Trey was diagnosed seven years ago tomorrow, Valentine’s Day. His 9th birthday is only two weeks later, on March 1 (he’ll be at UNC on his birthday). These anniversaries, and so close together, lead to contemplation. That I’ve had a kid for close to nine years- almost a decade!? I showed Trey pictures of me pregnant with him nine years ago and pictures of his birth and first year of life. It feels like a lifetime ago. He was the first grand baby in the family, so the wild and crazy and chaotic family get together’s we’re used to now, were quiet back then. I’ll never forget when, a few minutes after Trey was born, all the nurses and doctors and family left the hospital the room and Ryan and I looked at each other, both wondering why they would leave us alone with this infant, whom we obviously had no idea what to do with.
I think about the fact that Trey has spent 7/9’ths of his life, the vast majority, facing MPS II. I mean, he’s always had MPS II, but he did have two years as ‘just’ a ‘kid.’ No needles, no line ups of tests, no general anesthetics, no surgeries. And I had 2 years as a typical mom. I don’t really remember what it was like to be a typical mom, I’ve been a dragon mom (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/opinion/sunday/notes-from-a-dragon-mom.html?_r=0) for so much longer.
In the past couple of days, some mom friends of mine have posted articles that I think are worthy of sharing. They speak to the power of motherhood. They are not pretty and pink, they are real and honest, but as you’ve gotten to tell over time, I like real and honest. Although it’s not Mother’s Day, this dual anniversary of Trey’s diagnosis and birth remind me of what it has meant to become a mother. To all the mother’s out there:
http://www.renegademothering.com/2013/02/09/i-became-a-mother-and-died-to-live/
http://www.whatiwouldtellyou.com/weblog/this-road/
And just in case you missed Sunday’s Globe & Mail article regarding drug company giant Johnson & Johnson and the power they hold to have a MONUMENTAL impact on MPS, check it out! I have a small ( ;-)) opinion on the matter: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/the-agonizing-fight-for-isaac-the-hope-and-the-hurdles/article8395379/
The above picture is of Trey, Avery, and Sadie with Canuck Max Lapierre. They got to ‘Skate with the Canucks’ this past Monday. As we were skating around the rink holding hands, Trey, who tries to skate with those metal or plastic bar supports every chance he gets, but could not on this day due to there being none, told me ‘Mom, I’m a skater! Mom, I’m a skater!’ Yes, Trey, yes you are. I love you!
