Outside of Me


I have niece that gave birth to a son with Down syndrome back in July.  Shortly before giving birth they discovered a hole in his heart which of course was a large concern and was monitored every week and surgery would be determined upon his weight and strength.

 A couple weeks ago at a little over 3 months old he had his surgery, at first there appeared to be no major complications but when they went in they discovered two holes and they thought they had patched both holes up. A week had passed and another surgery was performed. Complications arose with fluids and breathing and he’s been on a breathing and feeding tube since. Some good news that his fluids are normal and they are going to try removing the breathing tube.

 I am not a parent, I have no idea what that sacred bond and love is like but I am human and I have compassion. To have had to accept in the beginning that your baby was going to have a disability and might incur some physical obstacles, that in itself was a jagged pill to swallow but then learn and have to endure not one but two heart surgeries and not be able to pick him up and hold him, comfort him because he’s got all sorts of tubes and ivs in him.

Neither parents or family or friends have any real power in bringing the baby back to some kind of normal and all anyone has is hope in medical advancements and prayer. I can’t even imagine going through something like that, most grow faint just talking about it.

   I bring this up only because I spend a great deal of time bleating about trivial shit in my life. To me at the time they don’t seem so trivial but when I compare them to what some others are going through, my moans and groans carry no weight. I get my panties in a twist over non-life threatening issues. It situations like my niece’s that make me stop my bleating like a stuffed goat, at least long enough to recognize that someone is going through something deeper and needs a shoulder.

 

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