Monday, December 14, 2009

behind...

Unfortunately, my "hey, maybe I'll catch up" week was spent in the hospital with that baby of mine. An all-day clinic visit on Monday for some IV fluids after a crazy weekend of diarrhea didn't quite stave off the mess, so when he woke up with fever and vomiting, we headed to the hospital at 3 am Tuesday. We just made it home Friday night with a bit of begging.

In we went for IV antibiotics, blood transfusions of both the platelet and RBC sort, make-up fluids, and a myriad of nighttime interruptions. Wednesday night was a little hairy--a temperature of 105'F, for instance--but by Thursday we just had a lingering not-too-high and not-always temperature and a waiting pattern for 24-hours-without-fever and a more robust white-cell count (ANC=0). The blood cultures never grew anything nasty, so we think we're just dealing with a virus now. Reuben stayed smiley and flirty and breastfeeding well throughout, which kept me from getting too scared. He was especially helped by a nice red cell transfusion which had him jumping on the bed within a half hour of beginning. He spent much of the next couple of days wishing he wasn't on a 3' tether in a 6' room. I spent a bit of time myself wishing I wasn't on a 5' sleeping chair...but we had a good view. And favorite nurses. Could be worse, friends.

Ay, we are behind on life! But Nathan happily scheduled a cycling club (advises the local university team) meeting at our house for Friday night and I came home to a clean house and cute college kids, including one making rainbow snowflakes with the happy-to-be-up-late girls. Then on Saturday, I even coerced the girls into helping fold the mammoth pile of laundry in my basement on Saturday. Gradually catching up...though the always-effective approach of staying up late the last couple of nights will not last.

I have been just so happy to be home. And Christmas-ing. I love it.

5 comments:

Kathi D said...

That boy needs to stop worrying everybody! Sweet little guy.

sallyavena said...

Val, you are amazing!

Sherry said...

Thanks for the update. Wish there was some way I could help...

Snippety Gibbet said...

These reminded me of you: http://zencrafting.blogspot.com/
This embroidery reminds me of pysanky and could be done away from home.

jan

Rebecca said...

I recently decided to catch up on some old friends via their blogs, and apparently I haven't checked yours since my little one was born in March. I read your most recent post and quickly realized that little Reuben was struggling with something big. As I proceeded to read through all your old blogs for information, my heart just broke for your little family. I, too, can't believe in a God that puts these things in our path, but I do believe he helps us through them. Without you knowing it, you've become one of my "helps" from Heavenly Father! I'm humbled by how you handle your trials and those of your sweet babies. Thank you for your example. You will be in our thoughts and prayers, and I'll definitely be reading your blog more often for updates on all the Goates!