yet she still lives alone at her home. You never hear her complain...she just talks about all the blessings in her life.  We are also blessed wherever we go. Frequently at the store we get talking to someone and they tell us they are praying for Ricki. We have felt an outpouring of love and concern. Recently, when we went to California we were again blessed. Family of friends went out of their way to ensure that Ricki had a wonderful time at Disneyland.  We had tours of some of Disneyland. We were given help getting fast passes to some of the rides.  One Angel didn't even know us. We went on our first ride and the cast member in charge was Sooo good to Ricki!  He treated her like a princess.  The second day at lunch Ricki requested we try to ride 3 specific rides to finish off the day.  On our way to the second one we determined we didn't have time for the third.  When we arrived at space mountain ..there was our favorite cast member! It was the same person who started off our Disney adventure with a bang! We were all excited to see him.  When we were getting off the ride there he was again!  We soon discovered he had had come looking for us. He had a front of the line pass!  Ricki was going to make it on all her rides!  Some may call iit luck..but to us he was an angel! 

Halloween at Primary Children's Hospital

Well...to those who were wondering when my next surgery is, it is officially scheduled for Halloween. So they are cutting open my head again...but at least it's not from ear to ear this time. 

Taking a Break

We have enjoyed having a break from the doctors and hospitals..Ricki is enjoying being back in school.   She is an inspiration to us all with her smile and quiet determination. 

We got permission from her doctors to postpone her next surgery. We want to take a trip over fall break.  Ricki has never been to Disneyland and wants to go there. She had a few small seizures this past weekend so we are trying to figure out which Disney attractions will work the best for her. 

We continue to love her sweet countenance and are inspired with her determination to have a positive attitude and cheerful countenance. Thanks you for all the prayers in her behalf. There are definitely days When the blessings are easy to see. 

A first since May 2013

Yesterday we took Ricki to Salt Lake for a follow-up from her surgery. Dr.Smith is so sweet and kind to Ricki...not many doctors come and meet you in the waiting room and walk you back themselves! He said her throat was looking and sounding good. Ricki was thrilled because she didn't have to have the camera through her nose.  The best thing is something we haven't heard from a doctor since we started this adventure...."we will see you in 6 months" 

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.