I am a woman in my 30s who is in a place in life that I never thought I would be. I couldn't even have dreamt it!
I am the proud wife to an amazing man. He is my true love and the best daddy to our son.
Most of you know, I am the proud mommy to a former micro preemie who we will call "A" in this blog! He was born in 2005 at only 24 weeks into my pregnancy weighing 710 grams. Through a huge fight and many, many days in hospital he finally came home. This was after almost 9 months of being in the NICU!
Through his life he has been through more than most of us will EVER go through.
"A" was diagnosed in 2006 with cerebral palsy. He is in a wheelchair and needs full care. He can roll from back to tummy once in a while. He does not sit or walk. He is able to use his hands at times, although this is not an easy task for him at all.
He is g tube fed exclusively. To make sure that he gets the proper nutrition and that I do my best to care for him, he is fed a blended diet of REAL foods. No formula at all.
"A" also has a cochlear implant that he received in 2007, the day after his second birthday. It has been absolutely incredible to say the least! One of the hardest things in life I was ever told was that my babyboy couldn't hear me. It broke my heart. He now hears EVERYTHING!
Little man is also legally blind, but does see with his glasses. He is very near sighted and he is a -7 in each eye.
And lastly, he has a tracheotomy. This was done in December of 2009 after a voluntary stay in the PICU to get him onto Bi-Pap (to aid in his breathing at night time.) However, he suffered a full code blue with chest compressions, therefore it was decided to do the trach. And I can tell you, that it has been THE BEST thing we have done for him. I truly wish that it was done before he even came home from the NICU.
I thank his respirologist and the team for saving my boys life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sadly it took MANY years to meet these people, but at least we finally did before it was too late.
He is on oxygen at night, but none at all throughout the day.
Anyone who knows my little man, knows that he is one of the happiest kids alive. His smiles are contagious and he never ceases to amaze me with his determination, strength and fight.
In March 2009 we sadly lost our second son at only 18.5 weeks. My water had broke at 18 weeks 2 days and two days later I went into labor. "H" was born at exactly midnight. He was beautiful and perfect in every single way. I never in a million years was prepared for the grief that would follow. Losing a child is horrific and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I struggled for a long time wondering "why me", however over the past couple of years I have come to peace with what happened and know that one day I will see my baby again.
And now, hubby and I are expecting again! We are super scared but very very hopeful that this baby will be full term and healthy! I had a cerclage placed the beginning of March as a preventative measure. After having a 24 weeker and an 18 weeker, the high risk team felt that I *could* have an incompetent cervix. So hopefully they are right and all works out!
