Beautiful Encounters

We’ve been busy lately and our calendar of events doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon. Last week Austin visited the Pediatric Cardiologist . She determined that Austin will, in fact, need surgery to correct the 12mm hole in his heart. They might be able to go through his leg to correct the hole, verses having open heart surgery. The right side of his heart is enlarged due to the hole. The good news is: the hole doesn’t appear to be affecting him or his growth. Therefore, we’re able to wait until he’s 2 years old for surgery.

Speaking of surgery, Austin’s having surgery on Friday. He’ll having his adenoids removed and tubes put in his ears. My mom is flying in on Thursday, so I’ll have a lot of help (Thank GOD!)

Austin had a sonogram to check the status of the swelling of his kidneys today. We had this procedure done at Medical City, which isn’t a Children’s only hospital. While we were waiting in the registration waiting room, a man and woman walked in. The man looked at Austin and stopped in his tracks. Thankfully, he smiled and looked at me and said, “ I have one of those, but he‘s 21.” I was hoping he meant a child with Down syndrome…then he showed me a picture on his phone… On the screen was a smiling young man with Down syndrome. The man went on about his business. About 20 minutes later, I noticed the woman sitting next to me smiling and talking to Austin. She asked me how old he was and if he was mine. Then, she told me that she had a 25 year old son with Down syndrome. She showed me pictures of him with his baby nephew. He looked so proud and I was thankful she shared the pictures with me. It’s times like this that I’m especially thankful for Down syndrome. I wouldn’t have these beautiful encounters if Austin didn’t possess an extra chromosome. Yes, we were at ANOTHER appointment for something related to Down syndrome. And yes, it does weigh on me at times…but meeting others who know the joy that extra chromosome brings takes away all those feelings of despair.

Today I needed to be reminded how blessed we truly are…And I was.