Thankful Thursday

It is unfortunate that both of my children have enough experience with hospitals to be pros at the routines.  Noah was diagnosed at a children's developmental hospital, where we made numerous visits over the course of two years.  He is currently being treated every three months on an outpatient basis at an inpatient center.  Avery has first hand experience with the NICU, a children's hospital, surgical centers and numerous specialists.  My heart sinks a little each time I see them step in, have their weight and height taken, answer questions most kids their ages don't know how to answer, and roll up their sleeves for the BP 'hug.' It's a bit humbling when your five year old can explain to the nurse exactly what blood pressure is.

Fortunately, all of this has been outpatient.  My kids may look smaller there in the exam rooms.  I may hate seeing how easily they adjust to the surroundings and the routines.  I may hate the fact that we even need these specialists--but our experiences have also led to extreme gratitude.

Avery's surgeries have been relatively minor in nature.  He's had three in as many years, but he was immediately helped by each of them.  If your child has to be an expert on something in a children's hospital, let it be minor in nature, and not require numerous, prolonged visits. I was able to stay with him in the NICU, and even then, as scary as it was for us, his health concerns were still minor compared to those of the other infants.  And really, if you have to be on the autism spectrum, Noah's form is the one to have.  We've never had to consider inpatient treatment for him, we've never needed respite care, and there are many aspects of the general diagnosis we have never encountered.  We've been fortunate.  It's not always been an easy road, but it's certainly easier than the roads some parents must travel with their children.

Today, or any other time, I did not have to explain to another family member that my child needs another blood transfusion.  I did not have to bodily carry my screaming and kicking child into the infusion center, trying to be strong against his screams in the parking garage about how much he hates the hospital.  I did not have to push my child through the doors in a wheelchair, or reassure my screaming infant that "it won't be as bad as last time." I've never not been able to explain things to my children, due to developmental barriers or delays.  I've never had to leave my children overnight, watch over them from behind a glass wall or hear devastating news.  It's enough to crush even the most stoic person.  My children's health is something I try to not take for granted.

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm grateful for our experiences.  It opens our eyes to how fortunate we are, and how blessed we are.  It may not have felt like it at the time, but we really have had it easy.