Much to Think and Pray About

Our oldest child has been blessed with really good health. With the exception of a hospital stay for Rota virus when she was 5, she rarely even gets a cold! Everyone else around her could be sick as a dog, but not our Bean- she has the immune system that's like some sort of impenetrable force field or something!  We always joke that the Rota virus eliminated all chances of any kind of sickness growing in her. So, you could imagine how shocked and confused we were when we found out she has Severe Idiopathic Adolescent Scoliosis. Now, I know Scoliosis is not considered a "sickness". However, it is absolutely heart-wrenching when your pediatrician informs you that not only does your daughter have a curve in her spine, but she needs to see an orthopaedic specialist immediately. I am no stranger to Scoliosis- my own brother suffered from Kyphosis, which is also a type of spine curvature. He endured years of uncomfortable braces which attempted to stop his back from hunching over and re-shape his spine.

So began our journey this year of x-rays, orthopaedic visits, and consultations. Of course, being the naive mom that I am, I figured "how bad could it be?" I actually convinced myself they would just give her some exercises to do (as if that were an option!) or in the worst case scenario, put a brace on her.  Were we in for a surprise...

After her first set of x-rays were done and read, we immediately went to the Pediatric Orthopaedic Specialist's office and were told that not only is the curve considered severe, she has a 90 percent chance of her spine continuing to progress to the point where she would become physically deformed and possibly begin having issues with her rib cage pressing into her lungs, thus not allowing her enough oxygen.

Wow- just like that. No warning, nothing. I was angry. Angry at her previous pediatrician who somehow never took the time to check her for this awful condition during those crucial years of development. And I was angry at myself for never noticing her little body starting to curve, and her walk becoming limp-like. I should have seen it. I should have known. After all, I am her mom. Aren't we supposed to notice those things? But I didn't... Now of course, it is so obvious and I can't help but notice every time she walks in front of me. How much more will her body continue to bend?

So, I pray for peace as we begin this journey of unknowns. I pray that God will tell us not to worry and to trust Him. I pray for the doctors, that they have enough wisdom to correct this. Most of all, I just need to hear it from Him that everything will be ok...