For Nesto

My Son Ernest

Last May, while getting ready for school, you were met with an excruciating headache. You told me your brain was on fire and it felt like fire ants were in your head. You said I just need a little lie down before I get up for school. There were so many 'what ifs' that morning...What if, I went to work? What if you lay on the couch instead of the floor? What if the inspectors didnt turn up when they did? That day, I had a day off. That morning the inspectors had to check the living room but you fell asleep on the floor and blocked the entrance and when I tried to wake you there was no movement. My son, you were rushed to the hospital and the only answer we got was ' We wait and see how the next 24 to 48hrs go'. The hours felt like a lifetime and I just wanted you to wake up. The head neurologist explained to us that a blood vessel had burst and you had a massivs bleed. The size of the blood clot was compared to that of an Australian 20 cent coin lodged in the cerebal thalamus causing a thalamic haemorrhagic stroke.  Surgery was too risky so  instead they drained fluid from your brain. 24hrs later when your breathing tubes were removed and you opened your beautiful brown eyes, you mouthed the word 'Mum'. My heart flipped 100million times over. Your journey from 24th May 2019 has been nothing short of miraculous. You aced the milestones all over again. Learning to eat, learning to talk, walking, toileting, reading, playing video games again and overcoming fatigue. What you did not lose was your absolute faith in God, this combined with your love for music, because music is good for the soul, helped you to overcome the obstacles you had to surpass. We are 18 months post stroke and although there have been many many trials, my greatest joy is the fact that YOU ARE HERE! November is your birth month and you've turned 15 years. You pledged to walk 50 kms in 30 days, instead you clocked 53.22kms in 28 days. I am so proud of you my son, you are a testament of love, courage and strength. Everday we are greeted with a massive smile, follwed by 'How are you?. And when I say to take it easy or dont do that, your reply is always 'Dont worry, Ive got this'.. Son this month 'We got you' and our family and friends had you too. They rallied together and smashed out 540kms, their message was always...We walk for Ernest! Thank you for teaching us life, thank you reminding us to love and thank you for never giving up! We love you Ernest and together WE WALKED WITH YOU.