Perspective
I’ve been complaining about my children being sick lately. They’ve had a variety of ear infections, coughs, sniffles and every other assorted contagious thing that kids bring home from daycare. Last night, a friend told me that in the next few months he’d have to get his four-year-old little girl a wheelchair. And that she was not expected to make it past the age of nine. I can’t imagine how horrible that would be to know. Made my complaints seem utterly insignificant.
December 12th, 2006 at 11:55 am
Amen, brother.
My friend’s 18 year old son, with no previous health problems, collapsed into a gran mal seizure at school. Within 24 hours, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and is scheduled for surgery in the next few weeks.
I have thanked the Lord every day since my first child was born for the health of my children, and will continue to do so.
What is your friend’s child’s ailment?
December 12th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Not sure. Didn’t catch the name but it is apparently quite rare, so much so that they only diagnosed her illness in the last month or two despite her having the symptoms all her life. Adding to the issue is that both parents carry the trait that causes it (and it is apparently caused only when both parents have said trait) and they have also basically been informed that if they had another child, there is an 80% likelihood that child would have it too.
December 12th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
Good thing it’s rare… too bad it’s not more so. No parent should have to survive the death of their child. In this case, prayer may be the only option. Ask any doctor who works with terminal patients, they’ll tell you that people sometimes do survive, against all medical opinions. With God, all things are possible.
December 13th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
In all seriousness, this is a big part of why I don’t have kids. I know my limits, and I recognize that I simply don’t have the constitution to cope with something like that. The self-blame would be irreparable and insurmountable, even though I rationally would know it’s not my fault. Hell, I was a wreck when my cat died last year (and I don’t really even like cats). I can’t even begin to imagine what losing a child would be like.