The Road Less Traveled

It has been a while since our last MacMillan update over on our previous blog….two and a half years. The last two and half years have been a long and winding road; one that is a little different from what most families experience with the addition of two children.  Our journey has had us navigating through uncharted waters, and we are just now coming up for air.

There have been many times in the last 2.5 years where I wanted to sit down and update this blog but I found myself stuck with what exactly I was going to write. What was my goal?  How much did I want to share when everything was so unknown?  Like most areas of my life, I get stuck in the pursuit for perfection instead of just taking one bite at a time.  In hindsight, I am kicking myself for not documenting our entire journey for a number of reasons:

1. It would be so nice to look back on memories that we have forgotten, just like every new parent.
2. We could see how far our entire family has come both developmentally with Camden and emotionally with us; believe me when I say it has been an emotional rollercoaster.
3. Maybe there are other families out there that are on a similar journey that are looking for a connection…hope…support….just like us because this has been a very lonely journey (more on that later).
4. I find writing very therapeutic. Those that know both Craig and me, know that we are people of few words but our minds are always racing. Putting down on ‘paper’ what is running through my crowded head frees up some space and holds those thoughts and feelings in a ‘safe’ place.
5. We could have been updating interested family and friends on Camden’s progress. We welcome people to ask questions and inquire about updates and often times people are too timid; we used to be those people too! The more people are aware, the more support Camden has and that is always a positive!

My goal is to post a handful of posts walking through the last couple of years; celebrate the wins and remember the struggles.

I will start with what this journey is and where are we today.

Camden (age 3), as of today, is moderately to severely delayed in all areas of development with no known cause or an official diagnosis. His medical team is currently through the University of Michigan.  This team includes a Neurologist, Geneticist, Physical Medical Rehabilitation Dr., Ophthalmologist, and a Physical Therapist.  He also participates in Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy twice a week through Building Bridges Therapy Center here in Plymouth, MI.  We also see a Holistic Pediatrician in Ann Arbor.

Camden has been tested for almost everything under the sun. He has had a brain MRI with normal findings, micro array genetic testing with normal findings and whole exome genetic testing with no unusual findings.  These test rule out any brain damage, brain malformation, and any genetic disorders that are known as of today.

We have made the decision to get a second opinion and will be headed out to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in early October. We will update on our progress as we continue through this journey.  The one thing that is very clear is that Camden is the most loving little guy.  He loves to give kisses to anyone and anything that he can.  He has the best sense of humor and laugh.  He is the most wonderful little guy anyone could ask for.  He brings so much light into our lives and we are so blessed that God placed him into our family.

We hope that this updates our friends and family as to where we are today. I will post about our journey looking back, including pictures and some video.  Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions.  Feel free to forward this to anyone you know that may be going through a similar journey, we would love to connect with them!  For now I will leave you with a picture of Camden from earlier this week at the park!

Until next time –

3 C’s and a K