One Strong Mama: Ski'ing Through Life with an Extra Chromosome

I don't believe in coincidences. I don't believe that things happen randomly. Things we read, hear, see at any given moment - God has placed them in our path at that specific time in our lives - that very second - because we need to take it in. Yesterday I began reading a blog by Erin Witkowski, mama of two beautiful boys - "Grady's Secret: Ski'ing Through Life." Erin's second son Grady is "genetically enhanced" as she calls it (LOVE that!) - he was born with Trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome. She began her blog on October 18 - soon after finding out Grady's diagnosis. Her honest stories of the days leading up to the diagnosis, as well as the months awaiting Grady's birth, will make you cry, laugh - but ultimately make you feel inspired as a mother. http://skiingthroughlife.wordpress.com/

As mamas, we each travel different paths. But our journeys all intersect at one specific point - the absolute, 100% pure love we feel for our children. Out of the billions of possible genetic combinations - God knew that your particular baby needed you as it's mama - and that you needed this baby to become the person your are meant to be in life.

As I head to the Pediatric ENT doctor with Paige later this afternoon, I know I have the support of all the other mamas out there - and that I can be strong for my baby girl... Why? Because I'm her mama.

First Road Trip: Check!

Sorry for the delay in posts. It was one of those weeks, ya know? I was lucky if I got to take a shower... which I didn't a few days : ) So when my husband reminded me on Tuesday that we was going away on a business trip until Friday night, I thought I was going to lose it. 72 hours, stuck in the house, with no relief? That's enough to make any mama cry. So I made an executive decision - ready or not, we're coming with you! Daniel was actually excited about the idea. We live in Atlanta, and the biz trip was in Nashville - which is only a few hours car ride away. So once Paige was down that night, we packed up my car with all the essentials - diapers, bottles, food, clothes, entertainment (bouncy chair, books, toys), bathtub... the baby had more gear than my husband and I multiplied by three! So the next day we were off - I actually planned it a little (I know... I surprised even myself with that one) and made sure to feed Paige before we left so we could get 2-3 hours down before we would have to stop again. I have to say, the drive was pretty enjoyable. Paige slept 75% of the time, and I was able to listen to the radio - something I haven't done in 5 months. When Paige started to pip around at 2.5 hours into the trip, I figured it was time for a food break anyway. Unfortunately, 2.5 hours en route from Atlanta to Nashville is pretty desolate. I got off one exit, and immediately pulled back on the highway... the lone gas station was straight out of a Hitchcock movie. No thanks. The next exit was marginally better, so I pulled into the gas station, changed Paige's diaper in the car, gave her a bottle still inside the car with the doors locked securely (yes, I checked multiple times), and then it was back on the road. My husband had plans with his colleagues both Wednesday and Thursday nights, so Paige and I explored Nashville on our own. It's a a much smaller place than I imagined. Paige LOVED the hotel - you could tell she really felt like she was on an adventure. She slept in her pack-n-play pretty well considering it was a brand new environment. Thursday we checked out the zoo (in the blazing heat) and then I took Paige swimming for the first time. She was in HEAVEN! She just kept squealing and laughing. Seeing her so happy was the best part of the trip. On Friday we packed the car back up and headed back to A-Town. And even though traveling with a baby isn't the easiest, we really had a blast doing it! It was just the break we needed away from the regular routine. I definitely recommend it to all the mamas - sometimes a change in scenery is all it takes to refresh the spirit. YAHHHHHHHOOOOOOO!

Why Didn't I Listen?

I've always trusted my gut instinct. If it doesn't feel right in my gut, I don't do it. If someone doesn't quite "click" with me, I trust that there is a reason I shouldn't have that person in my life. So why is it that when it came to my own child, I decided to ignore my gut instinct? I'm still kicking myself for it. Here's the story...

Within the first few days that Paige was born, I realized she was "tounge tied" - or that the frenulum under her tongue was connected all the way to the end. So she wasn't able to stick her tongue out - or breast feed correctly (hence the severe pain during nursing that I felt). When I asked the pediatrician, she said it was fine. I knew it wasn't. But I figured the pediatrician knew best. Actually, I somehow convinced myself that she would outgrow it. I know, I know. That doesn't make sense. But I thought that if it didn't need to be clipped, then maybe the tongue would stretch out on its own? Well - that's not the case.

So at her 4-month check-up I asked again.This time I was told it was "barbaric" to have a baby's tongue clipped. Barbaric?! My baby can't stick her tongue out! She couldn't nurse! The doctor implied that I was trying to do it for aesthetic reasons. Ummm... I may like clothes and make-up, but would I really put my daughter through a medical procedure that wasn't 100% necessary? To say the least, I was HIGHLY offended and angry that she wasn't taking my concerns seriously. Mama Bear mode officially kicked in.

I took the next few days to talk with family, experts and other moms - trying to figure out what my next steps should be. I ultimately decided to take Paige to a Pediatric Dentist for a consultation. Sure enough, they said it should have absolutely been clipped when she was first born. He consulted with a Pediatric Oral Surgeon, who felt that now that 5 months has passed, we should wait until she was closer to a year. Why? Because now she will have to be put under GENERAL ANESTHESIA for the procedure. Yes... you read correctly. Because it wasn't taken care of during the first few weeks, now my baby girl has to have major surgery.

I've decided to also have a consultation with a Pediatric Ear Nose Throat doctor. I feel they may have more experience administering anesthesia to babies... that appointment is in early June. Then I guess the next step is to schedule the surgery.

Throughout this process I have learned a HUGE lesson - and I hate that it is at the sake of my daughter's well-being. No matter what any doctor says... I know my daughter best. If I think there is a problem, there is. End of story. Never again will I let a doctor dismiss my gut instinct. I need to trust myself as a mama.

And as far as the doctor who told me I was barbaric for wanting my daughter's tounge clipped? Buh-bye. I've switched Pediatricians.