Lucky

To say I've learned a lot this past month would really be an understatement.  Perhaps the most important lesson I am continuing to learn is to appreciate the situation we are in and the gains we continue to make each day.

This lesson started early in our adventure.  Liam's vitals were always good and he was stable enough for us to be transported to a hospital of our choice over an hour away.

Our first day in the pediatrics ICU we were told, "Rounds start at 9am, but there's no need for you to wait around.  It will be awhile until the doctor's get to you - they always start with the most serious and severe cases and you're last on the list."  If there's ever a time when you want to be last on the list it's when your child is in the ICU and the doctor's are seeing the more critical patients first.  It's not that we were anxious to hear what the doctor's had to say, trust me, we were, we were also thankful that we weren't going to be the first visit of the morning for these doctors.

After spending some time in the ICU we met many parents - all there for different reasons.  After speaking with most I realized just how lucky we were at the time.  Things could always be worth.

We were told by our neurologist that Liam had the best type of stroke (ischemic vs hemorrhagic) and also that if you had to choose and area of the brain to be without blood and oxygen the spot that got Liam would be the top choice. 

I've learned thru reading about aphasia that we really got lucky with the type of aphasia Liam suffers from.  His is mostly expressive - with the nouns giving him the most trouble.  I couldn't imagine having to help him to understand things that are said to him.  His receptive language has been tested and found to be at normal levels.  Also, since Liam's stroke didn't effect the frontal lobe - he is able to repeat words which will in the long run help him with his language recovery.

Spending time in the waiting room while Liam is in therapy is another constant reminder of just how lucky we are.  Some kids are coming in to build their strength after chemo treatments or a surgery.  Others are here for matienance therapy for a life-long disability or disorder.  Last week I met a six year old boy with Rett's Disorder.  I have to be thankful for Liam's progress moving forward - knowing that what we are dealing with is not degenerative disorder - Liam will continue to get better each day - I am lucky for that.

Although in my first paragraph I say I'm learning to "appreciate the situation" - that does not mean that I'm glad it happened.  Not at all.  A five year old child should not have a stroke.  Not a day goes by that I don't wish it never happened or wonder if there's something I should have/could have done to prevent this. 

I suppose I'm learning it could always be worse.  Of course, at what point can you not look at things like that?  At what point in your life are you really at the bottom?  Maybe that depends on each person... I would like to believe that everyone has the ability to look at their current situation and think, "well, this is hard, but it could be worse."

Or better yet, "This is hard, but we'll get thru it and boy am I glad for _________."

Liam taking a snooze in the ER waiting for his transfer.