My 1st Walk ;))

I went on my 1st walk. Of course down a snowy sidewalk, Chad by my side. Was not easy like I thought it would be...practicing turning my head left to right. It felt good to have the fresh air. My whole world is now moving up & down and side to side. This is much harder than ever now that I have the loss of the canal & now need to get my brain to compensate for the other side. It's an out of control feeling & I need to be patient...hard for me because it's been SO long already & I want relief! But I am getting steadier on my feet. I'm trying my best! I need to say I have wonderful family, friends, and neighbors! You have all been great support! More than I would have known...Love to all and God bless!~Holly

Trying Hard to Not Give up...

Holly and I both get daily 'On this Day God Wants You to Know' messages on facebook, and both of ours have been SO spot on! This was Holly's message today:

On this day, God wants you to know... that how bad things may look right now means nothing, - it's how good they can be with God's help that counts. In life you can absolutely count on one thing, everything can turn around in one day, in one minute sometimes. Don't you dare to give up!...you might be a moment away from a windfall. ;))

‎(from Holly) Just when I felt like giving up, these are great reminders for me. I felt like giving up this morning. I know God does not leave us, and I cant leave God either...I need to keep my faith.

Tears are ok....

"Walking going a little better, balance is all off still. I am feeling tears of frustration today...I spilled juice everywhere and I can't clean it up, cause the motion of tilting my head up & down are the hardest.....sorry to sound full of self pity...I need to vent that's all. God forgive me for complaining, I know there are others less fortunate."

(Holly it's ok to be human ♥ ;)

Instant Results? No :/...in Time, Yes...

 (from Holly ♥) Thank you everyone...please keep praying for me, I am having a rougher time then I thought. I need to be patient and that is so tough for me...instant results, no :/....in time yes.

 (from her Mom) Holly is home, but now the hard part begins. She has no equilibrium...the brain will slowly start compensating...symptoms of balance are worse because with the surgery her balance center was cut off suddenly as opposed to the slow onset of SCD. The emotional aftermath is very difficult for her as she is even more dependant on others. Time & patience are the key. We need to stay positive as she is going thru depression & anxiety which is to be expected.The brain is confused at this point but will amazingly begin to process new information as to restore her orientation. She has extreme vertigo & nausea. The pain is lessening with each day. We pray for strength & patience, for those who are suffering, & for caregivers everywhere. Thank you everyone for your warmth & prayers! <3

Coming Home...

Coming home today, a bit discouraging as I am not myself yet...trying to tell my brain positive thoughts...this is hard. My brain was just getting used to being unbalanced and compensated well....now I have start all over again,since now the canal is non functioning. Thank you everyone for you prayers and encouraging words...please keep them coming. Need them more then ever. God bless. And just want to say Thank you God for what I do still have, and a wonderful husband by my side, keeping me going when I want to quit.

One Step at a Time...

  Spoke with Chad today & Holly practiced walking unassisted, but with Chad right beside her...she is still very dizzy and will have to continue to be patient as her brain adjusts & she is able to regain her sense of balance. She also did some head exercises which are part of her physical therapy. Thank you again for all... your prayers & support! It means the world to Holly ♥

On the Road to Recovery...with Patience, Strength, & Courage

(from Holly's Mom)....Hollys surgery for Superior Canal Dehiscence was on Monday. She is still in ICU. The surgery went well but it is difficult to tell how successful it was as the symptoms go away gradually as her skull/brain/ear heal. The surgeons used a composite of ground bone and wax compound to plug the dehiscence and a type of cement wall used between the canal and brain. The extreme vertigo and pain she is experiencing is typical for this type of surgery. One of the first things she said when she awoke was 'I don't hear my eyeballs swish anymore'. Great sign! She is in good spirits and very alert and lucid. She has her husband Chad at her side 24/7. He has been a tower of strength for her thru all of this. I told him he needs to go walk a few miles outside the hospital everyday just to decompress from the strain of being there all the time, as I was with granddaughter Lucy in Childrens Hospital out west for many many days in a row which gets to be exhausting. Are you reading this Chad????? You better. Walking clears your head and gives you a better outlook to deal with stressful circumstances. I will take Cade for a walk with me tomorrow before school. Chads mom Renee has baby Trace and Mya. I am staying at Holly and Chads with Kalista and Cade who are cuddled up on mum and dads king sized bed. I'm climbing in with them in a few minutes! Through all, we feel God has been carrying our Holly and family every step of the way. We are truly blessed for freinds and family who have prayed and helped strengthen our faith along this trying journey. Pleased continue to keep us in prayers as we still need strength. Frank and I are needed more than ever now, to help take over the household with the children, and especially when Holly comes home, as she will have many restrictions for a long while, such as no exertion or picking up baby for 3 weeks at least. So thank you all, Love Kathi and Frank

Surgery Day

 Thank you God, Holly is out of surgery...everything went well! The surgeons were amazed as it was the largest dehiscence they've ever seen. Holly will be in the ICU for the next couple of days. Please continue to pray God will continue to watch over her & she will be on the road to recovery very soon! :)) ♥