a much needed little lesson

I haven't taken the time to write about it here, but it has been a bit of a rocky ride since Elizabeth was born. A cloud of "abnormal test results" has been hanging over us since the first day we brought her home from the hospital. We got the call from our pediatrician to tell us that her hospital PKU tests were abnormal and that we had to come in the next day for another test.
More heel pricks. More screaming baby. More waiting.
Then the second test also came back abnormal and we were thrown into a whirlwind of possible problems, and complicated predictions for the future. One of the hardest things with a newborn is fear of the unknown and we were definitely a little spooked.
Our next step in the process of finding answers was to seek out the help of a geneticist at John's Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. They gave us probably the best, most caring, attentive medical care I've ever received. And within one day had done more blood work, answered all of our questions and passed on the  blessed news that all the previous tests were false positives. Elizabeth was going to be just fine.

Of course, it's easy to be thankful when you're on the happy side of a potential problem. But that day, sitting in the pediatric hospital with our presumed "abnormal" baby, I was thankful. I looked around me at the children--some sick, some handicapped, some hooked up to IV juices, some tiny newborns like Elizabeth--and I was overcome with thankfulness. Even though we potentially had some problems ahead, there was still much to be thankful for. I was thankful for my two children at home--healthy and happy--and I was thankful for little Elizabeth. I don't think I take enough moments to be grateful for those blessings.
And I also looked around me at those parents sitting beside me in the pediatric clinic--still smiling, still managing to be upbeat and joyful with their children--and I realized I was in the presence of some real-life heroes. And I'll bet they manage to find a little thankfulness in life as well.
A much needed little lesson.

Comments

[Alicia A.]

Oh, Molly. I'm glad everything is ok. But I'm also glad to "know" you, sweets. You're good, good people. :)

[tracy]

i know such heroes. and they do feel blessed too. lovely post. thank you for sharing. xo

[laeroport]

Oh, Molly. What a relief and I would not want to imagine the stress those false positives caused. Bless you all. Your whole beautiful family. Hugs!

[Blair]

I am so glad that everything is ok, your thoughts and emotions have really been put to the test these past few weeks. Glad you are on the other end, reflection is a good thing, never hurts to be reminded just how rich our lives are. hugs to you!

[Angela]

Oh wow. I understand these feelings. So glad that Elizabeth is well. Hospitals filled with sick children do make one so thankful and the parents of those children are indeed amazing people. Love to you Molly and your sweet family.

[Eren]

First of all I am so glad to hear that your little sweety is well and good. Secondly, I want to thank you for such a reminder. It has been a crazy day here and I think as soon as my boys walk in I am going to smother them to death with kisses and remind them how wonderful they are. Thank you again.

[Norma]

I'm so glad all is well and it's a wonderful lesson we all can share in. Thank you for sharing. Take care and congratulations on the birth of your daughter.

[Mirre]

Definitely a true lesson, but I'm so glad that all is well with Elizabeth!

[Julie]

Hugs for you Molly! I'm glad to know all is well now. We had an unexpected stay in the NICU after my son's birth. I remember keenly how dark those days were while trying to act normal for the sake of our daughter.

Love and peace for you all!

[Sarah]

Um... what's PKU? I feel dumb for not knowing, but I haven't gotten to the "mommy" stage of my life yet. I so happy that little Elizabeth is safe and sound and healthy, though!

[Kristy]

I know it's hard to imagine sometimes isn't it but there is always something to be happy about and also somebody else worse off.
So glad Elizabeth is 'normal' whatever that really means xxx

[Danielle]

Glad all is well, and thank you for reminding us to appreciate every day!

[martha]

glad all is well.

[Mama Urchin]

Scary things, those baby tests. I'm glad your positives were false.

[Ellen]

Thank the Lord that your baby is fine. That is wonderful news and I'm sure a great relief to you.

[Michelle]

Hugs and kisses to everyone, and a few happy tears.

[kirsten]

so glad everything is well. i know that feeling, though. i had to take my baby to a children's hospital for some minor problem, and they were so happy to see this big, chubby, baby - such contrast to the others there.

hug her tight!

[Kate]

I am so glad everything is ok, I know that feeling though of waiting for results. I remember waiting in the hospital with my girls and just having that feeling that whatever it is I can deal with it and I love them no matter what, and then the relief when everything is ok - it's just overwhelming. Have a wonderful relaxing weekend!

[sally]

Big hugs to you Molly! Your positive spirit + grateful heart are so inspiring. Sometimes life has a way of reminding us about the important things. =)

[carol]

thanks for the reminder...lesson learned.

[Sonya]

I am so sorry that you had to go through that Molly. I hated the PKU, it seemed like they needed so much blood. And those screenings, I have been through that before, while pregnant and it is horrible to wait. Take care - such a lovely photo.

[joslyn]

i also learned this same lesson one year ago with my baby. all is also well but wow what you learn in the process. just found your site. i enjoy!

[Amy]

thank you for sharing your story with all of us. it's so, so good to hear your sweet little one will be ok. we have been through much with our second who spent her first 5 months in a harness to correct her hips. we are so very thankful the doctors acted on a hunch + ordered the ultrasound because her correction was so slight it could've easily gone undetected. next, she'll have hand surgery around her first birthday but again, we'll get through it. our children are our greatest accomplishments. each a blessing. take good care.

[katiek]

My son threw me into panic sessions because he wasn't a chubby baby. He was very very skinny. Seems so silly now, but then it was enormous. God was so good to give me an awesome pediatrician who has 7 kids himself and never forced me to stop breastfeeding.

Looking back makes you realize how much God is parenting you when you need him most. Praise Him for his grace to your family!

[Adriana]

Oh, Molly, thank you for the little/big lesson. It is so good to be reminded how lucky we are and who the real heroes are.

I'm so happy to hear that the little cutie is doing just fine. Hugs to you.