The good news is that Ricky has been doing pretty well. He went to live with my mom at the end of November of last year. He has continued to be very compliant with his medications and treatments. He switched to the school near my mom's house and the program there has been amazing and wonderful for him, including a summer where he attended more school and participated in a workability program where he learned job skills.
Last week I took Ricky for his senior pictures, and today I took him to pick up his schedule for school. It hit me. His senior year. He's a senior in high school!
When Ricky was born, the average life expectancy for people with CF was 26. It's now late 30s. Had Ricky had been born in the 80s, chances are he would have died by now. So for me, seeing him entering his senior year and reaching his 18th birthday is monumental.
While we still have eight (at last count) specialists to see on a regular basis, an IEP a half inch thick, and a hospitalization at least once a year, I consider us incredibly lucky. There are parents out there who have recently lost their children around Ricky's age or younger to cystic fibrosis, even in this time of medical advancement. My heart is heavy every time I hear about another child or adult lost to CF. In time this battle for a cure will be won. I hope it is in time to save Ricky and others whose parents and families and friends are fighting to keep them alive.
And on that sobering note, here's my boy in his ASB card picture, taken today. By the way, as of today's visit to the kidney doctor, he is 6' and 167 pounds. Not bad for a scrawny 33 week premie, eh?
