Keep the good news coming!

Wow it's hard to believe it's 2014. Come February it will be 2 years since Ava was diagnosed with hip hysplasia. I would love to say "how time flies" but unfortunately for my family the last 2 years has pretty much sucked! Good riddance to 2013, hello 2014! I'm ready for some positive things to happen in our lives and I have faith it will. In the last 2 years my family has been through 2 hip surgeries, 96 days in a cast, 6 months of physical therapy, Poopa's (aka Tony/grandpa) throat cancer, David's elbow surgery, Ava's broken elbow with 4 weeks in a cast and we rounded out the year with my oldest sister having a bleeding stroke. Yep, life has been pretty crappy. I guess I could dwell on the negative but I choose to find all the positive in every situation. So here are all the things I'm grateful for... As sucky as it was, Ava has 2 healthy hips, she no longer has constant pain and is getting healthier every day. Poopa's treatment worked and is cancer free (now if he could swallow life would be great). David's surgery went well and is not in pain like he was before. Ava's elbow healed quickly and is finally able to just be a kid. Finally, I am beyond thankful that my sister is still with us.

As the end of 2013 approached I realized I never took Ava for blood work that was ordered in August, her endocrinologist wanted to check her hormone level. I didn't mean to put it off but the script was giving the day before she broke her arm. There was no way I was taking her for blood work after that! Then in November she went for her well check up and her pediatrician wanted to check her vitamin D level. So anyway here we were at the last day of December and I really needed to get the test done. It had been months since Ava had been poked and prodded and she was not happy when I told her she needed to get blood work. She cried off and on all morning and she cried the whole time in the waiting room. Once the time came for them to actually take the blood work she screamed like I've never heard her scream but once it was over she was back to her normal self. Thank goodness that was done and hopefully it will be a very long time before I ever have to put her through that again.

Well the good news is Ava's vitamin D is within normal range. So happy to have good news at last! Fingers crossed her hormone level comes back normal as well. (I am so done with doctors, as is Ava!) Next on the list, Susan's blood clot is gone. Although she has a long road to recovery, she is doing better every day. I know 2014 is going to be a much better year. It is off to a good start and I pray that it continues on this happier path. What I learned in the last 2 years is to be grateful every day for what you have, keep your family close and life can change in the blink of an eye. Thank you for the continued support and prayers. As we start the new year hug your love ones tight, be grateful for life and try to always find the positive in a bad situation. Thank you for all the continued prayers and support. I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!! Here's to a better year!! xoxoxo