(excuse my typing skills,i am not very good at capitalization or puntcuation)
to all my fellow thal moms,
wow!this is a subject (up until 2 yrs ago) i never, ever thought i could bring myself to discuss it....
most of you who know me,know my story....for those who dont.......please read.
*foot note-my husband and i knew we carrid the trait BEFORE we concieved our daughter*
it is soooo amazing how time really does heal!! (you couldnt convince me of this 2 yrs ago!!! NOTHING ANYONE WOULD SAY WOULD CHANGE MY MIND THAT MY BABY WAS GOING TO DIE OF THALASSEMIA).
I still remember that fateful day.Lauryn was 4 days old,i was pulling upin my driveway at about 5:30 pm, on a Friday night,mind you, getting ready to take her out of the car.(i was showing her off all day long to family and friends,i was so proud and happy and relieved we havent heard from the pediatrician with her newborn screen results).of course i thought she was fine,because if she werent we would've found out about the thalassemia before we left the hospital,right?
![Huh? ???](http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/Smileys/classic/huh.gif)
)
WRong!
My husband ran out of the house with the phone saying"hold on dr. i dont understand,heres my wife."(he looked so confused and nervous
I took the phone from his trembling hand,and was told "hi.mrs. acosta,this is dr.askar....Lauryn has Beta thal major,she needs a hematologist right away.)
i remember falling to my knees on my lawn screaming in disbelief.i ran into my house like a maniac,paralyzed and basically dazed.
i took my baby from my husbands grip and cradled her as if she was dead. i was preparing to say goodbye.
this wasnt supposed to happen,i thought.we had great odds.75% chance of her NOT having thalassemia.I thought someone was playing a sick joke on us.
those next few days i was heavily medicated.i was already post partum and hormonal and needed to sleep.
we took lauryn to the best hemotologist in my city. UNTIL we found out she was his FIRST AND ONLY thal major patient!
Thats when we inquired about phoenix childrens hospital. They care for 11 majors and 5 intermedias.
She had her first tx at 7 months,and is starting chelation this monday. she just turned 2 this august.
if you wanna know how im doing??? i am not 100% ok with thal,BUT i am 100% confident my baby will live a long healthy life.
Ive researched and learned A LOT about thal these past 2 years,and i know NOW what is to be expected. We call her blood "her vitamins" and like anyone who wants to be strong and healthy,they also need vitamins.
she cries less and less each transfusion (but i still bawl like a baby). she is a vibrant,playful,loving,energized,sweet soul.
i have a 9 year old son who cherishes his baby sister, and i am so very inspired by HIS courage and support,when mommys having a bad day.
my husband has a harder time dealing with thal.he is more adamant to discuss it or even ACKNOWLEDGE thal. that is him. that is how he deals with it. i reassure him i am here to help him cope or to share the information i learn regarding thal.
all these emotions and feelings would drive any sane person nuts!!! I would always ask "WHY ME!!!???)...well,why NOT me?
my faith in GOD has been restored everytime i see my Lauryn smile or when she plays with her older brother.
my point to this obnoxiously long post is, time heals.time may heal you but not your spouse RIGHT NOW.TIME HEALS. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.IT CAN MAKE YOUR LIFE A HELL OF A LOT EASIER!!!
HAVE FAITH IN YOUR GOD,YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN. LIVE LIFE LIKE ITS YOUR LAST AND NEVER THINK THE FIGHT IS OVER... BECAUSE AS WE GET CLOSER TO A CURE,ITS SAFE TO SAY WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN THE FIGHT!!!!!!
![:hugfriend](http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/Smileys/classic/Hug_blue.gif)
Christine