Side note: A few
people have asked if they can forward our blog to friends, family, or post it
on Facebook. The answer is always yes. When we first received JD’s diagnosis it
was through other families’ blogs we found comfort exploring the life of WHS.
From one blog to the next they all had different stories and each story helped
us as we moved into the next stage of understanding.
When we decided to
write a blog we discussed making it public or private, only for close friends
and family. However, if not for other families opening their hearts with each
post we might not have found the reassurance we were looking for in those first
few weeks. To pay it forward we have happily shared our blog with anyone who
wants to read more about a brave little man, his rascally big brother, and two
average parents. Even if it only brightens one person’s day or helps one parent
let out a big sigh of relief then we feel we have paid it forward. And to the rest of you, at least you
get to see some pictures of two very handsome little men.
Please feel free to
pass it along as we love telling JD’s story.
Quick recap for the new readers. Read the { } as our summed
up thoughts along the way:
At our 20-week ultrasound
with our second son the doctor found a few anomalies {what?!?} sending us to a
Level II ultrasound {scary}. During the Level II ultrasound they found more
anomalies including a hole in the spine, which could mean Spina Bifida {okay,
super scary}. After an amniocentesis at 21 weeks we received the news we were
having a baby boy {YAY} with a very, very rare genetic syndrome called
Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome {is this real life?}.
JD was born at 35½
weeks at 3½lbsish {the doctors literally put an –ish on his weight} and was immediately
transported to Children’s Memorial in Lincoln Park {sad mommy stayed at the
hospital alone}. 48 hours later doctors told us the hole in the spine was only
a dimple therefore no Spina bidifa {rejoice – yay}. Over the next 3½ months JD
spent his time growing, feeding, and getting stronger. Finally, on July 24th
he left the NICU to join our family at home.
Over the past year we
have had anywhere from 2 – 10 appointments each week with over 17 different
specialists, doctors, and therapists. Each day JD gets stronger and healthier
proving life takes us down new paths that might start out scary but end
brighter than we ever imagined.
Helpful posts to get the whole story:
On to the main post . . .
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On July 24, 2012, one year ago today, James Douglas left Lurie’s
NICU for the second and final time. When he was born on April 2, 2012 he was
3lbs, 8oz. When we left on July 24, 2012 he was 9lb 0.6oz. And on July 24, 2013
he is nearly 19½ lbs.
We are not surprised. We are not amazed. We had faith with
all our hearts that he would be extraordinary in his life. By 15 months he is
rolling from side to side, sometimes he rolls to the belly and sometimes he rolls
on the back. Working on shoulder strength, neck strength, and eating orally are
the short-term goals. Long-term goals for the year are very aggressive . . .by
Christmas we would love to see him sit up on his own –yikes! Even babies and
stay at home moms have PMPs (I cannot for the life of me remember what PMP
stands for but they were the fancy name for our work goals).
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July 2012 |
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July 2013 |
With JD’s surgery coming up we have had some wonderful
experiences and lots of family time. This past weekend we had a family photo
shoot (if you know you me then you know I LOVE a good photo shoot – even though
I am the least photogenic person you will ever meet . . .not everyone can be
Barney Stinson or Joanna Rutlin). But this photo shoot had a theme –
superheroes . . .
One warm spring afternoon in April I received a package from
a Seattle address. As I walked up the stairs opening this mysterious package I
pondered who sent us something. When the package was open tears started
streaming down my face. In my hand were two bright blue superhero capes. One
with a C and one, just a bit smaller ,with a J . . . both with yellow lighting
bolts striking through the letters. It was at that moment my boys officially
became Tiny Superheroes.
A few months back I had noticed a post about this remarkable
woman who started off by making a superhero cape for her son and nephew and
ended up creating her own Justice League. Robyn Rosenberger, founder of Tiny
Superheroes, sews superhero capes for children who fight harder everyday than
the rest of us. Through her website you can nominate a Tiny Superhero to
receive a cape so everyone knows what a true superhero looks like.
Who nominated JD and Connor? One of my oldest, dearest
friends, Dawn, whom I have known since 7th grade {yikes} saw the
same post and thought immediately about JD. Knowing JD had his upcoming heart
surgery Dawn wanted to give JD a little gift to show him we all know he is a
superhero. However, it did not stop there. Dawn also knows what an amazing big
brother Connor is to JD (and will forever be); she felt he deserved to be
recognized as a superhero as well.
At the same time, completely separately, another friend,
Andi, had recently started her own photography business. In doing so she finds
ways to donate her time to some special causes. Once she heard about Robyn and
her Tiny Superheroes, Andi reached out to let Robyn know she would happily do a
family photo session if any suoerheroes were nominated in the Chicagoland area.
When Andi found out it was the Gawel family, she was pumped. Andi is a member
of Team JD and has been following him from the beginning making this an “honor”
(her words) to photograph the family.
This past weekend we had our superhero family photo shoot.
Less than a week before JD’s surgery we ran around Lincoln Park Zoo as a family
watching as the capes waved in the wind.
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I love this little guy ever so much!!!!! |
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Protecting his brother everyday |
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Gawel family favorite spot in all of Chicago |
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Tiny Superheroes with big hearts |
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Love this family shot!!! |
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Moving out of the city very soon but we will miss this gorgeous city |
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Brothers talking about life |
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Handsome boys |
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Pondering life . . . or his Fantasy Football Team |
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Superheroes take breaks too |
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My all time favorite picture of our Superheroes - tears every single time I see it |
As I have sat, staring at my computer over the past few
weeks trying to form the words to write the final post before surgery I kept
coming back to the blue capes. Initial research on Wolf-Hirschhorn had us
thinking JD would be in surgery numerous times over his first few years. It
also told us we would be crying a lot as our baby struggled through life. Yet,
those statements are not true.
JD had one very minor surgery at 3 months for his G-Tube
placement – 45 minutes done and done. That’s it. No more. Most of JD’s challenges
have improved or gone away completely. His kidneys look great, his eye sight
has greatly improved, he breathes better than they ever imagined, he weighs way
more than expected, he eats like a champ, and most of all his heart is strong.
Of all heart issues you can have, ASD surgery is the most minor. A friend’s son
had a 7 hour open heart surgery, JD’s surgery all in (prep, set-up, anesthesia,
heart, etc) should be completed in 4 hours.
James Douglas has enjoyed every day of his life. Connor has
loved helping his brother get stronger everyday. Nate and I have found our
dream family with two adorable little boys who will grow up into strong men
(and mostly like become besties with Prince George of Cambridge).
There is so much to say before JD’s surgery and yet not
enough words. Thank you to EVERYONE who follows JD and Connor’s stories. Thank
you to EVERYONE who emails, texts, calls, sends telegrams on a daily basis. We
smile everyday knowing there is a world out there that loves our boys. Connor
has never been so popular given how many people offer to hang out with him.
I cannot say it enough. Thank you for loving JD and learning
about his world. It seems foolish now how worried we were that people would not
accept him in their lives. In fact, I think JD makes us more popular. People
like us more because of JD.
And a very special thanks to the following people:
Thank you to Dawn for thinking of our little guys and
honoring them with such an extraordinary gift.
Thank you to Robyn and her
Tiny Superheroes team for giving
JD the cape that matches his super powers.
Even if you do not know someone who needs a superhero cape
you can still donate or sponsor some little munchkin who deserves to join the
Justice League.
Thank you to Andi for taking time away from your beautiful
family on a gorgeous Saturday morning to spend time with the Gawels. As we go
into lockdown for recovery during the month of August we can look back at those
pictures again and again to relive our joyful Saturday morning.
Check out more of Andi’s work
http://alwaysadorable.zenfolio.com/
Nate and I will do our best updating Team JD throughout the
day on Friday, July 26. However, if we go for a few hours without an update please do not
think something is wrong. There is a chance we are trying to keep ourselves
busy by watching old TV shows on Netflix.
One more quick shout out . . .our family photographer,
Jordann Tomasek took a few shots of the boys before we left our condo in May leaving us with such great memories.
Hugs and Love
-The Gawels