Blessings Beyond Measure

by Cassie from the blog Beyond Measure.


I was about 17 weeks pregnant when we found out that Caleb had Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. I remember sitting in this little office with Glenn and the "genetic counselor" came in with this book and she turned to the section on Spina Bifida and read to us. We were told terrifying things about our baby boy and of course we were offered termination (several times actually). That was never an option for us and I quickly switched doctors. I remember that day so well, like it was yesterday. I felt like my world was falling apart. I remember sitting on our couch, just sobbing and telling God that I couldn't do this, that is wasn't fair and that I didn't want this for my baby. I was mad at God for about a day and then I realized that I needed Him more than ever and that there was no way I could deal with this without Him. People always say that God never gives us more than we can handle, but I don't think that is true. I think we are often faced with situations or circumstances that we can't deal with, at least not without Him walking beside us and sometimes even carrying us through it.

Caleb was born on August 9th, 2005. I had a scheduled c-section so all the necessary medical professionals were ready to meet Caleb's needs. I didn't get to hold him, I only got to see him as they wheeled him by me. There is something so unnatural about that, not getting to touch this life that has been in you for 9 months.

This picture was taken right after Caleb was born, this was the very first time I saw him.

This is the opening in Caleb's back. Some babies with Spina Bifida have a sac that covers the opening but Caleb didn't have that. I was so glad that Glenn was there to get this picture, otherwise I never would have known what Caleb's back actually looked like.

Caleb had his back closure and shunt placement when he was only 6 hours old. Poor Glenn had to deal with that pretty much on his own because I was recovering from my c-section and pushing that morphine drip button every chance I could.

This is following Caleb's surgery. You can see how large his head was due to the hydrocephalus so the shunt placement was an absolute necessity.

Caleb's sweet little head after shunt placement. It was amazing how quickly the shunt worked, his head started getting smaller and smaller. Thank God for the man who invented the shunt!

I just think this picture is so sweet.

Caleb was in the NICU for 13 days. Probably the hardest 2 weeks of my life up to that point. Glenn and I would spend 7+ hours a day by his bed, talking to him and holding him.

Caleb smiling, he smiled all the time. I know everyone says it is just gas but I like to think he was just a happy guy!

I hated everything about him being in the NICU. I hated feeling like I had to ask permission to hold my own baby. It was a joyous day when we got to bring him home.

Finally home!

So that pretty much sums up the start of Caleb's journey. It is now a 5 year long journey and one that I feel so blessed to be a part of. We have certainly had many ups and downs. Spina Bifida is very complex and it affects so many aspects of Caleb's life, not just his mobility.

Caleb is now 5 years old and he started Kindergarten this fall. He is doing things we were told he would never do. He walks with AFO's and a walker. He also uses a wheelchair because his legs do get tired. He loves watching NASCAR and Monster Truck videos. He loves to color and write. He plays baseball through the Miracle League and he absolutely loves that. He is a wonderful big brother to Benjamin.




You can't help but smile looking at this boy. I have days of sadness, times when I feel sad for him. But then I remind myself that Caleb isn't sad. He's not unhappy at all. If he isn't sad, then why in the world should I be?



Caleb is absolutely amazing and an inspiration to me. I am in awe of all the things that he has accomplished. He absolutely blows me away and brings me so much joy. I thank God on a daily basis for blessing my life and trusting me and Glenn with Caleb. God must have seen something in me that I didn't see in myself because He knew that I could handle this (with His help of course). God gives me a peace that I wouldn't have otherwise. Our lives would be so different if Caleb didn't have Spina Bifida, I can't even imagine things any other way. I think about all the wonderful people I have met that I wouldn't know if it weren't for Caleb. My life has been touched by so many other moms that share the bond of having a child with SB. I don't walk this road alone and that makes all the difference.