Unconditional Love
Pediatric Epilepsy trip team members (from left to right): Dr. Rebecca Garcia Sosa, Dr. Heather Voss-Hoynes, Lindsay Doucette, and Chaplain Juan Gomez.
By Juan Gomez
Five-year-old Alex has suffered epilepsy throughout his short life. Although he has to take about ten different medications, the seizures cannot be prevented. He often has up to 30 seizures throughout the day; many can last up to a minute.
It has been a blessing to be a chaplain accompanying this Pediatric Epilepsy mission trip–accompanying doctors in this multicultural experience while at the same time accompanying the families going through the surgical procedures. I have been deeply moved to see first-hand the depth and length of a mother’s unconditional Love under these harsh circumstances.
Juanita stays by her son’s side.
Given Alex’s critical condition, he was scheduled to be operated first during the surgical mission week. After six hours of surgery, Dr Raheel came out to share the good news that the surgery was successful. Juanita hugged the doctor and let out a deep sigh of relief. Juanita had no words to express her gratitude. In response, Dr. Raheel shared, “I do the easy job, you do the hard job day after day”. It was beautiful to see the dramatic change in the family members once they learned the surgery was successful. The weight, pain, and suffering of Alex's illnesses are also carried on the shoulders and spirit of his mother. This surgery offers the promise of a better quality of life for Alex, while also easing the strain on his entire family and lightening the heavy burden his mother carries. This was evident the moment Juanita learned the surgery had gone well. As her son recovered in the intensive care unit, I could see the tension on her face soften and her spirit was visibly lifted.
As the father of three-year-old twins, I don't know if I could respond with such strength and love as Juanita does. Despite Alex's limitations, it has been amazing for me to see how this mother celebrates everything her son does just as much as (or even more) thanI enjoy and celebrate my children's accomplishments. When her son makes a gesture with his eyes, his mother is pleased and immediately explains what that gesture means. When her son starts moving his tongue, the mother immediately tells me that her son is missing his pacifier and that this is his way of asking for it. And so, mother and son, with their deep connection, have their own way of communicating, with subtle movements that would go unnoticed by many others. Even when they sleep, Juanita cares for her child. There is no rest. Whether it's getting medicine or attending to any complications in the middle of the night and even during naps in the day. She is always on alert for a possible seizure.
Juanita is aware of the limitations this surgery brings given the circumstances of her son, but she doesn't let them hold her back. She allows herself to dream of a better future for Alex and, consequently, for her whole family. The doctors have been clear with Juanita that the main goal with the surgery is to stop the severe seizures and reduce the number of short seizures Alex experiences daily. This surgery is not only improving Alex’s health and quality of life, it is also lifting the spirits of the whole family... Rooted in unconditional love, Juanita’s hope endures—strong enough to imagine a future where her son can walk.
Juanita receiving the good news about Alex’s successful surgery.
*Patients names have been changed to maintain their privacy.
