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Setbacks: Special Needs Parenting 101 (Michaela's Story, Part One) by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado
Friday, February 8, 2008
Rated "G" by the Author.
A family deals with unexpected crisis in their lives.
I don't know if I can take any more bad news.
Today, at the doctor's office, we were given some devastating news regarding our daughter, Michaela Renee'. The doctor basically told us that if she doesn't have surgery soon, our daughter is going to die.
Micheala was born with spina bifida. Over the years it seems that her scoliosis has worsened, causing her undue pain, more difficulty in mobility (she's been using her wheelchair more than her crutches), and now increasing difficulty in breathing. It's been terrifying hearing her wheezing for breath as she fights for air.
The doctor told us that her spinal cord is tethered (twisted); this is what is causing the problems; if she doesn't have anything done within the next few weeks (to months), she could very well end up dead. It's that serious.
At the news we cried. We knew she was having problems; we just didn't see how bad they were. Now all of a sudden we are facing more hospital time, more worry as our daughter goes under the knife for the umpteenth time, more medical bills, more headaches.
We were never really good at facing our deepest fears (i.e., losing our daughter). Now it looks like once again our worst fears are staring right at us in the face, and we've tried to be there for our daughter, tried to keep her as healthy as possible. Now her damned disease has reared its ugly head once again, and it just means more stress, more expense on our part.
I don't know why Michaela has to have more pain; she's already been through so much in her thirteen years on this planet; she doesn't deserve any more heartache! She should be worrying about things like homework, talking to her friends on the phone, or shopping at the mall, not things like surgery, hospital stays, or more painful tests/procedures!
If we get through this latest upcoming crisis in our lives it will be a miracle!! Just pray for us, better yet pray for Michaela! She (and us) need all the prayers we can possibly get!!
I will keep you updated about Michaela's situation. Things right now look very bad.
~Written by Ellen W. Hackensack, Michaela's mom, Elmira, New York.
Karen - a heartbreaking story for child and family...well done.
Tell Ellen to contact Shriners Hospital for Children close to them. They are specifically for children and don't charge. Wonderful care.
www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/
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