Different hope

I have had a love/hate relationship with the term hope since February 11, 2015.  There was always an internal tug between protecting myself and relinquishing the fear of actually allowing myself to be crushed by the fallout after hope failed.  After all, living a life where death is waiting on the doorstep is nearly impossible without giving in to some sort of hope. Hope that seizures will be few and far between. Hope that illnesses will come and go quickly and not leave behind any secondary long-term symptoms.  Hope of limited hospitalizations or at least quick ones and enough recovery time between the next one.  Hope that the decisions that are being made are the best ones not only for the moment but for whatever the foreseeable future looks like.  Hope that going to sleep will result in waking up.  Hope that the days are filled with more calmness than turmoil.  Hope for the best-case scenario. And dare I say, at some points even possibly hope for a cure.

There came a time eventually when hope became dismal.  When the real hope of life ever becoming normal, different, or potentially something other than what it was really meant to be was no longer in view.  When I realized that what I hope for can't be anything long-term because days became obviously numbered and all there was, was a new perspective on hope.  Hope has always been an abstract concept, but it now turned into something ungraspable because I won't ever learn if my hope is being achieved.  I can't ever receive confirmation because instead of hoping for my child to be "cured", or for her life to be significantly easier, or for her to be seizure-free, or for her to speak her first word, or for her to do any of the many things that her body was deprived of due to a lack of a functioning CDKL5 gene, I am now simply hoping she is resting in peace.  

There is no more hope for a cure when you start to live life after CDKL5.  There is sadness for all the CDKL5 siblings left behind as they continue to suffer.  There is extreme empathy for those families receiving a new diagnosis, but there is less of a care or emphasis for any sort of cure for something that doesn't matter because it cannot and will not bring my child back.  Maybe that is selfish.  Maybe it is just a moment in my grief journey.  Maybe it is just the cold hard truth.  I am no longer able to hope and dream of any positive potential for Sonzee.  There are no more hopes for walking together and hearing about her day or what her dreams are.  All I am left to do is hope to dream of my dead child, continue hoping she is safe, and hope that after I die I really will be reunited with her.    

CDKL5 Awareness Day 2019

2015 was the very first year that today became "a day" in our house.  The very first June 17 we all wore CDKL5 shirts and we hung balloons on the CDKL5 awareness yard sign that was placed at the edge of our yard.  We had only known what life with CDKL5 was for technically 4 months and 6 days but really only for the previous 7 weeks after we first learned that CDKL5 WAS the reason behind Sonzee's lack of eye contact, her lack of ability to hold up her head, her lack of ability to give a social smile or to roll, and the reason why she was constantly seizing.  Since that very first June 17 I have always struggled with this day, staring at a blank blog screen but eventually figuring out the best way for me to give homage to a day I rather not know exists.

My biggest struggle with this day is that my brain is conflicted on what the purpose of this day should be.  I wonder if I am supposed to give a little more insight into what exactly life with CDKL5 really is.  I wonder if I should share statistics of the prevalence of CDKL5.  Then I wonder if it is better for me to not say too much, after all, there is surely a newly pregnant friend of mine scrolling through facebook who certainly does not want to know that such a life like this does exist and could happen to them.  I wonder how much I should share as far as how much Sonzee struggles or post one of her seizure videos that inevitably gets cut off at the 10-minute video mark because that is all the seizure tracker app allows.  I wonder if any part of this actually makes a difference to anyone who is not living this life and if so what type?

Bringing awareness to CDKL5 doesn't help prevent the diagnosis occurring to the projected 2 currently undiagnosed families wondering why their child is experiencing seizures, delays, and or difficulties each week.  It doesn't change the fact that based on the projected rate of incidence there are thought to be 30,000 individuals living with CDKL5, with the "official" diagnosed count between 2,000-3,000.  Knowing about CDKL5 does not change that 1:40,000-60,000 births will result in a new baby joining the family. 

Wearing lime green, a CDKL5 child's "team" shirt or some article of clothing with CDKL5 most likely won't bring about questions or do much to strangers walking by, yet all of us families essentially beg others to do so for us.  When you stumble across one of those requests you might continue to scroll by, thankfully it does not really apply to you, and luckily you dodged this really awful bullet.

As I sort through my emotions about awareness and balance out the ups and downs of this roller coaster of a journey, I am left with the feelings of respect and honor.  Today is a day that some of us will always love to hate and or hate to love, but regardless of which, we will shout about CDKL5 from the rooftops to anyone who says even one word to us.  It is a day to simply be aware of all that those of us with a child diagnosed with a CDKL5 diagnosis have lost but simultaneously gained.  It is 24 hours devoted to so many people coming together due to an unfortunate common bond as we try to do something, anything, whatever it is we can to try and make our children's lives the best they can possibly be.  And so to that I say, please help us spread awareness of CDKL5.  Please help us get our stories heard so we can continue research efforts to maybe one day, hopefully during our children's lives, bring about some sort of permanent formal seizure control, and or some type of way for them to make-up all the milestones that they continue to miss.  If for no other reason, please help support us on our journey as we simply parent children who could have very easily been yours.

But just because

As we finished our three day holiday weekend, my older kiddos and I sat on the couch deciding what book I would read to them.  I have an Alice in Wonderland series from my childhood and originally I grabbed that.  Naturally, that opened the way to my son announcing it was "girlie", and my oldest daughter wanting me to read a "Babysitter's Club" book instead, and me saying "It's not girlie, and no we aren't reading the Babysitter's club".  As I opened the book to begin reading my son ran excitedly over to me, handed me "The Phantom Tollbooth", and I said, "Oh, yes, this will be great".

I have to admit I have always known about this book, but honestly have never read it, so part of my desire to oblige my son completely came from the fact that I wanted to read this.  So the four of us sat down together and I began to read.  As I turned each page and read the words I kept thinking how amazingly quotable this book is.  It seemed as if every other line was one I wanted to burn into my mind to reference at a future point. Some of the phrases were cute, some made me chuckle, and others I felt spoke to me in a different way.  We only got 4 chapters in when it was time for the kids to get ready for bed, but I knew there was a quote I had not come across that somehow would be the perfect quote for me to relate to Sonzee.

I posted a picture on Sonya's Facebook page and mentioned how I had hoped Sonzee wouldn't have another seizure but of course within 10 minutes of posting that my hopes were dismantled.  During the 10th day of CDKL5 Awareness month, during neither her first nor most likely last 13+ minute seizure of the day, my mind wandered.   Should I post one of her seizures? Does posting one actually brings more awareness or just bring about pity?  If I posted it would people even want to watch it? I am pretty sure those of us who have to, would much rather not.  If people watch the video would someone comment about our lack of giving her a rescue med 2 minutes in?  I responded in my mind to that comment with the blatant fact that rescue meds do not stop her seizures any quicker than her body chooses to finish them and inevitably within 4-5 hours another one would occur again.  

Returning back from "seizure land", I was wondering if it was time to email her epileptologist and ask for the new medication titration schedule.  Feeling all sorts of weight from watching her endure all that she just had and not even feeling a glimmer of hope that we would ever stop her from this sort of suffering I came across the most clarifying quote.  Maybe CDKL5 won't ever be a string of characters that is known to everyone or will make the daily news in every city, in every state, in ever country, or on every continent.  Maybe there won't ever be a child with a CDKL5 mutation who makes it onto Ellen or is born to a world figure, actor, or famous athlete.  Maybe seizure control or the ability to be more typical won't ever be in Sonzee's cards, and Maybe finding a cure for CDKL5 won't, sadly, fall during her lifetime...

"A cure"

This slide has been popping up all over my news feed from the CDKL5 conference this past weekend.  I do not know why specifically, but every time I see it pop up it sends my inner core into fight or flight and instant anxiety ensues.  I know that if I had been present and had all the information regarding the context of this slide I would most likely feel less threatened by such words, but as it stands, I just feel "vulnerable" to the potential of hope it should elicit.

After the 6th time I saw this image I turned to Sam and asked him why I was so angry over it.  It was and does give me such a strong negative feeling in the pit of my stomach, and I wish I could read it with the excitement of those who posted it.  I am unsure of the exact reasoning, but while trying to focus on a calming game of Sudoku, I couldn't squelch the numerous questions that came into my mind.  Firstly, is this really a cure for ALL of our children who have a CDKL5 mutation or will it only work for some?  Will Sonzee be alive in 2025?  Is it even possible to really cure a genetic mutation?  What would a cure actually look like?  Who presented this slide?  Does the presenter have a child with a CDKL5 mutation and if not, do they understand the weight that these words carry? and What really is the meaning behind the words on this slide?

It has, is, and always will be a challenge for me to truly embrace the words hope.  I wish I could say the word and actually believe in it.  I wish I could allow myself to be open to the idea of what hope represents, and allow myself to be vulnerable to every component.  I wish I was not so afraid, but that is really what it comes down to.  A bottom of the barrel, crippling, scary, dark, deeply rooted seed of fear that throws up this clear Plexiglas wall so that I can see what is on the other side, but am unable to be part of it.  I want to believe, I want to have hope, but I do not want to be hurt, I do not want to be crushed, and I do not want to be disappointed.  After all, this isn't about hoping for the sun to shine on a rainy day, this is about my 3 year old not suffering, potentially becoming a functioning member of society, and me not having to come to terms with the fact that I will most likely be burying her at some point in my life.

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Dear seizures

Dear seizures, 

I have been penning this letter for some time, waiting for the moment that I had enough courage to express accurately my dislike, anger, and overall hatred for you.  I hope this note reaches you when you least expect it, when you are relaxing from your long day of atrocious hard work, after you are finally settling in to rest and you are completely unaware of what is about to come at you.  I hope you are shaken to the core and completely sucker punched; you know, similar to what you do daily to my 17-month-old daughter and ALL of the children that suffer from the sudden abnormal electrical activity you love to share.

You are simply unrelenting as we, the defenders, play a delicate game of "walk the tight rope", balancing between medicating enough to maybe put you at bay and keeping our daughter's essence alive.  You have taken so much already from our daughter that your continued presence simply sickens me.  Each second of every episode that you infiltrate my daughter's beautiful body is another second I spend loathing your mere existence.  Today, alone, that was approximately 900 seconds.  That is 15 minutes of my life I spent feeling utterly helpless, fighting back tears with my heart torn into pieces watching as you took over the body of a helpless child.  It is so beyond frustrating and challenging to find the accurate words to express to you the complete and utter disdain I have for you.  I wish you were tangible so I could find you and give you the reciprocity you so deserve.  

I wish there was a magic potion I could find that would make you vanish from this world so no other parent, caregiver, sibling, or person in general has to witness what I do on a daily basis.  Most importantly, I wish there was a remedy mainly so no person has to succumb to the negative power you possess.  Too many parents have watched you take pieces of their children away from them far too often.  Too many parents have watched you literally suck the life out of their child.  Too many parents have you to thank for the disabilities their children experience and the daily struggles they endure.  Too much heartache and too many tears have been wasted because of you!

What I want you to know is that despite all the negativity you represent, and all the hurdles you place in my way my mission will remain constant and I WILL NEVER QUIT.

I will never give up the fight for a cure to stop your electrical misfiring.  You should spend each moment in constant fear that TODAY will be your LAST seizure.  You should live in a constant state of panic and worry that you will be obsolete from existence and that your damage will NEVER continue.  You should never get to the point that you feel you are a match to every drug manufactured, because my daughter and every other child and person who deals with you on a daily basis is far more resilient.  Most importantly, what you should remember is that every person you are attacking has a momma bear on the defense, and so my friend, you are the one whose days are numbered.

Good luck, 

From a fierce unrelenting momma bear warrior whose life mission is to eradicate you

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A slump resulting in A CALL TO ACTION

Growing up I was always the athletic type.  I participated in pretty much every sport that was offered in whatever location we were living.  Softball ultimately became my game of choice.  I find it comical that my least favorite sport to watch is professional baseball, but I digress.  Softball was my thing.  I mainly pitched or was the short stop.  When it came time to my position at bat, it was typically 4th.  My nickname as well as the word written on the back of my shirt was "slugger".  The sport of softball and I clicked.  It was something I had a natural ability for, but at the same time I still had to practice religiously.  There were times that I struggled with my game and found myself in a hitting slump.  

I wish I remembered exactly how I worked my way out of those times.  That would definitely prove to be valuable information to me these days as I find myself in a constant fog.  The adjective I would use to describe my disposition...  "A slump".

I feel my overall performance level is well below expectations.  This is trickling over into every aspect of my life.  I feel inadequate as a mom as I am short tempered and I do not feel like I am giving all of the kids my undivided attention.  That part alone feels nearly impossible.  My mind is constantly racing; there is no way that my attention could be anything but divided.

As far as climbing out of the rock bottom pit we have been in in regards to Sonzee's health and development...it seems that challenge will be never-ending.  When I think she is on the mend, something random comes unexpectedly and knocks her back.  I wish things would get easier for her and stay that way.

In regards to my blog posts I feel like my slump is related more to the simple fact that I just do not feel like I have many uplifting words to share.  I want so badly to have words of wisdom and a nice little fortune cookie type of message that people walk away from the screen feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside from reading.  I just do not feel like I have that type of stamina in me these days.  I try to abide by the "fake it, til you make it" type of approach...but the amount of energy it requires to simply "fake it" is even beyond my current capabilities.

In terms of Sonya's Story and raising awareness and finding a cure for CDKL5, it feels as if we have hit a roadblock of sorts.  While this blog provides a source of much needed therapeutic comfort, my main goal is for us to help bring awareness to CDKL5 at a significantly higher level.  We need the character string of CDKL5 to be known by MORE than just the children and families whom are personally impacted.  We need to reach farther out of our inner circles and get the disorder out there.  CDKL5 is important, our children are important!

ALL the children of CDKL5 need US to help them find a cure.  This is not just about Sonzee.  This is about bringing awareness for ALL of her CDKL5 siblings.  This is about helping CDKL5 gain momentum so more money can be raised, so more research can be completed, so children do NOT have to suffer, and so children do NOT have to die.  So families of these children do NOT have to suffer.  So NO ONE has to suffer due to CDKL5.   

For those of you on twitter our handle is @SonyasStory and please fill your twitter feed with #CURECDKL5, #CDKL5, or any other hashtag with CDKL5 on it.  For those of you on Facebook share this blog post and our journey.  For those of you with any type of media connection, sports connection, music connection, any connection...PLEASE CONNECT US!!!  Please help us tell Sonya's Story and that of her CDKL5 brothers and sisters!!!!  

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What if?

In the morning on the day we were about to learn of the cause of Sonya's seizures, my mother walked into my bedroom with her eye shadow case in one hand and the brush in the other.  She looked at me and said "You told me if you knew the cause of Sonya's seizures you would be fine, that you just needed to know what you were dealing with, right?" My reply, "Yes, I just need to know", and she said "Okay, then soon you will know".

The first two weeks after we found out were pretty grim over here.  Sam and I both handled the information in different ways, as two different people with different personalities and different upbringings tend to do.  Me...I am the type that once I learn of something, I make a plan, follow the plan, and move on...I don't sit around dwelling, and I don't try and change things.  For me...Sonya has a mutation on her CDKL5 gene, great we know this is why she is having seizures, now let's move on.  As for Sam...well he is a fixer.  I think a lot of guys can relate to that.

So here we are...two people dealing with the same obstacle in different ways.  Neither one of us in my opinion is "right" or "wrong" for how we are handling things.  I personally find it "therapeutic" to spend my time diving into therapies and working on making Sonya reach her fullest potential.  I find each session to be rewarding in its own way, and I find that it makes me feel like I am actually doing something.  I cannot control the situation, this I know...I won't even begin to fool myself into thinking I can, so providing opportunities for Sonya to flourish is my perogative.  Sam finds it therapeutic to research countless articles, speak with parents of other kiddos with CDKL5 mutations, find out what drug trials are around if any.  He continues to see if he will be the one who can find a possible might be SOLUTION.

Yesterday Sam and I began our typical evening discussion of all things CDKL5.  We were talking about how Sam trying to find cures is great but in my opinion I like to work on the here and now...the current situation, not to the "dreamland".  He wants to focus on the future because what if there is a cure, what if he is a necessary component, a vital piece of the puzzle in solving CDKL5 and that is why Sonya was diagnosed.  So we continued our discussion and it led to the following.

"Nothing in life comes risk free.  Hypothetically speaking...a cure is found for CDKL5 and with this cure Sonya will have an increased QUALITY of life far better than anything she will have with all the therapies in the world but we are told, "Sonya will be cured but the side effect of the drug is that it decreases her lifespan....

IS IT WORTH IT?  WOULD YOU DO IT?"