Dear French Camp family:

Randy and I want to thank all of you for your kindness to our family as we've been thinking through Eden's health issues. We have been encouraged by your hearts across the board to love on us. Thank you for your interest and compassion and hugs. 

I thought an email might be helpful to explain to everyone where we are at exactly. Eden does not have a confirmed genetic problem; a pediatrician suggested that she should be tested to see if she might. A pediatrician in Starkville saw her and from seeing a few strange symptoms suggested that she may have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). The only way to have an actual diagnosis is to see a geneticist -- which apparently there are long lines to see :) The earliest we could get in to UMC in Jackson was March, which did not please the pediatrician. 

As we have been reading about EDS, it seems to be a disorder that affects a person to varying degrees. There is a spectrum of problems that range from being overly flexible to frequent joint-displacement to other more serious issues. The actual cases of EDS we have heard about through personal connections have been serious enough to make us want to seek more comprehensive and immediate care for Eden at the outlook of this issue. 

So, we have an October 2-3 appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN! We are so grateful for this provision and how the Lord has seemed to go before us in this. My grandfather lives an hour away from the clinic and has offered to fly Randy and myself up with Eden. 

We have appreciated your prayers and feel them. Staring at what's behind an unknown door, as you all know, can play tricks on your mind. But the Lord is in this and really -- it might all be nothing! Randy and I are looking to analyze nothing till after October. Thank you for your overwhelming love and grace to us!

Blessings, 

Randy and Joy