2019- Year in Review

Every year in late December, I prayerfully consider my one word for the upcoming year. My word for 2019 was Healing. It was something that was elusive, but I was determined to cling to. We came out of 2018 broken and beat down. In 2018, Scott had two surgeries and was out of work for 15 weeks between the two. Luke developed an onset of PANDAS in March 2018 that began a downward spiral of his health and subsequently...our lives and sanity suffered tremendously.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2019 was one the hardest year of our lives in so many ways. In January, my dad, Luke and I flew to Ohio for appts with a medical specialist there. We were determined to get Luke the help he needed, but it wasn't a good fit.

Luke continued to worsen and we trudged on with his local pediatrician and neurologist in SC trying to find successful treatment.

In April, I was blessed to go on a Rodan and Fields award trip to Cabo, Mexico with my friend Danielle. It was a fantastic time of respite and fun for me that I will never forget!

Summer came and went. Luke and I stayed home while the rest of the family spent a week at the beach. He was sick often, as well as violent towards others and destructive with property. Between Luke's new skin infections and suffering from a grand mal seizure, he was seen 3 times at the Pediatric Emergency Department. We were at our lowest point. IVIG had been denied by our insurance. Clinics in Arizona and at Duke declined seeing Luke. Life looked bleak. We were emotionally, physically, and financially defeated.

 Then September came and the sun began to come out. Life was still super challenging but the IVIG was approved on appeal. Our insurance company coordinated a visit to The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in October. Rachael, our oldest daughter, coordinated a GoFundMe to help with Luke's medical expenses. We were blessed to receive enough to cover our out of pocket for 3 months of IVIG therapy and 3 airplane tickets to Minnesota!

 Although the trip was very stressful and not what we expected, important medical tests were done. Luke had two EEGs and a lumbar puncture, which ruled out Autoimmune Encephalitis. For that, we are grateful .

The week before Luke's first round of  IVIG infusions was filled with prayer and anticipation. November 15th and 16th were finally here! God blessed us with an incredible male nurse to work with Luke. We are so thankful God orchestrated for Kyle to be with us monthly for these infusions.

 Remember my word for 2019? Healing began after Luke's first IVIG infusion. We saw a remarkable improvement that first month. Violence and aggression were gone. Our happy Luke was back! He felt better and it showed-both at school and at home.

The kids and I were able to travel and spend a few days with family at Thanksgiving. A month earlier, I never would have believed this was possible.

 December came and we were able to decorate for Christmas and put the furniture back in Luke's room without fear of him damaging things. We went on a few outings, baked cookies, and other Christmas traditions.

 


We are able to breathe again. Luke will have at least 6 series of monthly IVIG infusions. His next dates are January 10th and 11th.

2019 has been one of the most challenging and turbulent years. Yet through it all God has been faithful and joy has been there too! We may be bruised from the battle, but we are still standing. And we are seeing Healing. For the village that has stood with us, in prayer and through financial gifts, we are humbled and ask God to bless each of you for taking part in our miracle. May God be glorified in the midst of our messy lives!

-Jo Anna

You can read more about Luke's story here Luke's GoFundMe

Christmas in...October??? (Adoption Fund Raiser)

(UPDATED)
We have been an approved prospective adoptive family by the Inter Country Adoption Board of the Philippines since February 2010 and now are officially matched to bring home our 2 sons!  In August 2011, we were notified of the brothers newly listed to the Special Home Finding List. Their ages are 3 years and 20 months old. We have recently learned that the younger brother has severe to profound hearing loss. We are stepping out in faith to adopt these two special little boys. We hope to travel in early 2012.

Adoption can be very expensive! We have currently paid over $7500. In addition, we anticipate needing over $19,000 for fees, expenses, and travel within the next 3 months. We are approximately $5000 short of our immediate need.

We are asking you to partner with us and help with our adoption expenses by purchasing 1 or more poinsettias for this holiday season. We are willing to deliver to western Triad (Winston-Salem and surrounding) area.

FAQs:
When do I need to have the order in by? Initial order - by Friday, November 5th. ^^^^We can and will take more orders after this date (this was to the be the largest delivery)
When can I expect to receive them? Tentatively the week of December 5th (contact us if you need them earlier)
How big are they? Cannot give a specific size - LARGE, select plants in 7 1/2" pots with 6-8 'blooms'.
How much are they? $15 per plant.
Can I get a specific color? Yes - email us for details.
When do I pay? Upon receipt/delivery.

***If you are not local, would you be interested in making a purchase for a local nursing home, assisted living or other organization?  If so, please pre-order by emailing Scott  at wreckedforgood@gmail.com. Be sure to include your contact information.

Thank you for your consideration in coming alongside our family and helping us bring our sons home! Feel free to contact us at 336-945-6010, text Scott at 724-816-2797 or our adoption agency with any questions: Christian Adoption Services in Matthews, NC at 704-847-0038.

Scott