Well, I am feeling a little bit silly because when my last post was featured on The Mighty, the last line states that people can "follow the story" at this site... and there is only one post. Hmmm...
Ever since the birth of my daughter, I have contemplated writing about the different emotions I have had or different situations we have been in; however, it is a difficult situation to write about. Not because it is a difficult topic necessarily, but because of how it could effect her future. My daughter is not her diagnosis. If I continually write about her diagnosis, what does that say? What happens as she grows older? What will she think about her Mommy writing about all her doctor's visits? Will it impact her social life? I want so badly for her to find her own path in life, with as little meddling from me as possible.
Obviously, I have chosen to write. My hope is that I do not embarrass her (there are plenty of other ways to do that...) with my writing, but that she can see the love that is behind the writing. In all honesty, I wrote that last piece in fit of frustration. After writing it I thought about it, and decided that I could not possibly be the only one with these thoughts. So I hit the "publish" button.
As for the future, we shall see! Hopefully I will continue to find time to write- as I do enjoy it. In the meantime, feel free to educate yourself on DiGeorge Syndrome- it is almost as common as Down Syndrome and yet it is still thought of as rare. There are over 180 different anomalies that can be attributed to DiGeorge, which makes it difficult to diagnose at times. Everyone with the syndrome is effected in a different way- just like no human is alike, no case of DiGeorge is exactly alike either.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
School Forms- 2 lines for Medical History? Uh oh...
Well, it is that time of year again: back to school. The shopping, the preparing, the excitement... the forms. While I am pretty sure no parent looks forward to filling out forms, there is one question that always gives me anxiety. When the question is asked on a preschool get to know you form, it looks like this: "Medical information you should know about me..." It sounds like an easy question, right? For most, perhaps so. Not in this situation.
How can I explain my daughters medical history on two lines? Her file at Children's is well over 400 pages long...and I need to summarize that on two lines? Furthermore, what happens when the teacher finds out that she has this extensive history? Will they be intimidated? Will they treat her differently? Will they be afraid to have her in their classroom?
The truth is, her medical history IS scary. She had open heart surgery at 7 days old. She was diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome (otherwise known as 22q11 Deletion or VCF) around 11 days old. She had a tracheotomy at two weeks old and feeding tube soon after. She qualified for in-home nursing. She was hospitalized at 7 months old for a flu-like illness and watching a non-pediatric doctor try to place an IV in her tiny body was one of the worst things I have ever seen. Just shy of a year, she had trachea reconstructive surgery and decanulation (the trach came out). But that was not the magical end of everything. She has low calcium levels and, due to a compromised immune system, catches illnesses easier and has a harder time getting over them. She also has low muscle mass and is probably one of the biggest klutzes you have ever met. This last part, I know, is not medical, it is just who she is. She has developmental delays that have lead to weekly PT, OT, and Speech Therapy appointments and has qualified her Early Childhood special education courses. Oh, and did I mention the sensory issues?
Sounds scary, right? What her medical history does NOT show, is that she is the first one of her siblings to give her parents a hug every morning. She cries easily when hurt, and feels bad for others when they are hurt. She tries SO very hard to learn concepts, and she DOES get there... it just takes her a little longer. She gets very anxious and cautious in new situations but positive reinforcements and hugs can go a long way. She is a people-pleaser; and gets upset when she feels she has failed in this. If you raise your voice towards her, she will cry. She will do almost anything...for bubbles or a sticker (something her therapists know well). She is SO excited to start school at her big brother's school that she has brought it up at least once a week this whole summer. She loves being a big sister. But will all this be ignored because of her medical history?
Tonight, we will meet her teacher. I will most likely stay late to be sure she can meet her teacher One-on-one. I will try to tell her all these amazing things about my daughter that cannot possibly fit on a form. I will try to stress the importance of her medical history without letting it overshadow who my daughter is; because she is NOT her medical history. I will walk out of that room, and pray and hope and dream for a good school year for my baby girl... because isn't that what ALL parents do?
How can I explain my daughters medical history on two lines? Her file at Children's is well over 400 pages long...and I need to summarize that on two lines? Furthermore, what happens when the teacher finds out that she has this extensive history? Will they be intimidated? Will they treat her differently? Will they be afraid to have her in their classroom?
The truth is, her medical history IS scary. She had open heart surgery at 7 days old. She was diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome (otherwise known as 22q11 Deletion or VCF) around 11 days old. She had a tracheotomy at two weeks old and feeding tube soon after. She qualified for in-home nursing. She was hospitalized at 7 months old for a flu-like illness and watching a non-pediatric doctor try to place an IV in her tiny body was one of the worst things I have ever seen. Just shy of a year, she had trachea reconstructive surgery and decanulation (the trach came out). But that was not the magical end of everything. She has low calcium levels and, due to a compromised immune system, catches illnesses easier and has a harder time getting over them. She also has low muscle mass and is probably one of the biggest klutzes you have ever met. This last part, I know, is not medical, it is just who she is. She has developmental delays that have lead to weekly PT, OT, and Speech Therapy appointments and has qualified her Early Childhood special education courses. Oh, and did I mention the sensory issues?
Sounds scary, right? What her medical history does NOT show, is that she is the first one of her siblings to give her parents a hug every morning. She cries easily when hurt, and feels bad for others when they are hurt. She tries SO very hard to learn concepts, and she DOES get there... it just takes her a little longer. She gets very anxious and cautious in new situations but positive reinforcements and hugs can go a long way. She is a people-pleaser; and gets upset when she feels she has failed in this. If you raise your voice towards her, she will cry. She will do almost anything...for bubbles or a sticker (something her therapists know well). She is SO excited to start school at her big brother's school that she has brought it up at least once a week this whole summer. She loves being a big sister. But will all this be ignored because of her medical history?
Tonight, we will meet her teacher. I will most likely stay late to be sure she can meet her teacher One-on-one. I will try to tell her all these amazing things about my daughter that cannot possibly fit on a form. I will try to stress the importance of her medical history without letting it overshadow who my daughter is; because she is NOT her medical history. I will walk out of that room, and pray and hope and dream for a good school year for my baby girl... because isn't that what ALL parents do?
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