Lisa Bonnema

Mom. Writer. Speaker.

Archives for 2014

Answered Prayers!

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I apologize that I didn’t post this sooner…it’s been quite a week. But I have some good news about our Brooklyn! Thanks to our amazing God, we were able to CANCEL Brooklyn’s shunt surgery that was scheduled for this past Wednesday. Several tests on Tuesday showed that God heard our prayers. In fact, Brooklyn’s MRI showed a slight DECREASE in spinal fluid! Thank you, Jesus!

Although we are still not 100% positive that Brooklyn’s shunt is fully functioning, the decreased fluid in her spine and stable fluid levels in her head are good indicators that our girl is doing just fine. She also continues to show no major symptoms. Our neurosurgeon feels strongly that intervening now would cause more harm than good, and Jeff and I agree. As much as we want to be proactive, Spina Bifida is more of a “wait and see” journey. We won’t lie… this is the hardest part. But we are following what Brooklyn’s body is telling us, trusting our neurosurgeon, and putting our faith in the ultimate Healer. We believe with all of our hearts that He is guiding our journey and will make it clear if and when we need to intervene.

Brooklyn also had a series of urology tests this past week. The preliminary results look good, but we aren’t quite out of the weeds yet. We will meet with our urologist this week to make sure there haven’t been any major changes in Brooklyn’s bowel or bladder. If there have been major changes, we could be dealing with tethered cord surgery instead of shunt replacement (worst case scenario)…but for now, we are just thankful for the good news we received this week. We will keep you posted as we know more.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers! They are powerful!!!

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Waiting

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Many of you have been checking in on Brooklyn, which touches me more than you know. And since so many of you are praying, I wanted to give you a quick update.

Overall, Brooklyn is doing well. Right now, we are in wait and see mode until her doctor appointments on December 9. That is when we will do more MRIs and scans to see if we need to perform the surgery on December 10.

Some good (helpful) news… she recently had an eye appointment that confirmed NO pressure behind her eyes, which is a really good thing. If there was pressure, we’d definitely have to intervene with surgery. Knowing that there is no pressure building in her head was a huge relief and gave us some peace of mind as we wait on the Lord this next week. It also helps that our little rock star is as spunky as ever and seems to be feeling just fine. I keep telling myself that is she is joyful, I should be too! Her smile and all of your prayers are helping us stay strong.

We are so blessed to have a community of prayer warriors going through this with us, and we promise to keep you posted as we know more!

Move

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If you think of it, can you say a prayer for our girl? We have been questioning whether or not her shunt has been working for some time now, and a recent series of tests revealed that her shunt is indeed not draining the fluid properly. We have adjusted the settings as a last resort, but if there is no improvement over the next month, we will have to intervene with surgery. My heart and my head are wrestling with fear and trust, and so I know the only helpful thing to do right now is to pray and to ask for prayer.

We know this place — this waiting — but it isn’t any easier this time around. Not when she is 4 and talking and such an enormous part of our lives. Not when we have to hope that everything is okay, yet be aware just in case it isn’t. Not when she is old enough to tell me she’s scared.It’s been a good, healthy 2-year run, and I know there are always bumps. Always. This one just feels a little more like a mountain.

But we know what to do. We cling to the Truth, we ask God to move that mountain, and we try with all our hearts to believe that He will.

 

“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Mark 11:23-24 ESV

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We Need Your Help

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Okay, friends. I have a favor…and an opportunity. One of the biggest heartbreaks in our journey has been watching Brooklyn get left out while other kids run off and play. At our home, at play dates, at church, at school…it literally makes my heart ache and my stomach drop. Every.single.time. Yes, exclusion is a reality when you are physically limited, but we can make it better. I have to believe we can make it better.

A few days ago, I posted a photo of Brooklyn and the girls playing at an all-inclusive (wheelchair-accessible) playground. It is located near our home and can only be used after school hours, but it is awesome. ALL THREE OF MY GIRLS loved it. After I shared a photo on Facebook, many of our friends liked the photo and agreed that this should be all parks. One of our new Spina Bifida friends also saw my post and ended up going there a few days later with her 6-year-old son who also uses a wheelchair. According to her, this was the first time she watched BOTH of her sons enjoy a playground TOGETHER. THE FIRST TIME. It’s just not right, friends.

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While I really feel ALL playgrounds should be inclusive, I know that change starts small. One playground at a time. And here’s where you come in. We have an amazing opportunity RIGHT NOW to support the building of a BRAND NEW all-inclusive playground right here in my community. Thanks to my friend Keith and all the folks at the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA), Brooklyn and all of her friends are going to get brand new place to feel included and, even better, TO HAVE FUN!! To do one of their biggest kid jobs safely and ANY TIME THEY PLEASE!

So I am asking you to donate. I am asking you to skip the Starbucks (maybe 2!) and help. As a family, we haven’t really raised money for our cause yet. I’ve been waiting for God’s nudge, and I am getting that nudge right now. We do have plans to do something else very soon (STAY TUNED!), but this LWSRA project is just so important that I am putting all pride aside and asking you to make a difference — for Brooklyn and for so many other deserving kids out there.I have already put my money where my heart is, and I hope you can do the same. No amount is too small, and you can even make a monthly donation. The goal is $300,000 and as you will see, we have a LONG way to go. But I have faith that we can do this. I have to believe we can do this.

Don’t all kids deserve the right to play?!?

(You can donate by clicking here.)

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