If my walls could talk, they would tell you the past week has been a very difficult week. They would tell a story of two very scared parents waiting for test results of their youngest son. These walls would describe the looks on their faces when they received three results (ketones in urine, high specific gravity of urine, and elevated creatinine in blood) all pointing towards a problem with the kidneys. They would tell of how the mother layed in bed holding her sleeping son while she cried and prayed for his health. They would tell of a father that would hide his tear stained face with the visor of his hat so he wouldn’t alarm his older son. There was no New Year’s celebration here. There was no party, no booze, no fireworks. There was only waiting. Wating for the last test result to determine if a specialist would be needed.
That waiting ended on Monday. The results were in, and they were good. Boy were they good. Tears… no, sobs of joy wracked my body!!!! Our boy is okay. He is okay!! *exhale* He really is okay.
The week was hell. However, we hugged our children more. We gave them more complete undivided attention. We listened, really listened to what they were saying. The televisions were off, the video games put away, we were actively playing and really caring about how our children felt. Not to say we didn’t before…it was just different now with the threat of yet another health issue weighing down on us.
If you take anything from reading this post…please just listen to your children, tell them you love them, let them know you’re proud of them for just being who they are. Hold your children tonight, every night, and pour your love onto them. They will rememeber and it will make a difference.
-Elizabeth
Summer 2011 |
Anonymous says
So glad your son's tests came back okay - the greatest gift a parent can get. I remember those anxious moments well - we had a scare with elevated liver enzymes and some seemingly major developmental delays when my son was 2-3. He had every test imaginable and they thought he had some kind of metabolic disorder. In the end, the only things that have been found are multiple food and environmental allergies and eosinophilic colitis and gastroenteritis (likely directly linked to the allergies). Amazingly, other than some fine motor delays, all of the other delays disappeared once all the allergens were out of his body.
Anonymous says
How scary! I feel the worst times in my life are when my kids are sick and I am waiting for those test results. I have been there. I am glad he is ok. Adriane
Lindsey says
Elizabeth,
What an amazing mom you are! With all of the food allergy medical issues we've gone through there has been a LOT of waiting. Years of waiting. We're still waiting. It seems like we're always waiting. Waiting for more tests, waiting for test results, waiting to hear back from doctors….
It's part of this life and I'm so glad your son has such an amazing mom and dad to help him and his brother through all the ups and downs.
Yay for the happy news! The relief has to be incredible 🙂 Happy New Year!
Elizabeth DiBurro says
I am so thankful that he is okay. The five days it took to get the last result really made me realize how lucky we are that Ryan only has allergies. I can deal with food allergies…piece of cake (dairy free, soy free, egg free, nut free cake). The scare not only made me love my kids more (if that's even possible) but it also made me realize just how fortunate we are, allergies and all.
Thank you for all of your kind words and support. It really does help knowing you're not alone.
And yes, Lindsey, it IS a happy new year!! 🙂
Elizabeth