Garrett, only a few days old
Giving Thanks
This time of year our thoughts turn to turkey, cornbread stuffing, pumpkin pie, family and friends. While it’s true in the USA we have much to be thankful for, some of us have more to be thankful for than others. This year, I’m in that category.
This past January, my husband, Michael, and I were blessed with our second grandson, Garrett. You’re probably thinking, another proud grandma, so what’s different about this story. Well, the difference is when he was only ten days old, we almost lost him. If not for prayers and a doctor that remembered textbook symptoms of a unique disease, this Thanksgiving could have looked a lot different.
Born with a rare genetic condition called galactosemia, Garrett’s condition caught everyone off guard. With only two children born in NC each year with this condition, it’s so rare, most people, including doctors and nurses, have never heard of it.
Having baffling symptoms, Garrett was admitted to the hospital on a Thursday, but it took until Sunday for a possible diagnosis. After the diagnosis, doctors began to explain the condition.
Most people have two genes that break down sugars, while some people like my daughter, Kristin, and her husband, Brian, only have one. Having one is not a problem, but having none is. Unfortunately, because Garrett inherited from each of his parents the one gene that doesn’t break down sugars, he has none, thus galactosemia.
A few months ago, a reporter for the Milwaukee Sentinel, Ellen Gabler, emailed Kristin for an interview about Garrett. Ellen said she had been investigating newborn screenings across the country and through that research had discovered baby screenings are sometimes delayed due to forms and records being sent through the mail, instead of electronically or courier. For Garrett, that meant a delay of at least four days. Ellen wondered if these delays could have been prevented.
Not only because Garrett has galactosemia, but also because he was extremely sick in the hospital, doctors aren’t sure of the long term effects for him. Sometimes there can be delays in speech or motor skills, but we are hopeful. There’s no doubt Garrett’s one of the happiest babies I’ve ever seen. Even when he feels bad, he still looks up and smiles.
We as a family know how lucky and blessed we are to celebrate Thanksgiving this year with Garrett. How about you? What do you have to be thankful for?
Leave a comment, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com.
To read Ellen’s column in the Milwaukee Sentinel, click here for the link.
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
