Hope through the headaches
Faith and blessings can be hard to describe to others when you experience them, but Whitney Smith finds it quite easy to share how God blessed her through a difficult time in her life.
A recent graduate of Plainview High School and daughter of Doug and Tonjua Smith, she is one of the most sincere and happy people around, and knowing her story makes her personality even more genuine. Smith, who has suffered chronic migraines since she was 10 years old, was diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation in 2008.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Chiari malformations are structural defects in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. When the indented bony space at the lower rear of the skull is smaller than normal, the cerebellum and brainstem can be pushed downward. The resulting pressure on the cerebellum can block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (the liquid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord), and can cause a range of symptoms including dizziness, muscle weakness, numbness, vision problems, headache, and problems with balance and coordination.”
However, Smith’s story is not as simple as just being diagnosed. From age 10 she has seen numerous doctors and psychiatrists, hoping to cure her constant headaches.
“I remember my first migraine; my mom and I were at United and were in the candy aisle. I just remember having a horrible headache and didn’t think anything of it. But, then I started blacking out and seeing flashes of light and got really dizzy,” said Smith.
From there the headaches got progressively worse.
As Smith started high school, her journey to find a reason for her pain began in earnest. After seeing a doctor and having an MRI, the doctor could find nothing physically wrong with her. Instead, she was sent to a psychiatrist. From there, the list of doctors and MRIs continued. Smith journeyed to the Blue Bird Clinic in Houston while seeing a psychiatrist from Lubbock Christian University and a chiropractor in Lubbock three times a week for five months.
“The chiropractor helped but wasn’t getting rid of the headaches. He even started doubting himself because what he was doing wasn’t helping,” said Smith, “The psychiatrist wasn’t helping either. They all thought that I was faking, because I didn’t want to go to school. I was even starting to doubt myself and wonder if that was true. I would feel better in the afternoons when school was out, but in the mornings I just had a horrible headache and couldn’t even get up.”
The result of her spinal fluid not being able to drain caused Smith to be in pain in the morning; the fluid would pool at the base of her spine every night and, with the increase of pressure on her brain, the fluid took longer to drain. However, in the afternoon as the fluid drained she began to feel better and more alert.
Tonjua Smith said she and her husband believed their daughter, but couldn’t understand what was going on.
During her sophomore year the headaches were so frequent that she was unable to attend a full week of school. That summer, she decided to try being a lifeguard so she could be involved in something.
“I had quit everything at school – student council, choir, and showing animals. I just went to school and came home because I felt bad.”
Little did the Smith family know that God had stepped in. While working as a lifeguard at Westridge Pool, Smith became acquainted with Dr. Grady Yoder’s family, who had recently moved to the community. Smith became close to his wife and even worked as a babysitter for their children. Around this time, Smith’s headaches, which had been getting better, turned worse.
“We went to Dr. Yoder for one more MRI after we had already had several before. But this time, they actually found something.”
Dr. Stephen Turner, who was Smith’s primary physician, along with Yoder found that Smith had a Chiari Malformation. After reviewing previous MRIs, Yoder concluded that the sign had always been there but the doctors simply hadn’t seen it. Turner as well as the Smith family recalled having heard of the condition before, and soon figured out that Lana Turner, a friend, had experienced the same problem.
“Lana was over here within 30 minutes of hearing that Whitney had the same problem. She brought over papers and showed us Web sites to help us understand everything,” said Tanjua.
This was the beginning of blessings that the Smith family experienced. Smith said that right after being diagnosed, the Yoder family received another job offer in Abilene and moved soon after.
“It was as if God sent Dr. Yoder just for me,” said Smith.
At the start of her junior year Smith was a homebound student and visited the Chiari Center in Colorado in October 2008. From there she was put through a 3 1/2-hour MRI. The results showed that the surgery available for her condition would only result in a 50-50 chance of helping. However, their hope didn’t stop there; Smith was then tested for Scoliosis and the chances increased to a 60-70 percent chance of helping.
Her doctor told her that the surgery was only recommended if the problem was life-altering, and with Smith’s permission and testimony that it had altered her life, the surgery was scheduled for Dec. 9, 2008.
“As soon as I knew that I was going to have the surgery, I was just at peace with everything. I knew that it was all going to be OK.”
Smith’s surgery consisted of removing part of her skull and replacing it with a titanium plate to allow the swelling of her brain, caused by stress and anxiety, to expand and relax.
From there Smith’s success story continues. She attended half-days her senior year in high school, graduated a semester early and last semester attended Wayland. She will be attending West Texas A&M this fall.
“Wayland was really good for me. I was able to re-learn how to go to school and study. I got to experience college and not doubt my intelligence anymore.”
Smith said that throughout her difficult times, what helped her the most was her support base.
“My family always tried to help and were just always there for me, and since I didn’t even make it through a whole week of school most of the time, it was nice that I had such good friends that would come over and help me with homework or just hang out.” Smith also received cards and encouraging notes from many people.
Smith’s success came from a surgery, but to her and her family it was their faith in God and positive attitude that was the primary key.
“I had to keep my faith. It was the most important thing to stay positive and have hope. I couldn’t trust anyone else to help me but God.”
(Contact Stephanie Williams at or 806-296-1354.)
By: STEPHANIE WILLIAMS Hearld Staff Writer |