Medical Update

This will be a pretty short update. I just wanted to quickly update on Maddy's results and next steps as well as my surgery.

Maddy had her long awaited Brain MRI on Tuesday. I was more nervous than I usually am for tests, but doing a test to rule out a brain tumor or another condition that would require brain surgery is not easy! Let me say how grateful I am to one of my close friends and prayer partners for allowing me to share my fears and turn it over to God. I am also so grateful to our new neurologist for getting results to me the next day! Fortunately, the brain MRI was read as normal! Praise God. They did find swollen lymph nodes in her neck that we thought might be responsible for her trouble with swallowing, but after consulting with several doctors they decided that that was highly unlikely. So we will move forward with more testing to determine what is causing the swallowing issues and hopefully a treatment plan.

On to me...I am finally having my knee surgery next Wednesday. I am so ready as my knee is really bothering almost around the clock now. I am only having "half" of the recommended surgery. Because of the kids needs and schedules, it is not feasible for me to be out of commission for 6 weeks. I am doing a less "invasive" surgery to clean up the cartilage. I should be able to drive and do most things in about 5 days. While the doctor is performing surgery he will also get a good look at if the other surgery is really necessary and if I need to figure out a way to make that happen in the future.

I can't leave you with just a medical update because that would be SO boring! I decided to introduce you to Maddy's equine therapists and best buds. While Victory has a herd of around 20 horses, Maddy rides two the majority of the time. They could not be more different, however they have both played an instrumental role in Maddy's amazing transformation over the past several months. Maddy started begging to ride horses when she was almost 5. I reached out to Victory and at that time it was determined that the best placement for her would be in the Hippotherapy Program (Physical Therapy using a horse). For her first year and a half she only did hippotherapy. But she desperately wanted to "ride". In October of 2020, she had her first therapeutic riding lesson with Tammi. Those first few months were HARD! Maddy wanted to ride so badly, but she was overcome with anxiety and fear and spent almost every lesson in tears at some point. I approached Tammi about doing a private lesson each week to try and build confidence. Tammi spent countless nights praying and lying awake trying to find a way to break through the fear and let Maddy enjoy riding like she so desperately wanted to. We started private lessons in January of 2021 and it took a LONG time for the tears to stop and we still heard "I'm nervous" all lesson long. Fast forward a year...In late Fall/Early Winter two horses arrived on Victory's property that would change everything. First came Blue. From the minute Blue arrived he stole Maddy's heart. Maddy BEGGED Tammi weekly for the chance to ride him. Blue is not the easiest horse as the staff and volunteers can attest to, but there is something about that horse and Maddy that is truly special. Maddy becomes someone different when she mounts Blue. She rides with a determination and assertiveness that we never see in any other circumstance. We are often left watching and shaking our heads. Many adults can't get that horse to move or obey and yet Maddy can ride him seamlessly. There is a love between them that makes Maddy believe anything is possible.

Not long after Blue arrived, Gabby arrived. Gabby could not be more different. She is calm, cool, collected. She is exceptionally well trained and Maddy showed her in January after only riding her a few weeks. Gabby has taught Maddy about a partnership, about trust. Maddy knows that if she does what Tammi has taught her to do, Gabby will perform. As Maddy has ridden Gabby for the past 4 months we have watched her improve weekly. But more importantly we have watched her confidence blossom. She is learning harder and harder skills. We no longer hear I am nervous. We are watching that confidence carry over to all areas of her life. Maddy is chatty and joyful at her lessons now. She is interacting more with her coaches, volunteers and classmates. WE are watching Gabby break down walls. 

These horses and this program is so much more than just a fun ride. It is truly therapy and it is changing Maddy's life. I am so grateful for the blessing of Tammi, Sarah, the staff, the volunteers and Kate and Leslie who so generously allow us to use Blue and Gabby. It is a bigger blessing than I could ever express. 

I would ask for prayers for my surgery and recovery and that I am able to take care of me and not over do it. And also prayers for Maddy as we continue to figure out her migraines and swallowing concerns.

Ali