I thought it was time to give you all an update on Haley. She has continued to suffer from severe pain from her head to her toes (specifically head, neck, back and leg pain.) Also, her "fainting" has picked up again. She had a decrease in it after Dr. H took some fluid out of her spinal column, but it's back. As you can imagine, she is pretty discouraged. She knows that many are praying for her and she is encouraged by cards, visits and some gifts she has received. Such kind and thoughtful things have made a big difference. Thank you.
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Yesterday was a big day. We traveled to Maryland again. This time, it was to see a urologist who Dr. H referred her to so that she could have some testing done on her bladder. Apparently, if the bladder is not functioning correctly, it points to possible "tethered cord." Well, as you can imagine, the tests were no fun. They had to fill her bladder and take measurement while it emptied. (I held her hand and sang to her-- "Fill me up Buttercup!" She wasn't impressed.) Between the embarrassment and pain, she persevered and got through it. (So proud!) Anyway, there was some sort of problem with the office, so the doctor was delayed. (Side note: what is it with doctors' offices in that area that stay open so late?) Anyway, we waited 2.5 hours in a small room for the doctor to review the test with us! Thankfully, our dear friend, Kendra, was with us. I could never have taken that trip without her! When the doctor finally came in, he asked Haley several questions and showed us the printout of her test. Bottom line: she failed. (Yay!) This points to the possibility of tethered cord. I have long suspected that this was the reason for her pain and fainting. If it is, it can be surgically corrected and, hopefully, both can be alleviated. Please pray for this.
Today she has her pre-op physical and blood work in preparation for her shunt revision surgery on Tuesday. She also needs to go to the hospital and have an x-ray taken of her back so that Dr. H can see the shunt placement before surgery. Finally, we have an appointment with the Social Services department to see if she qualifies for any type of disability coverage. Hopefully, she will get a little money each month, as she is not able to work and has no discretionary spending money. If it's more than a little, she can take care of some of her medical expenses.
If you're reading this early Friday, will you pray that she can make it through all of these appointments today? I can't tell you how difficult yesterday was for her. For someone with virtually no activity level to be out for 11 hours (we got home at 10:30 pm!) and constantly sitting up, was rough. At times, she faints continually, one after the other, which she did several times yesterday. Again, Sweet Kendra, rode in the back of the van and revived her with alcohol preps while I drove like a lunatic on those crazy Washington, DC-area roads. I'm glad to be back home where traffic is virtually unheard of.
I will update this blog after her surgery on the 17th. We do covet your prayers for her and for us as we care for her. I continue to have hope that the situation will improve, and I constantly remind her that "it's not forever." We are praying fervently that that is the case. Thanks in advance, all.
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