[SuzBerg]

Here's another thought-provoking question on a Tuesday Morning.

Did you know about your baby/child's medical condition before placement? Even if you did know about it, did you really fully understand it? (I know I really didn't understand most of it BUT I've learned some of it on the way). Were you prepared?

Because I knew before we adopted E about her heart condition I feel truly blessed that I was able to chose to be E's mother and I have never really felt sorry for myself that our path in life might be a little different or a little harder than it would have been. I do feel sorry for HER that her path in life is not as easy but hopefully we make it easier and hopefully she knows how much we love her and how wonderful she is! I have felt very prepared to be Em’s mom and feel God's comfort and guidance in every decision we have to make for her.

I am still learning, I often say I wish I had majored in Nursing instead of Fashion in College. I have learned a lot and I try not to beat myself up on some of the stuff I don't understand. I actually understand pretty much everything, I just have a really hard time explaining things sometimes to others (thankfully Hubby took a lot of anatomy and physiology classes in College so he can explain it to people).

Even though somtimes the road is a little rough I am VERY grateful for this wonderful little girl we are lucky enough to have in our lives!

[athikers]

We did know of Teeter's condition before he and his sister arrived. I would not say we knew the EXTENT of his condition. We were told he was on O2 and fed supplementary with a g-tube but would be done with both by 10 months old or so.... 10 months old was seven months ago and here we are

I did not fully understand his dx and I still don't think he really has a full dx, sadly... but we are slowly getting him the help he needs.

I think we were as prepared as we could be for Teeter... we were not prepared for his sister

Though we know Teeter will likely only be with us a few more months we feel that God has placed him here for a time because he needs us right now and we will do the best we can for him while he's still here.

[devildogwife]

No, no and no!

We had no idea that Cameron was anything but healthy! I had never even heard of HLHS. We were most definitely not prepared for anything that happened to us. I was shocked to my very core when the cardiologist told us how sick Cameron was, shortly after he was born. I felt so many things, I felt shock, numbness and FEAR that I would lose this baby we had just met hours before. We were told very plainly that his survival was not likely. We were told that we could walk away from him; that people would understand if we did. Every part of me screamed NO! DH and I knew we would do whatever it took for Cameron to live.

I don't feel sorry for myself either (at least I try!), I being my son's mom. I feel lucky to be the mom of such a strong, intuitive, stubborn little fighter!

Never once before he was born did I think I would EVER learn to feed with an NG tube, give shots in the stomach, live away from my DH and spend my days at appointments or in the hospital. But I've learned, I am strong enough. I can do these things. I have learned so much in having a son with a CHD. I have gained such an understanding and empathy with others who have sick children. I feel sad that children are born so sick. It isn't fair that my son has had such a rough start to life.

I definitely do not understand all of the complexities that go along with HLHS. It is a lot to comprehend! I understand more now that I did 6 months ago. I also feel like I only want to understand to a point. I don't need to know everything, I leave that up to his surgeon and God.

I am so thankful for where we are today and for having my son in my life.

[SuzBerg]

DDW - I was thinking along those same lines (but posted this so early in the morning that I didn't post as eloquentley as I had hoped). I do NOT need to understand HLHS comletely - that's not my job. It's the docs' jobs. My job is to love and fight for my child and I think I do a pretty darn good job of that.

I also have to say I admire how strong you are (didn't i just say in another post I hate it when people say that to me ). I am a little jealous that you were with Cam from the beginning - Em has had so may surgeries and hospitlization without us, and I am very sad that we weren't able to be there for her then. I hope Cam is having a good day today and that you are too! Hugs - Suz

[Adoption_Ally]

We were well informed about M's health issues all through the adoption process. Our case is a little different in that she was brought here from Cambodia specifically for medical treatment. We didn't even get involved until after the bulk of her major medical treatment was over. If anything, I think we were over-informed!

Having said that, I don't think there is any way to prepare for caring for a child with significant health/learning/behavior/whatever issues - "special needs" as they say. It's in the day-to-day caregiving that you really begin to understand what you've gotten yourself into.

Now, of course, I can't imagine life without her!