We had another set of appointments for Seth and Sydney over the last 2 weeks. The pulmonologist went well with normal lung functions. They will do overnight oximetry to see if their oxygen levels drop significantly. We also saw Dr. Prigatano, a neuropsychologist. He gave us some shocking news about our oldest daughter Sydney. He states she will never be able to drive and that she will need assistance throughout her entire life. Becky and I had begun to realize as she got older that she has a hard time socially, emotionally, and mentally, but we didn't realize it was this bad. This changes everything. You expect your children to grow up, go to college, get married, and have a life of their own. You hope you have taught them well and given them a solid foundation for their lives. You don't plan for this.
We also met again with Dr. Narayanan, their local neurologist. He is such a kind man. After our appointment, we were talking and he said, I feel like I'm not doing very much for your children. I was somewhat shocked by his statement. I then said to him, do you want to know how we feel? We feel like you have saved our children's lives! Tears started to swell up in my eyes as I said this and it felt like we connected to each other spirit to spirit. There was a long pause and tears began to swell up in his eyes. He then said thank you.
I explained to him I will never forget when we first met him and the whole neurogenetic team at St. Joseph's Hospital. We were so excited to finally get some answers from some of the best doctors in the country. You walked in looked at me, Becky, and Seth and with humility said, "I have looked at your son's MRI and have had all of the pediatric neurologist look at it too. I have no idea what is wrong with your son. No one has ever seen this before". He then went on to say we will find out what is wrong with your son. He did what he needed to do. He went the extra mile. He referred us to Dr. Shoffner in Atlanta who finally made the diagnosis.
This journey has been the most difficult experience I have ever been through. I so much want to turn to God for help, but I lack faith. I feel like I have been burned by God before when I have turned things over to him. What do I expect God to do? Do I expect him to make everyday all happy and glorious? Do I expect him to completely take away my pain? Do I expect that there be no suffering in this world? Bottom line, I don't know what I expect.
I am thankful for friends, family, and excellent doctors that have helped us along the way. I do know there are good people in this world. I can always tell when someone is truly interested in another human being. I am so thankful for people like this.
We also met again with Dr. Narayanan, their local neurologist. He is such a kind man. After our appointment, we were talking and he said, I feel like I'm not doing very much for your children. I was somewhat shocked by his statement. I then said to him, do you want to know how we feel? We feel like you have saved our children's lives! Tears started to swell up in my eyes as I said this and it felt like we connected to each other spirit to spirit. There was a long pause and tears began to swell up in his eyes. He then said thank you.
I explained to him I will never forget when we first met him and the whole neurogenetic team at St. Joseph's Hospital. We were so excited to finally get some answers from some of the best doctors in the country. You walked in looked at me, Becky, and Seth and with humility said, "I have looked at your son's MRI and have had all of the pediatric neurologist look at it too. I have no idea what is wrong with your son. No one has ever seen this before". He then went on to say we will find out what is wrong with your son. He did what he needed to do. He went the extra mile. He referred us to Dr. Shoffner in Atlanta who finally made the diagnosis.
This journey has been the most difficult experience I have ever been through. I so much want to turn to God for help, but I lack faith. I feel like I have been burned by God before when I have turned things over to him. What do I expect God to do? Do I expect him to make everyday all happy and glorious? Do I expect him to completely take away my pain? Do I expect that there be no suffering in this world? Bottom line, I don't know what I expect.
I am thankful for friends, family, and excellent doctors that have helped us along the way. I do know there are good people in this world. I can always tell when someone is truly interested in another human being. I am so thankful for people like this.
I have been so touched by the outpouring of love by those who are directly involved in Seth's care. I have seen many of his teachers at the clinic where I work. They tell me how his smile makes them feel good. They tell me that they can be having a bad day and they see Seth, and he brightens their day. I am amazed how much these people truly love my son. His bus driver saw me today and told me they don't let anyone else sit in his seat. They don't want another sick or potential sick child to sit where he will be sitting. They use antimicrobial agents to clean his seat frequently. Jennifer, Seth's bus driver, also stated she has multiple people praying for him at her church and her family around the country.
I have a dear friend Rusty who has gone above and beyond what I would have expected anyone to do. He seems to be in touch with our needs and has given financially to help with enormous medical bills. Rusty is one of those guys you know truly cares. I have felt his sincere empathy. He has been a good friend to have a long this journey.
I have family who have made several trips from Utah to Arizona to watch our kids while we travel to Atlanta. We have friends here who have watched our children overnight as we have gone to extended appointments in Phoenix. I have co-workers and church members who have helped.
Most of all, I am thankful for Becky, my wife. She has been through this journey and has amazing strength and faith in God. I love you.
Are we alone in this battle? Has God abanoned us on this journey? I don't fully understand how God works. It seems like I have completely revisisted God through all of this and might have answered some of my own questions that I posed.
Until next time, I will continue to be a dad to my two special mito kids and two special other kids.
These are some photos from our trip to Atlanta October 2011
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