I am learning to be transparent, to not try and carry or handle burdens alone. It's a hard lesson for me, and one that does not come easy.

Tonight, we're faced with a burden that I'm not sure how to handle. It's heavy and terrifying, and we need a lot of prayers that it will become lighter, and quickly, and if it doesn't, then for us to have the supernatural strength to continue carrying it. We need prayers for doctors, and wisdom, and for peace. My own prayers are feeling muffled tonight, so there is no time better than now to share this burden.

Sierra, has been very healthy for the past 9 years, hardly ever sick at all. Then in November/December, she started getting migraine type headaches pretty frequently. Then there was an episode where the school called and said she couldn't move her legs, and was in a lot of pain. Recently, her vision has been getting blurry, she's been dizzy and faint. She's been to the ER quite a bit over the past couple months, but has always been sent home with a viral infection diagnoses, strep, etc. Antibiotics haven't helped.
Last night, we were at church, when I got called out of class. She wasn't doing well, so I rushed her to the ER. This time, to the bigger hospital with more testing abilities. An MRI was done this morning of her brain. (When she was four, a benign, pituitary tumor was discovered, so they wanted to make sure it was not growing). MRI showed the tumor is still there, but still small, and the same size, and they didn't think it was the source of her issues. But what else was found was a mass in her frontal lobe. They're not sure what it is, but it's there. Our pediatrician called a neurosurgeon in Oakland, went over the results, and he said she needed to be transported to Oakland now. Ken took her back to the ER so they could transport her out, but the hospital then decided that because she's stable, she can go in the morning.
So, bright and early, we will be heading back to Oakland Children's Hospital, to meet with a pediatric neurosurgeon. We have no idea what to expect, how long we'll be there, what tests are going to be done, or anything. We just know that we're going. Blindly. And terrified.

We know that this could very well be another benign mass. It could be that they see it and turn us around to come back home with no procedure or treatment needed. That would of course be the best case scenario. But until then....we need prayers.

Please, please keep her in your prayers. Pray for her strength and to not be afraid, as much as she can. Pray for the doctors, for wisdom. Pray for our other kids who are going to be separated from us while we go, at least till we can figure something out. They are already sad and scared. And pray for us. I don't know how much more we can bear to stand....but right now, our biggest battle is making sure Sierra is okay.

Thanks to everyone who has been calling and texting and emailing. I will update, probably here and on Facebook as we know more.