Finnian's Rainbow: December 2013

Monday, December 9, 2013

December 9th 2013

My Dear Son Finnian, Its December 9th again. Oh how our world got turned upside down 9 years ago on this day. It was the day that I was told that something had happened to you. Your right ventricle in you brain was 4 times the size it should be and it looked like there was a blockage and it was possible that it was caused by a stroke. That was a shock a baby can have a stroke!!!! We went to so many doctors I had scans and even an MRI and it looked like you would need surgery right after you were born if you survived birth. You were only given a 40% chance at being born alive and if you were born alive you could have issues. They asked if we wanted a DNR written on your papers but I couldn't sign them I wanted you to have a chance and honestly it was going to be your choice. I was so happy to hear you cry and then shocked to hear you were being sent to the regular nursery and not the NICU where they said you would probably be sent. It was a whirl wind of doctors coming to check you out. It seemed you were forever being rushed back to the nursery to be checked out by doctors. You got discharged form the hospital the same day I did it was unbelievable but as the doctor said you were doing good and holding your own you could go home. You got sent home with a list of thing to watch out for. The neurosurgeon gave us a list of things to watch out for because of the large ventricle it was possible that you could still need surgery to put a shunt in. We have had some rough times over the years even had a few close calls. You have had surgeries you take a crap load of medications but you are still here. This year was huge for you, you made your First Communion. It was something I never thought would be possible but we got the go ahead from the Priest and yes we did have to go to Religious Instructions every Sunday morning it was worth the sacrifice of missing my morning to sleep in. We were so proud of you that day. December 9th 2013 is a day of memories but its also a day of new beginnings and new memories. This evening you are making your Confirmation. I knew you were going to make your Confirmation as we were back in Religious Instruction class but it was Father Stewart that decided on the date. You are a special circumstance because of your medical issues so he decided to Confirm you now and not wait until you would be older. Yes son I had to do your homework and wrote your report on the Saint's name I chose for you. I chose an Irish saints name for you. There have been more than 300 Saint Colman's in Irish history but the two that stood out were St.Colman MacDuagh and St.Colman of Lindisfarne. St. Colman MacDuagh is from near where your Nanny is from in Co/Galway Ireland. Like you he survived against the odds and lived a simple life. St.Colman of Lindinsfarne became the Abbot Bishop of Lindindfarne after the death of St.Finian and he born in Connacht and he founded the Abby and the Dioceses of Mayo that is where your Granddad was from. So you will be Confirmed Colman this evening. So lovey here is to new memories on December 9th. Mammy

Hotel CHONY

I went on my holidays for a few days. Yup I was in the hospital. I take a lot of medications for my seizures and after awhile they stop working so every now and again we take one away and try a new one. So I went in on Monday and I was so happy had my own room well I had to share with Mammy.

Then they came in and gave me a cool ponytail. Yup they stuck things on to my head so they could see what my brain was doing.

I also got an I.V. put in see

Tuesday we had a bit of fun up she gave me a mustache

Yup I kinda look like Mario from Mario Brothers. Tuesday night was rough I was having a lot of seizures. It happens when start to take away a medication especially when I have been taking it for 8 years. Not to worry they gave me meds in my I.V. to stop them but I was very loopy after

Wednesday I was still having some seizures but I was feeling better so we took a fun picture again this time I look like Luigi

Thursday I was feeling much better I guess the new medication was kicking in so I got to wear the hospital top Mammy made for me and of course we had to take another funny mustache picture