Can you spot Reagh?

Head is spinning....

We had gotten news on Friday that we weren't expecting that has led us to rethink everything now.  We are hoping to get some clarification tomorrow but for some reason I don't think we will get the answers we are hoping for.  We have gone through so much along this journey...some devastating new.....some life changing moments.  I would love to be able to positive about everything but I know that nothing is for sure.  So now we wait and see.... something that I don't do well at.

Meeting Reagh

The craziness begins...

I almost for got how crazy you can become trying to get all the paper work in order for your adoption process.  The excitement of the future rushes through you and all you can think about that little one that is waiting for you.  It brings tears in my eyes just thinking of what steps that we are about to embark on.  This journey started so long ago and it never in a million years thought that it would happen.  I know that we are in the early stages and anything can really happen at this point.....but in my heart I can't stop loving this unknown baby to us.  I know that I should try to keep thinking more with my head on this rather then leading this journey with my heart.  This has been our dream, our journey....and our family.

I was told that our adopting a child was such a gift for them.....I look at it as it's such a wonderful gift it's giving us.  That we get the chance to have them in our lives for the rest of their lives.  What a gift that is.  Our son has taught me to open my heart completely.  He's helped me heal my heart that had been torn up for so long.  He has made me believe that miracles do happen.

So now we fill out forms and gather documents for our next miracle to happen.  I know it won't be a short journey and there will be hurdles only the way....but what a journey it will be.

Wordless Wednesday

Reagh was Diagnosed with G6PD

What is G6PD Deficiency

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What is G6PD Deficiency (English)

• What is G6PD Deficiency (and its severe case called Favism)

  G6PD Deficiency is a hereditary abnormality in the activity of an erythrocyte (red blood cell) enzyme. This enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), is essential for assuring a normal life span for red blood cells, and for oxidizing processes. This enzyme deficiency may provoke the sudden destruction of red blood cells and lead to hemolytic anemia with jaundice following the intake of fava beans, certain legumes and various drugs (see a complete list of drugs and foodstuffs to avoid).

  The defect is sex-linked, transmitted from mother (usually a healthy carrier) to son (or daughter, who would be a healthy carrier too; see a diagram of inheritance probabilities). This is due to the fact that the structure of G-6-PD is carried on the X chromosome: As stated by Ernest Beutler, M.D., "in females, only one of the two X chromosomes in each cell is active; consequently, female heterozygotes for G-6-PD deficiency have two populations of red cells; deficient cells and normal cells."

  The deficit is most prevalent in Africa (affecting up to 20% of the population), but is common also around the Mediterranean (4% - 30%) and southeast Asia. Please note that there are more than 400 genetic variants of the deficiency. You can determine whether you are G-6-PD deficient by a simple blood test. To determine your variant, you must test yourself at specialized genetic labs.

• The symptoms

  • Sudden rise of body temperature and yellow coloring of skin and mucous membrane.
  • Dark yellow-orange urine.
  • Pallor, fatigue, general deterioration of physical conditions.
  • Heavy, fast breathing.
  • Weak, rapid pulse.

• Risks

  With G-6-PD deficiency you can have a perfectly normal life, provided you avoid the drugs and foodstuffs included in our To Avoid list. It is therefore of great importance to learn whether you or your baby suffer from the deficiency, so that you can watch your diet and drug intake, and warn your physician or pediatrician.

• What to do in case of hemolytic crisis

  1. Upon detecting the symptoms listed above, you should either call your physician or pediatrician, or go directly to the nearest hospital. Avoid the intake of any drugs.
  2. You would most probably be requested to list all foodstuffs and drugs taken in the preceding 48 hours, so try to recall and list them.

• Tips for parents

  Any boy suffering from Favism should be informed of his deficiency so he can help himself avoid the intake of the forbidden foodstuff in various situations where he is not under your supervision (such as school). You should also inform school supervisors and, where applicable, also the school caterers who provide school lunch. Best is to carry with you the To Avoid list and show it to all those who may treat your boy.

• Can it be cured?

  The best therapy is simply to avoid the prohibited drugs and foodstuffs. In case of a hemolytic crisis, the most effective therapy is blood transfusion. In milder cases of the deficiency, transfusion is usually not required. But in others, where the rate of hemolysis is very rapid (as in all persons suffering from Favism), "transfusions of whole blood or packed cells may be useful" (Ernest Beutler, MD). In areas where G-6-PD deficiency is common, care must be taken to avoid giving G-6-PD deficient blood to the patient.

When love takes you in.....

I know you’ve heard the stories 

But they all sound too good to be true 

You’ve heard about a place called home 

But there doesn’t seem to be one for you 

So one more night you cry yourself to sleep 

And drift off to a distant dream

Where love takes you in and everything changes 

A miracle starts with the beat of a heart 

When love takes you home and says you belong here 

The loneliness ends and a new life begins 

When love takes you in

And somewhere while you’re sleeping 

Someone else is dreaming too 

Counting down the days until 

They hold you close and say I love you 

And like the rain that falls into the sea 

In a moment what has been is lost in what will be

When love takes you in everything changes 

A miracle starts with the beat of a heart

And this love will never let you go 

There is nothing that could ever

cause this love to lose its hold

When love takes you in everything changes 

A miracle starts with the beat of a heart 

When love takes you home and says you belong here 

The loneliness ends and a new life begins 

When love takes you in it takes you in for good 

When love takes you in

Our little boy has changed my life forever.  The song sums up everything on our journey to him.  Looking at pictures of our journey there still brings tears to my eyes.  He's gone through so much a in his short little life to be apart of our little family.  He amazes me everyday on how far he's come this past year.  Through this journey I never thought how much this little boy will change my life forever.  He has made me believe that miracles can happen.  It was a very long hard road to have a family and as much as I wanted to give up I knew there was a little one out there that was waiting for us.  I love you Reagh.  

To My Son

© Amy R. Campbell

Oh how the years go by,
Oh how time can certainly fly.
From once just a thought in far away dreams,
now into my arms and in my eyes gleam
the presence of you.
Your laughter and smiles
which go on for miles,
warms my heart and soul.
You're growing up so fast,
as I wish each moment with you to last forever. 
My little boy will someday be a man
and right by your side I will forever stand.
I will pick up the pieces when you fall,
I will hold your hand and help you stand tall.
And when the day comes when you are on your own,
never feel that you are alone.
No matter how near or far apart
I am always right there in your heart.
Always remember whatever you go through
that no matter what, I will always love you.

Take a moment....

Slow down mummy, there is no need to rush,
slow down mummy, what is all the fuss?
Slow down mummy, make yourself a cup tea.
Slow down mummy, come and spend some time with me.

Slow down mummy, let's put our boots on and go out for a walk,
let's kick at piles of leaves, and smile and laugh and talk.
Slow down mummy, you look ever so tired,
come sit and snuggle under the duvet and rest with me a while.

Slow down mummy, those dirty dishes can wait,
slow down mummy, let's have some fun, let's bake a cake!
Slow down mummy I know you work a lot,
but sometimes mummy, its nice when you just stop.

Sit with us a minute,
& listen to our day,
spend a cherished moment,
because our childhood is not here to stay!

Rebekah.Knight (c)2011

He was chosen....

Forgot to thank.....

With all the excitement of having Reagh with us for the last year....I forgot to send out a special thank you.  I have to take a moment and Thank Reagh's birth mother.  Without her we wouldn't have such an amazing son.  She has given us the most precious gift anyone could give someone.  THANK YOU!

A year ago today!

Hard to believe a year ago today we got to hold this little boy in our arms first time.  He has changed our lives for the better.  I still can't believe that we got so lucky to have him in our lives.  He's perfect match to our little family. 

A year ago.......

 A month ago.....

Under Construction.

My blog is going through some changes.  I hope to have it completed this week.  I hope that everyone had a great weekend.

New look for a new adventure?

I'm thinking that my blog needs a face lift.   I'm wanting to start the new year off with a new fresh look for our next adventure.  As we mentioned in a previous post we are starting the process of our second adoption.          
We have finally decided that we would go with Ethiopia.  We are excited about where our next adventure will take us as a family.

So that takes me back to why I think we need a new look on my blog. I'm not sure what to make the style be but I know we will come up with something fresh and fun!  If you have any suggestions please drop a message on what you think our page should look like.