Christopher's Miracle Story: Burger wars

There's nothing like a big, juicy burger!

You know how toddlers are. They think it, so they say it. There's no need to wonder what they're thinking or how they're feeling because they are never shy about letting you know just what is going on in their little brains. If a toddler is happy, he thinks nothing of jumping up and down, twirling in circles, or squealing with delight. If a toddler is unhappy, he doesn't think twice about stomping his feet, crying big tears, or screaming at the top of his lungs. When a toddler is hungry, you will definitely know about that too. "Mom, I'm hungry!" "Mom, I'm hungry!"... " I know, just a minute."... "Mom, I'm hungry!" A toddler also don't mind using endless, relentless, mind numbing repetition until his needs are met.

As we drove home from the hospital, Michael and Ryan repeatedly let me know that they were hungry. I hadn't been home in several weeks, so I had no idea what was in the refrigerator (or what wasn't). Their petitions were getting louder and more desperate. There was no way these hungry toddlers would be able to stop at the store, shop for groceries, and wait until we got home to eat. There was no way my tired brain could endure the endless barrage of "Mom, I'm hungry" pleas that were sure to come, so I decided to go to a fast food place because that's what we needed. We needed food, and we needed it fast.

I considered pulling through the drive-thru, but these kids were REALLY INSISTENT that they would surely die if they didn't get food NOW! Against my better judgement, I decided to park the car and go in to eat lunch. Why was it against my better judgement? Remember... 3 toddler boys vs. one mom with only 2 hands. Both of those hands were full with a baby in one hand and a feeding tube backpack in the other. You do the math. The odds were stacked against me.

LeAnne and Christopher...notice I am wearing the feeding tube backpack (blue strap on my shoulder), and Christopher is hooked up to the feeding tube (white tube going into his t-shirt).

"Mom, we're hungry!" I told them we would go in as long as they would stand right next to me and help me carry stuff. There would be NO running off and NO screaming! Reluctantly, I entered the burger joint with my little 3 ring circus. I put Christopher in a highchair and looped the feeding tube backpack over the side of it. Then I had Michael and Ryan "help" me wheel Christopher up to the register to order lunch...so far so good. Michael and Ryan were standing beside me, and we ordered our lunch.

A feast fit for a king.

We gathered all the napkins, straws, and condiments that we would need and found a table. All the chicks were in the nest and ready to be fed. Christopher was already eating since he was hooked up to his feeding tube, and Michael and Ryan became amazingly quiet as the burgers finally passed their lips...so far all is still good.

Salt is "the spice of life."

I need to push the PAUSE BUTTON here because there are a couple of things that you need to know in order for this story to make sense. First of all, I was exhausted. I had been sleeping upright in a chair for the past couple weeks, and my emotional reserves were dangerously low. Secondly, the GI doctor had told us that people who are tube fed often crave salt. Okay...I'll push the PLAY BUTTON now.

French fries are so good. Ya can't eat just one.

Christopher began fussing when he saw the french fries. He often craved salt. He liked to lick the salt off the french fries, so I put a little pile of them in front of him. After he licked the salt off, he would hand them back to me, and I put them in a paper bag...so far so yummy.

Here's where things started to breakdown. I never had a problem at all with people being curious about Christopher. I understood their curiosity. If they asked, I would simply explain why "he had that tube down his nose" or "why he had that tube hooked up to him." Keep in mind that I was tired, dead dog tired.

Apparently, there was a woman in the restaurant who was also having her lunch. She was an older woman with no small children and no compunction about letting me know how much we were offending her. We were about half way through our lunch when she decided to invade our space to let me know that she thought I was a terrible mother for letting my child waste food. She also told me that it was disgusting to have to watch him lick fries and throw them in a bag...so far so disgusting.

Remember my emotional state, and the fact that I was physically exhausted. If she thought licked french fries were disgusting, I was about to show her disgusting. Without saying a word, I pulled Christopher's highchair away from the table, so that he was facing her. I lifted up his t-shirt, and said..."That's why he licks them and throws them away!!! Anymore questions?"

Shock immediately flashed across her face, and avalanche of apologies spilled from her mouth. I tried to be gracious and accept her apologies, but I couldn't help but defend my son for the benefit of all my children who sat there watching this sad display of a woman with so little compassion. I reminded her that it is dangerous to jump to conclusions, and that if she had only asked me about Christopher's french fry licking, I would have been more than happy to explain it to her...so far so vindicated!

Hangin' out with a friend and lookin' good, tubes and all.

On another day, I probably would have avoided the public display of my son's feeding tubes, but not that day. I probably should have been the "bigger person" and met her offense with a simple explanation, but my exhaustion got the best of me. This will not go down as one of my finer moments.

I will say that this was the one and only time that anything like this ever happened to us again. Christopher grew up being not one bit shy about his tubes. He has gone swimming, snorkeling, and surfing with his tubes on display for all to see. Most people look (as is expected) but don't ask about them. For those that do ask, Christopher simply shares the reason for his feeding tubes. God has blessed him with a light and easy demeanor. Christopher never seems bothered by the stares or questions. He has learned to expect them, and God has given him such a friendly and welcoming yet strong disposition in handling the curiosity that comes his way...so far so loved!!!