Simple Life

Weeks ago, I took Lily to an endocrinologist here in the Tri Cities.  The man left a lot to be desired in regards to bedside manor, however, he promised answers.  He essentially told me that all the steps we had taken in regards to helping Lily thus far were a waste.  He didn't blame us, but rather the other doctor who started us on this journey.  He was frustrated at the multiple changes in meds Lily had undergone in just two months.  Under his care, Lily is starting over.  He took her off all her meds for a week, then started her back on them at a small dose, to be increased over time.  Monday will mark two weeks at the low dose and the start of the higher dosage. In six weeks we will return for all new testing. The only upside of the lower dosage is that Lily has had less nausea.  She is able to get through her morning without hovering near the bathroom or lying on the couch in a ball.  The downside? She's a mess.  On a daily basis ...

Short version: Today's Children's Hospital visit didn't give us answers. We are waiting on labs and a new specialist.  The MRI was clear, and Lily is still lactating (for more on that fun fact, read on...) About 10 days ago, Lily emerged from her therapists office, shyly.  We are close.  She tells me everything. For her to be shy was unusual.  Turns out, she's been lactating - for about 3 weeks. She didn't know it wasn't normal and was really embarrassed about the whole thing.  During school she'd feel the leakage begin and just hope that it wouldn't show through her shirt.  She talked with her therapist about it - only to discover that, it is not normal for a 15 year old to lactate, unless pregnant or having just given birth. Lily has never even seriously held a boys hand, let alone being pregnant.  Barring divine intervention, this was a new problem.  I called her doctor (and bought the poor girl nursing pads).  A blood test revealed high...

It has been nearly three years since I last had the courage to post.  The original purpose of this blog, to detail our lives as we lived overseas, faded when we returned to the US.  Once home, I couldn't bring myself to post, not with any integrity.  Everything I wrote once home went through a filter of self protection before I published. I worried more about offending or upsetting someone by my post than being honest and sharing, so, I quit.  I focused instead on my schooling, work, etc.  I've missed this blog.  Writing it became therapeutic to me. I've never been to confessional in a church, but I imagine that the way I feel after writing and sharing is much the same as one feels after confessional.  There is an unburdening, a lightness.  I still feel the weight of my words and thoughts, but much less so knowing that they are being carried by many and no longer mine alone.  I can't honestly say that this post will be the first of many....