One Year

Wow, I can't believe it. It's been one year since Dominic's surgery. Mike, the boys and I went out to dinner tonight to celebrate Dominic and being seizure-free for one year. Mike and I were talking about what we were doing and feeling a year ago. And how crazy it is that he's been seizure-free for a year. The long, grueling, 8 months he was sick were the longest of our lives. It felt like 8 years, not 8 months.

It's amazing how much has changed the past year. Here are some, just to name a few:

1. Dominic is talking/babbling. He is now up to about 10 consistent words - da da, bye-bye, hi, nana (bananas), ba ba (bottle), dog, woof, moo (for cow), quack (for duck), uh-oh.

2. Dominic is "walking with assistance". I guess he's not cruising, because cruising really means he goes side to side around furniture. He walks forward holding on. But that's because he can't use both hands. So, in my book it's adapted cruising. But whatever, he's up and mobile!

3. Dominic feeds himself - he eats with his hands and we are just now starting to have him use a spoon. I say "starting" because he hasn't quite grasped it. He mostly just flicks yogurt off the spoon onto the floor because he knows it annoys me. But, we'll get there.

4. He is FINALLY starting to use a sippy cup. This has been a looooooonnng time coming. Like months and months. I still mostly force it on him, but just recently he's started picking it up and trying to drink out of it. I believe he can do it. I just don't think he wants to. Dominic is very stubborn and set in his ways. Just like his dad :o) He doesnt' like to be told what to do or how to do it. He does it on Dominic time in Dominic style. I'm okay with that. I think this will come in handy in the future...

5. Dominic and Mitchell play together. This is adorable to watch. Mitchell is usually very gentle and patient with Dominic, but lately Dominic has become the feisty one. He takes things from Mitchell and tries to take over things. So, it's fun to watch them interact and "play" together. Their favorite thing to do is both sit in Dominic's crib and throw everything out of it. Mom doesn't love this game, but they do. I can already tell how much Dominic loves and looks up to Mitchell. He laughs at almost everything he does and mimics him all the time. Considering one of  my biggest fears after Dominic's surgery was Mitchell's resentment, it's amazing to watch them. He harbors no ill-will and it's clear he really, truly loves his brother. What a blessing!

6. He is SO happy. I mean really happy. Everything is funny. Everyone gets a smile or laugh and he will be anyone's best friend. It's very rare he cries. If you throw a ball at his face, he will cry. If he cracks his head on the corner of the table he will cry. But other than that, really happy kid who rarely cries. I think this attribute really helped him get through the first 10 months of his life. He inspires me to be a happier person and you can't help but be happy when you're around him.

So, those are just a few. Obviously a lot of them were a long time coming. Dominic refused to even bear weight on his legs until last November. So, the fact that he's pulling up and moving around on his own is incredible. He's obviously delayed but almost everyone (all specialists included) believe he will catch up by school age and will be relatively normal. SERIOUSLY??? I never thought I would hear someone utter those words. I remember with such clarity when I was told that he will probably never feed himself, never walk, never talk, never do anything. Never be 'normal'. Well you know what? Look at him now! He is a true, living, walking miracle. My God is bigger than any illness, any seizure, any doubting doctor. My God is faithful. My God is a healer. My God is a miracle worker.

I have no idea why God chose to heal Dominic. No idea. I know that God can do anything He wants whenever He wants. But He didn't have to. He doesn't heal everyone. And I don't know what to say or how to respond to someone who's child has not been healed. My heart just hurts for them because I do know the pain of watching your child suffer. And I do know the pain of getting that heart-wrenching news that you're child will never be 'normal'. All those thoughts of what they could have been race through your head. And the grief of losing the child you always imagined and prayed for. And then trying to cope with what lies ahead. How your life will change. How your family will change. How people will change toward you. How your life will never be the same. Ever again.

I also know that prayer changes things. And I know that THOUSANDS of people were and continue to pray for my sweet boy. I don't think that's the only reason God healed him. I'm not sure I'll ever know until the day I stand before Him. But I'm pretty sure that's the first question I'll ask. All I can say is that there is not a single day that goes by that I am not in awe of what God has done. Not a single day has passed that I don't look at Dominic and say "Wow God. Look at what you have done". I know there is a greater reason that God healed him, other than to make our lives easier. This boy was born for a purpose and I cannot wait to see what that purpose is.

This isn't to say he'll still have challenges. I mean, the boy is peripherally blind in both eyes, so he may never drive and clearly will not be serving in the U.S. Air Force. He is also Hemiplegic so he doesn't have much strength in his right arm and his right hand is pretty much useless. You put something in his hand and try to get him to hold it and he quickly grabs it out with his left hand. He doesn't like his right hand and really doesn't want you to make him use it. Hopefully one day, when he understands the necessity of it, he will put more effort into using it. But we'll see. He's pretty stubborn. He will also always have a limp. He will wear an AFO (ankle foot orthotic) for many, many years. Most likely into adulthood. He will also probably have comprehension problems. Removing half your brain will do that to you :o) But all of these are minor compared to what could have been and what issues he could be facing. So I will take these any day and hope that when he is old enough to understand, he'll know why we made the decision we did. Even though it left him with obstacles, I hope he will agree with our decision and be as grateful as we are for the miracle he is.

In true Laura form, I put together a sappy video recapping the last year. I did it for me. And for Dominic. I want him to have something for him to look back on when he's older. But I'll share it on here with all of you too. Enjoy!


Cheers Dominic, to a year full of firsts, accomplishments and NO SEIZURES!!

We love you, admire you, and thank God every day for you!

Love,
Mom and Dad