I`m Thankful

I am so Thankful that all I have to deal with is a Chiari. Yes, a Chiari is BAD and PAINFUL, but it is FIXABLE! :-) As the week went by I heard about people my age into drugs and death due to a car accidents. What do you do when you are into drugs?? That is a hard habit to break. And death, there is no going back. I believe that these things were put in my life as a sign from God to be THANKFUL and not dwell on the negative. It really could be so much worse. I truly am blessed in so many ways. Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and thoughts. <3

2nd Surgery Date

Duraplasty surgery is scheduled for May 6th at 8:00am. I will be at Levine Childrens Hospital in Charlotte for about a week and I will be in ICU for the 1st 24 hours. I would LOVE to have visitors. It makes the hospital stay so much better to have company! Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts! :-)

Just another bump in the road!

Three weeks ago on Thursday I fell down a friends stairs. I was off the diamox for the Chiari which made me unbalanced. It did not immeadiatley hurt, but as the days and weeks have past it has gotten worse. :-( I went to the docotor today and had xrays done. They came back normal. I am in a sling and using a heating pad for 20 minutes 3 times a day. If it is worse by Thursday or not better by Monday then I will be reffered to an Orthopedic. The worse part of this whole thing is not knowing what is causing the pain. I have paitence for little kids, but when it comes to waiting on my health I am not very good at.

1st surgery in Pictures

Directions!

3 days out of OR and im sitting up!

*Thanks for the homemade blanket Lily and Baylie!*

Finally in the craft room and its time

to go home.

My shaved head and scar!

Did you really just say that to me?

People amaze me when they...

1. Say to me you DON`T look sick.
2. Say why do you not have to go to school?
3. Say I would do anything to stay at home all day! (Trust me after the 2nd week you won`t)
4. Complain to me about having a minor sickness that can be treated easily.
5. Say why do you HAVE to have surgery? Why cant you just stay on the diamox?

My Story in a Nutshell!

Since the fifth grade I went misdiagnosed. I was in and out of MRI machines CAT scans. You name it I had it done to me! I was a sophomore in high school before correctly diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation (I am now 17 and a junior in high school). Whats That? It is a congenital birth defect where your brain has fallen down into your spinal column causing pressure on your brain and skull. The skull on the left is what your brain is suppose to look like. The brain on the right is what mine looks like.My symptoms were severe chronic headaches, back pain, dumbness, weakness, fatigue, memory loss, loss of words, and balance. When I found out that I had a Chiari Malformation, 3 things crossed my mind; 1. How do you even say that! 2. Yes! They know what is wrong, no more fear of the unknown or tests. 3. Why me? Well more and more doctor visits went by and so much medication before deciding what to do. I had decompression surgery on August 30th 2010. I was pain free for 6 months until I started slowly falling back down the hill again. I am now have duraplasty surgery on May 6th 2011. I am hoping for permanent relief this time. Prayers and thoughts are greatly appreciated! <3