No sooner than a baby is conceived, parents and close family start weaving their dreams around it. How would it look like, a girl or a boy, what kind of a person will she grow into and so on. We all have our image of a perfect baby, the perfect child. He is an embodiment of our dreams and aspirations.
We were ecstatic when we found out that I was carrying twins. Images of fun filled laughter, two little babies gamboling together, two pairs of little feet running around the house, filled our minds. We often watched twin videos on YouTube, tickled at the thought that this fun would soon be ours. When Abeer and Anvay were born – we often wondered how they would turn out as teenagers, as young adults. Abeer, the attitude kid, looked set to become a Rockstar and Anvay, with his perfectly proportioned body was going to be our super model. We would imagine the two boys and their same aged cousin, in their early twenties, having the time of their lives.
But now I am not so sure if these images would ever become reality. Because unknown to us, while we celebrated the birth of our twins, Anvay sustained brain damage. Anvay, the healthier twin, who was not even a likely candidate, had sustained brain damage. I have no clue, what happened in the two minutes that separated their birth, that led to this. Their birth was apparently normal (even though premature). The doctors did not find any anomaly at birth. In fact, they did not even do an MRI when Anvay was discharged (which they did on Abeer) from the hospital – I am assuming because nobody expected what had happened.
The news that your baby is damaged is devastating to any parent. Devastating is actually an understatement. It rocks the very foundations of where they stand. All the dreams, hopes and desires come crashing down. The process of grieving begins. Yes, it is grieving. You grieve for what could have been, what should have been and why it isn’t what should have been. The parent grieves for the loss of the perfect child, the imagined child. A parent will typically go through all the stages of grieving – denial, anger, bargaining, grief, and eventual acceptance. I recently read a blog from a parent who writes about grieving for a child she has not lost.
So how did I react? I like to believe I am stoic. And I am, to the extent of being able to control my emotions outwardly. I took the news as normally as possible – showing concern, but able to hide the panic. Reading pages after pages on his condition and internalising all the good and bad scenarios. I managed to harden myself to the extent of being able to talk about it without losing composure. I told a few friends/colleagues – but I opened my mouth only when the instinct to break down had been pushed down to the depths of my gut. I can proudly say that I managed to explain his condition as objectively as possible. The discussions with the neurologist were kept as matter of fact as possible – even humourous. I was fine, I was in control.
But grief has a way of coming out. You hold it tightly at one end, it will slip out from another. I remember watching Dunkirk and suddenly noticed my tears were flowing – it had nothing to do with the movie. Sometime on a plane – watching Hello Zindagi, I discovered my face was all teared up. I can’t remember the number of times I have cried sitting in the backseat of my car, safe in the knowledge that my driver doesn’t have eyes in his head. I learnt to let the tears flow. I had to. They needed to come out, for us to be able to move ahead and plan for Anvay’s recovery, with a clear head.
Anvay was 6 months old (corrected age 4 months), when his pediatrician said that his muscle tone is high. It made no sense to me. He then went on to say something about spasticity – which rang a bell in my mind. Spastic? Does that not mean mentally retarded? (it does not) I was immediately horrified and the image of a helpless, mentally retarded child went through my mind. And laughably, one of my first thoughts was whether he would ‘look’ normal. That, really is the least of my concerns.
Once we got the MRI done, we got a confirmed diagnosis of PVL – a form of white matter damage in the brain. Our pediatrician (he is a great guy) told us not to worry. He had seen many cases, where children with PVL after initial years of struggle went on to lead perfectly normal lives. Though he was concerned about his CVI – which is a visual impairment where the eyes can see but the brain cannot perceive. But when we found out that Anvay was also having seizures, also known as infantile spasms, he sounded pessimistic for the first time. And that I think also finally sagged my spirits.
However, there is hope. His spasms seem to have been mild and were treated within one month. They have not recurred since and we have our fingers crossed till he turns two. He is improving – albeit slowly – but that is expected. He is rolling now, holding things in his hand and the other day, he ate a biscuit on his own. Every little step he takes is a cause for great happiness. He is a very happy baby and has the loveliest smile – it makes our day when he smiles at us. His naughty little personality has also started to shine through!
I talked about our dreams crashing. But I had also started the new year with a new hope. We are rebuilding our dreams. I believe in the human spirit – that it can rise up to any challenge and overcome it. I am sure Anvay and we will find a way. If one door closes, there are many others waiting to open – we just need to be willing to look for them…
Anvay IS my perfect child – as different and as unique as my other two….
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After being in special school,I was so scared to have my baby. I always think I have no courage to handle my baby like I did in school. You know ,even I shared this my hubby on on my baby birthday. He too check it first .
I can know how difficult suitation your facing. You are far better than me and you child will going to be handsome independent youngman
This was such a touching yet wonderful read. By the way i find the photos very cute 😍👌
such a heart touching post so well written and lovely kids god bless.
I believe in the human spirit too.I am.sure Anvay will do winderfully well Stay blessed
Really touched by the emotions of the post. God bless you, your kids and your family. You are right when God closes one door, surely open the second one. Salute you dear for your spirit.
Your words Sakshi rip apart my heart. If I could, I would give you the biggest bear hug friend. When I had a condition during pregnancy, my doctor gave me a precautionary tip the child may be little different. I had every ugly thought of the universe and we were preparing for the worst. But assuming and preparedness is different from what you underwent. Lots of love for you all. Anvay would turn out the best kid ever
You see such a strong mother, I can totally understand how painful it must be with you ..one if my close one gone through it
My heart goes to you and while reading I was imaginging if I was at your place how would I react. It is utterly horrifying thins that you guys and the little champ is braving. Hats off!
Your post melted my heart. Felt sad but then it made me think about how well you dealt with the situation.
Thank you so much 🙂
This breaks my heart to read about the emotions you must have gone through when the doctors told you about the conditions. FOr a mom, a baby is a baby – always the perfect.
Yes, it has been tough.
Such a straight from heart post, I can feel your pain and grief, we can only imagine what you might have felt when you heard the news. Be strong mamma, he will make you proud one day.. God bless both the boys.
Thanks so much, gunjan!
, being a mother as I was reading your article and till the end you won’t believe my stomach came out of my mouth and it is like the difficult for a mom2 even think that the child is suffering from some issue and we need to treat it otherwise we will lose the child and that is a painful situation in our life
Yes, it is a tough situation.
As a mum myself I could so relate to every word you have written here., In true sense I could feel the jitters you have been through and the pain caused in this entire process. You are very strong and I am sure you will do amazing with your kids too.
Thank you so much rakhi
I am touched with this blog. I agree that God has an open door for us when he shuts all other doors
Thanks amrit
I have no words to say other than realizing this that how hard it would have been to you and your family to go through this.
More power to you!
I believe nobody is perfect..including us. We all have shortcomings…. Every person is beautiful… We need to have the capacity to love that is what matters in a person
Thanks so much. Rightly said.
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