Definition of 'Mum'

Mum; noun

1. A beautiful and rare creature that picks you up when you fall down, tends to your every need when you're feeling sick, and has a magical power of making every one of your problems their own.

 

Maybe my definition of a mum is a bit specific... but in some shape or form, all of us have mothers that fit into this definition. Whether they stay at home to make sure our lunches are healthy, our beds are made, our clothes are washed or they work long hours to make sure there is food for lunch, a bed for us to sleep in and clothes to wear - mums put their wants and needs aside to take care of us. A mum is the most selfless thing you can be, and they are all simply amazing. Of course sometimes mums can be naggy, invasive and embarrassing, but 100% of the time they are doing what they do because they love us. If mums could be rated on a scale of 1-10 they would all be a 10. Except mums with sick children...they take on all the responsibilities of mums at level 10, with an additional level of anxiety, stress, fear and worry. My mum is definitely an 11.

 

My beautiful mum and me in Portugal celebrating my 21st (pre Crohns diagnosis)

 

Whilst I was in hospital my mum was always by my side, putting my needs way above hers. She had only just had an operation on her elbow and was in loads of pain sat in a horrid uncomfortable plastic hospital chair when she should have been resting at home. But not once did I hear her complain. This is just what my mum is like, she's a total inspiration. Every day when I would wake up feeling poorly and fed up, she would do her best to cheer me up and make me feel better. Whether she was peeling strawberries for me to eat because I can't eat seeds of any kind, or lying beside me when I couldn't sleep, listening to the sounds of my whimpers, or washing my face and brushing my hair to make me feel better - my mum did it all. Each morning when I saw her walk into my hospital room, she had a huge smile across her face. I knew that she was worried beyond belief about me, just because I know the way she is, but she would never let on to me. She was so positive through everything, even when I was being a real grump towards her she still was just lovely. Quite frankly, I couldn't have got through or dealt with the 3 weeks in hospital without her there with me.

 

The thing is about level 11 mums, is that it never ends. Even now, that I am out of hospital and starting to deal with my Crohn's, my mum still keeps an eye on me. She bugs me to email my nurses, to book my blood tests, checks in on what I'm eating, or how much I weigh or just how I'm feeling. She's always worried about me! When I was about 15 this would drive me insane and I would just want her to leave me alone. But now I'm that bit older, I realise she only worries because of how much she cares. And how amazing is that to have someone who loves and cares for you so much? I really am so lucky to have her in my life. I think she's actually a level 12 mum...

 

I don't know what the future holds for me, but there is a good chance that I myself could also be a mum to a child with a chronic illness and that scares me to death! At this point I can barely see myself being able to reach level 10 mum. Babies cry and I give them right back to where they came from. I hardly have enough hours in the day to get everything I want done, so how on earth will I have time when there are kids in my life! I mean, my boyfriend gets unwell and I can barely handle his whining! ha. If I struggle to imagine having to take care of a healthy tiny human, how am I supposed to take care of a kid who can't eat, can't sleep and is in unbelievable pain? I honestly do not know how my mother was able to do it, or how she still can do it.

 

At least I know that when I do have kids, I have an amazing role model to look up to.

 

XOXO Crohnie Girl