For as rosy as our life generally is, this year we certainly had our fair turn of sickness. My heart aches for mothers who have chronically ill children, who spend most nights on hospital cots, who see their babies through hospital windows or have more bad days than good ones. Sickness certianly is a trial, regardless of how small.
With three germy little boys who love to play with friends, chances were that we would be sick all winter, and that is exactly what happened. Knowing this, didn't make it any easier on a mom who was up most nights checking on one, feeding another, and giving medicine to the next. Most nights were sleepless, but somehow we made it through.
They think Jace has asthma, which would explain coughing until he throws up all the time. We got him on a breathing machine, and aside from the ten minutes of whining while he does it, life has been much better. We were grateful to get a diagnosis that will help him feel better.
James also got to share in the breathing treatments. He had brochiolitis (similar to RSV) twice. Once as a 2 month old and again as a 5 month old. It's not fun to strap that mask onto him and make him breathe medicinal fumes, but it's much better than watching him struggle with breath and checking often to make sure he is still breathing.
Parker has always been our little sicky. If millions of colds and ear infections weren't enough, he had two seizures this winter. I fell apart. I thought it was surely some form of childhood cancer or something even worse--thats what you get when you look to a google search for comfort. Mike, of course, was cool and calm--ever the steady rock, accepting life for what it is and dealing with trials confidently. After seeing a neurologist, we did an EEG, which actually went better than planned. Parker just laid with me and Mike spoke to him. He cried a bit and whined but soon fell asleep. We are so grateful that the tests showed everything was fine. Just a hiccup in the nervous system. There is nothing like fearing for your child. We are so thankful for 3 healthy boys.
3 comments:
These pictures break my heart! There is nothing worse than sick children. And you are right... you never appreciate healthy kids until you have sick ones. I hope you never have to go through that again!
OH MY GOSH! i am so sorry! that is the worst thing! i am so sorry! those pictures are AWFUL to look at! you poor thing! anyways, i hope things go better from now on!
love you!
Hi Brooke! I started blog surfing tonight, and found your blog through a long tangled web I'm not sure I can trace! This is Melanie Tooke (Bohn). Your family is so darling! The reason I'm commenting on this particular post is because I actually used to do EEG's! Kids were so hard to do! Not just because a lot of them would put up a fuss, but because it was so scary for them. That was the worst, knowing that EEG's don't physically hurt, but being the scary grown-up who wants to attach wires to your head! That was my job while I was pregnant with my daughter, so sometimes it was emotionally hard. I'm so glad your son is OK though. Even knowing what I know of seizures and neurology, and how it is quite common for people, especially kids, to have seizures only once or twice, I would still be totally worried if my little girl had one. I'm glad I found your blog!
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