Cody B’s Story – Holland has a lot to offer…if you just let it
Lion # 112
Cody B. was born January 13, 1999. His due date was March 21st. He weighed in at 3.5lbs. He was doing very well and then got an infection. They told us for days that he wouldn’t make it, and even let us bring our two little boys so they could see him. But day by day he started to get better. They were preparing us to take him home and then he had a brain bleed. At first, they told us there was nothing they could do for him, but one of our Doctors (Dr. Stoddard) contacted Dr. Walker at Primary Children’s Hospital. Dr. Walker said to bring him up. It felt like such a miracle! Cody ended up having 3 shunts, and we eventually got to bring him home. Dr. Walker continues to be one of our angels. We knew that he wouldn’t be “normal” and that we would have struggles with him, but they weren’t sure what they would be, so we got to have a slow learning curve. I remember when he was about five and one of his therapists told me that we would need to look into getting him a wheelchair and I was a little surprised to realize that he would never walk.
There was a story on the wall at UVRMC Newborn ICU that has stuck with me, and it brings me comfort. I can only remember parts of it, and I am sure I won’t tell it nearly as well but this is the main part that has stayed with me:
We planned a trip to France, we learned the language, we bought the right clothes and read everything about France, and when we landed, we realized we were in Holland. Holland! We can’t be in Holland! We don’t know anything about Holland and this is not what we planned. But little by little we learned to love Holland. Sometimes, when our friends or family talk about their trip to France, we wonder what it would have been like to go there, and sometimes we are jealous. But mostly, we are grateful for the journey we did get to go on.
I am grateful for every day I get to spend with Cody. He literally lights up my life and the people around him. He is truly such a joy. I am grateful for the spirit he brings into my life.
There are days that I wonder how much longer I will be able to lift him. There are days when I get tired of changing diapers. I wish he could talk, and tell me all of the things he tries to show me. He eats by a feeding tube, so we have to make sure we take everything, and figure out a place to feed him so people don’t feel uncomfortable. There are places I can’t go and take him, like the grocery store, because I can’t push a wheelchair and a shopping cart. There are normal things in life that take a lot of planning. Can we get a wheelchair there? Can we carry him far enough to sit down without a wheelchair?
Would I trade my journey? No. Do I wonder what might have been? Yes. But at the end of the day, when he pats me or does his sign for love, it is all worth it and I am so grateful for the blessings he has brought. Everyday we spend with him is a gift.
Holland is a beautiful place and has a lot to offer, if you just let it.
-Trudy, Mother of Cody
