Gratitude

Generosity is paradoxical.  Those who give, receive back in turn.  By spending ourselves for other's well-being, we enhance our own.  This is not only a philosophical or religious teaching, it is a sociological fact. - Christian Smith, The Generosity Paradox

This hit home so much with me this weekend.  Our pastor preached on generosity and how you need to have a generous spirit of the heart in order to have generosity.  For the past two weeks, people have been beyond generous in our lives.  Without really even really reaching out and asking people have given funds to help support Makenzee's medical bills.  I can't begin to even describe the blessing that has filled our lives by people doing this.  A weight has been lifted off of Joe and my shoulders, that has been weighing us down for the last few months.  We were able to see the doctor in Seattle without having to count pennies to be able to go. 

While we were in Seattle the Doctor changed Makenzee's medicines around a bit to help with the increase in the reflux.  It has seemed to help as much as we can see in 2 days.  The doctor also told us she will help as much as she can over the phone so we can save the drives and money for when we really need to be seen.  These phone calls and visits could be often, as Makenzee is gaining weight we will have to adjust medicine to help with the maintenance of the disease. 

Joe and I have always thought there has to be an "umbrella" diagnosis that covers everything that is going on with Makenzee, our pediatrician agrees.  So last week we saw a geneticist doctor.  He is thinking with everything she has been through and how she is presenting right now that she has a connective tissue disorder of some sorts.  It will be a long road to figure out which one it is for sure but he did say that there is not much we can do for it anyways except for physical therapy and orthotics (which we are doing right now anyways).  So there is more testing and more blood work in our baby girls future but hopefully it will lead us to answers and give us a better path.  The Seattle GI doctor agreed a diagnosis of a connective tissue disorder is probably right when she looks at Makenzee's complaints of certain things.  This can affect the entire GI tract and we are seeing signs of little things that she is already having issues with at times.

So in response to all of you who have helped us out on the GoFundMe, or given us money, THANK YOU!!!!  Thank you isn't even a word big enough to show our gratitude for you generosity!!!!  I wish there was something even bigger that we could do or say than just that little word.  But please know that we are sincerely grateful and blessed to have each of you in our lives.  The money will be put towards therapy items Makenzee will be needing long term, insurance needs and all the trips back and forth to Seattle. 

Thank you!!!!