Thursday, February 9, 2012

A Mother's Perspective

The poem below was not written by me, but I wish it was. I related to every single word, and tear up with every reading. It's truly what being a heart mom is all about.


What is a CHD? A Mother's Perspective.


By Stephanie Husted (fellow heart mom)

You passed me in the shopping mall
(You read my faded tee).
You tapped me on the shoulder,
Then asked"What's a CHD?"

I could quote terminology,
There's stats that I could give.
But I would rather share with you
A mother's perspective.

What is it like to have a child with a CHD?

It's Lasix Aspirin Captopril
It's wondering...Lord what's your will?
It's monitors and oxygen tanks
It's a constant reminder to always give thanks.

It's feeding tubes, calories, needed weight gain
It's the drama of eating...and yes it's insane!
It's the first time I held him, I'd waited so long,
It's knowing that I need to help him grow strong.

It's making a hospital home for awhile
It's seeing my reward in every smile.
It's checking his sats as the feeding pump's beeping
It's knowing that there is just no time for sleeping.

It's caths, x-rays and boo boos to kiss
It's normalacy that I sometimes miss.
It's asking do his nails look blue?
It's cringing inside at what he's been through.

It's dozens of call to his pediatrician
She knows me by name, I'm a mom on a mission!
It's winter's homebound and hand sanitizer
It's knowing this journey has made me much wiser.

It's watching him sleeping his breathing is steady.
It's surgery day and I'll never be ready.
It's handing him over I'm still not prepared,
It's knowing that his heart must be repaired.

It's waiting for news on that long stressful day,
It's praying...it's hoping...that he'll be okay.
It's the wonderful friends with whom I've connected,
It's the bond that we share, it was so unexpected.



It's that long faded scar down my child's small chest,
It's touching it gently and knowing we're blessed.
It's watching him chasing a small butterfly,
It's the moment I realized I've stopped asking why.

It's the snowflakes that fall on a cold winter's day,
They remind me of those who aren't with us today.
It's a brave little boy who loves Thomas the train,
Or a special heart bear or a frog in the rain.

It's the need to remember we're all in this plight,
It's their lives that remind us we still need to fight!
It's in pushing ahead amidst every sorrow,
It is finding the strength to have hope for tomorrow.

And no, we'll never be the same.

This is...a CHD.

1 comment:

  1. Beautifully said. We bought two of Ashley Mae's art today - so grateful to be a part of this!

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