Brownie Bites: Drew

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

Monday, March 2, 2009

Drew

Here is a recent picture of our little man!! What a total cutie!!

I realize I haven't written about Drew just being a baby in awhile...it's been all about his heart. I don't want him to be solely defined as "the baby with a CHD heart." He's still a bubbly, growing, lovable little man and I should really be talking about things he's doing as well.

Among his latest accomplishments: clapping, initiating peek a boo, clapping on his own when we sing "Pat a Cake" to him, fully developing his pincer grasp (holding things between his thumb and forefinger), and finally making some strides in movement by scooting backwards. He also makes all kinds of babbling sounds, but our favorite sounds like "blah blah blah." Still no discernable "ma ma" or "da da," we're working on that. I also swear he says "HI!" sometimes!

He is 9 months today because Feb doesn't have 30 days! We go for his well baby on the 17th, so I will update his stats then.

2 comments:

Mom 2 André said...: I will say this over and over again. Drew IS SO CUTE! I love the way you described him These are the words I would have picked to describe my Andre. Thank you for sharing.; March 3, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Ashley said...: I think Drew is very lucky that I live so far away, otherwise that adorable little face would be covered with Ashley kisses!!! He's such an amazing little Guy Mary.; March 4, 2009 at 3:21 PM