News

It's no secret that our family has a lot going on in general, every family does. Sometimes, though it seems as if God has given us more than we can handle. I'm thankful for scripture on days like this. The short version of our life today? Ray's parents are very sick and he is spending a lot time traveling back and forth (his siblings are too); I am having a baby in November; Rachel is getting married in December; she and Adrian are building an apartment in our basement; and now our 'go-to' girl has been side lined.

Sarah had two different concussions last year, one during basketball season and one during soccer. Since then she has been plagued with constant headaches and dizziness. She never had this before, but has them constantly now, some things make them worse but they never go away. We've seen several doctors with no result. We've had some ridiculous diagnoses, but each doctor kept saying that she would grow out of it.

We saw a doctor this week who specializes in sports medicine who gave us some pretty shocking news. Okay, not so shocking, it's been in the news every day.... Concussions are serious! He was very firm about her diagnosis and treatment. She did poorly on the impact test and has to get those scores up. She cannot do anything physical until all symptoms are gone, nothing that raises her heart rate at all. There is to be no concentrating on anything, including school, TV or computer. She isn't allowed to do anything that causes a slight increase to the headaches or dizziness. And there was to be no discussion of how long this would last.

I am still trying to get my head around all of this. Does this mean no running and dancing around the house? What about bounding down the stairs? Can she yell upstairs to call her sisters to the table?

She definitely can't go anywhere near a basketball court. This was hardest thing to take - no basketball. At this point in her life, it's hard to see past this point because basketball is what she loves, almost as who she is. She loves the game, her team and coaches and she's worried about letting them down. Ray and I love for her to play and we're sad for her too. There is great joy for a parent to watch your child use her God-given talents well.

Had we made her sit out last season until every symptom was gone, she may have gotten better then. Instead we have to take drastic measures now. We'll be seeing two different kinds of physical therapists and a neuropsychologist this week. I'm not sure what all of it means other than a lifestyle change for us all, especially our bright, cheery Sarah.

Sarah, #12, with some of her favorite people in the world, in her element.