Yesterday brought an unexpected jolt — a car accident that left her body sore, exhausted, and in need of rest. Today was meant to be quiet, a day to recover and gather strength. But life, as it often does, demanded otherwise. Around mid-afternoon, a call came from the hospital: a last-minute cancellation meant her son’s long-awaited appointment could be moved up to tomorrow morning.

They had been waiting for this appointment for almost a month, originally scheduled for the end of October. Faced with this rare opportunity, she didn’t hesitate — she said yes immediately. There was no time for second-guessing, no room for delay. Tomorrow would bring another round of sedation, another full airway scope, and another set of fears to confront.

As she sat in the quiet of the evening, reality sank in. Her body ached from yesterday’s accident. Her mind was frayed from the constant vigilance that comes with being the parent of a medically complex child. And yet, she knew she had to put on her brave face, to muster the strength to navigate the hospital once again with her son by her side.

The mental and emotional toll of this life is profound. It doesn’t pause for exhaustion, for illness, or for the moments when a mother’s body and mind are begging for rest. Being a medical mother means constantly treading water, knowing that the next wave — the next challenge, procedure, or setback — is always coming. There is no time for respite, only moments to gather breath before plunging back in.

She knows what tomorrow holds. She knows the fight that comes with sedation, the uncertainty of procedures, and the anxious waiting for results. She knows that even the familiar does not make it easier. Yet she continues. Because her son’s wellbeing depends on it, and because she carries a strength that refuses to yield, even when her body protests and her mind spins.

This is the unspoken reality for countless parents of medically fragile children: the exhaustion is not just physical, but emotional and mental. Each procedure, each appointment, each unexpected call is a wave that must be met head-on. And through it all, the love for their child fuels a courage that feels boundless, even when every fiber of their being is spent.

Tonight, she allows herself a quiet moment of acknowledgment — for the pain, the fatigue, the anxiety. She allows herself to recognize that it is okay to feel overwhelmed, to feel weary, and to admit that this life is hard. But she also knows that tomorrow, she will rise again, putting her brave mama face on, and guiding her son through another challenge with unwavering love.

Because being a medical mother is not a choice made lightly. It is a daily commitment, a relentless journey of courage, endurance, and love that never quits. Each wave may be exhausting, but each one is met with the same determination: to protect, to care, and to fight for the child who needs her most.