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| Kate and Aubrey Wagner // #werun22q |
"I first started running a little over a year ago. I wanted to run a 5k, not walk it, and I couldn't even run a mile. I slowly worked my way up to run my first race on July 4, 2014. Independence Day is our favorite family holiday - we always have a huge party - so I figured I could run the race and celebrate my first 5k afterwards! That was all it took to get bit by the running bug. I was hooked and started looking for a half marathon next. I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it, wasn't sure if I'd be able to find the time to train, but I saw there was a women's themed half here in Cincinnati having their inaugural race in October, which gave me the perfect training time. I jumped in, feet first, and went for it. I had my doubts, but thinking of all of the challenges Aubrey has overcome really pulled me through. I think of her often during my long runs. She's only 3 and a half, but has shown so much strength and overcome quite a bit in her short life that I remind myself that a 1/2 marathon is easy in comparison.
Aubrey was born at full term, no complications, looking just perfect. When she was 2 days old, she still had a heart murmur, so the hospital pediatrician sent us to Cincinnati Children's just as a precaution. She assured us that it was common to do so, and it usually amounts to nothing. An "it's better to be safe than sorry" kind of thing. It was then that they did an echocardiogram and discovered a large VSD (hole in her heart) that would require open heart surgery in 6-9 months, once she had gained some weight. I was heartbroken for my little girl. Andy and I were first-time parents and scared to death. We couldn't believe this was happening.
She was followed regularly by cardiology, and at about 10 weeks old, her cardiologist said she had pretty much stopped growing. We could either give her a feeding tube, or go for surgery soon. We wanted to get this nightmare behind us, so we were happy to move forward with surgery sooner rather than later. On December 22, 2011, Aubrey had her open heart surgery. The surgeon came in afterwards; he told us everything went well, but that she was missing her thymus, which could indicate a genetic condition called DiGeorge Syndrome. We sort of shrugged it off, just happy that her surgery was successful and that we would be reunited soon. It was during her recovery that we met with the geneticist who told us more about DiGeorge/22q. Aubrey had been doing so well - she couldn't have this syndrome they were talking about. She was right on track developmentally; her only issue was her heart defect. So when the test came back positive, I have to say that we were all a little surprised. But, the geneticist told us there was a spectrum that kids with 22q can fall on, that there were plenty of people who lead normal lives with maybe some learning disabilities of speech issues.
We've let Aubrey lead the way when it comes to her diagnosis. We often joke that no one has told Aubrey that she has 22q - she never got the memo. She goes about life like any other typical 3.5 year old - full of joy, laughter, stubbornness, and spunk. She loves playing with her friends, Dora, riding her ATV, riding horses, eating spaghetti, and Reds baseball."
Kate will be runner 7, kicking off Van 2's Ragnar experience.
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There are several ways you can help us #werun22q. If you have a child with 22q, please continue to follow here and at the Dempster Family Foundation for your chance to sponsor a mile for your 22q cutie. For friends and family interested in helping us make this journey possible, we have established an Amazon wishlist (to make your donation go even further, try shopping through Amazon Smile and searching for the Dempster Family Foundation) in order to purchase needed items. We are also collecting gas gift cards to use along the way. Lastly, you can donate directly through PayPal - werun22q@gmail.com.
Thank you!
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