Living Proof

I've run in to so many people lately asking for an update, so here it is!

Many of you know we were just in the hospital again. Meghan turned 3 at the beginning of March. We have long been told that she is high risk for hormone deficiencies due to the damage caused from her hydrocephalus, and that they would usually present around age 3. When she was still an infant her growth hormone levels were very low, but came up again after she got her feeding tube and began getting the calories she needed. She's a petite little girl, but has thus far followed her own growth curve, and her other hormone levels have been fine. The last three illnesses she has had have landed her in the hospital with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). At first they thought it may just be due to her small size, but this admission revealed that a growth hormone deficiency is probably the cause for her low blood sugars during times of stress on her system, such as illness. She just can't make enough growth hormone to keep her blood sugar up when she is sick. We are now scheduled for a lengthy stimulation test next week to confirm the diagnosis. They will start an IV, and give her medication and timed blood draws. The good thing about all this is that if we are able to confirm the diagnosis, then we will be able to easily treat it with daily injections, and hopefully avoid hospital stays every time she is sick! Other than that she has been doing really well.

In other news, we are wrapping up Addie's kindergarten year. It's so hard to believe this kiddo is about to turn 6. She recently lost both her front teeth, and has the classic 6 year old smile:) 

Next week happens to be a big week for me too. It's my final Herceptin infusion, and we plan on celebrating! The year of cancer is finally coming to an end. I get to celebrate turning 34 by running a half marathon, with significantly more hair than I had last time, and no radiation burns to slow me down. A few days later, I get to have my medi port removed, and will finally be able to break free of the active treatment phase. 

This year I will be running to celebrate life, but also in honor of my cousin Nick Nicholson. Nick lost his battle with the demons of depression on April 24th, and our family is forever changed. There are not adequate words to describe the influence he had on my young life. I lived with my cousins when I first moved to Ohio, and again during my first year of PA  school. Those years were difficult for me. I had made some choices that led to finding myself in situations that I never expected to be in. Nick helped me to shine the light of God's truth on my life, and my trials. If you have been following my blog you will know that his influence has turned from that first trickle of truth, to streams of living water that have washed over every difficulty I have encountered since. He was a steady presence in my storm, and served as a truth-bearer, helping to point me back in the right direction. I am forever changed by his love and kindness.

Sometimes we aren't allowed to know complete healing while we walk this earth, and that is so hard to understand. Nevertheless, in the struggle there is always hope. Cling to the unfailing love of Jesus, and never let go. His purpose, and His promises will always prevail.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

gwhose trust is the Lord.

 He is like a tree planted by water,

that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17: 7-8

April 2014

April 2015

One year later. 

One year stronger.