Dear Alayla,

Your 11th year was full of unexpected challenges. Sudden severe headaches that were present day and night began a journey that we were not expecting. After a few weeks with no relief, we knew it was time to figure out what was going on. I felt sure you probably just needed a pair of cute glasses to cure your relentless headaches. Needless to say, I was left feeling shocked when the eye doctor said your eye sight was perfect, but there was something much more concerning going on.

The next few days were a whirlwind as we made a visit to a pediatric optometrist who immediately asked for an MRI to be ordered. The MRI results were not what anyone was hoping for, so a lumbar puncture became the next step. Those results were also abnormal, so the MRI results were confirmed. Both of these tests led to referrals with neurosurgery and neurology, which also led to a second lumbar puncture that caused a spinal fluid leak. You scared your friends at church when they found you lying in a completely dark bathroom floor. Your dad scooped you up and brought you home. We phoned the neurosurgeon and scheduled a spinal blood patch.

After this incident, we did not feel as confident in the neurosurgeon as we needed to, so we decided a larger hospital at a university was needed. That’s when the Lord led us to Virginia Commonwealth University. The neurosurgeon and neurologist there have been amazing so far.

Watching you be thrown into the medical world so quickly has not been easy. You were one of our healthiest children physically, so going from thinking you probably just need glasses to a diagnosis of papilledema, increased spinal fluid, chiari malformation, and possible celiac disease has been a complete shock for all of us.

To be honest, the thoughts of one of our children possibly having brain surgery is terrifying to us, so we cannot imagine what you have been feeling up to this point. However, in true Layla fashion, you have handled everything in stride. We would not expect anything different from you because you have always had an upbeat attitude and have made lemonade out of lemons many times thus far in your life. That is just how you are. You roll with the punches with a smile and laugh.

Thankfully the doctors at VCU have been conservative in their treatment for you. It was decided the best plan is to take medications to treat symptoms, repeat MRIs and lumbar punctures as needed this coming summer, and to watch and wait to see if surgery will be necessary. We are grateful we have found such caring physicians, but we are even more grateful for the great physician, our Lord and Savior.

He has held our hands all the way through your newly found medical conditions. He has brought a peace that passes all understanding not only for us but also for you. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, and we know you love the Lord with all your heart. We cannot wait to see the testimony the Lord brings from your suffering.

If your dad and I could take all the pain and suffering away, we would in an instant. But, since we can’t, we will trust the Lord’s timing. We are here for you, but more importantly, so is He. We love you sweet girl and are thankful God sent you to be our daughter. He knew exactly what He was doing.

Love Always,

Mom 💕

Alayla’s Birthday Interview:

How old are you? 12

What is your favorite food? Lasagna

What is your least favorite food? Mac N Cheese and Broccoli

What is your favorite thing to do? Ride horses

What is your favorite animal? Highland Cow

What makes you happy? My family

What is the best memory from when you were 11? Going to rodeos

What is one thing you’d like to do while you are 12? Go on a cruise

What would you like to be when you grow up? A rancher

What is your favorite song? Things a Man Oughta Know By: Lainey Wilson

Where is your favorite place to eat? Texas Roadhouse

What is your favorite book? Magic Treehouse books

Where would you like to go on vacation? The Bahamas

What do you want the world to know? About Jesus and the Bible is true

Romans 8;28- And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.