A Blessed Family - A Celebration of Life

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First Step

That is right, Natalie took a step the other day! Now, it was only one, but it was one! I am so proud of her, she is a movin' and a shakin'

Thank you all for the support in my training for the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon. I didn't get the gym as much as I wanted to last week, so when I went yesterday morning, I was struggling bad. I go nice and early so I will be home by the time the kids wake up and Larry needs to go to work, so that makes it twice a hard. I was trying to convince myself I could do it, when I started watch ESPN. There was a story about a pro-basketball player was had a spinal fusion and how he went back to a children's hospital in LA to visit with other patients. I really did not get the whole story since I was just watching it and listen to my music. I felt like God was telling me okay, you may be struggling, but this is what you are running for so suck it up and run...no complaining. God sure has a funny way of helping you out, even if it is motivation through an ESPN segment.

I am currently working on my slideshow from Natalie's birthday and baptism weekend. The computer was winning my frustration battle yesterday, but today I have my boxing gloves on, so I am going to finish it and get it posted.

Dallas White Rock Half Marathon

I had a crazy idea back in May, that I need to run a half marathon. I am not a runner or at least wasn't a runner. That same week, I received a Scottish Rite newsletter reflecting the donations earned from the Dallas White Rock Marathon that past year. Well, there was my motivation and half marathon, it was like God was telling me okay, you want to run, run this one. What better motivation then to run an event that raises money and awareness for a hospital that my daughter happens to be a patient of.

So in June, I signed up. I plan on running 13.1 miles on December 5 along with who knows how many individuals. I have several good friends and cousins that have agreed to run along beside me as I run my first half marathon. I am now up to 6 miles and every time I add a mile and think I am not going to be able to finish, I think of Natalie and all she has gone through and will go through in her life and like that, one more mile seems like nothing.

I ask that you consider helping me reach my goal in fundraising for this event. If you are unable to help monetarily, I ask that you say a little prayer for us as we train for this event. I am running for my daugther, Natalie!

www.active.com/donate/tsrh10/EBunn

I will keep you all updated on my training as it continues.

Scottish Rite Follow Up

Natalie had her follow up at Scottish Rite yesterday in Dallas. She had a great doctors visit, but for me a little frustrating.

I know I can't plan, that is up to God. I just wish I did have so much uncertainty and waiting with Natalie. I know we have about two more years or so before her next heart surgery and then there is always a possibility of little maintenance surgeries in her future and the possibility of a heart transplant. I guess, I have just been dealing with heart a lot longer then her spine now.

We really do not know any more than what already knew about her spine. She has scoliosis and is missing a few ribs. She is developing great, so that is not holding her back in any way. The problem is they can not get an xray of her standing up yet, so they are not fully sure the degree of the curve. The first xray was a few weeks after her last heart surgery and Natalie was not a wiggly, the xray shows about a 28 degree curve at the time. This time was a little worse, but no much, however Natalie would not stop moving so they had to take 3 xrays before getting a good one. Dr. Richards told us that is hard to really tell at this age and without her standing up right. We go back in 8 months for a follow up.

Dr. Richards said, he really can't tell us what Natalie's future holds. We pray her spine stays the same and the curve does not progress. However if her curve gets worse, they will have to do surgery. Natalie is not a good candidate for a brace or casting. The casting puts a lot of pressure on her chest and she would not be able to handle it. Also, the brace or casting does not work for her type of scoliosis. The surgery would be a spinal fusion where they would put rods in her back. I did learn if she ends up having to have the surgery, if they do it while she is very young, it is not a one time surgery. The main surgery is placing the rods in, then they go back every 8 months to lengthen them. However, they can only lengthen them twice before having to go back in and replacing the rods.

I had a lot of questions for the doctor, but he stopped me after a few and said we just can't answer everything right now and that I was getting way ahead of myself. He was really nice and right. For now, we just have to wait and watch as she grows. I do know that she is in the best place possible she could. Scottish Rite has been fantastic!

I know God has a plan for her, she is so special to us and a little miracle in our eyes. I not going to lie, it is hard for me with all the uncertainty that seems to always be around her and will always be around her. I hate as a mom not being able to protect her more. I just have to keep looking to our good Lord and Savior.

I ask everyone to pray her spine stays the same and the curve not to get worse.