I think that most daughters will say that they have the best mother in the Universe. That maternal bond coming to play, and the natural love that exists between a mother and her daughter.
I can say that I have the Best Mother in the Universe, and then I can REALLY back it up. My mom is Amazing; she's strong and selfless, and everything that I aspire to be as both a Mother and a Woman. She is my idol, my hero and my best friend.
So, TMPRFM Part Deux (gotta love those acronyms lol) begins with my Mother's story...
The Best Ped's Endo in the World gave me the best treatment available for a newly Dx'd Type 1. My mom was with me every step of the way, even when she wasn't able to be a physical presence at the hospital. Together, we learned to inject saline into an orange - a practice that my mom made enjoyable by using the syringes for target practice (on unsuspecting nurses, no less). She learned all of the mechanics of Diabetes with me; the BG tests, Dietary restrictions, etc. etc. But, most importantly, she provided the emotional support I needed and didn't allow me to wallow in fear or self-pity.
During all of this my older sister, A, became very sick. She was home from school, vomiting excessively and exhibiting basic flu-like symptoms. After two days my mom took her to Dr. JackOff (the name of which inspired such a nice keyword search the other week lol) who confirmed in his wisdom that she had the flu. That she'd get better. That it was no big deal. But A's condition rapidly deteriorated and my Mom, frustrated by Dr. J's lack of concern, decided to march A into the Hospital all by herself.
My mom is a small woman. She only tops me by a couple inches and is very small-boned and slender. My sperm-donating-progenitor (who by no means deserves the title 'father') showed a lack of concern himself and left my mother to carry A - who is some 4" taller and was unable to walk at the time - into the hospital. My Mom did it. My SDP went and parked the car.
The hospital staff were baffled by A's condition, with no one able to diagnose an ailment, disease, illness or whatnot. The Best Ped's Endo came to the rescue and discovered that my sister's vital organs were shutting down while she was in the ER, and he stepped up to the plate to have her quickly admitted to the ICU. She was dying and was put on life support in intensive care, where the various doctors could not figure out what was wrong with her.
Finally, an Infectious Disease Specialist was brought in by The Best Ped's Endo; the Specialist was a woman. Upon seeing my sister's condition, her first question to my mother was if my sister wore Tampons. My mother's positive answer affirmed the Specialist's quick diagnosis of Toxic Shock Syndrome, a blood poisoning that can occur from the use of Tampons, and my sister was placed on fluids and antibiotics. A's battle continued; she had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics and at one point the hep-lock backed up and her arm swelled to three times the normal size. She was only 13 years old.
So, my mom had one child in the Ped's ward, newly Dx'd with a chronic disease and another child in the ICU who was dying before her eyes. Two blows, literally within days of each other. And yet she did it all. She sat with me through my classes and my tears and she sat vigil with my sister; she still gave each of us every last drop of emotional and physical support that she could . I can't even begin to imagine how she must've felt, the fear and the weight that must've pressed solely on her shoulders.
Not too long ago I asked my mother if she ever cried during those two weeks, a time that I'm sure was Her Own Personal Hell. I don't remember her ever showing a tear, sadness, fear, any of the emotions that I'm sure I'd have been inundated with had I been in her position. I had imagined, for all these years, that she must've broken down when no one was around. That she must've cried rivers out of fear and sadness. But I was wrong. She never cried, she never needed to. And when I expressed my amazement she told me that you really learn just how much you can take, just how strong you are, when something life-threatening and life-altering happens to your children. She told me It's What Mom's Do.
My sister and I were eventually given a room together in the Ped's ward, once A had become stable enough to be moved out of the ICU. It was, in spite of the situation, a great bonding time in our lives. A and I promoted each other's healing of body and spirit during that time. We watched Disney movies together, read together (To Kill a Mockingbird for me, and V.C. Andrews for her lol) and were discharged from the hospital together. I had the sister that I had looked up to for so long all to myself for two weeks.
My mom was my strength, in so many ways, for so many years. I am strong, resilient and capable today because of the woman who raised me, and there are not enough words in any language to express how thankful I am for my mom.
I fought against having Diabetes on and off for years, until I was about 19. But that, dear readers, is better saved for yet another day...
I think that most daughters will say that they have the best mother in the Universe. That maternal bond coming to play, and the natural love that exists between a mother and her daughter.
I can say that I have the Best Mother in the Universe, and then I can REALLY back it up. My mom is Amazing; she's strong and selfless, and everything that I aspire to be as both a Mother and a Woman. She is my idol, my hero and my best friend.
So, TMPRFM Part Deux (gotta love those acronyms lol) begins with my Mother's story...
The Best Ped's Endo in the World gave me the best treatment available for a newly Dx'd Type 1. My mom was with me every step of the way, even when she wasn't able to be a physical presence at the hospital. Together, we learned to inject saline into an orange - a practice that my mom made enjoyable by using the syringes for target practice (on unsuspecting nurses, no less). She learned all of the mechanics of Diabetes with me; the BG tests, Dietary restrictions, etc. etc. But, most importantly, she provided the emotional support I needed and didn't allow me to wallow in fear or self-pity.
During all of this my older sister, A, became very sick. She was home from school, vomiting excessively and exhibiting basic flu-like symptoms. After two days my mom took her to Dr. JackOff (the name of which inspired such a nice keyword search the other week lol) who confirmed in his wisdom that she had the flu. That she'd get better. That it was no big deal. But A's condition rapidly deteriorated and my Mom, frustrated by Dr. J's lack of concern, decided to march A into the Hospital all by herself.
My mom is a small woman. She only tops me by a couple inches and is very small-boned and slender. My sperm-donating-progenitor (who by no means deserves the title 'father') showed a lack of concern himself and left my mother to carry A - who is some 4" taller and was unable to walk at the time - into the hospital. My Mom did it. My SDP went and parked the car.
The hospital staff were baffled by A's condition, with no one able to diagnose an ailment, disease, illness or whatnot. The Best Ped's Endo came to the rescue and discovered that my sister's vital organs were shutting down while she was in the ER, and he stepped up to the plate to have her quickly admitted to the ICU. She was dying and was put on life support in intensive care, where the various doctors could not figure out what was wrong with her.
Finally, an Infectious Disease Specialist was brought in by The Best Ped's Endo; the Specialist was a woman. Upon seeing my sister's condition, her first question to my mother was if my sister wore Tampons. My mother's positive answer affirmed the Specialist's quick diagnosis of Toxic Shock Syndrome, a blood poisoning that can occur from the use of Tampons, and my sister was placed on fluids and antibiotics. A's battle continued; she had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics and at one point the hep-lock backed up and her arm swelled to three times the normal size. She was only 13 years old.
So, my mom had one child in the Ped's ward, newly Dx'd with a chronic disease and another child in the ICU who was dying before her eyes. Two blows, literally within days of each other. And yet she did it all. She sat with me through my classes and my tears and she sat vigil with my sister; she still gave each of us every last drop of emotional and physical support that she could . I can't even begin to imagine how she must've felt, the fear and the weight that must've pressed solely on her shoulders.
Not too long ago I asked my mother if she ever cried during those two weeks, a time that I'm sure was Her Own Personal Hell. I don't remember her ever showing a tear, sadness, fear, any of the emotions that I'm sure I'd have been inundated with had I been in her position. I had imagined, for all these years, that she must've broken down when no one was around. That she must've cried rivers out of fear and sadness. But I was wrong. She never cried, she never needed to. And when I expressed my amazement she told me that you really learn just how much you can take, just how strong you are, when something life-threatening and life-altering happens to your children. She told me It's What Mom's Do.
My sister and I were eventually given a room together in the Ped's ward, once A had become stable enough to be moved out of the ICU. It was, in spite of the situation, a great bonding time in our lives. A and I promoted each other's healing of body and spirit during that time. We watched Disney movies together, read together (To Kill a Mockingbird for me, and V.C. Andrews for her lol) and were discharged from the hospital together. I had the sister that I had looked up to for so long all to myself for two weeks.
My mom was my strength, in so many ways, for so many years. I am strong, resilient and capable today because of the woman who raised me, and there are not enough words in any language to express how thankful I am for my mom.
I fought against having Diabetes on and off for years, until I was about 19. But that, dear readers, is better saved for yet another day...