Marlee's March

03/17/2018

06/02/2016

And this video of Marlee dancing at our neighborhood Memorial Day parade and picnic is just hilarious! I don't know why she was so serious or why she picked black shoes to go with her swim suit but it cracks me up!

06/02/2016

So I am LONG overdue to update this page! It's funny how after you go through something like this, it's just hard to revisit it sometimes. Marlee is doing amazing and continues to progress with her recovery. She is jumping, dancing, and running. She has achieved some big milestones (in my eyes) recently. She can walk to school and back when we take the girls in the morning. This is maybe 1/2 mile round trip but something that she could never do before without wanting to be carried! She can also go up and down stairs with both legs without holding on to a hand or any railing. This one almost gave me a heart attack the first time she got ahead of me and darted upstairs! The lord has shown me over and over with her that it is all in his hands and that he will take care of my precious girl- she definitely keeps me praying. Marlee can also play at most playgrounds without assistance now.
I caught this picture of her one afternoon at our house and even though she is pouting, I love this picture. I love that you can see her scar on her left leg and I feel like it just shows her fierce determination. She has overcome so much in her short life and she probably won't remember any of it but she will have those scars forever. I hate that but I also feel like they are a sweet reminder of how the lord has healed her body and how tough she is. I hope she will see them that way one day also.

02/01/2016

So a week and 1/2 out of the cast and Marlee is doing really well. She is walking mostly unassisted, she can't walk long distances or very fast but she's doing great. Part of the hard part about Marlee's surgery and condition in general is that she does take a lot of our time and attention - almost like we've had a new baby for 3 years. I know that this is hard on our big girls. I asked Ellie if there was anything she wanted me to pray about last night and she burst into tears. She was so upset that Marlee isn't walking "normally" yet and can't run or jump or do bounce house, trampolines or take ballet class (dr's orders). It was heartbreaking to me because she verbalized all the feelings I have about Marlee.

But the lord gave me sweet words for Ellie and I just told her that while it's hard and we want Marlee to be "normal" and do everything other 3 year olds can do, that just isn't god's plan for her. We talked about how great she is doing and all the things that she CAN do now that she has her cast off. I tried to explain that Marlee's healing will take time and that she hopefully will be able to do all those things and won't even remember all of this. But she was still very upset as she went to sleep and it just hurt my heart.
This morning, she left me this note in the book we write back and forth in to each other. And I am just praising the lord that my girls can learn some real truths about God through all of this. We are promised trouble in this life but we have a God who has overcome all of this. And if Ellie can start understanding that at 6, then I am thankful for this trial for our family. And of course, God is not finished with Marlee 😀.

01/21/2016

Like Forest Gump would say "New Hips, you got new hips!!"

01/21/2016

Cast is off!! Marlee started crying the second we turned the corner to Scottish Rite and proceeded to say (very loudly), "I don't want my cast off!", throughout check in, waiting and walking the halls to our designated areas for the afternoon. Good times 😬😀. Poor thing was a mess when they called us to do height and weight. Chris was running late and I informed the volunteers that we would be waiting for daddy to arrive. He missed the awesome horribleness of the cast removal last time due to a golf tournament. It took 4 of us to hold her down and lots of tears (some by me) but we finally got her gross stinky cast off. Our Dr. agreed that it was time for that to come off!
Her legs are a little sore and definitely scaly and skinnier but she was already sitting well this afternoon and started moving her casted leg immediately. She crawled with both legs when we got home and attempted to stand a couple of times but is too wobbly right now.
Dr. Richards almost seemed surprised (and like a proud papa) at how much progress she has made this year. All of her surgeries have done exactly what they were supposed to and her bones are growing perfectly now to deepen her hip sockets. We do not have to wear the brace this time and we aren't even going back to recheck until a year from now!
The weight of that hit me as I was driving home and I was just overcome with tears. I know there are many worse things that could happen but watching Marlee go through this has made it a very long hard year. It feels like years have passed since she was diagnosed in December of 2014. I am so thankful for her progress, the amazing surgeons at Scottish Rite, and the many people who give generously so that they can provide the level of care needed for every patient regardless of what Insurance pays for. And I'm mostly thankful that this part is over and my little girl is on the road to having a normal 3yr old life!!
Now we wait and pray that her bones continue to grow and her hip sockets deepen. She may need more surgery when she stops growing but that's a long time away!
She told me that she could sit "criss cross applesauce" today and she did! I've never seen her be able to do that😀😀 it's the little things

01/20/2016

A fun little video of Marlee "dancing" with Daddy!

01/20/2016

Well I haven't a very good job updating lately! Tomorrow is our 6 week mark and cast removal day!!! We were supposed to get the cast off next Wednesday but I contacted our dr on Friday and explained that despite our best efforts (layers of diapers), we have had some bad leaks and Marlee's cast just stinks😬. I asked if there was any way we could get it off this week. I knew it wasn't the best reason and we would certainly make do if we had to wait another week but his nurse told us to come in tomorrow. Dr. Richards originally told us 6-8 weeks so when our appointment was scheduled for 7,I just assumed that he went in the middle. But the hospital made the appointment and not his personal nurse so he is fine with the cast coming off tomorrow! Yay!!!!!
We can not wait to see Marlee's little legs and squeeze her actual body instead of a giant cast! And of course, there will be a big bubble bath in her future tomorrow night!! This was such an answered prayer because last week Chris and I were just feeling weary with the cast. Marlee has adjusted very well and can actually get around pretty fast in the cast. But she is heavy and still wants to be carried and held a lot, which can be exhausting sometimes. We certainly could've waited another week but we are sooooo thankful that we don't have to!
Marlee doesn't seem as excited about the cast removal. I am wondering if she just remembers that the cast cutter is very loud and shook her body or if she's nervous about trying to move and walk again. Either way, tomorrow at 1:00 - it's coming off!
We have again just been blown away by the kindness and generosity of friends, neighbor's and family during this recovery time. Meals and gifts and rides and play dates for the big girls have been provided and we are truly grateful for this little village we have to support us. Most of all, we are thankful for our lord who just always comes through with everything we need and gives us strength and joy even on our weariest days. One of our favorite family verses over the past few years has been this one and it is always a good reminder of what the lord has already done and still plans for our family. So blessed and thankful

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
Psalm 126:3 NIV
http://bible.com/111/psa.126.3.niv

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

12/24/2015

Time for an update! We are 2 weeks in and have 5 more to go!! Marlee is doing pretty well - but she does seem to be more frustrated this time around with her cast and inability to run around 😟. I feel like it's easier for Chris and I because we know how to manage the cast and get around but harder for Marlee. Picture a demanding and strong willed 3 yr old who can't move around much to use up their energy! She is very happy with her sisters home and Chloe and Ellie are great at entertaining her. Marlee does like to be held a lot which is fine but she's super heavy and it's hard to get stuff done. I am so thankful to have Chris home right now! And thankful to all our sweet friends who are bringing dinners and treats!!
She only has one leg casted this time but the uncasted leg seems to be sore sometimes where they took out her metal plate and screws. We took off her bandages on Sunday and she does not like being able to see her scars 😬. Marlee likes to tell us that the uncasted leg is ready for walking but not the other one! She actually tried to walk just a few days after we were home! Her surgeon was emphatic in saying no weight bearing so we have to keep a close eye on her!
But we can't complain much - thankfully we know that this is all temporary and even with our short stay at Scottish Rite, we were reminded how blessed we are that Marlee has a treatable condition like hip displaysia! We met patients who will be there for months with much harder health issues than this. Posting some pictures of some Christmas fun!