Xavier's story -
On August 8, 2006 our daughter came running into our room and yelling Xavier says he can not breath. When we came in the room, his lips were blue. He was being treated for Asthma with daily Advair and Abuterol in nebulizer when needed. However, this night his was out of control, throwing things like he was drowning. I had to hold him to get the nebulizer to his face. He kept pushing it off.
Then he went unconcious in my arms. When I lowered him to the floor, I knew from my medical experience that he was dead. His body was rigid and the pupils were fixed and dilated. We tried anyway to administer CPR. It was like trying to blow air into a brick wall. We tried and when the EMS arrived, they went through the motions. I knew the Lord had taken "his" child. They transported to the hospital and he was pronounced dead a few hours later.
My son was 15 years old. I adopted him at the age of 3 years when he had lived all his life in Texas Childrens Hospital, here in Houston, Texas. He was born to a 12 year old mother and had approximately 95% of his intestines removed at birth. He had a condition called "Short Gut Syndrome". He had been intubated many times as a baby and had a "G-Tube" for feeding.
While this may sound like Xavier had many medical problems, initially he did. But as time went on, Xavier was simply a little guy with a big heart.
Due to the intestinal issues, he had absoption problems and did not grow very fast, therefore, in addition to regular food, we supplemented his feeding at night with a high calorie formula through the "G-Button". He was developmentally delayed, about 7-8 years old. Again, due to the lack of nutrition.
But Xavier could do many things once he understood what was expected of him.
He would prepare his own feeding bags at night, program the pump and when he was experiencing Asthma issues could prepare his own Abuterol and nebulizer treatments. He was faithful in taking his Advair everyday. The thrill of Xaviers life was his DVD player. He found extreme joy in watching "Good Times", The Cosby Show and anything with Will Smith.
Xavier was going to the 9th grade, High School. We did not see a sick boy, the issues that Xavier had were routine for our family. Xavier did not see anything wrong with himself or the world around him. As a little boy, he would ask me where was everyone else's "G-Button"?
His death was sudden. He had not been ill. As a matter of fact with all the health issues he was born with, Xavier had not been hospitalized for over 7 years. We made our appointments for the gut issue and the asthma, but no real problems. Just that night! When I saw him, you would have thought that this child had major asthma problems. He would take the Advair daily, but the nebulizer treatments were "maybe" once or twice per week. Nothing major because the climate here in Texas.
I am a nurse and felt that I missed something. I have always been so careful with him. But, I have to understand that God Loved Him Best. Upon adopting Xavier so many years ago, the doctors said he would probably not live pass the age of 5 years and discouraged the adoption. He had no last name at the time but "Ward" meaning Ward of the State. But we decided that even if the Lord took him at 5 years old, he would take him with a family and a name.
God gave us another 10 years with him. And we are so greatful.
We miss him so much. That big smile, on such a small frame. My heart aches daily for his belly laugh when watching the shows he loved so much. But he now rests in the arms of the Father and I shall see him again.
