Connective Tissues

Normally, this is the type of post I would reserve for my other blog, but I thought since it is family-related, I would post it here.

I am learning a lot in Anatomy and Physiology right now. There are so many details to learn…its quite overwhelming. Today though, the lesson got personal. I knew it would (and probably often), since I have a chronic disease and have had a child with developmental issues. In lab, we talked about, and observed under the microscope, connective tissue. The minute I read the two words in the lab manual yesterday in preparation for today’s class, I knew some light would be shed. I knew I might understand some of my son’s issues with a simple definition and observation. Now, it is crystal clear to me that Ezra had some sort of connective tissue disorder. The doctors suspected it from the beginning of his genetic testing, but were never able to clearly identify what was wrong. You see there are over 200 types of such disorders…because connective tissue is the most abundant tissue in the human body. It is connected to everything. Muscles, bones, organs, other tissues….everything. And if it is absent, it causes serious problems in the function of the body. Everything that was “wrong” with Ezra can be traced back to connective tissues. His dislocated lenses, his epiglottis, his joint contractions, his dilated aortic valve, even his hydrocephalus. All of these issues were because a piece of this extremely important tissue was missing (or, perhaps, there was too much of it). This tissue is formed when mesenchymal cells (stem cells) change into specialized tissue cells during the embryonic stage of development. So, this happened to Ezra when he was just a few weeks old, in utero. And we can go on asking but how did that happen; why did that happen. But, that is counterproductive at this point. All I know is that when I was looking at the different types of connective tissue and writing about their functions and locations, all I could do was think about Ezra. And wonder how he lasted as long as he did…and praising God for the time we had with him. The oculars on my microscope got foggy from me trying to blink back tears. I really didn’t want to lose it in class. Got me wondering if I really can be effective as a nurse, if little things like a lecture and lab on body tissue is going to make me emotional. But, I know this “calling” is from God and I will continue to put forth as much effort as I can muster to serve His purpose.

In a few weeks, we will be coming upon a couple of “anniversaries”. On Feb 13th, Ezra would have been 2 and a half. On the 24th, it will have been 18 months since he passed away. Hoping I can get through the tissue practical (which is on the 17th) without a meltdown.

I still miss him so much—not a day has gone by without tears for him. But, I am thankful to know that he is with Jesus, in his brand new, perfect body that has all its connective tissue in tact and functioning normally.