Like Mother, Like Daughter
This post is a little out of the ordinary for my blog. It’s not about pretty dresses or where the best sales are. Although, I love talking about all of those things! I was supposed to write about pajamas this week. I’m shrugging my shoulders as I type that. Next week, guys.
As some of you know, last year I had major spine surgery for severe scoliosis (83 degree S curve among other issues). I suffered a variety of complications and it’s been one heck of a year to say the least. My spine is now fused fourteen levels with twenty five screws and two metals rods that go basically the entire length of my spine. In the midst of all of that, my daughter Emma, who was seven at the time, was diagnosed with scoliosis.
Scoliosis
Learning about Emma was like being punched in the gut and having the wind knocked out of me. On the inside, I was in full panic mode. My heart literally hurt when I thought of how this was going to affect her life. I felt insanely guilty and cried every night while everyone else was tucked in bed asleep. I put on a happy face daily and told her we would take care of her. At this time, her doctor said although a fifteen degree curve on a seven year old is concerning, that we basically couldn’t do anything until she progressed to twenty five. This was not something I was on board with and it was a tense conversation in the room. We finally agreed on bracing her around 20 degrees when the time came. That might not seem like a big deal to someone who isn’t familiar with this disorder, but I assure you, it’s very alarming in a 8 year old whose mother just had surgery for an 83 degree curve. There is no question, she will have severe scoliosis. Scoliosis can affect your nerves causing pain in limbs or no feeling in limbs, breathing problems, deform and warp your body. Some people with severe scoliosis end up in wheel chairs because their spine has crunched down on top of itself. (Mine was headed in that direction) I am a walking, talking example of scoliosis gone wrong.
Over the last few months, we tried to go about life as normal hoping the curves would stay the same for at least a couple years. Emma played her first year of soccer and made the All Star team. She continued to do ballet and singing lessons and piano. Everything seemed great until this past Friday.
We went in for her follow up seven months later where she had new x-rays. One thing I love about our doctor’s office if that they have a new special x-ray machine that only emits a tiny percentage of radiation. Fifty of these x-rays is the equivalent of one normal x-ray. Low and behold, her x-ray on Friday showed she jumped up to 20-21 degrees in 7 months.
Our hearts sank into our chest and I immediately welled up with tears. Over the last seven months I have felt tremendous guilt over Emma being diagnosed with this. I know, I know…… I shouldn’t feel that way. It’s not my fault, right? Well I can’t help it, I do. I can’t help but feel horrible that her next 8 years of childhood will be braced for 21 hours a day. Think about it….3 hours out of a brace to eat dinner and shower. That’s it. It’s a long journey ahead for her. Kids will ridicule her at school and she will have to be strong and continue on because compliance in this brace is KEY for any chance of it working. And then…what if it doesn’t work, what then?
I have spent the last 3 days AND nights on the computer and phone trying to find the best possible plan going forward to keep her from experiencing what I did over the last 20 years and counting. I have heard so many say, “Well if she has surgery, she will not have it as serious as you, or she will bounce back quick, etc”. I don’t want her to even have to think about surgery being on the table, EVER. It makes me physically sick to my stomach to try and process that. However, I am aware it could quite possibly happen.
So where do we go from here? Well, I have a gut feeling on which brace we should choose. My husband is basically letting me call most of the shots. I don’t know if thats a good thing or a bad thing. On average, Emma will need a new brace anywhere between 9-15 months. Sometimes more, sometimes less. This special brace, I am choosing is not in network for insurance so that will be a tough pill to swallow, although I am working with the company and our Doctor to try and lower the cost or get it covered partially with insurance. I feel like it’s the best choice for her and our family. I have also looked into Schroth therapy with licensed physical therapists who deal with scoliosis patients and I will learn the techniques to help her at home every day.
I refuse to let her end up like me. Period.
If you have read through this, I truly thank you. It’s not the same happy material I usually write about, but I hope this helps you, my followers, see a raw, emotional, REAL side to my life. Don’t worry, even in this post you get a little fashion…..Neil took these pictures of Emma for Lululemon’s kid line, Ivivva a few weeks back. All of these products can be found at Ivivva.com.
About The Author
April
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“Keep the change ya filthy animal” This Home Alone sweater/hat set is a staple come #holidaytime
Comment KEVIN below to receive a DM with the link to shop this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/50D6k #ltkseasonal #ltkholiday #ltksalealert #sweaterweather #uglysweater #kevinmcallister #homealone
SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! This was a big hit last year so I wanted to share it again! These brie and cranberry puff pastry bites are SO EASY to make and a crowd pleaser for that Holiday gathering.
•mini muffin pan
•store bought puff pastry
•brie cheese
•cranberry sauce
•fresh rosemary
Preheat your oven to 425. Do not put these in until your oven is preheated! Place squares of puff pastry into the muffin pan, followed by cubes of brie cheese and a scoop of cranberry sauce. Bake for 10 min and add rosemary sprigs for garnish. It’s that easy!!! #easyrecipes #holidayrecipes
Brrrr it’s a cold one today! #holidayoutfit
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SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! Super easy and fun to make with the kids, these Puff Pastry and Nutella Gingerbread men are the perfect easy holiday treat!
•1 pack of store bought puff pastry
•Nutella
•powdered sugar
Preheat the oven to 400. Roll out the puff pastry, spread a thin later of Nutella and add the second piece on top. Don’t forget to use the rolling pin to thin out the puff pastry. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the shapes and bake for 15 min. Sprinkle powdered sugar to the top.
#ad #WalmartPartner I LOVE the holidays! I especially love sharing my home with overnight guests and making them feel as welcome as possible! So that means, shopping at my favorite holiday go-to @Walmart 🙌🏻 This @Zinus mattress pops right out of the box and is SO comfortable. I’ve had so many compliments on how well guests have slept on it!! I use @Snuggle Blue Sparkle Fabric Softener on my sheets to give it that extra cozy flair, with 3x freshness ingredients & longer lasting softness*! Have overnight guests this Holiday season? Head over to #Walmart and snag everything you need to make your guests feel at home this Holiday season.
*vs next leading value detergent alone
SAVE AND SHARE THIS HOLIDAY RECIPE! I’m sharing this one again because it was a hit last year! My Fig and Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Bites are the PERFECT appetizer.
•puff pastry cut into squares
•fig jam
•goat cheese (cream cheese if you aren’t a goat cheese fan)
•walnut pieces
•mini muffin pan
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffin tin with non stick spray and place one puff pastry square in each muffin area and push down. Add a teaspoon of goat cheese and add the fig jam on top. Sprinkle walnut prices on top and place in the oven for 15 minutes. Serve and enjoy!!! Happy Holidays! #appetizerideas #holidayrecipes
My FAVORITE Holiday sweaters and flannel dresses are 25% off today 🙌🏻 #holidayoutfit
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SAVE THIS RECIPE POST! It’s another #puffpastry #recipe for the win 🙌🏻 Check out this SUPER EASY appetizer that’s perfect for Holiday party or football game coming up! You really only need TWO INGREDIENTS!
•Preheat oven to 400 (this will bake 12-15 min)
•Puff pastry
•pesto (I love the Costco pesto!)
•egg for egg wash over the twists
Make sure to put a good amount of pesto on the puff pastry. Twist and put on a non stick pan. Brush egg over the top to give it that golden color and bake for 12-15 min. Serve with marinara sauce and voilè you have yourself a crowd pleasing #holidayappetizers Enjoy! #holidayrecipes
Having a plaid moment! #holidayoutfit
Comment PLAID below to receive a DM with the link to shop this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/4YjUe #ltksalealert #ltkparties #ltkholiday #tartan
#ad I just LOVE the Holidays! #GladePartner Not only do I go to town decorating the home, I also want it smelling amazing too! I stocked up on my favorite @glade products from Sam’s Club 🙌🏻 This year I snagged the Glade Limited Edition Automatic Spray Holiday Variety Pack! It comes with three scents: Twinkling Pine & Cedar, Sparkling Pear and First Frost. You’ll have your house smelling like the holidays in no time! Make sure to pick up this variety pack, available exclusively at Sam’s Club!
Comment DRESS for the info! Love a good #fitandflare and this flannel one is a must! I have this dress in 8 different patterns and I LOVE THEM ALL. Plus, it has pockets! #thanksgivingoutfit
Comment DRESS below to receive a DM with the link to shop this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/4XEr3 #ltkholiday #ltkseasonal #flannel #flanneldress
SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! This festive #holidayappetizers is soooooo easy to make and so cute too! Take your Holiday party to the next level with this simple and fun brie recipe!
•store bought frozen roll dough (thaw and let rise for 3 hours)
•8 oz of brie
•1/2 stick of melted butter
•1 tsp minced garlic
•1 tbsp Italian seasoning
•fresh rosemary sprigs
•fresh cranberries
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. On a piece to parchment paper and a cookie sheet, set your brie in the middle. Place the roll dough balls around your brie. Slather the rolls and Brie in the melted butter (mixed with the minced garlic). Sprinkle seasoning on top and bake for approx. 20 min. Add rose mark and cranberries as garnish once out to the oven. This is such a crowd pleaser and quick to make. We’ve also used fresh dough made by my hubby (he’s the bread baker 🤣) and that works amazing too! Let me know how you like it! Enjoy! #recipereel #holidayrecipes
You guys….it actually rained here today! And it’s cold! I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR. It doesn’t exasperate my #potssyndrome 🙌🏻 Today, all 4 kids were home from school and we all played Fortnite together with our neighbors. I love days like today. I didn’t run errands, I didn’t clean anything. It’s been marvelous! Tomorrow will be back to business with family photo session editing, brand jobs and getting my ballet school ready for next months shows. But today, today, I did nothing. 🤣 #mondaymood
SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! This one’s a MUST TRY! I love pumpkin, I love puff pastry and I love me some cheese!
•one package store bought puff pastry
•mini brie
•pumpkin butter
•egg for egg wash
•cooking twine
•cinnamon sticks
Preheat oven to 375. These will bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. Cut #puffpastry into 10 equal squares, scoop a teaspoon of pumpkin butter on the puff pastry and add a mini brie on top. Close up the dough and use cooking twine to secure it. I tie it around 3-4 times. Brush egg wash over them and bake them for 20-25 min. Use cinnamon sticks for a stem! I have also used cream cheese and goat cheese instead of the Brie! Enjoy! #holidayappetizers #recipereel
#ad #WalmartPartner I’m getting my home ready this Fall for all my overnight Thanksgiving guests with @walmart 🙌🏻 Through this holiday season, I want to make my guests feel at home and as comfy as possible. I have the @zinus 8 inch Cooling Mattress for ultimate coziness. It’s super easy and convenient to set up and feels amazing. Plus, I use @snuggle_bear Blue Sparkle Fabric Softener on my linens to give it that added touch! It’s formulated for longer lasting freshness* #Walmart is my Holiday go-to this season! #IYWYK
(*vs previous formula)
#happyhalloween from #freddiemercury and #edwardscissorhands Nicky’s chest hair is my favorite part. 🤣 #halloween2024
Comment JACKET and I’ll send you the details via DM to shop! I have this utility jacket in two colors. Such a great lightweight staple for #Fall 🙌🏻 #fallfashion #falljacket
https://liketk.it/4VcqV
SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! Super easy and oh soooo good! These #pumpkinpie granola bites store perfectly in the fridge for an easy snack or treat! My kids LOVE them!
•3 cups quick oats
•3/4 cup pumpkin purée (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
•3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
•1/2 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
•1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
•3/4 cup Grade A pure maple syrup
In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together. Using your hands, firmly roll balls together. Then, put them in the refrigerator for 30 min to set. I’m telling you these are AMAZING. Try them and let me know! #recipereels #easyrecipes
SO happy it’s not 100 degrees this week and we’re actually having cooler mornings. It’s Finally Fall! #sweaterweather
Added #Maui to the wall…… can’t wait to add to the collection next trip 🙌🏻🤣
Courtney Bentley| 29th Nov 17
OMG she is so cute! I love these photos!
Courtney Bentley || http://www.courtneyvioletbentley.com
Niqui| 29th Nov 17
Awww April….Im so sorry to hear this. I can imagine your pain and heartache as I have a little girl (she is 21 but will forever be my little girl) Im sending you a ginormous hug!
Delayna Denaye| 30th Nov 17
She is so adorable! Thank You for sharing this moment!
Delayna
http://www.delaynadenaye.com
Linda Tran| 30th Nov 17
I’m so sorry about that! Sending you and your daughter all my love and positive thoughts!
Linda