One Decade
[Elisabeth's profile on her ultrasound picture at 16 weeks gestation and now, ten years later.]
April 24, 2007
On this day in 2007 my heart broke.
"She has hydrocephalus," they said.
And for the rest of the day I tried to remember (while sobbing) what the word was.
I can recall thinking how this word-that-I-can't-remember will now be part of my life forever.
Hydrocephalus.
I didn't think I was strong enough to face it.
I felt pain like I had never before experienced.
April 24, 2017
On this day my heart is happy.
She does have hydrocephalus...and epilepsy and cerebral palsy, and cortical blindness, and severe brain damage, and a feeding tube, and a wheelchair, and rods in her spine, and on and on...
And I can now easily remember each diagnosis and surgery and medication, and the many hospitals and doctors and therapists.
Elisabeth.
I was strong enough after all.
And I feel joy like I have never before experienced.