One day can change everything...
Donation protected
One day can change everything...for the Sherman's that day was Saturday January 24th, 2015.
(picture taken first day of 6th grade)
"On Saturday morning Hayden woke up, went downstairs, turned on the TV and was fine. When I came down he was lying on the couch with a really bad stomach ache. I suggested he go into the bathroom since we'd had some tummy and cold bugs going around our house the last few weeks. He went into the bathroom, urinated, came back out, and then went back in because his stomach was still hurting. He laid down on the ground and when he tried to get up his legs felt wobbly so he laid back down. When he tried to get back up his legs felt weak and he wasn't able to stand so he crawled to the couch and started playing video games.
At this point his pain was gone and he felt fine except that his legs felt "strengthless" as he described it. I made him some breakfast, called Nate who was at work and just watched him for a bit. When I could see that he was crawling around and not faking it, I called our Pediatric Instacare, explained what was going on and waited for a call back. When they called they advised the ER. I called Nate to tell him to get home and by the time I had taken the other kids down the street to a neighbor, he was home. At this point Hayden was so weak we he couldn't even push his feet into his shoes and we had to carry him to the car.
When we got to the ER they did their exams and called Children's hospital for neurology. Once they talked with neuro it was decided that he needed to be transferred via ambulance to Children's Hospital of Colorado. We waited forever. (Waiting has become our life.) Once we reached the ER at children's we went thru all the same exams, they drew blood, we saw the neurologist and then the testing began. They did an MRI that night and finally got us admitted about 2 am. The MRI showed inflammation of the spinal cord at about the T 10 level. They've run every test they can think of since then and still do not what the diagnosis is. They're stumped because of his sudden onset of symptoms with no recent injury or illness. The front runners right now are transverse mielitis or a spinal cord stroke but they seem to be leaning towards stroke. They're going to do another MRI today or tomorrow to see if it shows any changes. At this point he has paralysis from the belly button down with no bowel or bladder control.
We don't know what his prognosis is or what if any he will recover. They are currently treating him with steroids and rehab to see if there will be any improvement. So far we have not seen any, just a gradual decline. It has been terrifying and heart breaking. Hayden has been a trooper thru everything, only getting nervous when he hears about new tests. We all got pretty emotional though when they got him in the wheelchair for the first time yesterday. We are praying for a miracle, that one day he'll walk again. We have a long road ahead either way. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers." -Rebecca (Hayden's loving mother)
January 30, 2015 "Just wanted to post an update and give a big thank you to all who have reached out, watched our children, brought meals, sent cards and gifts, and above all, are keeping us in your prayers. The "dream team" (both of our Mothers) arrived almost immediately to help out, and we could not have made it this far without them. We are truly blessed and grateful for all your love and kindness at this extremely difficult time.
Hayden finished day 5 of IV steroids yesterday. That is the maximum dose that they will give him. So far we have seen no improvement with the motor control in his legs. He has sensation to touch but no muscle control. The top 3 thoughts at the moment are that he had a stroke (blood clot) in his spine, has an autoimmune disorder called Guillaine-Barre, or something called transverse myelitis (which means that the inflammation in his spinal cord may be caused by his body's immune response to a virus or post bacterial infection). At this point, no one can tell us for sure what has caused Hayden's condition. Today they started something called plasma phoresis with the hope that removing and purifying his blood (for lack of a more complicated explanation) will remove whatever is causing the inflammation. This will be repeated on Monday and Tuesday. If that doesn't help, his treatment will change to physical therapy for 6 to 8 weeks with the hope of regaining some or all of the use of his legs.
Our family will be fasting for Hayden on Sunday for all of those who would like to join us in fasting and prayer. We know that adversity and challenges are a part of life. We can't truly appreciate joy without knowing heartache. We have great faith in our Heavenly Father and in His Son Jesus Christ, who suffered and atoned for all that we may live. Come what may, we will accept His will and offer Him Thanks for the many blessings we receive each day. May this experience remind us all to recognize and give thanks for the small things we so often take for granted in life.
We will get through this together. In the recent words of my strong, loving, and wise 11 year old Hayden..."Well, I can't go under it, can't go over it, can't go around it, I guess I'm going to have to go through it." (see "going on a bear hunt" song if you're confused). - Nate Sherman (Hayden's Father)
"Anyone who knows Hayden already knows what a great kid he is. He is truly amazing inside and out. He has shown me over and over thru this process how incredible he is. Today he said, "I feel like this is a blessing. I always pray that if something bad is going to happen in our family that it will happen to me." He also said, "Mom, I think this is a lot harder on you than it is on me." I don't know about that since I can walk, but you can imagine that he made me bawl. So blessed to be his mom." - Rebecca
January 31, 2015 - "I'm still in shock that all of this has happened and that it's already been one week since we last saw Hayden walk. Each day I hope and pray that we'll see improvement and I get so discouraged that we don't. I'm trying so hard to replace my fear with faith, but it's a constant struggle for me. However, one thing is certain and that is the fact that we have been showered with love. Each day more cards, gifts and meals arrive, full of love, support and well wishes. It means so much to us. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts - Rebecca
February 4, 2015
"Doctors are leaning toward an infarction or stroke in his spine. No response to the treatments. We are starting physical therapy for 6 to 8 weeks. Hayden is determined he will walk again. If faith and effort alone constitute his outcome, then he will. - Nate
"Starting today Hayden gets to do Functional Electrical Stimulus on a bike for an hour every day. Of course he loved it and didn't want to stop. His smile is contagious and he's quickly becoming everyone's favorite. It's easy to see why!" - Rebecca
February 10, 2015 "Today feels heavy. Heavy with worry and heart ache. Every day is so hard and nothing seems to be getting easier. I wish I had any good news to share but sadly there isn't any. Hayden had an episode of intense abdominal pain this past Saturday followed by a decrease in the sensation in his left leg. After a third MRI yesterday we found out that the lesion on his spinal cord has grown. Now there is the worry of repeat episodes and increased loss of function. The doctors are still scratching their heads as to what is going on. Today brought more specialists and the reality of more tests to come. It's so discouraging that after two and a half weeks he's only gotten worse and not better. The rest of this week is going to be so hard and we're feeling so low. But through it all our angel mothers haven't left our sides. It has been such a gift and blessing. I don't know how we would do this without them." - Rebecca
Hayden gets a visit from his family! He loves visitors!!
February 18, 2015 We finally have a diagnosis: Spinal Cord Infarct with Spinal Cord Injury. Hayden's level of injury extends from T5 to T11, which means his legs, bowel, bladder and temperature control are all affected. They believe his second event on February 9th was more than likely another stroke. We did a fourth MRI tonight to establish a baseline and to help in making decisions regarding anticoagulant treatments. Yesterday we custom ordered his own wheelchair which will hopefully be ready in about three weeks. Hayden did not like talking about any of these things one bit and neither did we. This trial is more than any of us could have imagined, but through it all we have been blessed, watched over and strengthened by a loving Heavenly Father and wonderful friends and family.
....To answer some more questions, the doctors are completely stumped as to why a completely healthy 11 year old would suffer a stroke in the spineal cord, not only once, but twice. Every test or risk factor has come back negative. Because his diagnosis is so rare, there simply aren't a lot of cases out there to study. As far as prognosis, we have no idea what, if any recovery he will have. Only time will tell. We're trying to stay positive and hopeful and are grateful for the function he does have as well as his determination. Thank you so much for your love and concern." - Rebecca
The good news is, Hayden will return home on Friday March 13th!! It's hard to believe it has been over a month. Although they are excited for this, the Sherman family will have a lot of work to do to assist Hayden and accomodate his new wheels. This includes making modificaitons to their home so it is wheel chair accessible with ramps, a stair lift, and other special equipment. We are starting this fund in response to the many friends and family who have asked how they can help with Hayden's needs. We are grateful for your support in any form; thoughts, prayers or a donation of time, service or money.
Please join me in sending all our love and support at this time to the Sherman Family.
Let's show my nephew Hayden, that just like his one year old brother Luke, "we've got his back!"
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." ~Edward Everett Hale
(picture taken first day of 6th grade)
"On Saturday morning Hayden woke up, went downstairs, turned on the TV and was fine. When I came down he was lying on the couch with a really bad stomach ache. I suggested he go into the bathroom since we'd had some tummy and cold bugs going around our house the last few weeks. He went into the bathroom, urinated, came back out, and then went back in because his stomach was still hurting. He laid down on the ground and when he tried to get up his legs felt wobbly so he laid back down. When he tried to get back up his legs felt weak and he wasn't able to stand so he crawled to the couch and started playing video games.
At this point his pain was gone and he felt fine except that his legs felt "strengthless" as he described it. I made him some breakfast, called Nate who was at work and just watched him for a bit. When I could see that he was crawling around and not faking it, I called our Pediatric Instacare, explained what was going on and waited for a call back. When they called they advised the ER. I called Nate to tell him to get home and by the time I had taken the other kids down the street to a neighbor, he was home. At this point Hayden was so weak we he couldn't even push his feet into his shoes and we had to carry him to the car.
When we got to the ER they did their exams and called Children's hospital for neurology. Once they talked with neuro it was decided that he needed to be transferred via ambulance to Children's Hospital of Colorado. We waited forever. (Waiting has become our life.) Once we reached the ER at children's we went thru all the same exams, they drew blood, we saw the neurologist and then the testing began. They did an MRI that night and finally got us admitted about 2 am. The MRI showed inflammation of the spinal cord at about the T 10 level. They've run every test they can think of since then and still do not what the diagnosis is. They're stumped because of his sudden onset of symptoms with no recent injury or illness. The front runners right now are transverse mielitis or a spinal cord stroke but they seem to be leaning towards stroke. They're going to do another MRI today or tomorrow to see if it shows any changes. At this point he has paralysis from the belly button down with no bowel or bladder control.
We don't know what his prognosis is or what if any he will recover. They are currently treating him with steroids and rehab to see if there will be any improvement. So far we have not seen any, just a gradual decline. It has been terrifying and heart breaking. Hayden has been a trooper thru everything, only getting nervous when he hears about new tests. We all got pretty emotional though when they got him in the wheelchair for the first time yesterday. We are praying for a miracle, that one day he'll walk again. We have a long road ahead either way. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers." -Rebecca (Hayden's loving mother)
January 30, 2015 "Just wanted to post an update and give a big thank you to all who have reached out, watched our children, brought meals, sent cards and gifts, and above all, are keeping us in your prayers. The "dream team" (both of our Mothers) arrived almost immediately to help out, and we could not have made it this far without them. We are truly blessed and grateful for all your love and kindness at this extremely difficult time.
Hayden finished day 5 of IV steroids yesterday. That is the maximum dose that they will give him. So far we have seen no improvement with the motor control in his legs. He has sensation to touch but no muscle control. The top 3 thoughts at the moment are that he had a stroke (blood clot) in his spine, has an autoimmune disorder called Guillaine-Barre, or something called transverse myelitis (which means that the inflammation in his spinal cord may be caused by his body's immune response to a virus or post bacterial infection). At this point, no one can tell us for sure what has caused Hayden's condition. Today they started something called plasma phoresis with the hope that removing and purifying his blood (for lack of a more complicated explanation) will remove whatever is causing the inflammation. This will be repeated on Monday and Tuesday. If that doesn't help, his treatment will change to physical therapy for 6 to 8 weeks with the hope of regaining some or all of the use of his legs.
Our family will be fasting for Hayden on Sunday for all of those who would like to join us in fasting and prayer. We know that adversity and challenges are a part of life. We can't truly appreciate joy without knowing heartache. We have great faith in our Heavenly Father and in His Son Jesus Christ, who suffered and atoned for all that we may live. Come what may, we will accept His will and offer Him Thanks for the many blessings we receive each day. May this experience remind us all to recognize and give thanks for the small things we so often take for granted in life.
We will get through this together. In the recent words of my strong, loving, and wise 11 year old Hayden..."Well, I can't go under it, can't go over it, can't go around it, I guess I'm going to have to go through it." (see "going on a bear hunt" song if you're confused). - Nate Sherman (Hayden's Father)
"Anyone who knows Hayden already knows what a great kid he is. He is truly amazing inside and out. He has shown me over and over thru this process how incredible he is. Today he said, "I feel like this is a blessing. I always pray that if something bad is going to happen in our family that it will happen to me." He also said, "Mom, I think this is a lot harder on you than it is on me." I don't know about that since I can walk, but you can imagine that he made me bawl. So blessed to be his mom." - Rebecca
January 31, 2015 - "I'm still in shock that all of this has happened and that it's already been one week since we last saw Hayden walk. Each day I hope and pray that we'll see improvement and I get so discouraged that we don't. I'm trying so hard to replace my fear with faith, but it's a constant struggle for me. However, one thing is certain and that is the fact that we have been showered with love. Each day more cards, gifts and meals arrive, full of love, support and well wishes. It means so much to us. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts - RebeccaFebruary 4, 2015
"Doctors are leaning toward an infarction or stroke in his spine. No response to the treatments. We are starting physical therapy for 6 to 8 weeks. Hayden is determined he will walk again. If faith and effort alone constitute his outcome, then he will. - Nate
"Starting today Hayden gets to do Functional Electrical Stimulus on a bike for an hour every day. Of course he loved it and didn't want to stop. His smile is contagious and he's quickly becoming everyone's favorite. It's easy to see why!" - Rebecca
February 10, 2015 "Today feels heavy. Heavy with worry and heart ache. Every day is so hard and nothing seems to be getting easier. I wish I had any good news to share but sadly there isn't any. Hayden had an episode of intense abdominal pain this past Saturday followed by a decrease in the sensation in his left leg. After a third MRI yesterday we found out that the lesion on his spinal cord has grown. Now there is the worry of repeat episodes and increased loss of function. The doctors are still scratching their heads as to what is going on. Today brought more specialists and the reality of more tests to come. It's so discouraging that after two and a half weeks he's only gotten worse and not better. The rest of this week is going to be so hard and we're feeling so low. But through it all our angel mothers haven't left our sides. It has been such a gift and blessing. I don't know how we would do this without them." - Rebecca
Hayden gets a visit from his family! He loves visitors!!
February 18, 2015 We finally have a diagnosis: Spinal Cord Infarct with Spinal Cord Injury. Hayden's level of injury extends from T5 to T11, which means his legs, bowel, bladder and temperature control are all affected. They believe his second event on February 9th was more than likely another stroke. We did a fourth MRI tonight to establish a baseline and to help in making decisions regarding anticoagulant treatments. Yesterday we custom ordered his own wheelchair which will hopefully be ready in about three weeks. Hayden did not like talking about any of these things one bit and neither did we. This trial is more than any of us could have imagined, but through it all we have been blessed, watched over and strengthened by a loving Heavenly Father and wonderful friends and family.
....To answer some more questions, the doctors are completely stumped as to why a completely healthy 11 year old would suffer a stroke in the spineal cord, not only once, but twice. Every test or risk factor has come back negative. Because his diagnosis is so rare, there simply aren't a lot of cases out there to study. As far as prognosis, we have no idea what, if any recovery he will have. Only time will tell. We're trying to stay positive and hopeful and are grateful for the function he does have as well as his determination. Thank you so much for your love and concern." - Rebecca
The good news is, Hayden will return home on Friday March 13th!! It's hard to believe it has been over a month. Although they are excited for this, the Sherman family will have a lot of work to do to assist Hayden and accomodate his new wheels. This includes making modificaitons to their home so it is wheel chair accessible with ramps, a stair lift, and other special equipment. We are starting this fund in response to the many friends and family who have asked how they can help with Hayden's needs. We are grateful for your support in any form; thoughts, prayers or a donation of time, service or money.
Please join me in sending all our love and support at this time to the Sherman Family.
Let's show my nephew Hayden, that just like his one year old brother Luke, "we've got his back!"
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." ~Edward Everett Hale
Organizer
Nathan Sherman
Organizer
Parker, CO