I don't know about you, but the older I get, the more I realize how many things I take for granted. It is so easy to get caught up in our own lives and daily routine--playdates, appointments, lessons, preschool, etc., etc., etc. But every once in a while something happens that totally rips us out of our routine and makes us realize just how blessed we are and how precious life really is. That was definitely the case for us this week.
I was playing outside with the C's on Sunday night. We were starting to gather up our stuff and get ready to go in when I heard a clunk, followed by a cry. My sweet little baby C {Caleb} had tripped over his shoes and fallen, hitting his head on the hard pavement of the driveway. I immediately scooped him up in my arms. A bump developed quickly on his forehead, but after a minute or two he stopped crying and seemed to be okay. We went inside, put ice on his bump, and snuggled on the couch for a little bit.
Just when we were getting ready to go up for bed, about an hour and a half after his initial fall, I heard baby C crying turned around to see that my little man had thrown up all over. Alarm bells immediately went off in my head... was this a concussion? I called hubby first and then my dad who has had several concussions from his old football-playing days. We decided that I should take little Caleb to the ER.
Aside from the fact that I was afraid that my baby had a brain injury, the ride to the hospital must've been pretty comical. Since I had always heard that you're not supposed to fall asleep when you have a concussion {which apparently they're not as worried about anymore, I would later find out} I was doing everything in my power to keep him awake--singing, asking him ridiculous questions, counting in various languages, calling out silly rhymes--you name it, I probably tried it. At least it worked--he was still awake when we got to the ER.
I had taken my boy to the hospital closest to our house, but after the doctor checked him out and learned that he had vomited several times at this point, he made the decision to transport us by ambulance downtown to Children's Hospital. Before we could go, though, they had to get him hooked up to an IV, which of course meant sticking him with a needle. This was by far the worst part of the entire experience. Caleb was screaming and kicking and calling for me and yelling, "HOME!! HOME!!" I felt so helpless. How do you explain to an almost-two-year-old that the thing that is hurting them is what will help them in the long run? To make matters worse, they missed the vein in each hand and eventually were successful in his arm, so he had to go through the whole horrible process three times, all while wearing an uncomfortable neck brace that didn't fit him correctly. He was miserable to say the least.
We were finally sent off to Children's in the ambulance, and when we got there I began to feel like I was in an episode of Grey's Anatomy. Since Caleb had a head injury, he was considered a "trauma." We were wheeled on the gurney {They had had me hold him during the ambulance ride, so I was the one actually strapped down to the stretcher.} into one of the ER rooms and were immediately swarmed by doctors and nurses. They lifted us {yes, both of us} onto the hospital bed using the sheet and immediately started checking out my little boy. Scans and x-rays were ordered. It felt like we visited every part of the hospital. The nurses in every area we visited gave him a new toys and stickers, so he developed quite the collection.
At this point it was almost 2 am. He was exhausted. I was exhausted, and I was still worried sick about my sweet little guy. Fortunately, they were able to get the results of his testing pretty quickly and determined that he had no bleeding on the brain or neck injuries. Praise the Lord. I was so relieved.
They wanted to keep baby C overnight for observation, so we were eventually taken to a room and were able to get small snippets of sleep between alarms going off on monitors, nurses coming in to take his vitals, doctors visiting to give updates, etc. Hubby and Connor arrived in the morning and we spent the next few hours as a family until we were finally released. Whew.
We spent less than 24 hours in the hospital and I felt like our whole world was turned upside down. The emotional roller coaster of wondering if my baby was going to be okay coupled with total lack of sleep and being outside of our normal environment was completely draining in every sense of the word, not to mention our house was a wreck, I had amassed a bazillion emails, and I felt totally behind on everything. After one day. And he's fine now.
This wasn't Caleb's first stay at Children's, unfortunately. When he was one month old, he contracted meningitis and was in the hospital on antibiotics for a week. Both times we spent there were scary and difficult, but both times we walked out with a healthy baby who would suffer no long-term effects. Both times I walked through the hospital and saw families whose reality this was day in and day out. Their children didn't get to leave after one day. They were there for the long haul. Their worlds weren't just put on hold for a day or a week; they were changed indefinitely.
Experiences like this bring me to my knees before God. I'm so incredibly thankful that my boy is healthy. I cry out for healing for those children who aren't and for peace and comfort for the families that take care of them. My heart breaks thinking about the fact that some of them may never get to go home and live long, healthy lives. That's tough stuff, and it often doesn't make sense.
I do know this, though: I serve a BIG God, and He is always in control--even when it's hard, even when it's confusing, even when nothing seems to make sense. That doesn't mean that the hard stuff won't hurt. Oh boy, does it ever hurt sometimes. But the only way I know to live life without letting the difficult things send me into the pit of despair is by having hope in the fact that life in this world isn't it. Because Jesus died on the cross, my sins are forgiven--taken away--and I will be able to spend eternity in Heaven with Him. I can't even begin to imagine what that will be like, but the Bible promises that "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” {Revelation 21:4} I so look forward to that day, but until then, I'm going to be sure to thank God and praise Him for everything He has blessed me with and try desperately not to take it for granted.
I'm so glad you're little boy is doing okay, sounds like a really stressful experience. Why is it that the little ones (Mom of twin 2 year old boys and a 4 year old daughter) always seem to hit their heads right before bed?!!! Thanks for sharing and reminding me to be thankful every day! Many blessings
That is so true. When he ended up having meningitis, his symptoms appeared right before bed time too. What's with that? Do they really dread going to bed that badly? 😉 You are my hero for juggling twin boys and a daughter. Sometimes I don't know how I keep up with my 2 and they're a few years apart! Thanks so much for your sweet words, Deena! Have a wonderful 4th!
~Abby =)
I'm so happy to hear that Caleb is doing well! It is amazing how God will remind us of what we have and what we should be thankful for! Love this and thank you for sharing your inspiration!
He is good at sending us reminders, right?! He always knows just what we need. Thanks so much for reading, Jessi! Have a great 4th!
~Abby =)
We do serve an awesome God! We have also been brought to our knees when our son was a very sick newborn. He is now a loud, confident, bossy nine year. And we are ever grateful. So glad to know your little one is healthy.
That is so scary, especially when they're tiny like that! I'm so glad he's healthy and well today! God is good. Hope you have a wonderful 4th, Ashley!
~Abby =)
This was a great read- and just when I needed it! I'm glad to hear that your little C is going to be ok- what a horrible 24 hrs that must have been! I really needed to read this b/c I had a similar experience over the wknd. My daughter was in a car wreck in a city 4 hrs away. The worst feeling in the world to hear her call and say she was in a wreck and being taken to the hospital in an ambulance. It was horrible to have to drive FOUR hours (as fast as I could without getting into a wreck myself) to get to her. I felt helpless. All I wanted to do was hold her and make sure she was alright. It really makes to stop and think about what matters. At that moment (when I got the phone call) everything that was on my desk and needing to be done all of the sudden didn't matter at all. It could all wait. Sometime we need a little 'shake' to set our heads straight and make us focus on what really matters. BTW- my daughter is fine, she was released from the hospital with a bump on her head and set home with instructions to watch her for the next 24- 48 hrs to make sure she didn't start getting dizzy or throwing up. She will be fine, just a little flustered right now. Thank you for sharing your experience and reminding us to all stop and appreciate everything that we have.
Wow, that is scary! I'm so glad that your daughter is okay. It's moments like that when you need a teleport machine or something so you don't have to drive in agony for four hours...that must've been so tough. Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I'm glad it has a happy ending too! Have a great 4th!
~Abby =)
Well said, Abby! I haven't experienced anything that traumatic as a mom yet, but with three kids (so far) I know I probably will. What a great perspective you have, and I'm so glad Caleb is doing well. Best to you!
Thank you, Erica! I hope your kiddos stay away from sickness and injuries for you! 🙂 Have a wonderful 4th!
~Abby =)
Amen!! It's great that you got to see this after the ordeal with Caleb. Thankfully he is okay! I agree with you that I can't imagine living without relying on God every moment. Glad everything is okay!
Sometimes it's crazy how God grows us and helps us learn, right?! So glad that He is in control and I am not! Thanks so much for stopping by, Crystal! Have a great 4th!
~Abby =)
Oh, sweetie, I'm so glad your little Caleb is okay! I can't imagine a more terrifying evening! Praise God everything turned out well. Hug em tight and love em to death!! LOL!! Have a happy 4th of July!~~Angela
Thanks so much, Angela! He sure gave us a scare. Eek! Hope you have a wonderful 4th as well!
~Abby =)
I am so happy he is OK and he is adorable, too.
Thank you so much, Nancy! Hope you're having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
I'm so sorry to read this. There's nothing more terrifying than having a sick kiddo. I'm glad to hear he's feeling better and all is well!
It's terrible, right?! Ugh. Thank goodness this story had a happy ending! Hope you and your crew are doing well, Miss Emily!
~Abby =)
Oh Abby I'm so glad he's okay!
Have a great 4th of July with your loved ones =)
-Sofia
Thanks, Sofia! It seems like he's getting back to his little crazy self! 😉 Hope you have a wonderful 4th as well!
~Abby =)
Awww. Glad Caleb was okay. I hate how helpless you can feel when your little one is hurt.
Thanks, Kristi! I remember when I would get sick when I was younger, my mom would always tell me, "I wish it could be me instead of you." Boy do I understand that sentiment now! I would have traded places with him in a second! Hope your week is going well! Thanks for stopping by!
~Abby =)
Abby I'm so glad your little guy is okay! We had a similar experience over the winter with bouts of croup- Patrick couldn't breathe and it was very scary. Nothing jars you into reality and faithfulness like an emergency with your kids!
That is so true. I think kids are every mama's soft spot...when something happens to them, it's the worst. Croup is so scary! I'm glad your little man came through it okay. Hope you're having a great week, Misti! Happy 4th!
~Abby =)
Wow Abby! Quite the saga... So glad he is okay. And your testimony was a great reminder and heart wrenching as well as I think of parents everywhere whose children are ill or injured. Thank you:)
"Saga" is a good way to describe it, Krista! So crazy! Thanks so much for stopping by--have a great day!
~Abby =)
glad to hear that Caleb is doing well Abby, how scared must have you been, in moments like this I can only pray to God that our children will be ok and yes, it is very sad thinking of all those families their kids won't be spending a day or a week there but much more. I am thankful my little one is doing great to you and very happy your little ones are great as well! 🙂 beautiful words you wrote Abby!
Thank you so much, Ingrid! He sure gave us a scare, but thankfully we had a happy ending! Hope you're having a wonderful 4th!
~Abby =)
Oh, Abby...so scary! What a relief that your little guy is okay! I hate it when they hurt themselves, and then to end up at the hospital because of it...yikes! Very glad to read that everything tuned out alright. Those boys sure know how to keep us on our toes!
That's the truth! With two crazy boys running around I feel like this probably won't be our last trip to the ER, unfortunately. :-/ Wouldn't trade them for the world, though! Hope you're having a fun weekend, Samantha!
~Abby =)
This is a great post, I'm so glad that your son made it out of the situation with no problems. He's a trooper! 🙂
It's horribly scary to see your baby hooked up to monitors and in a hospital. While we were in the hospital with Elena I prayed constantly for her and the other tiny babies. I feel like God gave me peace through out the month. There was a Code Blue in our 'pod' while I was grabbing something to eat. As I ran into the pod to make sure it wasn't my baby I realized how precious and fragile out babies all were. I am amazed by people who live for months and months with that kind of stress.
Thank God for healthy babies!! Enjoy your vacation dear!!! Can't wait to hear about it, until then I'll catch up (blog stalk, lol) on all the posts that I've missed. 🙂
-alyssa
Oh my, I can imagine that must have been so scary! I love seeing the pictures of sweet Elena on your blog! She is such a beautiful reminder of God's faithfulness! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Alyssa!
~Abby =)