Friday, January 22, 2010

What's on Your Counter?

I was at the bathroom counter this morning "putting my face on," as my mother-in-law says, and Reid's leg kept catching my eye. I left it on the counter to dry after cleaning it last night.

Seeing a free standing leg on the bathroom counter isn't as strange as it may sound. It's such a part of our everyday lives that I forget it's surprising to other people. To me, it feels like everyone probably has a fiberglass leg sitting around their house (or on one of their children).

What the leg really got me thinking about this morning was finding out about Reid's condition. It was never detected in an ultrasound.

Spencer had class the night Reid was born. He called his professor to tell him he wouldn't be there. His professor came back with some flippant remark about making sure he had all ten fingers and ten toes. So Spencer, with plans to report back to his professor, counted them first thing. It was quite a surprise when Spencer announced that he was a little short in the toe department.

We actually got a little laugh out of it and still didn't think too much of it until further examination. It was WAY more than just a missing toe. Amputation was a hard pill to swallow when you're coming off of pregnancy hormones.

I had no idea at the time that a prosthetic leg on the bathroom counter would be so commonplace that I would rarely even notice it.

Spencer's professor followed up about the fingers and toes. I can only imagine how awkward that conversation played out.

11 comments:

Traci Elizabeth said...

I would have loved to see the professors face...AWKWARD!!!

Genn said...

Wow, I bet that professor felt terrible. There are just some things you don't even joke about...

You seem to have handled that news so incredibly well from the way you've written about it before. I can't imagine trying to "swallow that pill" on top of crazy pregnancy hormones. Reid is a lucky kid to have parents like you. (so are your other two)

Amanda B. said...

what an interesting conversation that must have been! It is something everyone says so readily that you don't consider that it may not be that way for someone. I still find Reid's story so interesting! :)

Kris said...

Katie,
That must surely have been such a shock to you both. But, he seems to have adjusted to his prosthetic well, as have the both of you. But as parents, we all know how difficult that was for you. I think it is just another "thing" about you that makes you so appealing Katie. Your approach to life, and every aspect of it. You are such a gem!!

Cynthia said...

Your boys will be great because you guys are so great!

Sheryl said...

You have an amazing attitude...I love that something once so stunning is now so everyday.

Unknown said...

What is even better is how easy you make it for everyone else. You have been so great at talking about Reid and his leg, just like you would talk about what you want to make for dinner sometimes. It is normal conversation for you, and your openness and grace make me think that maybe..not likely..but maybe, I could handle it if the Lord saw fit to bless me with a child with some sort of 'dis'ability! It is true that you and Spencer parent your kids in such a way that the ever present leg is as normal as anything else in your life! I will always remember you for that!!

Erin said...

It is amazing how parents can adjust to anything! It is out of pure love for our little ones that make everyday challenges and surprises bearable in our crazy lives!

Jessica said...

It is amazing the things you take for granted. Like assuming your children will have all their fingers and toes. We had a similar reaction when we learned that Jenna had a few extras. :) You never know what challenges you will face with kids. You and Spencer have done a wonderful job.

Eric said...

I love your stories. Not sure a prosthetic leg on the counter is common for most. But your darling family is better than common.

Autumn said...

Its great that it can be so normal now!