2011 - Page 11 of 14 - Forever In Mom Genes

Zack

Mar 08 2011

My thoughts this week have been consumed by my friend Heather and her beautiful boy Zackie. Zack is at Sick Kids Hospital battling pneumonia and Influenza. Last night the physical toll was too much and his heart stopped. Zack is now on life support. There is nothing more gut wrenching for a parent than witnessing their child in peril. Helpless and terrified can’t begin to describe what Heather and her family must be feeling right now. Tonight, my son and I put aside our regular bedtime story and together we visited Heather’s blog. We looked at pictures and watched videos of Zack and his two brothers. Zack, your mummy says you’re a fighter. Please fight. We adore your smile and your laugh. We would all love nothing more than to hear it again soon. If you’d like to leave Heather and her family a note of encouragement, you can do so at Wishes For Heather.

Mar 06 2011

Shingles…bad My daughter can detect a looming medical appointment and has the uncanny ability to manifest a wide array of viruses to thwart any procedure. “Viral ESP“ is what I’m calling it… Due to extreme feeding issues as an infant, a G-Tube was recommended. The day before the surgery, our girl had an allergic reaction of some kind and the procedure was rescheduled. She was in perfect health until the next scheduled date, when she came down with a chest infection. The procedure was rescheduled once again. The next date? Flu. By the fourth attempt, Avery had started eating on her own. Not a lot, but enough to cancel the G-Tube surgery permanently. Four years later, no G-Tube and Avery has found a respectable niche of her own on the growth curve. The next procedure was an ECG and 24-hour Holter Monitor. We missed the appointment because Avery contracted Scarlet Fever. Excuse me? Are we living in pioneer times? Who, with the exception of Laura Ingalls Wilder, gets Scarlet Fever?? Pringles…good A few months later, Ear Tube insertion surgery was postponed due to a cold. Unimaginative, but effective none-the-less. Recently, Avery was slotted for a sedated EEG. We rescheduled due[…]

Feb 28 2011

I’ve fallen victim to a nasty throat infection. It’s way down deep in my throat. It’s a deep throat infection. Bah ha. Just a little dirty Strep humour for you there. I have the immune system of a premature baby in the NIC ward and there’s nothing funny about that. Apparently, sleep IS vital for your health. Go figure. I slept all day yesterday (minus a trip to the walk-in clinic for a throat swab. Gag). I slept through dinner and into the night. I knew a solid night’s rest would do me the world of good. However, at 2:28 a.m. a figure appeared at my bedside. My seven year old son, awakened by a nightmare, was terrified and shaking. He crawled into bed, snuggled up close (flash forward 24-48 hours from now and I’ll have a sick boy on my hands) and asked me if monsters were real. I explained they weren’t and that he was safe, blah, blah, the usual rigamorole. I rolled over to go to sleep and cleared my throat. “Mum? Is everything ok?” he asked. “Yes, why?” I answered. He wanted to know if something was going on with me – like some sort of[…]

Feb 24 2011

Ever meet someone and feel instantly connected? It’s empowering and liberating to uncover aspects of your life you never knew you shared so intimately with another person. I met Heather on Twitter. I forget how we found each other exactly, but somehow we made a connection and soon discovered we have have a lot in common. Heather is a SuperMommy. When I read her blog, I often hear my own voice entwined with hers. As parents, we all travel a similar road, but when the road veers off from the beaten path, it’s important to know there are others walking along with us; some steps ahead who can guide us and some following our footsteps, looking to us for direction. Click to read Heather’s Article Though Heather and I are walking side by side, I gratefully look to her in many ways for direction. Her article in Bloom Magazine talks about how nurturing a marriage through the chaos of parenting…under “normal” circumstances can be difficult, but throw in a child with special needs and it becomes more challenging than anyone ever expected. Heather shares her story and offers suggestions for staying connected with your partner when life is situated on[…]

Feb 14 2011

When I told my husband, when we first started dating, not to get me anything for Valentine’s Day because I don’t celebrate the Hallmark holiday, he was thrilled. No flowers, no chocolates, no dinner at a crowded restaurant?! He was pleased to say the least. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in love with love. I just don’t think it needs to be designated to a specific day. This morning though, when my son presented me with his handmade valentine, it really meant something to him. So naturally it meant the world to me, and it melted my cold, anti-Valentine heart. The funny thing is he’d “hidden” this craft in his room for over a week. I say hidden with a smirk, because kids are terrible at hiding things. I had to move it out of the way several times while I was dusting his room and putting away laundry. He had also made a valentine for his sister. I heard him in her room reading it aloud, “Happy Valentine’s Day Avery. I have always loved you.” Oh my god. The heartfelt gift inspired a super cute sibling hug. Followed shortly after by Avery tossing the valentine into the my bathroom sink[…]

Archive - 2011

Zack

Viral ESP

Monster

Kindreds

My Little Valentino