Facing the Giants!

Today was a big day for our family. My eldest baby (yes, "baby" because she is ONLY two years old and, in my eyes, she is still my baby) started her first day of school today. Luckily for me, I got the majority of my tears out the night before, so the "waterworks" were minimal today. After all was said and done, I made my husband immediately drive me to the nearest Starbucks - so I could drown my sorrows in a Grande Peppermint Mocha. ;o)

Mia did great! She loved wearing her Charlie and Lola backpack and refused to take it off when we got into the car to go to school. But, I promised she could put it back on when we got to school, so that made things much better.

The picture I have posted of her is my favorite one of the series of pictures we took (and we took a lot!). She looks so small entering the school, but she looks like such a "big girl" with her backpack on. I also love that you can see my shadow and Jay's shadow on either side of her. And I love the saying on the back of the wall in the lobby - "Facing the Giants." Mia has had many "giants" to overcome over the past few months and she has done a tremendous job along the way. And we know God is with her wherever she goes and through whatever "giants" she may face. His angels are constantly camped around her, which is comforting to me as her mother. God is there when I can't be there - protecting her joints, always!

I think my biggest concern for her right now is flare-ups. She hasn't had one since the end of November (praise God!). It was her first and, hopefully, her last. The other day I read an awesome scripture which I am standing on for Mia concerning flare-ups - "Affliction will not rise up a second time" Nahum 1:9 (Amplified Bible). That is what we are believing - that Mia will never again wake up in the morning and not be able to walk. I will admit, when I can tell she is stiff in the morning, I hold my breath as I put her down on the floor to have her walk down the hall to the bathroom. But, I quickly remind myself of God's promise - "Affliction will not rise up a second time!" Thank God for His promises and constant protection that surrounds our children.

In other news, I moved around her PT and OT appointments so her schedule won't conflict with the days she is at school. Mia has a great bunch of therapists who she loves. We are blessed to have such wonderful people working with her. Her OT is working on getting her into an aquatic program soon, which will be great for her joints. The benefits of this type of program will help maintain and increase Mia's range of motion/flexibility and strengthen her joints, while reducing pain. And I am sure Mia will love going to "swimming class."

Last, but not least. Many of you have inquired as to how Mia's recent follow-up appointment went with her rheumatologist. We met with her doctor this past Tuesday. Of course, doctors NEVER tell you how pleased they are with a patients progress. Mia's doctor examined her joints and her two swollen toes and said that she is still not "100%" and that we need to continue with what he has prescribed for her to do (Naproxen twice a day and continue wearing the brace at night on her left leg). He wants to see her again in one month from now to discuss steroid injections and oral steroids treatments. We shared with him how we are apprehensive about the steroids - not just because of the side-effects, but because she will have to be put to sleep each time they do an injection. He said, "Let's wait a month and see how she is and then we will discuss steroid treatments."

So, that's the latest. If we decide against the treatments, he is concerned that down the road, say, when Mia is five-years-old, we will regret having decided against the steroids should the JRA return. But, we are believing over the next month we will see TOTAL and COMPLETE improvement in Mia's immune system and in EVERY joint in Mia's body. Swollen toes included.

Thank you to all of our friends and family for your prayers and continued support. We are blessed to have such awesome people in our lives. We love you all very much!

Lastly, thank you to Georgiann. I can not begin to tell you how blessed I am to have you in my life. If it hadn't been for your initial phone call, out of ignorance about JRA, we probably would have just followed what Mia's doctors were telling us to do and Mia would be on steroids right now. I am so thankful for this God-ordained relationship and for all the phone conversations and emails. It is so good to have someone who can relate. Your advice, insight and prayers are an encouragement to me and to my family. God bless you!