If you’re the parent of a child with SB, then these topics are even more a part of your life than you’d ever imagined. Two years ago we got what seemed like devastating news at the time: “You’ll need to start intermittent catheterization 4x a day.” Most, but not all, children with spina bifida have to be  due to compromised bladder function.  It looked so easy when we watched the nurse do it.

But once we got home and had to do it ourselves, it was a whole different story. On a male, the anatomy is much easier to figure out, but with girls, it’s a bit trickier. My husband and I both struggled the first couple of days to find the correct “location,”  and it was very frustrating. And then there was the whole day care thing…would they be willing to accommodate our little one?

Much to our surprise, they were willing to learn so they could accommodate our Chemobaby. They had never dealt with cathing or SB before, but the teachers there were willing to do whatever was necessary to help her to function.

And now, cathing is regular part of life for us. I still do my best to be discreet in public bathrooms and whatnot, but I’m not as self-conscious as I once was. And so far, Chemobaby takes it in stride, too.  In the grand scheme of all conditions related to SB, catheterization seems to be a pretty small price to pay for a fruitful life that does ot include a wheelchair.

Pregnant women with cancer do not need to delay their cancer treatment or terminate their pregnancy. The benefits of chemotherapy to the mothers outweigh any potential long-term harm to the children.

I sure hope this study falls into the hands of American oncologists. Would it be dastardly of me to mail an anonymous copy to a certain oncologist (who will remain nameless)? Hmmm…Halloween is almost here, and I’m feeling kind of naughty…

What everyone else is not going to be talking about is how to prevent spina bifida. So, as a mother of a child with this life-changing birth defect, I figure this is what I should be talking about. So I will.

Please share this with anyone you know that is planning to get pregnant any time soon. Below are some important facts about spina bifida prevention.

Most cases of spina bifida can be prevented. Folic acid is a B vitamin that the body needs to make healthy new cells. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, her baby is less likely to have spina bifida or another defect of the brain or spine. All women who are pregnant or could become pregnant need to take folic acid every day, starting before they get pregnant.

Every woman who could possibly get pregnant should take 400 micrograms (400 µg or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily in a vitamin or in foods that have been enriched with folic acid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NmWAriwQbE

• First and foremost, my wonderful husband for always offering to be of assistance in any way. He is a saint.
• My wonderful co-workers for delivering food to my family after surgical events.
• My girls, my wonderful friends that celebrated every stage of my journey with gifts and celebration. You always made me feel special and I am forever grateful. You mean more to me than you will ever know.
• My Mom, for coming to my aid after my mastectomy. There’s nothing like Mom when you’re getting better. 
• My distant friends and family members for your cards, gifts, visits and phone calls. They were greatly appreciated.
• My brother, John, who created this blog and championed me to tell my story on it. Thank you for believing in me.

Susan also introduced me to the world of self-publishing, which seems much less daunting than I had imagined. I still hope to publish in print my amazing journey with marriage, cancer, childbirth and spina bifida at some point. Hopefully my busy schedule will allow some time to devote to this project in the very near future. In the meantime, I will still enjoy being and writing Chemomama. After all, it’s who I am now.

And I love the comment on the article that states that “Pregnant With Cancer” is such an awkward headline for an article. I’ve got news for that person…it’s not so awkward when you’re the one living it!

I’ve been a Mom for two and a half years now. While this role was new and unexpected to me, I have always taken things in stride, attempted to not sweat “the small stuff,”  to enjoy the time when she’ll be small and innocent. (That was a brief time period!) It seemed to be an easy transition for me.

A few weeks ago I departed on an overnight trip with a dear friend of mine and left a note for my husband and daughter. (See image above) This note was the first time I’d ever signed anything from “Mommy.” For some strange reason, looking down at the paper and seeing that Mommy signature was a surreal moment for me. It reminded me that, forever and a day, I’ll be someone’s “go to” person. That what I give to her is so much more important than what she gives to me. I think I tend to just go through life without worrying about too much, but every once in awhile I’m struck by a moment of clarity. That moment that I remember just how lucky I am to be her mother. Here’s looking at you, kiddo.