Gratitude
      - The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Gratitude is something that is hardwired into Jewell's core and as parents we could not be more proud of this incredible kid!!   She continues to have an amazing attitude and outlook on life.  There is also quite a bit of frustration lately as well.  I'll explain that shortly but lets get everyone updated first.

My wife is amazing!  She manages to get Adeline and Jewell to school every morning, pick them both up by 11:00, coordinate care for Casey, Grace and Addy, and get Jewell to whatever appointment she has during the day.  Jewell goes to Speech Therapy two times a week, Physical Therapy two times a week and Occupational Therapy once a week.  In addition to that, there are all the other miscellaneous appointments my wife has been scheduling (Orthopedic Surgeon, Neuro Surgeon, Oral Surgeon, etc.)

Our main goal since the last update was for Jewell to get her neck brace off.  This was supposed to occur around the first week of January and was around the same time we were scheduled to meet with an orthopedic surgeon.  The ortho surgeon ordered another MRI and a new set of X-Rays on her neck prior to our office visit.  When we had our appointment we were given extremely sad and scary news.  Not only could she not take her brace off, they were suggesting she needed to fuse her C1/C2 vertebrae's together due to instability. We were told "a fall or bump to the head could be catastrophic".  What?! What changed?  Why are we just now hearing this?

The ortho doctor that we had gone to see was not at all affiliated with Seattle Children's Hospital.  Terrified, we reached out to as many people as we could to get a second opinion.  The first was Seattle Children's.  The doctor that had seen Jewell was not working the day we called, however, her nurse explained that she would let her know and we received a call within a couple hours.  Our Seattle doctor requested the results from the MRI and X-rays be pushed to Seattle so their team could offer their opinion.  A spine neuro doctor, neuro radiologist and the entire neuro team at Seattle Children's all looked at the imaging that night and told us no surgery was necessary.

Great!  Now we have two of the top children's hospitals in the US giving us conflicting reports.  As luck would have it, one of the neuro surgeons from Seattle comes to Missoula quarterly.  We had to wait two weeks until we could see him was the only catch.  Sooo….Sorry Jewell, not getting your brace off buddy.  At least until we meet with the Seattle neurosurgeon and see what he says. 

In the mean time, we met with an oral surgeon here in Missoula.  The took some of the coolest 3D X-rays of her jaw.  An exact skeleton of Jewells head.  What it showed is that her jaw is still broken and she is still on a "soft chew".  We'll go back in a month to have that re-evaluated.  She wasn't too excited about this news either.

When we got to meet with the neurosurgeon, he already had some background information on Jewells story and the information that we had been given.  He explained that his goal was to make sure we were comfortable when we left his office and before he flew back to Seattle.  Extremely accomplished and an amazing man!  Guess what Jewell?!  No more neck brace!!!  She has been out of it for a little over a week now.  Mom and Dad will never stop worrying but it did take the edge off quite a bit!!!

Physically she continues to amaze everyone she meets.  Cognitively, she has a major brain injury still.  As parents, we certainly notice more than anyone else.  On the surface she seems fine, and she is, her brain is still healing and will continue to heal for quite a while.  Speech therapy is the most important therapy's to address and help Jewell relearn how to control her thoughts, feelings, emotions, situations, awareness, etc.

If it is fun she wants to do it and why wouldn't she, she is a kid.  Right now that means no sledding, skating, skiing, jumping and climbing.  Dad is a real fun hater right now and this is where the majority of her frustrations come in.  She is a honey badger!!  If anyone has any advice how to keep a honey badger busy and safe, PLEASE LET US KNOW!!

Thank you for the love and support.  We had a lot happen since the last update.  Like the title of this entry states, we have an attitude of gratitude.  For Jewell especially but also for each and every one of you!  Thank you!!