Rachel's Story

We were supposed to pick Gideon up Wednesday. We kept the kids out of school and were planning to go get him and then go to Rachel's doctor appointment. As we were getting ready to walk out the door, the doctor called to say he couldn't go home today. He got a "little" upset during his eye exam the night before and they had to give him oxygen, so he wasn't ready to let him go home, maybe Saturday. So we are just in a holding pattern, praying he doesn't have any more episodes and we can bring him home this weekend. We shall see.
We still had to take Rachel to Scottish Rite for her appointment so we all loaded up to go do that. For those who don't know, Rachel is our other miracle. She is our 12-year old daughter, twin to Samuel. When she was 8 years old, she began to have trouble getting around. She had to have help brushing or washing her hair, tying her shoes, getting up from the floor, going up and down stairs and she would fall easily. We finally found out she had dermatomyositis. Her immune system was overworking, attacking her muscles. This is why she was so weak. She was trying to get ready for the soccer season, but she just couldn't keep up with the other girls anymore. The doctors immediately started her on IV and oral steroids and methotrexate shots. She did the IV steroids for a year and was gradually weaned off the oral steroids about a year later. She is now being weaned off the methotrexate as well. God has healed her body and she is now in remission. At her last visit, the doctors changed her meds to pills instead of the shot. Yesterday they lowered her dose to 4 pills once per week. In 4 months when she goes back, they'll lower it to 3 pills. So by next August (2013), she should be off all meds completely! That is an amazing answer to prayers! I'll never forget our first visit to Scottish Rite and she couldn't even bend over to pick a pen up off the floor. Now she aces every muscle test they throw at her. Last year, she had her best soccer season yet. Through it all, she has kept a positive attitude and a smile on her face.
So if anyone ever tries to tell you God doesn't perform miracles any longer, just send them my way. I've got 3 beautiful miracles (well, 7 actually) to show them:-)