Finding "Thankful"...

One Heterotaxy family's thoughts on thankfulness...

This year has brought some major, mind-blowing hurdles to my family. We have seen death chasing our 2 year old Nate, the effects of autism take the ability to sleep from our 5 year old Charley and the devastating emotional trauma of foster care on our toddler twins. Many times I have found myself crying out to God asking, "Why?" And "How?" "Can we really do this as a family...without being a dysfunctional mess?!"

We have had a few years to "digest" foster care and autism, but when Nate was placed in our care as a foster child 2 & 1/2 years ago, "Heterotaxy" meant nothing to us. We had no idea what was in store for us or for the precious child that we vowed to care for as our own.

Fast forward to today...Nate has survived the Fontan procedure, being placed on ECMO for 5 days and 2 pericardial effusions requiring him to return to the catch lab both times for placement of drains. All of this happened within one hospital stay. I honestly thought we wouldn't be bringing him home with us. But, being the fighter that he is, "Pistol Pete" proved me wrong.

Most people would think that his survival would give me enough to be thankful,. But, you, my fellow Heterotaxy families, know that there's MORE to it. Our "thankfulness" comes in odd and unusual forms. We are a unique bunch.

Just this afternoon, I was thankful for a diagnosis of asthma and anemia instead of a diagnosis of arrhythmia that was going to require a pacemaker. This morning I was thankful that Nate didn't "pee the bed" caused by his daily Lasix. Yes, it's the small stuff. Like, taking Nate to Walmart and finding that the tub of disinfectant wipes isn't empty, requiring me to go back out to the car to get my own. A tiny preschool class that's willing to follow precautions for his low immunity to infection equals "thankful"! My 5 year old praying for Nate's heart to continue to be fixed and "go bump bump"...priceless. Unsolicited slobbery kisses, hearing "I love you, Momma!", months without ER visits or hospital stays and most of all...BIRTHDAYS!! We celebrate big!

Every day is a gift. As Heterotaxy families, we all know this to be truth. As difficult as it may be some days, there is ALWAYS something to cause us to be thankful.

Finding our "thankful" looks different and unique. But, as long as we keep searching, we will always find it. "Thankful" is a heart thing and there are no better experts than you, your child and your family on matters of the heart.

Michelle Prichard
(Heterotaxy Hero, Nate, on far left...pictured with his siblings)