DAVID'S FIGHT (w/Trisomy 18): Love Daddy

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Love Daddy

February ended with sickness, and March began with new hope.

February 28th, 3:30am -
Driving home from work, trying to make it without pulling over - I just came down with the stomach flu.

The importance to this story is to show how much love my wife has for me.

February 28th is Lexi's 9th Birthday. I was set to make birthday pancakes just two short hours later. But this would be the first year, birthday pancakes would not happen. I fell asleep, with a face so green, and a broken heart, knowing I couldn't make food for the birthday girl with a stomach virus.

I woke up around noon (I think...) to my bride walking in the bedroom to tell me "You have sent Lexi flowers to school with a note that says "Happy Birthday, Love Daddy" Yep, more tears. Because for me Birthday pancakes are only second to Christmas Morning. I can't explain in words what she did for me that day, but i will forever remember "the best flowers I ever sent".

March 1st - Shoutout to Joshua who turned ONE today!

March 2nd - Lots of love have filled our mailboxes - both physical and electronic. The letters, texts, emails, chats, and talks with our neighbors have been so heartwarming and encouraging. It truly is. Your comments and even more so your prayers have greatly helped us.

Heather will be blogging soon regarding her doctor appointment from yesterday. I have vowed not to release those details...but I may invade her blog with my reaction. New Hope!!!

Beautiful weather and New Hope. Cheers to a new month. Happy March.

1 comment:

UnknownMarch 3, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Thanks Aaron and Heather, for sharing your heart with us.
Our heart aches for you and your family.
We are ever prayerful for God to bless David Allen, and each one of you as you continue on this journey.
Your family has seemed to be under seige this past year. But, we know there are reasons for the trials and know God is in control.
Just want you to know we love you and are praying for each of you.
My Love, Aunt Betty
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DEFINITION OF TRISOMY 18 (EDWARD'S SYNDROME)

Edwards Syndrome : Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18) is a chromosomal abnormality where there is an extra chromosome present in every cell of the body. This is an example of where “the more the merrier” is not true. This extra chromosome means that every cell has extra information encoded into it. The extra information causes confusion in the way that the cells are formed and results in the potential malformation of all of the body systems. Sadly, this condition is considered "not compatible with life". Just like with Down's Syndrome (Trisomy 21), there is a wide range of how this condition will play out (what the doctor's will refer to as your child's phenotype). Unfortunately because there is more information encoded on the 18th chromosome, the severity of this condition is greater than that of Down's Syndrome. Current studies show that while 1:1500 children will be diagnosed prenatally with trisomy 18, only half that number (or 1:3000) will be born alive at full term. Of those who survive to birth, only half will make it to two months of age, and only 10% will survive to their first birthday. Children who live can be an important part of their family and community, but are profoundly developmentally delayed.