I haven't posted for a while as all I seem to have for you guys is our continuing story of recovery. I feel I should be telling you about the latest vintage treasure I have found or the blankets I have planned in my head. This blog though has a purpose and that purpose is to document our journey as a family and at the minute that journey is still one through Kitty's recovery. Our recovery as a family and as individuals.
Six months ago today, 13th April 2011, Kitty had her life saving, and living changing, surgery. Six months ago today her sisters finally saw her after 3 days of us being separated. Six months ago today we knew we had a second chance at life with Kitty and knew we had to make that life make a difference. Six months ago the lovely Mr Craigie removed a solitary jejunal haemangioma. A tiny little thing that has made such a big difference to our lives.
The photo shows the cause of all Kitty's bleeding.A tiny little blemish she had probably had since birth.It was stunned by the water and the surgeons managed to get a really clear shot of it. The jejunum is only about 4cm in diameter so you can see that the haemangioma was actually very small compared to the big effect it had. It's no wonder that her first surgeon couldn't find it in the metres of intestine he carefully looked through. It really was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Without the CT scan there would have been no way of knowing where it was.
This tiny thing that could have been the source of great sorrow has in fact be the source of new beginnings and fresh hope. In that life changing experience I learnt so much about myself and others. I came out of it knowing that I had to give back. Not only by fundraising for the place that saved her but also by helping families in similar situations.
Over the next 4-5 years I am going to be volunteering in the healthcare service. Supporting children and families who find themselves in potentially life changing situations. My ultimate goal is to retrain as a Play Specialist. It could take as long as 6 years for me to build up the necessary qualifications and experience but I am excited at the prospect of giving back. Before Kitty's Story began I was more than happy to be a stay at home mum but now I feel I have something more to offer. I almost feel like I would be failing as a mother if I didn't help others. Hopefully the little things I do will make a big difference to someone else's life.