Sunday, October 4, 2009

Perspective

I had grand intentions when I set out to meet the 31 for 21 blog challenge this month. I had hoped (and still hope) that I would have some earth-shattering revelations to share, or at least a few little nuggets of wisdom. So far, I'm coming up a little empty-handed. It's been a busy weekend, with Lilah's birthday yesterday and Michael landing in the ER last night after our little soiree at the beach.

And that's, I guess, what I wanted to write here tonight, how much my perspective about having a child with Down syndrome has changed. Part of it is time . . . I think you tend to grow into being a parent of a child with such a diagnosis. But also, Michael's cancer has changed my perspective.

For a long time after Finn was born, his having Down syndrome seemed like the most traumatic thing that we could face as a family. Well, it's not. This last February, seven months after Finn was born, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. That, my friends, is far more traumatic than finding out your baby has Down syndrome. It's been a loooooong road of treatment for Michael, including lots of radiation and chemo, major surgery, and the occasional trip to the ER like last night. Makes Ds seem like small potatoes indeed.

I'm exhausted and am signing off for the night.

5 comments:

Sasha@ Blyssfulhealth said...

Hoping you get some rest! My perspective has changed somewhat as well too. The week that I brought my little one home form the hospital I found out my father has cancer as well. My heart goes out to you! {hugs}

pawsart said...

Wishing you and your family all the best.....

Julie

heidi marie said...

i completely agree and you are such a strong mom and wife. you don't have easy shoes to walk in but you do it.

Carrie said...

I totally agree--like Sasha, after I brought home Miss Banana from the hospital, I found out my dad has cancer (he's going through treatments now). I hope it all goes well for you guys!

Lance Boldt said...

So sorry to hear about your husband. After our son with Ds was born, it didn't take long to figure out the Ds wasn't our biggest problem. Not to long after that to realize that it was our biggest blessing.

Josh was diagnosed with leukemia at age 14 - that was a long hard journey.

Life with a child who has Down syndrome is the best.

6 months after Josh was born with Down syndrome, I attended my first parent group. I was touched by the struggle people were having with “why?” I went to bed with a heavy heart and awoke with this story. I hope you enjoy it.

http://tinyurl.com/secretjourney