New Comers

I have had a great deal of traffic on my blog. I haven't kept up with it as much as I should but a mom of three its hard and I started school a few months back so that is also taking my extra hours of my day. Many have messaged me on here and on facebook to give us their thoughts and prayers. Some don't know about Aidan's story. Even though it's on the first page I would like to give his story again to the new people so they do not have to search for it. Aidan was born on Oct 2009. He did not have the greatest birth experience I guess you would say. I am not Aidan's birth mother. She had some troubles and she had issues with drugs. She did use them through her pregnancy but we were glad that when he was born he did not have it in his system and he did not express any withdraws. He weighed 4 lbs when he was born but he was already a fighter coming out. He didn't need any oxygen or anything. He was released in the care of the maternal grandmother. Make long story short when Aidan was 5 months old I had the opportunity to care for Aidan. We thought it would be temporary but in September 2010 we got fully custody of Aidan. Aidan had many delays and we just thought he would be okay. Starting in March 2011 everything changed for our family. Aidan had a very high fever and we took him to the doctor. We just thought he might have a virus or something. He got a shot of antibiotics and prescriptions and was sent home. I laid him down for a nap. For some reason I had this thought to go check on him. I walked into his room and in his crib he was seizing (did not know this at the time though). Called 911 took a ride to the hospital. They told me it was a febrile seizure. They gave him some iv fluids and antibiotics. He started to look and feel better so they sent us home. He started to throw up. Stephen and me woke up every three hours to give him medicine. He started throwing up and keeping no medicine down. Around noon the next day I told my husband this isn't right he isn't getting any better. I couldn't keep his fevers down and I just felt hopeless. We went to the children's urgent care. They tried to keep his fever down and gave him medicine but nothing would take. They took us by ambulance to the children's hospital in Atlanta. He had a spinal tap done and many many other tests. We were there for a week. He started to be feel better. They said that he probably just had a virus.  But to see a stomach doctor because his liver enzymes were up but should be down in six weeks. We thought we were in the clear. We went to the doctor and they took blood. They said they would call in a few days and it should be okay. They were wrong they were very very high. We got sent to a liver specialist. They couldn't figure out what was wrong. He seemed fine but his levels were outrageous. They called me on a friday said they want many doctors to look at him so they are going to admit him at the hospital. That Monday morning we go to get admitted. We saw many many doctors. He had a liver biopsy and a muscle biopsy. They had a idea that he had a genetic muscle problem but still didn't know. Finally almost 6 months later we get a diagnosis Aidan has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Our world shattered We didn't know what to think, how to function, or what to even do at this point. We have never heard of this disease. We heard of Muscular Dystrophy but not this type. Aidan was with me when I received the news. I didn't cry in front of him. I just tried to be strong. That night we put the kids to bed. I sobbed like I never did before. He was my baby. My strong little boy and why for a boy that has been through so much has to deal with this the rest of his life. Next day I felt like I got hit by a truck. It started to get better, Instead of crying everyday it began to be every other day and so on. Now I do still have bad days but they are far in between. Aidan has been through many things but one thing he always has a smile on his face. We did adopt Aidan in November 2012. That was the greatest day for my husband and me and the family. Each day we keep on fighting for a cure. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. It is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy.

DMD is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. Symptom onset is in early childhood, usually between ages 3 and 5. The disease primarily affects boys, but in rare cases it can affect girls.

Old out in with the New!

I am in the process of making a new video. It is actually harder now for me. When I first did one it was like therapy. I might have been numb but now seeing him and seeing him grown into this magical little boy shows how much we need a cure! Aidan,   Mommy, Daddy, Jacob and Minnie love you and so glad you came into our family. Please watch our video I made a little over a year ago!


Aidan's Journey

Busy, Busy, Busy

                   Ever since the adoption we have been really busy doing so many things. We have been over joyed because of the adoption. Now when we say Aidan Lee its really Aidan Lee! That feeling is the best feeling ever oh and also knowing that no one can ever take my son away. Now I have a few problems with his medicaid and certain things but hopefully everything will be okay. We are taking the kiddos to Disney for Christmas. They are really excited! We are fortunate that we can afford to go this year. We have been trying to save and cut some things like i.e. mommy wants new flooring. One thing at a time. I got some sweet messages from some fellow DMD parents and some family that gave me encouraging words about what I did for Aidan. Stephen and me are very blessed to be able to adopt Aidan. He is an added pride and joy for our family. We weren't saying no to a third child but we didn't really make a decision about it but God had other plans for us. The reason I am a strong willed woman is because of one woman and I want you to know about her. Her name is Michelle but to me her name is MOM. My Step Dad and my mom started their lives without kids. We all moved out and they were traveling and enjoy life without responsibilities. That all changed. There were some circumstances that I will not go into but they were faced with three children that needed them. It was their grandchildren. My mom and step dad decided to take in these children and raise them. They didn't do it out of duty. They did it out of love. At first I think they had a period of adjusting with no children from not having young kids. (I'm the youngest and I was 20 at the time). They have raised these three kids for the past five years now but that's all the kids know is this life. Its not poor kids It's what great kids they are. I am strong because my parents show me that anything is possible and you put others before you. We didn't have to raise Aidan. We choose to do what we needed to do and what we wanted to do. We are faced with decisions every day and some times we take the wrong ones but the good ones are that much sweeter.



This is the sweet part

ADOPTION

We are finally here. I am not sure how to describe how happy and feel accomplished on Aidan's adoption. It was a long wrong but a great ending. Aidan's name was changed and he is now
Aidan Lee Cabe. He took my husband's middle name. Here is some highlight pictures on that so special day!

Aidan looking at mommy!

This is my sweet baby boy

For Christmas I got to be a CABE

Adoption Certificate 

Aidan's trip to Ohio

We got no news but hey thats good news to us right? He had several tests done. He had a ekg, echo, and ability test. He did pretty well. He only cried a little. They did recommend steriods on the weekends for Aidan. Stephen and me discussed it over and over and right now we have decided no. We might change our minds later but right now we are not okay with it. He is still our baby. We have a new date for the adoption but I am not posting until it absoutely goes through. I do not want another upset because court cannot get it together! We will be going back to Ohio in November 2013 and they will start some more extensive testing. Right now Aidan is doing well. A few bumps some days but we get through them. He is enjoying school and of course still wrestling with his brother. We are very hopeful for the upcoming year and before you know it we will be having another MDA walk a thon. So get ready everyone!!!!

  Aidan's Echo(he was watching the Cars Movie)

  Aidan's EKG my poor baby crying :-(

The Next Day

Everyday through the week I do something that is productive with DMD. I do not try to research on the weekends because I have noticed it will change my mood if I do. I try to make the weekends about family! Every time I have an appointment or something to do with DMD I am okay when I do it. I feel like its a mission and need to get these things accomplished but the NEXT day I feel like I got hit by a truck. It's a wave of emotions. It is getting easier as the months go on since Aidan's diagnosis but the hurt never goes away. I know I am stronger than I was a year ago. I know I am better person than a year ago but I still feel the aftermath of doing things. I know I am doing what I can at this moment for Aidan but I have to realize I need to take things slow sometimes and not rush or stress about things so much! Aidan is doing well. He still hates his leg splints and we are going back to the doctor to get them fixed. In a week we are going back to Ohio to Nationwide's Hospital and see his doctor. I am excited, stress, and have anxiety all in one. This time my husband, Stephen, is going so it will be good for him to hear what the doctors have to say. I know part of him feels that I am a crazy over protective mom sometimes. lol.

Mommy needs to stop with the videos! lol

This video was to his nanny!