January 23, 2006

We went to Children’s this morning… I thought I had a pretty good idea as to what the best and worst case scenario would be. My mom went with both as support to me and Sadie and also it is good for her to hear first hand what is going on. My mom is a very active participant in helping me with the fight… she helps take Sadie to appointments, comes and takes care of her when she is sick… helps give me perspective… those are just a few of the many thing she does to help us out. She is going to need a new cheerleading outfit soon, the one she has one has been well worn.
Dr. Wallace was pretty surprised to hear we didn’t feel she was doing very well. She did the normal exam and did find that yes, her subtalar joint is still affected (same joint that was injected in August) and she confirmed my suspicions about her neck. Her range of motion both looking right and left and putting her head back are far below where they should be. Dr. Wallace also found that her left hip is currently having an issue with range of motion and she is concerned that this too is arthritis.

After discussing some “next steps” – we have increased her Enbrel from once to twice a week and increased the medication to the maximum dose she can take. We have also taken her off oral Methotrexate and are going back to injectable. This means that Sadie will have to have three injections a week. Sadie was far from thrilled as anyone would be. We are going to attempt this road for the next six weeks and return to Children’s on March 6th. At which we will see if this is what was needed to kick this flare.

I will not go into the “what-ifs” right now… the next options are none that I really want to give much thought to right now. We will cross that bridge if the road ahead forces us to do so. In the mean time I will pray (and there is power in prayer… so your prayers are beyond appreciated) that the Lord will take this from Sadie and allow her to be well (this is our ultimate prayer); until that time we ask that the Lord will hold Sadie’s hand and give her strength when she needs it and to make His presents known to her. I will also pray that the Lord will lift Bill and I with encouragement and belief that there is hope. I personally could use the Lord to really pick me up… there are times you do what you have to do and times where you just can hardly bare to watch your child hurt. This has been a long day and I am experiencing the later of the two.

I want to thank the VW community… what a real “community” they have been. From people we see here and there – to people we have never even meet – a simple bond… a German made vehicle. This community has stepped up and supported our family in not only a way that was unexpected, but in a way words can’t even begin to express our gratitude. You are all wonderful people and from everyone in our family… We Thank You!