This guest post was written by a friend who blogs at Partially Complex about her experiences coping with Partially Complex Epilepsy and her journey to have a baby.
This month, my nephew, Robbie G, had his 2nd birthday. Once again, I found myself at Gymboree, playing with an oversized parachute and singing, “The Wheels on the Bus.” More than once, he chased me around the room with a bouncy ball and tried to run me over with it. His laugh was so infectious and it lit up the room. I love hanging out with Robbie G. His personality is forming before my eyes and it’s astounding. There are so many idiosyncrasies that he inherited from my brother, my dad, and even, me. He’s going to grow up to be a smart, sensitive, funny and talkative young man. I see it already.
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, I’ve been thinking a lot about love. Not romantic love, but the type of unconditional, overwhelming love that only a child can give. It is a blinding and euphoric feeling that just completely swallows you. Every time Robbie G runs up and throws his arms around me, giggling, or puckers up to “give kisses” before I leave, I get that feeling. There is nothing that compares to it. Absolutely nothing. I couldn’t imagine loving someone more than I love him. It excites me to think that one day, I’ll be able to experience this feeling every day when we have our own children. That’s exhilarating!
It reminds me that everything we’re going through is going to be worth it. I finally finished my medication change and we are allowed to begin trying for a family in March. I have a doctor’s appointment already set so we can officially get everything cleared. My neurologist will more than likely be taking blood levels in order to insure both my safety and the safety of any future child. My nephew constantly shows me that what we are going through now, with the medication changes, constant doctor appointments and testing, not to mention, physical ailment (if I don’t take this new medication with food, it makes me feel nauseous), will all be worth ten-fold what we are going to get in return when we have a child.
Anyone who has children would say the same thing. Children are magical little human beings that bring out the best of us, teach us purity and amazement and remind us of the simple joys of life. Our job is to receive all that information and use it to provide the best possible life and safety we can for them. Many will say, “It’s the hardest job in the world,” which is absolutely true. But, it is also the best one.
I have Epilepsy, and went through the same changes to have my daughter who is 8 now! My husband and I are so blessed to have her!