2nd anniversary

[Guest guest]

It is so hard to believe that today is 's second year anniversary

from her third decompression, odontoidectomy, spinal fusion, halo brace,

revision of her dura plasty/etc.

We just wanted to give those of you who are struggling some hope.

has NEVER had the relief that she has today. There are those bad weeks

--- still headaches, neck and back pain. The pain isn't there everyday

and she can get her head off her pillow off to school part time.

has been able to remain in school this year on a part time basis and it

has been wonderful for her --- ok for me too!!!!

We have had two evaluations on her neurosurgically --- both differing

greatly. From a new ns there is thought that she is becoming compressed

again in the cervical region and that the syrinx needs to be addressed

very quickly. (It was the very quickly that scares us). Then we went

back to her ns who says hold off and wait.

We have never felt misdirected from her surgeon and plan on taking his

approach. He is watching her very closely -- MRI every 6 months unless

there is a change of symptoms --- seeing her every six months. We are

content to " see " . has been through so much and she is enjoying

some of the simple things n her life right now and needs to do this.

There are many times when we wished Mr. and Mrs. Chiari/syringomyelia

had never entered our home but forgetting and 's pain, it

has given us such a better outlook on life. One of the hardest times

this year was discovering that our oldest daughter has SB occulta with

ACM. But through it all Dave and I have learned to take time for the

small things and don't sweet the little stuff. I guess we had to learn

it the hard way. Laughter has also been a great relief through all of

this medical stuff --- if you don't laugh you will cry.

Praying that you each have a somewhat comfortable day from pain.

Remember you don't need a " complete " recovery to enjoy life a little

bit.

Faith, Dave, and

________________________________

& Faith Webb