Last night was one of those unexpected nights. By the time I got home, Kelton had thrown up everything in him, was dry heaving, and running a 101 degree fever. We packed him up and took him to the emergency center. By the time he got into the triage his temperature was 104 degrees. He got a catheter for a urine sample, was stuck 3 times for an iv for a blood sample and fluids, received zofran for his nausea, had two chest x-rays, and finally got to settle in for a nap while we awaited lab results. He had elevated white blood cell counts in his blood and some white cells in his urine. All indicative of a bacterial infection. They ran antibiotics through his IV. Before we left, they had us wake him up and make sure he could keep pedialyte down so we didn't run the risk of dehydration.
There is nothing that anyone could ever say to prepare you for what it feels like to listen to your child scream in pain. While they did the catheter and numerous attempts at the iv, Hubby held his hands and arms while I held his legs. We talked to him the whole time. Hubby was phenomenal. I cannot explain the feelings of love and pride that drown me in emotion when I think back to how my husband held his child and talked to him through the whole ordeal as our little boy cried out in pain. I hung in there until they had to dig with the needle to find the vein they had lost. I broke down at that point...still holding his sweet little legs but looking away and sobbing. Hubby, on the other hand, was the calm low voice that resonated assurance to our child. I saw how that baby looked straight into his eyes...looking for strength and looking for safety.
We talked later last night about how absolutely little control we really have of things in our lives. We leave it up to God - not only because that is Faith but also because we cannot do otherwise. Both of us would have traded places with our child in a heartbeat to save him that experience, but we couldn't. We cannot walk his paths for him, but we can be there by his side to reassure him and encourage him.
11 comments:
How does one comment on what you have posted? It's such a hard lesson. It's hard to even read. How do you describe that horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know you are doing the right thing, and yet, it feels so wrong. I guess it's a battle we will fight for years to come.
This is one of the things about having children that scares me the most. I only hope that I can be a strong, comforting force for my child(ren) if I'm faced with such a situation.
Kudos to you and the husband and I hope the little guy gets well quickly.
-Chris
Weather Moose
You brought teers to my eyes...I can so understand the way you felt, I went throught it with Caleb when he broke his arm so bad. I hope Kelton gets to feeling better & hope you and the hubby get some rest....
ya'll are AWESOME parents!
I'm so sorry that happened. Isn't is crazy though how much stronger you can view your relationship when you go through something like that? I've thankfully only been to the ER a coupla times for my kids and I wished so hard I could just take the pain for them. The things they don't tell you when you become a parent...
So happy he is okay. Its horrible watching them go through that.
Here is a tip, just in case there is a next time. We had a wonderful nurse the last time we had to make that type of trip, and I vowed I would pass it on.
If they need to draw blood. Take the hospital blanket and wrap them up like a cocoon. You can cradle him much easier and he can look at you. Then just pull one arm out to the side as you sing (if he likes singing). This worked great, and got us through a tough time....besides, I think they were worried I would pass out or hurt them!
How heartbreaking to read, thank goodness he is ok. I don't know if I will have the strength to do what you as parents did...but I guess God does make that possible, doesn't he?
Oh, I'm so sorry you had to go through this and that your son especially had to go through it. Being in the hospital with a sick kiddo is the worst. Ugh, ugh, ugh!
(hugs) to you and I hope he's much better by now (since I'm popping in from SITS and it's been two days).
Oh dear Deanna, literally I have been there. Too many times in too many years and shed too many tears all events repeating the scenario with my daughter. It was over a decade ago and the emotions come flooding back by your vivid post today.
When you are feeling stronger perhaps you can momgineer something that will help all children and parents in situations like this ... here's hopin'
Thank you all for your sweet comments over this. I debated on whether to write it up since it's not a "fun" thing, but in the end decided to go ahead. My plan is to print out my blog on a periodic basis and keep it as something that Kelton can read later on in life.
He's doing much better. He hasn't had a fever in over 24 hours. His intestines are torn up because of the strength of the antibiotics, but we can deal with that. I was sniffing him this morning because I caught a whiff of something stinky. He gave me the strangest look...he wasn't too sure about that!
Oh my gosh, how scary! This totally made me cry, I can't imagine having to go through this. And I am so sorry that you had to go through this. I hope he is feeling better now!
I'm glad you wrote about this. To me the blog is a record of your lives, for better or for worse. You are all stronger out of this experience, mentally and spiritually so it's an important event to remember. Kelton will read this years from now and know how much you love him and what an act of love you both have shown him on this night in his time of need.
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