Tag: OMS journey

Faith Journey, Medical, Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome

With Every Joy, In Every Hope

Brandi C

With Every Joy, In Every Hope

This journey with OMS has brought me to my knees more times than I can count. It has stretched me, refined me, broken me open—and built something stronger in its place. However, With Every Joy, In Every Hope there is Jesus.

There have been days filled with fear. With doubt. With exhaustion that sank into my bones.
But there have also been days of joy.
Joy that surprised me. Joy that snuck in quietly and wrapped itself around the hardest moments.

And that’s what I’ve learned: joy and hope can live alongside pain.
They’re not emotions reserved for the easy days.
They are gifts from God, woven right into the messy middle of the story.

With every joy—in every smile, every step forward, every laugh that returned after weeks of silence—I saw God’s fingerprints.
With every hope—in every prayer whispered through tears, in every night I chose to believe again—I saw God’s faithfulness.

This journey hasn’t been linear. Healing rarely is.
There were setbacks, victories, and there were days I felt like giving up.
And then there were days when I couldn’t help but praise—because of the progress, because of the peace, because God had carried us one more step forward.

With every joy, in every hope, God was there.
Not one moment missed, not one tear wasted, and Not one prayer unheard.

And maybe you’re in a hard season of your own—maybe your story doesn’t look like mine, but your heart still needs to know:
Joy is still possible. Hope is still alive.
Not because of the outcome, but because of Who walks with you.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Faith Journey, Medical, Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome

Did You Even Know You Were Looking at a Miracle?

Brandi C

Did You Even Know You Were Looking at a Miracle?

“Did you even know that you were looking at a miracle?”

That question caught me completely off guard. It came from a gentleman sitting nearby in the waiting room of our chiropractor’s office, and it landed in my ears like a divine interruption. Amid my self-imposed chaos, his words cut straight to my heart.

I sat there stunned, mouth slightly open, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Not exactly how I had planned my Tuesday morning chiropractic visit.

But God.

Earlier that morning, I was knee-deep in what I call C.H.A.O.S.—Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome. I couldn’t even remember who was supposed to go to the chiropractor, so I just loaded up the whole crew. Some days are just like that. And Tuesday was definitely one of those days.

As we filtered into the office, we were immediately recognized. No introductions needed. H knows the ropes and has all the staff wrapped around his little finger. He did his usual “hello? excuse me? lady?” routine, and Whitney—who adores him—popped around the corner and scooped him up with a big smile.

Before taking him back for his “office work,” she asked if she could introduce him to the woman behind me—her mom. As always, H was syrupy sweet, charming her with his innocence and bright spirit.

Then came the man.

The office is small and shared with another doctor. Since my kids had already claimed one corner, I sat on the opposite side, next to an older couple—probably in their late 60s or early 70s. The man leaned around his wife, looked directly at me, and smiled. His eyes were kind, deep, and piercing.

He said, “Did you know that boy of yours is a walking miracle?”

I choked back tears and managed to whisper, “As a matter of fact, I do.”

He asked H’s name, and when I told him, he promised to begin praying for him right then and there.

What stunned me most was that he didn’t know a single thing about us—not H’s health, not our family story, nothing. He hadn’t even seen H walk. Whitney had carried him back before the man saw him do anything. I briefly shared a 30-second summary of H’s medical journey, and tears welled in the man’s eyes.

He looked at me and said, “Well, I thought he was a miracle before… now I know he is. God spoke to me about him. Did you know that God is still a miracle maker? He’s alive and well and surrounding us every day.”

“Yes,” I said, voice shaking, “I know that.”

And just like that, peace settled into the chaos. For a few minutes, we chatted. His words calmed the storm in my spirit. My soul exhaled.

As I stepped up to the front desk, H had spotted some food he couldn’t eat because of his gluten allergy. While I gently comforted him, I overheard the man talking to D. Without hesitation, he was sharing the Gospel. He asked D direct, honest questions about his faith, his walk with Jesus, and his relationship with God.

I didn’t interrupt. Honestly, I stood there, witnessing the Holy Spirit move through this complete stranger with power and gentleness.

I don’t know his name. I don’t know which doctor he came to see or where he’s from. But I know he was sent—for me, for us.

God knew I needed that moment to hush the noise of my worry. He knew my tired heart needed the reminder that H is a miracle. And He knew that someone would come to speak truth, light, and hope when I least expected it.

God is good. All the time. And all the time, God is good.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Faith Journey, Medical, Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome

When the Siblings Are Watching

Brandi C

speaking the language of rare – part 1 (4)

When your child is sick, your entire family gets pulled into the storm. What some people may forget is that there are other siblings in the home. This is about When the Siblings Are Watching – The Ripple Effect of Chronic Illness.

In our home, the impact of Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome didn’t stop with one diagnosis. It hit every room, every relationship, every rhythm. And while H was the one in the hospital bed, the ones in the waiting to hear the news of his improvements or tests were his siblings—watching, holding, adapting.

The Invisible Load They Carry

They missed birthdays. There were some missed holidays.
They learned to whisper when he was home and sleeping.  My kids learned how do his exercises with him and adapt to his new way of living.

They saw fear in my eyes when I tried to be brave.
There were (still are) big emotions as they watched their baby brother shake, scream, regress—and come back again.
They learned the names of medicines most adults have never heard of.

In the end, they prayed, they played, and they waited.

And they kept loving.

How It Shaped Them

I won’t say it was easy.
It wasn’t.

But it shaped them.

They are more empathetic. More patient and more aware of invisible struggles.
They know what it means to serve without being asked, to show up without being noticed.
And I believe they are better humans because they lived through this with us.

How We Support Them

We’re not perfect, but we try.

  • Open conversations about what’s happening and why

  • Time alone with us, just them, even if it’s brief

  • Therapy, when needed

  • Acknowledgment—because their sacrifices matter

  • And lots and lots of grace

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2

💛 Heartbeat Moment

If you’re a parent walking this road—don’t forget the ones standing beside the bed. The siblings who are hurting and healing, too.

Let’s not just fight for the one who’s sick.
Let’s fight for the whole family.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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