Summer was great!! All the same things, and better. Leah spent time in Africa, at Beautiful Gate. An orphanage. They left a wonderful imprint in her heart. Her stories brought us to tears! So happy she had this experience.
We did our usual camping and even got the family up to the U.P. I must say, I LOVED it up there. The kids really seemed to have fun as well. I felt like we had everything we needed, our family and limited cell phone service. We did nothing out of the ordinary, but I enjoyed the time with my hubby and girls. When we got cell phone service I called my mom and heard, "That's the LONGEST I've gone without talking to you guys. I missed you!!!" So refreshing! Because we missed grandma too!
School started with it's normal routines. It was nice to get back into a routine and the kids were excited to see their friends. With that comes sports and activities. So life carries on. We had the pleasure of going to Cedar Point with Give Kids the World and Leah, Megs and I got to go to a Luke Bryan concert. I must say these ages of the girls are my favorites! (Megan says I say every year is my favorite. Maybe true!). When the girls were little we stayed home (the best we could), hunkered down and tried to figure it out. Going away was so much work. Now you just say, "get in the car" and you leave. I've tried to enjoy each stage, but I think I want to freeze time now :)
Brooke has been holding her own (as always). Labs were done for her immune system and so far so good. She had some issues with her kidney and liver functions but it appears that is a result of A LOT of antibiotic use. Brooke has essentially been on antibiotics since June for sinus issues. It doesn't really seem to do anything. We've been to her PCP, an ENT locally (not a good idea), then back to PCP, then to infectious disease, then to pulmonology, then to BMT (transplant doctor), then to ENT at Devos. I feel bad for these doctors but they are great! It appears the result is going to be sinus surgery. Not the answer we wanted, but with a lot of MD's consulting each other they decided that is the best option. It's amazing when the doctors ask me questions I tell them to ask Brooke. I only know what I can observe. So they ask how often she has headaches, and she looks at them and says, "like right now and every day." And stomach aches, "everyday." Not a day goes by that this kid is not in pain. Rarely does she complain about it! She only complains if the pain prevents her from doing something. And then her goal is to dull the pain so she can carry on with life. With that being said, her kidney doctor said no more ibuprofen and limited acetaminophen because her kidneys and liver can't handle it. Not sure what else you use for pain medicine, but we are going to try positive attitudes :) Kinda feel at a loss for the poor kid some days.
All long time ago, Steve and I decided that Brooke needed to live her life without fear. No fear of illness or setbacks. Just to love life. And Brooke has done just that! She amazes us and is a true example of perseverance!.
Brooke's surgery is November 14, Lord willing. She currently has a worse cold than normal, and I know they won't do surgery if she sounds like she does now. So, we do inhalers and nose sprays to try and ward this off.
I'll keep you updated as to how she does. Praying she breezes on through and can drain those sinus's in the end.
