A Tribute to our family Hero!

One year ago at Christmas, our household was pretty sad.   Taylor was in constant pain.  It looked like we were at the end of hope.  It was a dark time.
    Months earlier,  I had been given the name of a world-class neurosurgeon at Rush University Hospital:  Dr. Vincent Traynelis.  I actually had his photo and contact information on my desktop for months before my desperation  over-took me and prompted my call to his Chicago practice. 
The incredible Haley M. answered my call-----in more ways than one.  I sobbed on the telephone with her while she waited patiently for me to overwhelm her with information about Taylor and his long medical history.   Oh what an angel she has turned out to be for our family!  Within a few days, Dr. Vincent Traynelis called me at home---way after a long day of surgery for him---and he talked, questioned and listened for more than an hour.  So ....our journey to Chicago and Rush Medical Center...and to Dr. Traynelis began.  It was a long, circuitous, emotionally-ladened journey, but as you all know, Taylor had his full fusion in May.  We were in Chicago for 48 days.  It was a time of ups and downs, intense fright and of tremendously deep joy.
       Dr. Vincent Traynelis is our hero this Christmas.   As Taylor heals more and more, as he participates in his regular activities---as he is returning to the Taylor he used to be....We give thanks to Dr. Traynelis. 
        Thank you, Haley, for hearing the pleas of a mama.   Thank you, Dr. Traynelis for being so gifted, skilled, brilliant...and kind.  
         Merry Christmas from Taylor!  We love you!

 

Miracle Knees

For all of the years that I taught middle school, my "kids" always made fun of my bountiful knees!  Undoubtedly when I wore skirts that showed my knees,  one of them would call out, "Ms. Causey!  You gots THREE sets of knees!" I always bristled at these words because, well....."don't no woman want three sets of knees!"
I have always seen this part of myself as something wrong or flawed or bad. 
(I inherited them from my mother.  Thanks, Mattie May!)
But....Today when Taylor went and found his scooter after a year of ignoring it completely..I was overcome with awe and joy and complete and utter thanksgiving!
I fell on my knees (which is risky because then I have to get back up.)
I quickly whipped out my phone, took a little video and texted it to my sisters. 
Within a few minutes, I received such a perfect reply: "I hope your knees get all calloused from all of the miracles that you going to see!"
Because I am true believe that ALL things come to us as gifts and in the service of healing, it occurred to me that it IS a great thing that I DO have three sets of knees.
I am going to need them.
 Miracle Knees---Bring on the callouses!