When things go well....

April 30, 2019

I have said this many times before, but it is very true. When things are going well, it seems so easy to fall into the rhythm of life and not update all Willow's followers about her journey and how she is doing. It's easy to forget, if even for a moment, that at any time she could be taken down by a shunt malfunction and land in the hospital again.

Last month, she celebrated 2 years of being surgery free. The day went as if it wasn't anything special because it is so easy for us to take her great days for granted. I don't want to fall into that trap with any of my kids, yet we do. It is just the natural rhythm of life that takes us on that journey. So how is this wonderful daughter of mine doing these days?

Well, she is still in second grade and thriving! Her teacher is fabulous and truly encourages her, and loves all her little quirks and charm. LOL She is in scouts this year with her younger brother and they are loving the program that it offers. She is starting track right now. Her first meet will be next week, and her first practice was last week. I had talked to her about starting to get her core into shape, something that has always been weak for her due to her early life in the hospital. She loved the idea that we would be working out together. Her oldest brother even said he would get in on the exercising with us! So one day on the weekend we will gather whoever wants to join us in our family and go work out! This last weekend, we took some time to walk/run/jog around the block after we were treated to ice cream! It was fantastic.

I can't think of much else to say about Willow, as I said, she is doing fantastic right now, and it really is so easy to fall into the trap that there is nothing wrong with her. I would like to remind everyone though as we are sometimes reminded that she does have her up and down moments. She has had minor headaches, minor bouts of vomiting but never anything so severe that has caused us to worry. But this condition she has, hydrocephalus, is a LIFELONG condition. She will always have the shunt in her head, always need to rely on that to work in order for her to live. This is not something we say lightly at all, this is something we all know in this world too well. So if you see her having a great day, enjoy that great day with her - I am sure she would enjoy the company.

Here are some pictures of our last four months together, just living life. I share these to give others out there hope and encouragement as they begin or travel daily their journey with their hydrocephalus child that some days, can be fantastic. Every person walking this journey is given a different path to walk on, but we all know the struggles of the bad days. Here is some hope to get you all through.