Life - With EXTRA Sprinkles!!!

Well, we've had some excitement around our house this past week. And NOT the "happy" kind I might add. Adoption is a mystery and so are ALL the things that come along with it. Like, medical things. When we go to the doctor, those of you who have birthed children know how long it can take to fill out all the forms that request medical histories from both parents. Well, that is one advantage I have over you! I don't ever have to fill out those sections! I simply write, "UNKNOWN". Oh the little things...



Well, I've learned today that this also has disadvantages. Grace's medical history has always been a mystery and let's face it- we attract weird illnesses. I think it's the communist in her...



Anywho...



I probably had my scariest time as a parent today. It all started about a week and a half ago. Grace was a little snotty, congested. She had that typical kid sickness they all have this time of year that their snotty little hands pass around at preschool and the church nursery. Well, then came the hives. And not just a few of them but armies of them all over her body. Called the doctor, gave them a small fortune (haven't met the deductible yet) for them to tell me it's viral and it will pass but here's a steroid just in case! Went home, opted out of the steroid (they are NOT our friend!) and gave her a healthy dose of Benedryl. Twenty-four hours later we're good as new! Just a few patches left. Fourty-eight hours after that she starts breaking out in knots. And I'm talking about KNOTS- the shiner kind that look like they were strategically placed everywhere that clothes didn't cover. I felt like Bethel might call DHR on me...so we filled the steroid. :( Sunday night, our most alarming symptom showed up. Bruises. I was SO sure the social worker would be at our house the next morning. They didn't go away, they kept showing up and before we knew it, both feet, the palms of both hands, and the backs of her knees were completely bruised. Taking matters into my own hands I called a specialist we had seen before at Children's and was told yesterday afternoon they would meet us at Referred Testing first thing this morning. We headed to Birmingham and the nurse was there just like she said.



I'm gonna rabbit trail for just a second. I could NEVER be a nurse. And it's so ironic that my husband is in nursing school because I use to think that it just didn't fit his personality. Now-I know that it takes special people to be nurses. They have to speak the truth- no matter how difficult it may sound or how much it may rock our world. Back to the story.



The nurse made sure I knew they were testing her for everything. I simply said, "ok." She said, "I mean everything. Even Leukemia." And freeze...



I don't think I breathed for like 5 minutes. I was scared to death. They drew blood...lots of blood. I quit counting at 4 vials. She had to have lost half of her blood volume. We went to the Galleria, fooled around Build A Bear (left with a psychodelic pink cute bear by the way!), went to the Disney Store, rode the Carasoul, and I just stared at my child. Wondering if this beautiful little girl was going to have to suffer. Well, thankfully, they called two hours later and said everything was normal. Watch them for another week. If they don't go away, or if more come back we are suppose to call them and have more work done. So we're not out of the clear yet, but we are one step closer.



I have never had such a roller coaster of emotions in one day. Scared, happy, worried, frantic, ecstatic. I told Grace she could pick whatever she wanted to for supper and we would get it. Know what she picked? Chinese food...with ice cream for dessert...topped with Sprinkles. Strange combination you might think? Who cares! The Asian Emperess has spoken and I quote..."It's just been an 'Extra sprinkle kind of day'."



Today, I felt my heart ache for my child. It was fearful. And now it is peacful. But even so, there are many more parents in the halls of Children's Hospital whose hearts are suffering due to their child's illness. And although we have been spared today I feel a connection with them. I've had a slight change in perspective, you might say. Webster's defines perspective as "the ability to see things in a true relationship to what they are." I've been thinking about those sprinkles Grace got SO excited about. You know what she likes about sprinkles? According to her, they make anything pretty good. Need some happy? Throw in a happy sprinkle. Some peace? I'm pretty sure you can add a sprinkle for that too. Whatever life throws at you-throw back a sprinkle. At least you'll smile! So-whether you've had a fantastic day or a pretty crappy day...just add sprinkles. Because everyone could use an "extra sprinkle kind of day." Looking forward to my sprinkles! Blessings...



Paige