"The Peace that Passes Understanding"

Almost immediately after I wrote the last post, I received a message from Marnie with the Hearth Professionals saying  that a vendor has been found to install the elevator!  God is so good!  I am so happy that God gave me peace before we got the good news.

Because the vendor has been found, the transformation of our house can go into the next phase.  The money for the elevator has been secured, but much of the other expenses need funding.  The architects and the elevator company will come over to look at the house on Wednesday.  The plans will be available for the permit and we can set a date for the beginning of the shaft construction.

This is where we need a lot of help.  Not only do we need donations for the building materials, but we will also need volunteers for the construction.

We need to figure out a fundraiser for these expenses.  If you have any ideas to help, we would love to hear them. 

All of this is even more urgent as we continue to try to understand what is happening to Elizabeth.  She went back to the doctor today and the good news is that she does not need hip surgery!  The down side is we still do not know why she is falling.  Some of it can be written off as clumsiness, but not all.  One of the theories discussed is a condition known as POTS (Postural Tachycardia Syndrome).  Based on what I read, up to 78% of people with EDS Hypermobility have this condition.

As I understand it, when she is standing up, the blood vessels in her body are supposed to constrict so the brain will get most of the blood or oxygen.  Because people with EDS have weak tissues, this automatic system does not work well which can cause momentary "blacking out."

While listening to us, Elizabeth said, "So when I wake up in the morning and stand up to stretch and my eyes go black, that is what is going on?"  Well, yes, that is exactly what is going on.

The problem is that there is not an easy fix with this condition.  Because she is falling at such an alarming rate and she is getting injured, we will have to limit her standing.  She will need to use the wheelchair even more.  A cane, crutches or walker are not recommended with EDS and certainly not with POTS.

I do not mean to put the cart before the horse, but it would explain a lot of strange things that are happening.  The ortho doctor said that she is injuring her hip when she falls, probably causing her torn tendon to be pinched between her leg bone and her hip.  We will not need to continue to take her to the ER for this.  He showed us how to help her get that back at home.

Again, we thank all of you for your prayers and support!