2012 Is Proving To Be a Busy Year for Darein

What a year 2012 is proving to be!!! To top it off, Darein just looked over my shoulder as I opened my blog to start writing and said, "YOU NEED TO WRITE A BOOK"! She is growing frustrated with me as she is still trying to encourage me to write a book, start a foundation or do something positive with her illness that will be helpful to others :)I feel her frustration as well but don't think the timing is quite right yet.
In the meantime, we have been very busy! We had some extended family members who have had some health issues come up that we have been trying to help with, our truck decided to start acting up and we have been in the process of trying to find a reliable vehicle and have now purchased said vehicle. I have also been trying to keep my New Years resolutions and so far the only one that I have been able to keep is going to church every Sunday unless something out of my control comes up that would prevent that. However, I think that is probably the most important resolution that I needed to keep so figure I'm not doing too bad :) I booked Darein 3 orthodontic appointments every 2 weeks to get braces on her teeth. She will start this process in 3 weeks. She will wear her braces for about 1 1/2 years and then will proceed with her facial plastic surgery. We are excited to be moving forward but I know that the closer it gets, the more nervous I will become as the plastic surgery is a huge risk. This surgery will do amazing things for Darein as far as her breathing, her headaches and her looks but the risk of going under, the pain of having the jawbones broken and overall risks of surgery will weigh heavily on our mind as it gets closer. For now, we are choosing to be excited and positive and trying not to think about the future and just focusing on the braces part of it to keep our emotions in check.
Darein goes to St. Louis on Monday for a check-up of her scoliosis. We are hoping for no change and for the possibility of getting her back brace off in 4 months with no surgery necessary at this time. While we are in St. Louis on Monday Darein will also see her genetics physician. He is coming in on his day off to see her so that we don't have to make an extra trip. He will just give her a yearly overall check up and answer any questions and/or concerns we might have at this time as far as Antley-Bixler syndrome goes. He will also hopefully have some answers for us as to any new findings that the England research doctor may have found or new information from the research done on her blood.
Darein has not been going to the first two swimming lessons with her Champion Athletes as she has been extremely busy working on her Valentine Banquet at church and has wanted to sleep in on Saturdays as it is the only day she has to sleep in and catch up on some rest. We are finally at a point though, where she will start this Saturday and learn to swim a little better and be able to participate in a Swim Meet. She isn't looking forward to this but I think that it is important for her to learn this skill and will be good for her. She has also taken some time off from volunteering at the zoo as she has been so worn out. We are both excited to get started back on her working there. She has been very busy but I have been very proud of her for knowing when she needs to take a break and not being afraid to speak up about that and let us know.
Our weather has been phenomenal for this time of year and we are enjoying while we can as I am sure that it will bring a rough Spring. Hope everyone is having a great 2012 so far!!