Brownie Bites: Doing Better

A Mother's Perspective by Stephanie Husted

You passed me in the shopping mall...
(You read my faded tee)
You tapped me on the shoulder...
Then asked..."What's a CHD?"

I could quote terminology...
There's stats that I could give...
But I would rather share with you...
A mother's perspective.

What is it like to have a child with a CHD?

It’s Lasix,aspirin,Captopril…
It’s wondering…Lord what’s your will?…
It’s monitors and oxygen tanks…
It’s a constant reminder to always give thanks…

It’s feeding tubes, calories, needed weight gain…
It’s the drama of eating…and yes it’s insane!
It’s the first time I held him…(I’d waited so long)
It’s knowing that I need to help him grow strong…

It’s making a hospital home for awhile…
It’s seeing my reward in every smile.
It’s checking his sats as the feeding pump’s beeping…
It’s knowing that there is just no time for sleeping…

It’s caths, x-rays and boo boos to kiss…
It’s normalcy I sometimes miss…
It’s asking do his nails look blue?
It’s cringing inside at what he’s been through.

It’s dozens of calls to his pediatrician…
(She knows me by name…I’m a mom on a mission)
It’s winters homebound…and hand sanitizer…
It’s knowing this journey has made me much wiser.

It’s watching him sleeping…
his breathing is steady…
It’s surgery day and I’ll never be ready.
It’s handing him over…( I’m still not prepared…)

It’s knowing that his heart must be repaired…
It’s waiting for news on that long stressful day…
It’s …praying…it’s hoping…that he’ll be okay.
It’s the wonderful friends with whom I’ve connected…

It’s the bond that we share…it was so unexpected…
It’s that long faded scar down my child’s small chest…
It’s touching it gently and knowing we’re blessed…
It’s watching him chasing a small butterfly…

It’s the moment I realized I’ve stopped asking why?
It’s the snowflakes that fall on a cold winter’s day…
(They remind me of those who aren’t with us today)
It’s a brave little boy who loved Thomas the train…

Or a special heart bear…or a frog in the rain….
It’s the need to remember we’re all in this plight….
It’s their lives that remind us we still need to fight!
It’s in pushing ahead amidst every sorrow…
It is finding the strength to have hope for tomorrow

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Doing Better

Little man is doing much better thus far. Some accomplishments today:

Extubated
Being held
Dressings changed and bath given
Sat up to eat
Blowing raspberries
Waving
Saying "dada" and babbling again
Coughing

We're hoping for more of the same this evening and overnight. Oh and I took a video of him blowing raspberries, which I need to upload and post.

We had many visitors today, including Aunties Karyn, Mary and Malisa. Tomorrow, we will have more visitors. I like to always have someone with Drew, so this is good and gives us time to refresh and regroup from the night.

3 comments:

Juli said...: So glad to hear he is doing well.; March 28, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Ashley said...: I am so glad to hear Drew is improving!! WE have all been praying for him and continue to pray for a speed recovering. My heart just goes out to you and Bill because I cannot imagine how hard it is to see your little guy having any discomfort. Your such a strong momma Mary! Give that little man hugs and kisses from me!; March 30, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Rachelle said...: Continued prayers. I hope you are currently just busy loving that little man back to wellness!; March 30, 2009 at 1:01 PM