tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post3066780525838070153..comments2023-11-02T08:09:02.234-04:00Comments on Her Bad Mother: The Heart is a Muscle, ReduxHer Bad Motherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03535958887714152413noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-52112138422529305762007-04-09T11:20:00.000-04:002007-04-09T11:20:00.000-04:00My sisters both suffer from a hereditary genetic d...My sisters both suffer from a hereditary genetic defect that I somehow managed to avoid. We did all the testing twice before we started trying for a baby, and all the tests say I'm fine. That doesn't stop that little voice in the back of my head from piping up every now and then - what if they were wrong?<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry you had such a scare. I hope you're feeling immeasurably better now. Take care of yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-90403827985326954462007-04-09T02:40:00.000-04:002007-04-09T02:40:00.000-04:00I am so sorry that you had to go through these hea...I am so sorry that you had to go through these heart wringing moments - but glad that finally you were able to hear good news. <BR/><BR/>I have been reading your blog for a couple of months, not sure how I came here though....I don't read that many blogs. I havent posted before though, but am compelled to now (like that's a bad thing!!)<BR/><BR/>I had to face the same decision that you talked about thinking of IF you were diagnosed as a carrier of DMD. <BR/>You said "When a close friend expressed horror at my announcement that Husband and I had begun reconsidering starting a family - her argument, that I was irresponsible to consider bringing such a child into the world, and that I would no doubt be compromising my own health to do so - I was unmoved. I would love any child that I might bear, no matter how brief or limited his life. And I would risk my life to have that child. I would give my life for that child. I knew this, in my soul and in my heart."<BR/><BR/>I was so moved by those words, even though it was the complete opposite of what I decided.<BR/><BR/>I was 25, married 3 years when my mysterious throwing up and huge loss of weight for the past one year, was diagnosed as a rare congenital condition where there is an absence of or very limited number of cells in the intestine (in my case thankfully confined to the duodenum alone) which basically was now not allowing food to move down beyond the duodenum which after enlarging about 10 times its normal size finally gave up and thats when the throwing up started and the consequent loss of weight.<BR/>My mother had the same condition and died after multiple surgeries when I was 7, and I obviously inherited it, though none of this was known till I was diagnosed at 25. I didnt even have any symptoms before that.<BR/><BR/>To cut a long story short, I beat all the odds, since not able to eat orally and dependent on IV and direct to intestine nutrition for 2 years, my weight rapidly dropped to about 60 pounds and I wasnt expected to surive, leave alone survive and make it through multiple surgeries, the last one being a 3 hr surgery which was itself experimental in nature with the limited knowledge at hand.<BR/><BR/>I survived and am fine today, though there is no guarantee that the symptoms might not recur if the problem reappears due to some reason.This was in 2003.<BR/>In 2004, I made the decision not to have a biological child precisely because I don't want to take any risk that the child might be born with the same congenital condition ,which my mother had and I have too. <BR/>For my mother it proved fatal and for me it was a trial by fire. The agony my Dad and husband went through was unimaginable.<BR/>There was no way I wanted to willingly take the risk (25% was what they told us after genetic counselling) and also, since its such a rare condition, there are no tests available which can diagnose this in the foetus stage itself. (even if I were of the mind to terminate the pregnancy which I wouldn't have)<BR/>And also, (which was part of my husband's reason for deciding not to have a biological child) the thought that if my pregnancy accelarated the problem once again, and I might not be there for my child at the end of it....that thought was too much for me to bear.<BR/>Kudos for your bravery though, and I am glad that you didn't have to worry about Wonder baby!<BR/>We adopted a baby girl last year and she is now almost 2 and I give thanks everyday for the miracle that brought her into our lives. I completely understand when you talk about the fear that grips your heart when you think of losing her by losing yourself - its there at the back of my mind....<BR/><BR/>RajiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-14371274697687822952007-04-07T22:16:00.000-04:002007-04-07T22:16:00.000-04:00phew.so glad you're okay...phew.<BR/><BR/>so glad you're okay...Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051433364695879305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-22821661914377461992007-04-07T15:43:00.000-04:002007-04-07T15:43:00.000-04:00What a rollercoaster ride you've had to endure. I'...What a rollercoaster ride you've had to endure. I'm glad you're okay and I'm sending thoughts of relaxation and peace of mind your way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-72639135801735187332007-04-07T01:45:00.000-04:002007-04-07T01:45:00.000-04:00Chin up, and relax as much as you can. So glad to...Chin up, and relax as much as you can. So glad to hear you're well. :)Nicholehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05959914034833564529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1108305444298038412007-04-06T21:59:00.000-04:002007-04-06T21:59:00.000-04:00That must have been so scary for you!I hope you're...That must have been so scary for you!<BR/>I hope you're doing better.Alex Elliothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567976812466320977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-72300332968548943342007-04-06T21:57:00.000-04:002007-04-06T21:57:00.000-04:00I am very sorry I missed the other post and was no...I am very sorry I missed the other post and was not there to lend support too. But I am very glad it seems that things are (relatively) OK. I know it sounds trite, but hang in there, kid.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16486438725653025356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-44392618912440191042007-04-06T19:41:00.000-04:002007-04-06T19:41:00.000-04:00we love you, be well.we love you, be well.flutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11828689769747130419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-77455820052606780232007-04-06T11:22:00.000-04:002007-04-06T11:22:00.000-04:00Oh Catherine...I have been out of the loop this we...Oh Catherine...I have been out of the loop this week. I just read through your previous posts. I am breathing a sigh of relief for you that everything turned out ok. Motherhood certainly is a constant reminder of our mortality. Rest up in KY....The Domesticatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08333326286672903879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-30942545060358200622007-04-06T11:01:00.000-04:002007-04-06T11:01:00.000-04:00Something in my computer has not allowed me to com...Something in my computer has not allowed me to comment lately and I've wanted to offer words of reassurance and comfort. You should take it easy and rest your heart and everything else. We'll be here when you get back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-22313362986784189622007-04-06T10:40:00.000-04:002007-04-06T10:40:00.000-04:00How scary!Hope you are upandatem' STAT!How scary!<BR/><BR/>Hope you are upandatem' STAT!lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198758216524925474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-69790483689992539642007-04-06T10:07:00.000-04:002007-04-06T10:07:00.000-04:00oh Bad. I know.I know. So glad your heart is int...oh Bad. I know.<BR/><BR/>I know. So glad your heart is intact in the physical sense, and the emotional may have taken a hit, but i see it beating with vigor there too.Girlplustwohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07056576921114387218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-15662876124342926952007-04-06T09:55:00.000-04:002007-04-06T09:55:00.000-04:00Just catching up with you and I'm so sorry to hear...Just catching up with you and I'm so sorry to hear about what's going on! How scary. Hope you are doing better. There's nothing fun about being rushed to the ER for heart problems. Hang in there.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080488909182074526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-84955360193981451422007-04-06T09:20:00.000-04:002007-04-06T09:20:00.000-04:00I am so glad you are o.k. You did a good job of p...I am so glad you are o.k. You did a good job of putting into words what all of us Mommies feel - doing anything, even giving your own life for our children.<BR/><BR/>Be well, and as always, special thoughts to your darling nephew.Mommato2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13475207169746158064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-19765881610544820882007-04-06T03:34:00.000-04:002007-04-06T03:34:00.000-04:00I'm late getting to everyone these days it seems.H...I'm late getting to everyone these days it seems.<BR/><BR/>Hope they figure it out soon. Meantime, you'll be in my thoughts.Grannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17283823157675990935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-85498728976137829342007-04-06T01:24:00.000-04:002007-04-06T01:24:00.000-04:00There is an excellent passage on death in Your Chi...There is an excellent passage on death in <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Children-Will-Raise-You/dp/1590300645" REL="nofollow">Your Children with raise you</A>. Have you seen that book?<BR/><BR/>Connects with much you say here and other thoughtful bits in different directions.mo-wohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10934156423936866994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-66912309790043845152007-04-05T23:31:00.000-04:002007-04-05T23:31:00.000-04:00I just read the last two posts. I am keeping you i...I just read the last two posts. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. <BR/><BR/>Your honesty and bravery about this will help pull you through. That and Wonderbaby, she is all goodness.Jeniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13100043209000589029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-88526830090757550232007-04-05T16:57:00.000-04:002007-04-05T16:57:00.000-04:00I am so sorry to hear about your trauma! I am glad...I am so sorry to hear about your trauma! I am glad that you are OK! I hope they figure out what happened soon so you can have peace of mind. I can only imagine what it was like as I recently went through a similar scare about my mamogram. That time waiting is a bitch and totally screws with your head and heart in ways that no human should have to go through.<BR/><BR/>Big hugs!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-81875684568512406932007-04-05T16:18:00.000-04:002007-04-05T16:18:00.000-04:00I'm so glad your heart is *fine*. I've been there...I'm so glad your heart is *fine*. I've been there with the scare stuff and it makes everything look far away down a long black tunnel. <BR/>Your little one is so, so gorgeous, and I am sure you will have a long life with her.MARY Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13178370815712313585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-9427256076616804112007-04-05T16:10:00.000-04:002007-04-05T16:10:00.000-04:00Delurking to tell you I just read your last few po...Delurking to tell you I just read your last few posts and am sooo glad that you're doing OK! <BR/>Get plenty of rest and relaxation -know that's not always easy with a little one but try! :-)Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16522150888637797261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-80540359765367444002007-04-05T14:10:00.000-04:002007-04-05T14:10:00.000-04:00Very scary! Glad you have your blog to open up to...Very scary! Glad you have your blog to open up to and share your thoughts/feelings, I hope it does help, even a tiny bit.<BR/>I am thinking of you and hope that you are doing better soon.Multi-tasking Mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02379488091050026867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-23863823174748359132007-04-05T13:07:00.000-04:002007-04-05T13:07:00.000-04:00I'm glad to hear it's not serious, but oh boy, wha...I'm glad to hear it's not serious, but oh boy, what you have been through. Please rest as long as you need to, and Twitter me any time!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-52226353204556296272007-04-05T12:57:00.000-04:002007-04-05T12:57:00.000-04:00You might have your doctor check your gall bladder...You might have your doctor check your gall bladder. It sound crazy, but gall bladder attacks are often described (by women in particular) as "feeling like a heart attack.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad your heart is okay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-63090713181864820662007-04-05T12:35:00.000-04:002007-04-05T12:35:00.000-04:00You write so beautifully.As you know, I was thinki...You write so beautifully.<BR/><BR/>As you know, I was thinking of you. I still am.<BR/><BR/>xomamatuliphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02692442843330582571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1207271770098782292007-04-05T11:54:00.000-04:002007-04-05T11:54:00.000-04:00Reading this with tears in my eyes...you sum up ma...Reading this with tears in my eyes...you sum up magnificently how many of us feel facing mortality, when there is so much more to do and see and be. So happy for you and your family that it is not something more serious (and for us as well). Big cyber-hugs to you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com