Well, this morning at 5:00 am I took Gavin and the Scribner's to the Airport. They are on there way to Cancun for the week. I am super excited for them, and also jealous I love it there. I have been there 3 times and enjoyed my time there very much. Anyways, my mind can’t help but go back to the last time I was there. It was 2004 (8 years ago) this exact week. Scott and I went there with our friends Tom, Stephanie, Paul and Cathy. My mom had my 3 kids in Beaver with her for the week including Halloween night.. Whitney had a broken Collar bone and was Sleeping Beauty. I think Gavin was Bull'seye from Toy story. I can’t remember was Tristin was this year.
My memory takes me back 3 years prior starting in 2001/2002 Gavin had 3 broken bones during that year. He was very small, fragile, hard headed, kind of mean outburst, stomach aches, loose bowel problems, a big appetite. Our pediatrician had great concerns. So the many tests began.
1st Urine Test = High levels of Chloride (salt)
2nd Stool Test = No substance and intestines not breaking down or absorbing food correctly
To rule out Brittle Bones Disease, and Cystic Fibrosis
Then came the Sweat test at Primary children's, and this lead to 5 more of them. Measuring the levels of Salt in his blood. His numbers came back to 59. They concluded he had CF. Inside I knew he did NOT, first, it is genetic I knew no one with this condition., second, you only live to be 30 or so years old if your lucky a lot of times only thru your teen years. third, I believe in miracles.
read more about CF at
http://www.cff.org/AboutCF/Testing/SweatTest/
For about a year I argued, I cried, I prayed, I cherished every moment, I fasted, I asked WHY?, I changed Gavin's diet. The Dr started him on Steroids, and regular breathing treatments, to strength his lung's. I put him in preschool, I became pregnant with Whitney. We went camping, he played baseball, we were living our lives.
Fast forward 2 years, Whitney is 18 month old she broke her Collar bone, she was small, same pediatrician. yes you guessed it he wanted her tested for CF too. Honestly I freaked out. I made Scott go with me. I told him I wasn’t going to do this anymore. Really Two kids with CF. Nope that wasn’t going to be US. Yes Whitney did have high level of Chloride too. Her sweat test level came back at 42. Lower than Gavin. But still a possibility. I would argue with our dr. He would say that is what the test show. I would say I don’t care. They don’t have it. Scott and I decided that GENETIC TESTING is the only way I would ever have peace of mind. This concluded in lose of our Medical Insurance, due to Whitney's birth, Gavin GI procedures, broken bones and medicine. Our lifetime benefits were maxed and they terminated our policy. We would have to pay for GENETIC TESTING ourselves. Which was $2800.00.
4 days before we left for Cancun, we chose Gavin to get this procedure done. Since his number/level was higher. This was done by a GENETIC company in California. The results would take 4 to 6 weeks to get back.
Our time in Cancun was much needed. I remember how at peace I felt. How relaxed I was. Scott and I had tons of time to talk and think. I remember telling him whatever happens I knew I was his mom for a reason. That he was sent to us for a reason. No matter what the time frame might be. Our relationship grew stronger, our faith was solid, and our family was eternal.
In our house DECEMBER 1, 2004 is know as OUR MIRACLE DAY! We got the test results in the mail. NO he didn’t have CYSTIC FIBROSIS. I am a better person because of this time in my life. I am stronger, I am a believer, I know with baby steps I am becoming who he wants me to BE!
