Thankful for Good Health

Last week I took baby A to the hospital for a routine blood test for her thyroid. T had taken her to a medical lab the week before but they had not been able to get a good vein so the poking and prodding had been in vain. The lab at the hospital was a better bet for finding kids' veins.

I was not looking forward to it but it had to be done so off we went, just the two of us. I had had a restless night so I was bone tired. Being tired is not unusual for me but most of the time, bad nights are due to one or both of the kids. So, I was scanning my state trying to figure out what was bugging me. As we made our way there, parked and walked to the lab it became increasingly obvious. I was having an internal freak-out about the needle that was about to pierce my precious child's arm. I've always hated needles and the thought of her happy little self suddenly feeling pain while I held her there insisting that it was good and the right thing to do was causing a turmoil that kept me awake and created a pit in my stomach. As I waited there with her in the waiting room, I kept thinking how foolish I was. After all, she's healthy. We've only had a few routine tests. We've never had a hospital stay. We've only had one really bad fever / flu. We are so blessed and lucky. And yet, there I was shaking in my boots.

Her cry of protest was heartbreaking but the very experienced nurses did their work quickly and little A was cheerful again long before I was.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I can't believe the bravery of all the parents I've read about who have kept vigils for their little ones while they undergo all kinds of scary procedures. Brain operations, heart operations, bowel operations. I'm also trying to say THANK YOU GOD! We are so lucky to have been spared that walk so far and my heart and prayers go out to all families who are in waiting rooms with that pit in their stomachs.

She's back!

Well, almost back to normal. Baby A is the tiniest bit cranky but overall it's smiles and chuckles again. I took her to the doctor yesterday and he pronounced it a nasty flu / cold combo and nothing serious. She gave him the lower lip and hauled me out of there relieved but still exhausted from my week long stint as nurse. You would think I would be used to this but t has only been sick about 3 times in 5 years.

We're lucky with him and we're really lucky this is the first big one for A. We're also grateful it's all cleared up before the upcoming birthday celebration.

Thanks for your prayers, concern and good thoughts.

Sick... and of course some other stuff

Baby A and I have been hit hard this week by the flu. The T's are ok. They're both coughing a little. I'm better now but the bug and the extra loss of sleep caused by tending to A's wakings made it a tough recovery. Baby A is still suffering. At first she was mainly coughing and wheezy but she's got a fever since yesterday and no appetite. We're monitoring it and giving her tepid bathes and ibuprofen if she's really uncomfortable. She's nursing constantly which is great for her. This is her first big illness. I'm really happy that she's 11 1/2 months old and she's never had to deal with this before. We're so, so grateful she missed all the fall bugs. Please pray that she'll recover quickly. That picture is from before she got sick. I can't wait to see that smile again.

Other things on my mind;

The Olympics

It is so exciting to have this going on in the backyard. My favourite moment was Alex Bilodeau's win. He credits his brother who has Cerebral Palsy for giving him the strength and inspiration to do what he does. He said that growing up with a disabled person gave him perspective and taught him to keep going. If his brother Fred can still walk and ski, then there are no limits for Alex. I can't find his post-run interview but I tell you I was bawling. Here he is getting his medal. Here is a story that goes into more depth on his family. The women's snowboard cross and Maelle Ricker's win was also crazy great to watch. I love snowboarding and I love that a shred betty from North Van won the gold jewellery.

Here are the fans, glued to the live stream on the computer.

Budget Cuts Coming

Our province is about to announce a huge funding shortfall for education. This will affect everyone but special needs will be hit particularly hard. Some jurisdictions are even thinking about reversing their policies of inclusive education. It gives me mixed feelings about the Olympics because although there is no direct link, it's pretty hard to imagine that we can fund a gazillion dollar event and then not fund kids like A. My next project is to get a letter written to my MLA.

Read more here.

Sarah Palin

What the heck does she have to do with me? We don't have much in common but we both have a child with Down Syndrome. She's got a platform and an audience. This group is trying to educate and influence how she represents us as a group. Go over there and sign it by leaving a comment if you feel moved to.

Thanks for listening.

Various goings on

Sometimes days and days go by and there's just no time to sit down and write. We are trying to purge our place of unused clothes, toys, papers and junk. In between we have doctor's appointments for A, kids' birthday parties and beach days. A is 13.5 pounds and 60 cm. Her pediatrician is very happy with her progress. Her eyes are ok too. They were checked last week and although she is more far-sighted than normal for this age, it's not worth correcting with glasses at this point. I suspect someday she will join most of the rest of her family in sporting some sassy eyewear but I'm glad it's not this soon.

I'm trying to fit in some reading. A friend gave me a book called 'the MemoryKeeper's Daughter'. It's a fictional story about a family who had twins in the 60's, a girl and a boy. The girl had DS and the father who was a doctor sent the girl to an institution. The nurse can't leave her there and decides to bring her up as her own. The book runs parallel narratives of what happens to both families. It's very well written and pretty emotional. I don't read much at a time but I do love this book.

Here is a picture of us at a recent patio party that got rained out. We're dressed up because the theme was come in your favourite wedding party outfit. I'm wearing the bridesmaid dress I wore for Sue's wedding (with a crazy boa just for kicks). Tor asked me what kind of animal it was. Polyester my son, polyester. A is wearing her new dress from Auntie A. Tor's outfit speaks for itself. He is all cowboy these days.