Happy Joints!

Mia had an appointment with her rheumatologist. We talked about the injection and she answered a lot of questions and concerns we had regarding side effects from the procedure, etc. While Mia has had this done many times before, this is the first time having it done to her face. I'm very thankful for a doctor who is ever so patient and takes the time to explain the details. We have been blessed with a wonderful rheumatologist! 

I talked with her about natural medicine and showed her what we have been using on Mia's jaw for pain relief. She thought it was a great idea! She agreed Mia does not need to be back on NSAIDs for her jaw because the rest of her joints look awesome - no swelling anywhere. And, since the Traumeel gel was working, we should continue it. 

I also shared with her that Mia has been taking arnica (6c; 5 pellets under tongue 3x a day) as recommended by our family's naturopath. She said, "Arnica is wonderful for joint pain and inflammation!" At night, I am using doTERRA's Deep Blue essential oil blend on her jaw. Mia loves how it feels and says it "numbs the pain" in her jaw, allowing her to sleep comfortably.

All in all, we are thankful for yesterday's good report concerning the rest of Mia's body. Mia ended the visit by showing Dr. Miller how she can do the splits and she even performed a dance routine for her. Arthritis can't stop this kid!!

You are all around me. You are behind me and in front of me. You hold me in your power. (Psalm 139:5 NIRV)

TMJ Arthritis

For those who are new to our blog, this is our family's journey to health and wellness. You can read about how our journey started here. It's been a long road - filled with ups and downs. Lots of victories and lots of tears. But, through every challenge we have faced, not once during the last six years have we been defeated.

Six years ago tomorrow, I received a phone call from a rheumatologist in Boston informing me that my baby girl had an auto-immune disease - juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I remember the call like it was yesterday - the time of day I got the call, where I was standing in my house when I answered the phone, the question of "How does she have an old person's disease?? She's not even two years old!!" flooded my mind. 

Since that phone call, Mia had been on NSAIDs after NSAID. Last November, we started weekly injections of methotrexate. She has had seven joints drained and then injected with cortisone whenever a flare happened that we couldn't get under control. Which brings me to what she is currently facing: TMJ arthritis. That's right - arthritis in her jaw. 

First of all, if you know my daughter. She is a HUGE meat eater. She makes her father proud because she eats like he does! So, arthritis can't stay in her jaw because she needs to be able to eat ribs, chow down on a steak the size of her head, and eat chicken until we tell her she should probably stop soon and go to bed. 

Secondly, she's a performer. And, performers like to talk (a lot). They like to sing, dance and play the recorder at the crack of dawn to serenade the entire house on a Saturday morning. So, arthritis can't stay in her jaw because she is a performer.

Thirdly, arthritis can't stay in her jaw because I am her mom and I say so! I will fight this to the very end. Every day is a fight and little by little we overcome. A friend of mine once said, "When it comes to your kids, you become a 'Mama Bear,' especially if they are in pain or sick. Moms dig deep. And then, they dig even deeper. Moms keep going because we are graced to do so! And, I am graced to do whatever it takes to ease her pain and overcome this disease. 

Because she is my girl and means the world to me.

About four months ago, I noticed she had been grinding her teeth when she sleeps. I listened as she slept - tons of popping and crackling coming from her mouth whenever she stirred. Fast forward to her appointment this past August with her rheumatologist. Her doctor told us her joints looked amazing and everything was "quiet" - no flares. She even told us to stop her daily NSAID (indomethacin). Then she placed her hands on either side of Mia's face and told her to open and close her mouth. She felt the "popping" on both sides and told me, "It has gotten worse." 

So, Mia had an MRI done on her jaw. The MRI showed the damage the arthritis has done to her jaw, especially to the right side. 

Fast forward to two weeks ago: Mia was sitting at the kitchen table, eating a sandwich while I was doing the dishes. Then I heard it - a LOUD "pop" - which was immediately followed by my girl in complete agony and tears from the pain in her jaw. It dislocated while she was having lunch. And, then it happened again a few minutes later. 

I contacted a friend who is a naturopath and she recommended an all-natural pain relief gel - Traumeel. What is Traumeel?: it is a versatile pain reliever, providing temporary relief of minor aches and pains associated with sports injuries, sprains, muscle aches and bruises, as well as arthritis pain and inflammation. For over 50 years physicians have been recommending Traumeel as a safe alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs. 

Well, it worked! We apply it right to the jaw whenever it starts to hurt and it alleviates the pain. Mia's school nurse, who is absolutely wonderful and a believer in homeopathic medicine, agreed to keep a tube of Traumeel gel in her office for Mia and apply it whenever she needed it. 

Today, we met with a new doctor at Tufts Dental School - Dr. Papageorge. She did a panoramic view of Mia's jaw and confirmed what we already knew - Mia has degenerative joint disease in her jaw. The right side is worse than the left. The arthritis is also preventing her jaw from growing. And, the painful "pop" that occurred while Mia was eating lunch was caused because she has an "internal derangement" of the disk. The doctor told us, if not taken care of, it would eventually pop out and not pop back in, resulting in excruciating pain.

So, what's next? Mia's new TMJ doctor wants to get in her in a soon as possible to have a steroid injection done on her jaw. This procedure, which she has had done to both of her knees (her left knee 2x), her right elbow, either side of her right ankle and her big toe, will now be done to either side of her jaw. So, we know what to expect - she will be asleep for the procedure and, after it is done, it will eventually bring relief from the pain in her joints. However, the doctor told us it will take her 2-3 days for recovery because the procedure will cause her face to swell on either side. 

Also, Mia will be meeting with another new doctor next week to discuss having a night-time retainer made to help her jaw relax and help manage her pain. I didn't have an appointment, but the doctor happened to be at the front desk and met with me. His assistant told me he was booked until December, but he went to his office and came back and told me he would get us in next Tuesday. He was extremely nice. I am very thankful for the doctors who've been put in our path to help our girl!

In the meantime, Dr. Papageorge wants us to continue using the Traumeel gel whenever Mia is in pain until we can get her in for the procedure in two weeks. She said Traumeel is great for temporary pain relief and agreed that starting her back up on NSAIDs was not necessary because the rest of her body is doing great. 

Our family has MUCH to be thankful for! We are surrounded by a wonderful, loving family who have stood by us since the beginning. We have thoughtful, encouraging friends who know how to "pick us up" during the toughest times. We have the BEST doctors, physical therapists, naturopaths available when we need them. 

And, we have a hope! We are not defeated. Yes, this is another challenge to face, but we face it together as a family with God on our side. Mia is an overcomer through and through. We are blessed.

"Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying." 

- Romans 12:12

Goodbye, Indomethacin!!

Mia got a good report today! Her joints look great. No inflammation. Dr. Miller was very pleased with how well she looks!

After performing a few dance moves and doing the splits for Dr. Miller, Mia told her how she went to Dance Camp a few weeks ago...for an entire week (8:50 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.). Dr. Miller looked at me completely shocked that Mia was able to go that long and not have any pain. Mia told her, "No, I felt great!"

After examining her joints, she said to me, "She definitely needs to continue dancing...because it's helping. Her joints look great and her posture is outstanding." Staying active and keeping her joints moving is definitely helping!

All this to say, Dr. Miller said we can stop Indocin (Indomethacin). Mia has been taking Indocin every day for the last two years (before that, she was on Naproxen and then Ibuprofen; she has been on NSAIDS since she was 22 months old). She said, "I don't think she needs it anymore." We are SO happy!! Mia is SO happy! There is nothing better than seeing your child so excited when they find out they get to stop taking a medicine they've taken for so long!

Mia will continue to stay on a gluten-, dairy-, soy-, and egg-free diet. She has been off gluten and dairy since she was diagnosed with arthritis. We eliminated eggs a year ago when we found out she has a food sensitivity and allergy to them. We will continue her daily, arthritis-fighting supplements: cod liver oil, Vitamin D3, and pomegranate juice because we believe this regime is helping to keep her joints "happy."

Dr. Miller did notice a "popping" in her jaw, possibly TMJ, but said she was not too concerned about it. She ordered an MRI to be done next month just to check it out. She said it could be 1) arthritis or 2) mechanical (she is growing and developing so things are shifting and changing) or 3) nothing. She said doesn't expect that it is anything, but wants us to inquire the next time we are at a pediatric dentist (we go next Tuesday). Also, she has not had an MRI since 2007....so she is due for one.

All-in-all, it was a great appointment! I love these kind of appointments - the ones where you feel like what you are doing matters. We are heading in the right direction and it is an awesome feeling!

Thank you, God, for directing our paths and perfecting that which concerns us! We are blessed!

Food Sensitivities and NOW Food Allergies

As many of you know, we had Food Sensitivity Testing done last May for JJ and last August for Mia. The results showed that both kids have around 21 things their bodies are "sensitive" to:

This past Tuesday, per their pediatrician's request, we took all three kids in for Food Allergy Testing. My husband I both agree - doing blood work was worlds easier than food allergy testing. Recently, JJ has been getting hives again on his legs, around his belly button and a few on his face and he has been complaining after eating certain food that his throat feels "tight" and like he can't swallow. Mia started developing "pitting" on her thumbnails and big toenails last summer when she started to flare again really bad. And, James has had a milk and soy protein allergy since birth. When you add in a diagnosis of "arthritis" (our two oldest), one begins to wonder. So, the pediatrician said to me, "They all need to be tested so you and your husband know what you are dealing with here." 

The pediatrician and rheumatoligist both agree the kids are better when they avoid the foods on their Food Sensititvity List (it's so nice to have doctors work WITH you and not AGAINST you!). However, their pedi felt there was more going on and was important for their doctors, school nurses and for us to be aware so we know how to treat them should an allergic reaction or arthritic flare occur.

And, there was more going on.

Both Mia and JJ's test results showed they have an egg allergy. Mia's test results also showed she has a salmon allergy. And, James has a "delayed hypersensitivity" to milk and soy protein (which can also be found in rice cereal) and should he consume any of these it will cause "allergic proctocolitis," a benign disorder manifesting with blood-streaked stools.

Should they consume any of the foods they are allergic to, they do not need an EpiPen as they are both just below the mark to qualify for needing one. However, it is good for everyone to be aware there is an allergy present and, should they have a reaction or flare, that may be the reason why.

JJ still had a few hives left on his legs and the doctor was able to examine them. She determined he has "chronic hives" (urticaria), which can last up to six weeks (which is why they have not been going away with a dose of Benadryl) and they are auto-immune related. Nice to finally know because I think I spent the first year of his life spreading a prescribed combination of Aquaphor and hydrocortisone all over his legs to get rid of them! Never once was it considered he may have a food allergy or autoimmune disorder.

So, what are the triggers for urticaria? They are infections (common cold, strep, mono, etc.), NSAIDs, food allergies, warmth, sun exposure, etc. She told me 50% of patients with urticaria also have angioedema, something for us to watch out for with JJ. The doctor told us what this means is, for example, three years down the road, JJ may wake up one morning with swollen lips, throat and ears. The most important thing she said was that JJ should avoid NSAIDs, especially if hives are present because it can make the hives worse and trigger angioedema. I find this so interesting since he was treated for his JRA with NSAIDs! Well, good to know now!

For Mia, her Food Sensitivity Test showed she was "off the charts" for eggs and salmon was on the high end on her list. Her Food Allergy Test confirmed there is a definite egg allergy present and salmon is an issue, too. Well, guess who's been having eggs since she was a wee tot up until last summer? Yep...Mia. The food allergist doctor we saw said both kids should definitely continue taking their daily cod liver oil for their joints, however we should check to make sure there isn't any salmon oil in it because of Mia's allergy to it. Good thing there isn't!

And, because Mia and JJ have an allergy to eggs, this is why we do NOT do the flu shot for either of them. Many people would disagree and that is fine. However, even though Mia and JJ might not break out in hives or their throats may not close from having an egg-based flu shot, we believe the flu shot could cause them to have an arthritis flare. I have two friends whose kids have arthritis and immediately they flared after getting a flu shot - one of them even developed uveitis in their eyes. To me, that's not a coincidence.

Two great videos with excellent information about eggs, inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis can be found here:

Chicken, Eggs and Inflammation by Dr. Michael Greger, M.D.


Inflammatory Remarks About Arachidonic Acid

For James, all he has ever known are foods without milk, casein, and soy. And, as long as we avoid those items his tummy is fine. But, he eats like his brother and sister eat....to make my job as "chef" a bit easier. And, why not? It's definitely a health diet!

So, what's the plan now? It's simple: we continue with our current plan of avoiding all foods on their Food Sensitivity List and now we factor in the foods they are allergic to.

Many of you have asked me, "So what DO you feed your kids??" I am going to get to that. I promise! I am working on a "project" to help my friends who have kids with food sensitivities/allergies and those dealing with it themselves. It was definitely challenging and overwhelming in the beginning, but  a lot easier than you think. There are so many resources available these days and stores that carry amazing, tasty, allergy- and joint-friendly foods (at affordable prices people!!!). It definitely makes my job as mom/researcher/arthritis-fighter/nutritionist worlds easier.

So, we "soldier on!" As, I've said before, and explained to our little ones, our family is committed to "eating healthy to make our bodies happy." We are definitely all the better (and safer) for it!

Make a Difference: Vote for Brayden!

Juvenile arthritis friends! We need your help!!

Brayden Christmas, age 6, was born with a rare genetic disorder called L-1 Syndrome and has endured 13 surgeries in his life. Brayden is the only child from New Hampshire in the National Mobility Awareness Month contest online. With your help, he could be chosen as the winner of a wheelchair-accessible van. His parents, some of our dearest friends and youth pastors at our church, said it would be a blessing for him as he goes to school and makes friends.

Please vote for Brayden Christmas to WIN! We need your vote! You can vote once every day until May 10th. If you answer the bonus question, your vote counts double for Brayden. Thank you for making a difference in the life of this wonderful boy and his family!

Click on the links below to vote for Brayden and show support!

VOTE HERE

"LIKE" BRAYDEN'S RIDE PAGE ON FACEBOOK

BRAYDEN'S STORY

BRAYDEN IN THE NEWS

Forever Thankful

May is "National Arthritis Awareness Month." We have many friends with children who are fighting this disease. We are still fighting this disease. Every day. And, we fight alongside so many amazing families and their very brave children...many who have become some of our dearest friends.

But, that's not what this post is about.

Today, I am rejoicing! I am beaming! Because this month marks one year that our son, JJ, is arthritis-free! His rheumatologist is amazed...astonished, even. She has seen him several times in the last year and still can not believe how healthy he is now. While our daughter has been the one who has fought this disease longer, the doctor has told us from the very beginning that she always saw JJ as the "sicker of the two kids."

Not anymore!

We went from having a son with fluid on many joints (elbows, left wrist, both hips, both knees and both ankles), to a child who has no pain anywhere. We went from having a son who woke up with morning stiffness and could hardly walk down the hall to go to the bathroom, who was constantly asking us to heat up rice socks to place on his aching joints, who was lethargic, pale and sickly-looking, to a child who wakes up happy, runs, plays, and then goes to bed without begging for hot rice socks and sleeps soundly through the night. We went from giving him daily doses of NSAIDs (Ibuprofen and then Meloxicam) to not having to give him any daily meds at all!

We have also gone from a having a son with severe gastrointestinal issues to one who feels absolutely fine after he eats. When JJ did eat, he would get sick about 20 minutes into the meal. He would either throw-up or his stomach would start to cramp so bad that he would cry and ask to go lay down on the couch with a rice sock on his tummy. He had chronic diarrhea. He had low-grade temps all of the time. We were basically living at Tufts Floating Hospital for Children, "floating" back and forth between the 2nd floor to see the gastro doc and the 4th floor to see the rheumatologist. His rheumatologist was the one who noticed it had been nine months since he'd put on any weight. JJ missed a ton of preschool that year and had to undergo a colonoscopy, endoscopy, upper GI series all within a few weeks of each other. Procedures that no little boy should have to go through.

Not anymore!

JJ no longer has gastrointestinal issues. The chronic diarrhea is gone. No more weird, random fevers. He loves to eat and no longer gets sick when he eats.

Which is probably causing many of you to ask, "So, what does he eat then?"

One year ago this month, we changed his diet and that's when the arthritis and the gastrointestinal issues stopped. JJ is on a gluten-free, dairy-free, wheat-free, egg-free, soy-free diet. He has a list of foods he is sensitive to that we avoid:

He also takes 1tsp of cod liver oil every day, 2 oz. of pomegranate juice (Pom), and 1000iu of Vitamin D3. And, that is it. No other medicines.

Like I said, we are still fighting. Our oldest child, Mia (age 7), is still fighting juvenile arthritis. But, I am not going to talk about the challenges we've had or the tears we've shed because of this horrible disease. Today, I am a thankful, ecstatic, joyful mom! Today, I am thanking God for hearing the prayers of two desperate parents and for putting the right people in our lives at the exact time we needed them. Because one year ago this month our son's life changed for the better. And that, my friends, is something to be forever thankful about.

"I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my Lord and my God." 
Psalm 30:12

Uveitis Check-up & Rheum Appt

At the beginning of the week, both Mia and JJ had uveitis check-ups at MERSI. JJ still goes every six months and Mia goes every three months. Both kids got great reports - eyes are CLEAR!!

Today, Mia had a rheumatologist check-up with Dr. Miller. She just had labs done a few weeks ago and those came back fine. We have weaned her down from 12mls of Indocin to 6mls (she just takes it in the morning now). Dr. Miller had hoped by this appointment we'd be able to completely eliminate the Indocin altogether and Mia would just be on the weekly injections of Methotrexate. However, during the physical exam, Dr. Miller noticed Mia's elbows have fluid on them and are swollen - the right more than the left. The right elbow is the one that she had drained when she was three years old. Her elbows don't bother her, but when Mia tries to touch her hands to her shoulders there is pain. Dr. Miller said they weren't bad enough to need to have them drained and injected - just something to keep an eye on.

With that said, Dr. Miller told us to stick with the current dose of Indocin and not change anything just yet. She was concerned if we took her off of it, she may have a really bad flare and wanted her to have a fun and enjoyable summer. Other than the elbows, the rest of her joints look great! No fluid on the knees, toes look good, ankles, fingers, hips, spine, jaw, neck, and wrists all fine!

So, after Mia showed Dr. Miller how she can do center and side splits and then performed her ballet routine, which Dr. Miller was thoroughly impressed with (and makes notes in Mia's file of what she is able to do), she told us she would see us in three months from now.

All in all, we are very happy and thank God for Mia's good report today and for clear eyes for our kids this week!

Prayer request - We will be heading back to Tufts in Boston tomorrow because our youngest child (2yo) will be having a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. We have gone through this procedure with our two oldest kids, so we are "old pros" at this point! He will be admitted afterwards (standard procedure for kids 3yo and under). Please keep him in your prayers as he is still fighting off a bad case of bronchitis (which the doctor believes was caused by the tonsils). We are believing all will go well tomorrow with the procedure and he will recover quickly without any complications. Thank you!

She's Come A Long Way, Baby!

If you only knew.

I remember when she was so very little and my husband would have to have to restrain her with his strong, Italian arms so they could do blood work. And then, we were back there a month later doing it all over again. And, the month after that. And, it never got easier. And, it was stressful for everyone. Every time it was the same thing (you can ask my husband!): I remember sitting in the lab waiting room at Tufts as I heard my two-year-old daughter screaming because she knew what was coming... and we all hated every moment of it.

But, now!!

She's seven and those tearful, fearful days are gone. Granted, she does have a favorite room at Winchester Hospital's Lab Dept. that she prefers to have her labs done in every month - the Children's Room - but, who can blame her? If that is what calms her fears so we can get in and out and be done with monthly labs, then by all means! Let her be picky!

Tonight, when we got to the hospital, that room wasn't available because another child (around the age that Mia started with routine labs) was in there getting his labs done - letting out very familiar screams. Mia was directed by the nurse to a regular room - a very plain, sterile room - and I could tell within two seconds of being in that room this wasn't going to work for her. But, instead of getting upset, she got quiet and then kindly asked the nurse, "May I please wait for my room instead?" The nurse was very understanding and we went back out to the waiting room to wait for "Mia's room" to beome available.

And then, we were called back, once again, and Mia hopped up in "her chair" and did her labs without the nurses or Mommy having to hold her down.

She amazes me!

All this to say...it's the little things that matter on this journey. And, my daughter is overcoming every day - even with the little things!

MTX Day

Mia had to skip her shot last Friday night because she came down with a fever right after school and, as we've been informed by her rheum, "You can't give a shot when a fever is present." So, I paged her rheum and she said to give it to her Sunday or Monday if her fever was gone.

Well, Monday rolled around and she still had a fever - lower than when it began, but a fever was still present. So, I emailed her doc and she said to skip it for this week and resume on Friday (today).

After having a week off, she woke up this morning a little upset knowing what today is - Shot Day. I understand - I am not the one getting the shot, but I am the one giving it. And, it was really nice to have a week off. Despite the fever she had, really nice.

So, I am doing her shot today when she gets out of school because we have something to go to tonight which conflicts with when she would usually get her shot (7pm). And, here's my plan: 1) Convince her to just "get it out of the way" so she can enjoy the weekend. 2) Extra hugs today (we will both need them). 3) Provide chocolate cupcakes (gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free) afterwards because chocolate always helps!

Shot Day is never fun, but I am doing my best to take the "sting" out of things and make it happier for her. So, we are overcoming by changing our outlook - making this better, happier, and yummier during this not-so-fun day. I am proud of my baby...my brave girl!

Uveitis Check-up

Since Mia was diagnosed in 2007 with juvenile arthritis, she gets her eyes checked every three months for inflammation (uveitis). Mia is ANA+. And, even though her brother has gotten several great reports that he is "arthritis free" from his rheumatologist, we still have him go every six months to have his eyes checked, too. JJ is ANA-.

So, today they go to Cambridge to see Dr. Foster to get their eyes checked for uveitis. And, tonight is "shot night" for Mia when she gets home. Long day for my girl!

I would like to ask for prayer, not only for my kids, but for family friends who have a kid(s) currently dealing with uveitis in their eyes. It is a serious disease that, many times, goes hand-in-hand with uveitis. And, the treatment is not fun, for kids or parents. LOTS of steroid drops in the child's eyes to get the inflammation under control. And, shots, shots, shots.

I ask that you pray for these children. Pray for their parents - extra grace and peace for their families. Please pray for my friend Joanne and her son, Jacob. Today was a hard day for both of them as Jacob's uveitis is really bad right now. It's his worst uveitis flare ever. My heart goes out to them both.

Will keep you posted on Mia's and JJ's appointment....

Thank you to all who read this blog and to those who pray! This is an awful disease and, as a parent who with a child who has chronic pain almost every day of her little life, I can't tell you how much Mia and I just want this to be over.

Heading In The Right Direction!

These are my favorite kind of appointments! The kind when you see results. The kind where it is confirmed you made the right decision for your child. The kind where the doctor gives your child "two thumbs up!"

Dr. Miller was very happy with the progress Mia is making right now. She said all of her joints look great - quiet and calm! She did notice her hair is starting to thin, but reassured me it will grow back. BUT, while she had a rough start the first few weeks adjusting on methotrexate, she feels she is "starting to make the climb upward."

With that said, she thinks it is time to start weaning Mia off Indocin in the hopes we can get her down from two meds to only one - methotrexate. Mia has been on Indocin for over 2.5 years and since she was diagnosed at 22 months old, she has never not been on some type of NSAID.

This is a big deal. And, we are pretty happy!

While everyone is healthy in the house, she wants us to start skipping a dose of Indocin every third night for three weeks. If she does okay and doesn't complain of pain, then we can start to eliminate her night time dose altogether and just stick with the morning dose until we see her six weeks from now. Yes! Steps in the right direction!

Her blood work came back and she said everything looks great! However, there are still increased white blood cells in her urine. This is the second time she has told us this - the last urinalysis showed the same thing, but this time it is elevated even more. So, she wants us to repeat the urine test (for the third time) and get a culture done. Then she will call us with the results. She said, it could be the Indocin causing the increased white blood cells, but she is not sure.

After Dr. Miller did her routine physical exam with Mia, checking her range of motion and looking over her joints and taking measurements of the joints, she gave Mia "two thumbs up!" Mia was so excited that she decided to show Dr. Miller how she can do the splits now. It was pretty awesome!

Today, we are very thankful to God that we are heading in the right direction and seeing improvement in our daughter's body. Today, I am one happy Mom with one happy (and flexible!!) daughter!

“Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!”
Proverbs 3:8 (Msg.)

No Resolutions. Just One Word!

Over the last year, I've read numerous "OneWord365" posts and tweets and thought, "Huh...that's pretty cool. Good for them!"

But, not for me. I don't have time. Too much going on with life.

As 2013 kicked off, posts and tweets and blogs were shared, once again, with everyone's "OneWord." And, their words for this upcoming year are really great! These folks are not making resolutions, because, as most know, resolutions are destined to be broken. This is different. This is simple. Just one word for the year - a theme and focus to live by. I can do that!

So, one word. One word for me? What is my one focus for the next year? What would it possibly be?

Balance? That's sounds nice. It sounds positive and, seriously, what mother doesn't need a bit of balance in her life? I know I do. Some days I feel like I am "on my game" and other days I am looking at the clock, pleading with Jesus and all the angels to bump the clock up to 7:00 p.m. to when my sweet three are tucked into their beds. 

But, "balance" didn't stick. 

Laugh?? Yeah...that's it! Laughing is great. And, such a good reminder that "life's not that bad." And, I LOVE to laugh. Especially with my dearest ones because that's when the laughs come easy. Those are the best laughs of all.

But, "laugh" got old.

For me, even during the hard times, laughing isn't too hard. In fact during my most tearful moments, I can usually manage to find something hilarious to laugh about.

And then, while sitting in the parking lot by myself after a doctor's appointment, it came to me - my word for the year 2013.

Overcome.
1. To defeat (another) in competition or conflict; conquer. 
2. To prevail over; surmount
3. To overpower, as with emotion; affect deeply.

It has always been my word. Since the beginning. And, it's not just for me, but for my daughter, too. But, isn't it funny how you can hear a word over and over again and then suddenly it means something totally different to you? Maybe because of a situation you are in or something you've experienced? That's how "overcome" was for me the other day. It took on a bigger meaning than normal. Bigger than just this blog.

Because, for me, "overcome" means overcoming some ugly stuff:

• fear
• anxiety
• stress
• self-doubt
• worry
• despair
• sacrificing my own needs/desires to please others
• insomnia
• health issues

These are normal struggles that many people deal with. I deal with them. But, put these "uglies" in a bag all together and carry them around with you every single day? Sometimes without even realizing it? It makes life awful. It makes life for those around you awful. It makes life for those you love the most awful.

For my daughter, "overcome" means overcoming:

• juvenile arthritis
• taking daily meds
• weekly injections
• side effects experience because of MTX injections (mouth sores and hair thinning/loss)
• physical and emotional pain
• fear

We are heading into our third month with this new treatment. While there are still things to "overcome," things are starting to even out for Mia. But, my prayer for her is that she doesn't remain here. I believe that one day she will OVERCOME this disease. (Through Your Word, You have imparted life to MIA. That life restores her body with every breath she breathes. - John 6:63)

This is OUR "OneWord365" for 2013. And, I couldn't have picked a better one. 

Thank you, Alece, for starting a wonderful and life-changing movement - "OneWord365." I am honored to be apart of it!