Sorry...

I know I have not posted just about all week. Scilla is doing well, she has her good day and her bad days. She has days that start off good and end bad, but we are working through it and reassuring her that her family is there to support her and do whatever we can to help her as she adjust to this new way of life.

This will probably be my last post until mid or late next week. My hubby is taking me and our beautiful little one for a small weekend getaway and we also have his naturalization ceremony on Tuesday in Charleston, SC; so will we be away for the next 4 to 5 days.

Have safe memorial day and remember to thank a veteran and continue to pray for healing for Scilla, Emma, and all the other people standing in the need.


"walking in faith..."

WOW...

  The past two days, Monday and Tuesday have consisted of 4 total doctors appointments and 2 x-ray sessions. Today we went to the Southeastern Neurosurgical Spine Institute where Scilla met for the first time that she remembers, Dr. Hodge. Dr. Hodge is the surgeon who performed the surgery on her spine. Before seeing Dr. Hodge he ordered x-rays and the radiologist, poor thing did not know what to do with my sister, luckily Greg and I were there! Greg and I had to put her on the x-ray table, flat on her back and that was VERY PAINFUL, poor thing was in tears (which we have seen a lot of lately!). After lying flat on her back, Greg and I turned her onto her left side, which again was painful. The x-ray lady was really apologetic. After slowly lowering her back on to her back, Greg and I sat her up and started the transfer into her chair.

    Once back in the room, Dr. Hodge viewed the x-rays and allowed us to see them also. He said everything looks good and stable. We were able to see where the metal rod and screws were placed, she has a fusion T6 -T10; the actual fracture occured at T8 for those who know a little about medicine. He did see some compression at T11, but that was there before surgery, so for now he is satisfied with how everything looks. As long as her spine is stable, he is satisfied. He also showed us the before x-ray and we saw her spine, lying in two pieces with shattered pieces all around it, it was really bad!

    Of course Prissy had some questions. She wanted to know why she wouldn't be able to walk again if her spine was fused or put back together. He explained that her SPINAL CORD was completely severed and that is where the nerves and such that send messages to the brain from her lower torso are located and because of the severance, there is no communication between the two. While her SPINE is the boney structure that supports the body and the purpose of putting her spine back together was so that she would be able to sit up  and support her body.

   Because she is having a lot of pain, Dr. Hodge is sending her to pain management at Upstate Rehabilitation to see if she can get some relief from the pain.

"Walking in faith..."

A no good, very bad (past couple of ) days...

    I know I haven't posted in a while, I have really been struggling emotionally and I am mad because I feel as though some members of my family has their priorities out of order; for many of us close to her, she should be our first priority right now, seeing as though God was so gracious as to keep her here for us.

      Scilla has been in a rut. Crying night after night and just frustrated. My heart goes out to her and I really am trying my best to be there when she needs me to. She is really worried about not being able to turn at night, among other things.

      I am asking for prayer that God gives her comfort and let her know that even though she is going through some tough times right now, he is still control and still able to heal her.

    Also please pray for Emma.

frustrating friday...

      Today started out not so well. First off, we didn't make it to her morning therapy session because she didn't feel well. So she made an appointment to see her Family physician. In addition to that she was just frustrated and her day did not go very well and I hoping that tomorrow will be a better day for her.


    Pray for Scilla's strength and healing; also pray for baby Emma.

faith...

   Faith is a must. It takes faith to step out on nothing and believe that something is there! Sometimes things happen in the course of life to make you appreciate certain people more. I have had a rough week and so many of the people around me have also. I am a very compassionate person and my heart is hearting for several people I call my friends. I have such an emotional roller coaster of a week and  I have leaned on my wonderful husband and best friend more and I am so grateful for him being there for me when I need him most. I encourage anyone reading to continue to have faith, continue to believe and know that God has not forgot and when things get rough; don't give up on God, instead pray for his favor in the situation. Sometimes our biggest storms yields the best blessings. I encourage my friends who are going through right now to keep the faith, because it is a must. If you loose faith, then you loose the battle. Don't give up, don't stop fighting and most importantly don't let your faith dwindle. I know what you are going through is tough and you may not see God's purpose, but know that all things work together for the food of those who love the Lord and God is going to bring you out alright. The current situation or the outcome may not be what we desire, but remember God knows best and just continue to pray for his favor and praise him for WHAT HE HAS ALREADY DONE!

    On another note, I have to take Prissy to therapy in the morning, please pray that everything goes well and we don't have a repeat of Tuesday.

     Also please keep Baby Emma on your prayer lists. Pray not only for Emma, but for strength and faith for her mother, father, and family.

     I am trusting God to do what he said...

"Walking in faith..."

Definitely not my day

      Today was just one of those blah! kinda days where you wish you could crawl back into bed and start it all over again! As much as the kids on my job work my last nerve, they were a welcome distraction today.

     Scilla is doing very well and making great improvements, everything was going well until I let her....
FALL OUT OF THE CAR! No your eyes are not deceiving you! While trying to transfer her from the car to her chair, the chair slipped and I tried to catch her but she kept slipping until she hit the ground. I was a nervous wreck and my confidence greatly shaken. (a little background on her why she fell: She does not have her personal chair yet, it should be here in about 2weeks. The chair she has is bits and pieces of other chairs put together and the brakes don't exactly do their job which is why the chair started to move during the middle of our transfer.) ANYWAYS, I called 9-1-1 and the fireman arrived first and once I explained her injury they decided to leave her sitting on the ground with her feet still in the car until the EMS arrived. Once there, their first thought was to pull her by her arms and she and I quickly said "NO, you can't do that, she has a new spinal cord injury and you can't pull her by her arms!" So they thought for a minute and got a back board and laid her down and again thought they were going to grab her arms and again we said "no, you can't pull her arms and she can't move her legs, so finally they got the point."

       The EMS got a blanket out of the ambulance and put it underneath her and pulled her the rest of the way onto the backboard that way. So now there was still the problem of how to get her in the chair. The EMS and firemen put the blanket underneath her bottom and back and lifted on the count of three while I pushed the wheelchair closer to them; once we had her on the chair, I put my hands under her butt to pull her back while they lifted her back completely into the chair.

   So as you can see it wasn't exactly the kind of day you want to have, but one good thing did happen. While talking to the paramedic and telling of her injury; one of them said "Do you remember me?" and Scilla was like "not really" and he said I was there the day of your injury! Scilla started then to remember that he held her hand on the way to the hospital. He told us how he kept telling her she was going to be okay and that she was not going to die and that she was one lucky lady. So world, I introduce you to Scilla's guardian angel; the paramedic who has been there when she has needed him most, Mr. R.C Page:

"Walking in Faith..."

Busy as a bee...

is what Prissy has been with all her appointments! She is doing great and in great spirits. She has discovered my blog and has been reading it this weekend. I am not sure what I think of that because a part of me just figured that she would never read it. Anyways things are well with her, she has been enjoying getting on the couch and is adjusting very well.

    Baby Emma is showing some signs of improvement; earlier this morning she went off the ventilator for at least 45 minutes that I know of and when I find out more, I will post an update. Please continue to keep both Emma and Prissy in your prayers because we can see how God is busy at work healing and watching over the both of them.

UPDATE: Although Emma came off the ventilator as mentioned above, breathing is still a struggle for her and she is suffering and uncomfortable. I know God hears our prayers and I am still trusting and believing in him for Emma's healing. My heart hurts when I don't get good reports on Emma and I don't know why but this little girl holds a very special place in my heart and I am sitting here thinking God, what can I sacrifice for Emma? I am thinking of fasting and praying, but what I will fast is something I am going to pray about because I really need for God to see that I am serious about him working a miracle in baby Emma's life. Emma's mom is requesting prayer that God not allow Emma to suffer, but provide her with comfort and healing.


"Walking in faith..."

Prayer for Baby Emma...

  Prissy tried to tell me what to post tonight, but of course I do what I want so here is a quick update. She is doing well, adjusting to being home and getting back in the groove of things. We do know now why when it was 90 degrees outside and everyone else was pouring in sweat and burning up, she was complaining of being cold. Her blood is too thin, but doctors are correcting that.

     I love my Prissy to death, but tonight I am requesting, if not begging for prayer for baby Emma. Emma is in the hospital on a ventilator and doctors do not know why she stopped breathing. I could not imagine going through what her parents has been through as first time parents in the 2 short months that Emma have been here with us. Please pray for Emma's healing, that the doctors find out what is causing Emma to stop breathing and that they have a solution to the problem.
      Dear God, Our God, thou who created the Heavens and the Earth; I come you with my arms outstretched, asking for prayer for Emma Young. God, I know you are watching over Emma and I pray that you heal and touch her right now. God, you said that if we ask in your name; we shall receive. So God I am asking for healing for Emma; I am asking that you allow the doctors to find the cause of her breathing problems as well as a solution to them. God, give her parents and loved ones strength and let them know that you hear their prayers and you will take care, as well as heal their baby girl. In your son, Jesus' most Holy and precious name. AMEN

"Walking in Faith..."

A rough first night home...

   We knew that bringing Prissy home was going to be a challenge and require a lot of work. She came home on Wednesday to a house full of sick people!!! Her husband, daughter, and the 2 year old all have severe sinus infections. The 2 month old baby has an ear infection. They all went to the E.R on wednesday night and when they got home it was really late. In addition to dealing with all these sick people in her house, she didn't have a good night's rest. When I went to visit her this morning she remarked that "She can't do it"; her bed doesn't allow her to turn as she needs to for pressure relief and she got off schedule for her cathing.

       I told her that we may have to get her a hospital type bed until she is stronger and able to turn, even though she doesn't or didn't want one to begin with, so we will just see how that goes and I also feel that we will need to get a caregiver until she is stronger and in less pain. SN: just spoke with her and she claims the hospital bed is for old people, she will learn the hardway!

     Otherwise things are well with her and she has a dr. appointment tomorrow to start her coumadin therapy to prevent blood clots.

She's home...

   Today, May 12, 2010 Scilla was discharged from Roger C. Peace. So here we are :

• 58 days
• with a spinal cord injury
• a wheelchair
• new medical problems
• a blood clot
• fluid in the lung
• and a life forever changed later!

    Scilla was definitely excited to go today. She called me last night and said all she had was a "wake up" left, meaning she go to sleep and wake up and she would be coming home! She called me at about 8:15 this morning to make sure I was awake. I got to RCP at about 9:15, but we didn't leave for another almost 2 hours. After leaving RCP she wanted to go to GARDEN RIDGE and then to the DOLLAR GENERAL store, followed lastly by a stop at TACO BELL. She commented on our ride home that the grass smelled good, to which I replied you are just happy to be going home and  to smell some fresh air...ha ha!

    I got her home and safely in her house, and now I am starting to think the hard part starts! No longer can we call nurses or CNA's or doctors or therapists to assist; it is all on us. The road ahead of us seems very tedious and I am not sure if we can do it alone, I think we will definitely need to hire a nurse or caregiver; although she doesn't really want one.

    Since I (well my awesome hubby) am/ is  the only in the family with a sedan type vehicle, I told her that Greg is welcome to use the car at any time until they can get a car of their own. She will have therapy 3 days a week and she has MANY doctors appointments; the first of which is this Friday. The week of the 24th in addition to therapy she has appointments on MONDAY, TUESDAY, and WEDNESDAY; that is a lot of doctor visits to go to in one week!

      Before I end tonight's blog, I must ask for prayer for sweet baby Emma. She has been hospitalized again. She stopped breathing on Monday and was rushed to the hospital. They are running several tests and scans trying to find a cause, so to all you prayer warriors out there, please whisper a prayer for Emma and her family tonight!

        As I end tonight, I just want to thank God for blessing us; he has done more than enough for us and I just want to give him praise for saving my sister's life; she has had some rough times during the past 58 days, but God has kept her and gave a testimony!

WELCOME HOME PRISCILLA

 WE LOVE YOU!

56 down; 2 more to go

     As of today, Scilla has been in the hospital for 56 DAYS!!! As it now stands she will be discharged on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 which will make it 58 days total that she was/has been in the hospital. 2 more days and it would have been a full 60 days/2 months.

      Prissy is doing great, her mood is awesome and she is really excited about going home. We are also excited, but now it means we have to start the process of finding a caregiver for her until she is stronger and experiences less pain in her back. As I think back on what we have been through, no one but God could have brought us through. God has blessed us immensely, there were times when we questioned him and asked why, but yet he still kept on blessing us. Prissy's is doing better than anyone expected and her nurse even said today that she is the first woman to self Cathe in a VERY, LONG time and that her progress has exceeded their expectations! I know some of the progress is amazing to medical professionals; but they forget we serve and awesome and mighty God and he is just taking care of child as he promised he would! Thank you God for your grace and mercy!!!

     Today, I am including some pics taken during the last week; that I have been meaning to post.

above and below: lifting weights in OT to increase upper body strength

Above and below: Chef Mimi baking cupcakes for Scilla's nurses to celebrate nurses day on

Thursday, May 5, 2010

THE GREAT TASTING CUPCAKES

Above is a picture of Greg, Scilla, Mimi, Travion and Sadik. Outside in courtyard.

Below is Scilla with her daughter, Kelle and of course my little had to jump in the picture

The next two pictures are of Prissy at Walmart on Saturday after I picked her up for her day pass:

above she is giving me a smirk b/c I am giving her a taste of her medicine with all the pictures I take...ha ha

Happy Mother's Day !

   I must begin by saying Happy Mother's day to every adult female woman. Whether you have biological kids or not at some point you have served in the capacity as a mother to someone! So to all of you beautiful ladies, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

      God has a special place in his heart for mothers. ALMOST, but not every woman can give birth, BUT it takes a special kind of woman to be a mother. Not everyone is caring and nurturing. I think that God knows that motherhood can be a challenge and he chooses "special" moms for "special kids". I think that God knew that I was not capable of handling a child with "special needs" after all that I had been through during my pregnancy with MiMi. God knew that I had been through enough and fought hard enough just to get her in this world. For those of you who don't know my story, in a nutshell: At 3 months pregnant it was discovered that my cervix was opening  and it was happening rapidly! I had to visit 3 specialist before they would do the cerclage(stitching my cervix closed) because they don't normally do it for first pregnancies, but I refused to miscarry my baby knowing that something could be done to save the precious life forming inside of me. I can vividly remember sitting on the floor in my bedroom beside my bed praying and crying out to God to save my baby because at the times I felt my cervix contracting. Needless to say, I had the cerclage followed by 5 months of bed rest and in June of 2006 I gave birth to my precious "Myr'Acle"!  I named her "miracle" because I felt that was what she was; a blessing from God. God heard my cry and answered my prayers.

     I said all that to say that God will not give us more than we can bear. He knew that after the struggle I went through with my pregnancy, then laboring for 24 hrs, and finally having to have a C-section that I couldn't handle anymore than I had been through. God knows what storms we are able to weather; he knows what trials and tests we can pass. He knows which mothers are capable of taking care of children with special needs; the one's who will provide them with the best love and care.

     When God created mothers he put something on the inside of them that no one will understand; he gave them the ability to just make everything better! As I think of Scilla and what she has gone through; you see her needing help with the smallest tasks, but yet still, her priority has been her family. One of her doctors even commented that Scilla was more concerned with making sure her 16 year daughter  was okay than with what was going on with her. That is a testament to greatest love of all; a mother's love! My mother, my rock, my best friend has stood strongly on her faith in God and has never doubted his ability to bless her beyond measure. It is hard to get a call saying your child; your first born has been injured severely; but she didn't miss one beat, she did what she taught all her girls to do; Pray! My dear classmate, Mary Beth, sweet Emma's mom; she has really been tested; but in spite of, she put herself last and Emma first. She had a painful C-section with Emma, but that didn't stop her from being by Emma's bedside almost every day for the entire day. She made sure Emma's every need was met and went over nurses and doctors or whoever stood in her way to make sure Emma received the best care during her stay. Then there is Lashonda; she had her baby boy 4 months early. The doctor wanted her to let her son die; but she refused and said do whatever it takes to save my baby while I start praying. These women exhibit the greatest love there is and although they have been through a lot in the past two months; they share a common bond; they  have a strong faith and believe in God to perform the miracles they know he is capable of.

     I leave you today with my mothers day poem I wrote for Prissy:

Priscilla

Praying for strength, healing and restoration.

Realizing that I must stay focused and

In God I must trust.

Standing on his holy word, knowing that he

Can do the

Impossible.

Learning new things and new ways of

Life.

All I can do is continue to walk in faith…

Priscilla, we love you and know that your faithfulness will bring you through.

Confused ???

     Today started out as rainy and with nothing too excited to report. Prissy got a day pass or rather a pass for about 3 hours to go handle some business issues that she could only take care of in person. I wasn't going to post today because not much else happened; that is until tonight...

     Tonight for the 2nd night straight Scilla has claimed that the muscle spasms occuring in her stomach were painful and that she could feel it. She says the pain was so bad that she called my mom crying and upset; saying that she was in pain. My mom prayed for her and tried to comfort her over the phone. We are not sure what is going on, but the Doctor had to be called at home to give authorization for medication for the spasms. I am online researching and trying to find out something to make sense of all this.

     Scilla's injury is from T9 down, which means that she should not be able to feel anything below her breast bone. There are cases of people regaining some feeling after SCI; but I am not sure if that means anything as far as her paraylsis is concerned. This whole muscle spasm, feeling, and paraylsis stuff has got me saying hmm... right about now; but I have prayed about it and asked God for healing and restoration and I will never loose faith in his ability to heal and perform miracles; but I also try not to get my hopes up or hers because I would hate to see her disappointed.

    If I find any relevant research tonight, I will let everyone know what I discover; until then I am going to continue to have faith, knowing that I serve a great God and an awesome God is capable doing things that man may never understand.

"walking in faith..."

Fun Friday; Saturday and Sunday day passes...

     I haven't posted all weekend because I have taken this time to relax, do somethings for myself and SHOP! Prissy enjoyed both her day passes and although it was very tiring for her, she is continuing to do more. She went to Wal-Mart and we went to dinner Sunday at Ruby Tuesdays. She did well at Ruby's for the most part; she did get a little frustrated at the salad bar because she couldn't reach everything she wanted and was not able to carry her plate on her own. She did attempt to try these things and although I was at the bar with her and told her that as time goes on she will get better; she was still a little frustrated.
     I see the progress that she has made, but I see that she still needs A WHOLE LOT OF WORK! It looks as  though when she comes home on May 12th that she is still going to need around the clock help and will not be able to be alone at anytime. I don't know how long it is going to take, but I can't wait until she is independent enough to transfer from her chair on her own, because I think that will just make life easier for her; not having to depend on someone else all the time.
       She has been having muscle spasms and says she felt one in her stomach today. I want to believe her and I have faith that God does, can and will work miracles, but at the same time I do not want to give her false hope. So at times when she says she can feel, I try to change the subject or make a joke because I don't know how I should react.
    On a lighter note, I have noticed Prissy is smiling a lot more and seems to be returning to her happy self . Here are some pictures from the past week:

Pushing Aunt Scilla going to look for Tracie (therapist)

Doing their supermodel pose!

Prissy had to chase her in a circle and sing Hannah Montana!

Great Recreational therapy ;)

Throwing up their peace signs!

Travion, Scilla's foster son!

Lastly, I leave you with a video of Mimi and Scilla playing outside; they were having a great time and although we didn't know it at the time, it was great therapy for Prissy!