Peter, Hospitals, Doctors, Records

7 years ago, I took our sweet baby Peter home and Chris and I began our life as parents. Upon leaving the hospital, the doctors and nurses mentioned the threat of jaundice of which I knew very little about, except that I should put the baby in sun to help him. What they didn't tell me was that my blood type and Peter's blood type differ to a degree that makes jaundice worse. I was so tired from having delivered Peter that all I could think about was going home and sleeping. I went home and slept, later to have Peter develop severe jaundice, not quite bad enough to be put under the lights but close. Going home, I felt that the jaundice wasn't a big deal, they didn't seem to stress the severity of it or what it is. Had I known about the blood type connection, knowing that he would get it bad because of it, I would have been better prepared.

Later when he was 6 month old, Peter's pediatrician in Farmington, NM suggested we see a specialist because his feet seemed to be deformed, he may have possibly had club foot. I took Peter as directed and nothing was found. Then later when he didn't walk until after 18 months his pediatrician in Socorro suggested we see a specialists to see why he wasn't walking yet. That led to further investigations, lots of therapist, early intervention, and a whole slew of specialists and doctors visits, eventually leading to surgery. We were told that he had "rocker bottom foot" and perhaps he was cramped in the womb resulting in his feet not growing properly. He had surgery on both feet and then braces afterward. The picture above is Peter at age 3 when a lot of these doctors appointments were taking place. After surgery, recovery and with Chris graduating college and moving to Texas we felt we could put it all behind us. We felt Peter had been treated and that the problem was more or less solved with the surgery.

Then during on of our homeschool days I was exercising with the kids. We were using elastic bands and stretching our feet. I noticed that Peter couldn't do what Sam was doing and that he was getting a bit frustrated. Upon further investigation, I realized that something didn't seem right, he didn't seem capable of bending his left foot forward. I then went to his pediatrician here in Houston. He didn't feel the need to investigate the problem if it didn't cause pain. I insisted that he needed to be reevaluated and thankfully the doctor consented to referring us to a specialist.

After seeing the specialist, he agreed that further investigation and treatment would be needed. He said that it appeared that Peter was missing a major nerve running the length of his leg. I was baffled how other doctors prior could have missed that. After the initial visit all the previous medical records from all those specialist in New Mexico needed to be requested a sent over. Luckily all the records were in one hospital system so you would think that would make it quick and easy. 6 months and 3 requests later, they finally got the records, proving that "3rd time is the charm".

The doctor called today to inform us that Peter has a mild form of Cerebral Palsy called Spastic Diplegia. I was blown away, why do doctors not tell you these things? They didn't fully inform me of jaundice and they never mentioned cerebral palsy. How are we to know the right questions to ask? How are we to avoid situations like this? I don't like not being told. Had we not moved to Texas, we may have never been told of this condition. Ignorance is not bliss.

There are things that happen all the time that we don't fully understand, but we all deserve the right to as much information as humanly possible. Withholding information is wrong. But even worse, my heart goes out to those less prosperous 3rd world countries where a sweet child like Peter could have grown up permanently crippled not having access to surgery.

Today during scripture study the kids wrote about their feeling about the verse in the Book of Mormon that says, "we lived after the manner of happiness." They wrote about how keeping the commandments and giving to the poor makes us happy. I thought about all the activities and things that are suppose to "make" us happy. When it really comes down to it, I can be depressed and unhappy in the mist of heaven on earth if I so choose. I could surround myself with everything good and wonderful and still be grumpy. Happiness is a choice. Counting our blessings helps us to get in the frame of mind so that we can choose to be happy. Happiness is a choice, a frame of mind, an attitude. I guess its really our attitude that makes us who we are.

The doctor told us that Peter would need braces the rest of his life and Peter got excited. He anxiously awaits further treatment and braces to help his feet.

Daily life, sickness and the rest

Peter, Sam, Joe and I just finished reading 2 Nephi 10 together and now they are writing in their spiritual journals. Peter and Sam both have 2 different journals. One for spiritual things and the other for secular, daily life stuff. We came up with the idea when we read in the Book of Mormon about Nephi and how he kept two records: one with the more spiritual parts and one with more secular parts and the wars and contentions of the people. So we decided to do the same. Hopefully our secular journal won't be full of wars and contentions though! Today they are writing about verse 23 that says, "Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life." Peter and Sam both wrote that they choose the way to everlasting life through Jesus Christ. They also mentioned several things they are free to choose. Our ability to choose is ever present and it is truly a gift. We are free to choose to obey or disobey but we can't choose the prize, reward or benefits of obeying God when we don't obey. Its the same with parents. The kids can choose to work on their writing and reading, but they can't choose to play if they don't get things done. I write out what they tell me to write and then they copy it. For each page they write they get 1 coloring page. Right now they are choosing to play around and not get their journals done, we'll see if they end up getting it done and benefit from the practice and get the reward of being able to color.

Elsewhere in the house, Chris has been home sick all week, this is day 4. He is going to the doctor in a hour to see what ails him. Hopefully nothing too serious, but hopefully the doctor gives him something so he can get better, being sick 4 days and unable to work is hard.

Peter is really progressing with his reading and writing, proving the saying to be true: Practice makes perfect. Sam and Joe are both learning right behind Peter who is a good example to them. Sam and Peter can be taught nearly at the same level, Sam does better with writing and Peter does better with reading and math. Joe is not on the same level as Peter and Sam but it is adorable to watch him try so hard! I got a large chalkboard and I have them all go and write me letters, words and numbers. Peter and Sam do fine and Joe tries so hard to keep up writing with them. He does extremely well for a 3 year old!

Will has been sick along with Chris. He has been more snugly and cranky lately. Usually during school he will go off and play, or find the vacuum or something else to dismantle, clearly his idea of a toy differs from mine! When he does stay in the same room with us he usually pulls a shelf of books out or makes a mess somewhere. At this point, I have pretty much given up on keeping him from making a mess, I am more concerned with his safety then for the mess. He really likes to plug things in, and he has gotten into my curlers before, so as long as he is not in danger, I let him roam. He usually ends up falling asleep on the floor somewhere and then I clean up any mess he has made. There have been times he climbs up on the table and falls asleep, looks really funny with a baby fast asleep on your dinning room table!

As for me, I am easy going and try and get school, housework, and meals done the best I can. It may look chaotic and crazy at times, but we do fine. I am due to have our 5th boy in May. So far the pregnancy is going well although last we checked the baby was breech. There is still time. The baby is moving a lot, so hopefully with a lot of prayers and exercises he will move into position. We are seeing a midwife and planning a home birth, hopefully all goes well and we succeed in having a water birth. That's what I am hoping for.