BEACH TRIP - September 28th

McKinley got to go to the beach!!    We finally got the cast off and were able to spend some time at the beach.  The only thing Scoot wanted to do was jump over waves and make "sand angels."   And that's just what she, her brother, & sister did for over 3 hours!   I'm sure she would have stayed longer, but it was getting chilly.  I loved watching her be a kid again, and being able to enjoy what she likes best, (Besides dressing up and playing princess)!    No worries about sand in the cast or getting the cast wet - it is a great feeling!!  

We are preparing for cast # 6 on Wednesday.   And while I pray for some great news (even the slightest change) I can't help but prepare for the worst as I sit again and hear Doctor M say the words "future surgery."   I find comfort in God and remind myself that he will bring us through this journey.  And am trying my best to trust in HIS plan.  I don't know what I would do without McKinley's faith and strength, either.   She shows a true testimony of faith as she says "God will make my back better."   With those blue eyes and that pretty smile, who couldn't find comfort?     

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will know God can move mountains." 

Matthew 17:20     

Please continue to pray for McKinley, our family, and her doctors.

August 26, 2013 - Still No Changes

Not much has changed since my last post.   McKinley is currently in cast #6.  The curve is not progressing, which is a great thing.  But no improvement either.  :-(   Dr. Mendenlow is still preparing us for the future surgery, definitely not what we want to hear.  We still have faith that we will get a miracle.    McKinley had a great summer, even though we were only allowed water for a few days.  She had a 1 week break between cast #5 and #6.   Luckily, it fell around her birthday so we were able to have swim party for her turning FIVE!   We also took a day trip to the beach (McKinley's favorite place).   And we spent the other days at Carowinds Water Park.  I made sure she had a water activity every day!

McKinley started 5K last week, like any parent I am not ready to let her go. But with her in a cast it was a little harder.  She is at a great school with some awesome teachers, school nurse, and staff.  They were very helpful and active in completing a 504 plan for her. This plan provides McKinley with the "extras" that she may need while in school.   Such as allowing for more potty and rest breaks, being able to sit in a chair instead of the floor if she feels more comfortable.  It also lets everyone who is working with McKinley know why she is wearing a cast and what limitations she has like (NO WATER!)  Which means being extremely careful in Art class when they are painting ... its the little things that are so easily overlooked.  She has just finished day 3 of school and she LOVES it!  There have been no issues with her cast.  However, if we can get her talking under control, we will really be doing well!   Haha!!    

Cast #7 is scheduled for October 2nd.  Hard to believe we have been traveling this new road now for a year!   The curve was discovered on August 2, 2012 and our first specialist appointment at Shriner's Hospital was in September.   Time if flying!!!  And through it all, she impresses me everyday of what a strong and brave girl she is!   Her faith is still strong as well, she tells us often that "God is going to make her back all better!" 

In Cast #3

It has been a while since my last post, it has been  extremely busy around here!!   McKinley is currently in cast #3.   We will take it off May 1st ... a little over 3 weeks and counting down!!   There has been no progress in her upper curve.  Her doctor is getting correction while she is in her cast, but outside of the cast her curve is staying between 78-85 degrees.   Her lower curve has shown some improvement!   The doctor is telling us we are looking at surgery around 8-9 years old, unless her back starts improving.  We are still hopeful that a miracle can happen!  There is also new medical techniques that are being implemented that will hopefully be approved by FDA by the time we are facing surgery.    

Thankfully, the actual procedure is getting better for her.   She only gives us a fight when its time to take the versed, she has never liked medicine.   On our next visit Logan is going to be able to go back in the OR room with her and help give her the "gas".   We will see if skipping the medicine part will make it easier on her?   We will try anything!    The staff at Shriner's Hospital are wonderful ... they focus on making the child & family comfortable and aren't resistant in trying different techniques with each child.  

These are some images from McKinley after she came back from the OR.  We are on our way downstairs to the casting room where they wrap her cast.   I am so proud of her for riding in the wagon this time & not flipping out with the ladies downstairs (some things are getting better for her).  But as you can tell she is heartbroken & ready to go home!

This is her as soon as we got back from the casting room ... playing in the playroom.  And once we got back to Rock Hill - Sweet Frogs  it was!!   

What a busy day, but still have time for 1 picture before bedtime!  She wanted a "gold" cast, but there was not yellow wrapping.  So we decided on a rainbow colored cast ... perfect for Easter & Spring!!