Thursday, February 4, 2010

THERE ARE DAYS YOU NEVER FORGET

There are certain days in your life that every detail is imprinted. Two years ago today is one of those days. Jack was 5 days old. He had been home from the hospital for almost 48 hours. Something was wrong, but no one suspected anything but his MOM. He had spent the day before at our house watching his first Super Bowl. He cheered for Eli. His Mom, Dad and Parker took him home after the game. Amanda was so tired that our plan was for her to come back to our house the next day and sleep, while we took care of this new little love. Micah had left for Fort Worth to work on a job. It makes me weak to think what would have happened if those plans had stayed the same. I am writing this post, if for no other reason to remind new Moms, that if they have that Mom's intuition and gut feeling that something is not right, CHECK IT OUT. I can hardly type that line without getting on my knees and thanking God that Amanda acted on nothing more than just an uneasy feeling that something was wrong. The only symptom Jack had was that he did not want to nurse on that Sunday night. Nothing more. He had been a tad jaundice when he left the hospital but we were not concerned about that. I can still remember that 9AM call from her asking her Dad to come and get her and her casually saying why didn't they stop by the doctors office and just make sure Jack was not more jaundice. Our pediatrician is not far from our house and we love her as a friend as well as a doctor. She is a wonderful lady, that 7 years before had taught my 18 year old, senior in high school girl that she could be the best Mom, always giving her confidence, always teaching her, always making her feel special. I will always be grateful to her for that. ALWAYS!
Another call came at 10 when my husband said to get dressed and get to the hospital, that they were admitting Jack to the NICU. I was stunned and had no idea what could be wrong. I dressed in record time and still remember the elevator doors opening , and Amanda sitting in a chair crying, as they were asking her to sign papers for all kinds of tests, including a spinal tap. Micah was already 4 hours away, hormones were raging as her milk was coming in and in just a matter of hours our healthy little baby was critically ill. His body temperature was extremely low. Critically low. There are some things that you do not have to be told. When 2 NICU doctors, and what seemed like every nurse on the floor was staying in his little isolation room, it was evident that things were not good. They immediately hooked him up to a broad spectrum of antibiotics, which to me is a scare in its self. I read faces and I saw some GRIM ones. Amanda probably does not even remember this, but I remember the director of the NICU sitting down and saying that he was very sick, we had caught it early, BUT things could go either way. I have never felt so helpless. It seemed like hours before we could see him and when we did he had tubes everywhere. That little cubicle was where we stayed for the next ten days, standing over that bed, praying that God would heal him. Meningitis was VERY serious in a week old baby. We stayed around the clock, constantly trying to get Amanda to go home and sleep, so she could continue to nurse. The assured us over and over that breast milk was even more important for him. After about 5 days I began to notice that the nurses did not have quite the same seriousness in their look when they were taking care of him. Ten days later we were able to bring a healthy little answer to prayer home. As Amanda and Micah left the hospital, the NICU doctor finally said those very sobering words to Amanda. Had she not gone with her gut feeling, this story would have had a very different out come. His words were "there would have been a funeral"! When I think of what would have happened had we gone with our original plans and just assumed that he was sleeping a lot, since that's what newborns do...with his temperature dropping quickly. Thank you God for sparing this child. I cannot imagine life without him. And the HERO...MY GIRL! Thank you Amanda for being the Mom you are. You are the best and your boys ADORE YOU. SOMEDAY we will tell him his MIRACLE STORY.

REMEMBER THAT SUNDAY NIGHT IS THE SUPERBOWL DRAWING. I THINK WE HAD 96 ENTRIES AND THERE ARE STILL 43 BLOGGERS IN THE RUNNING. I WILL POST THE WINNER ON MONDAY MORNING.

ALSO, YOU CAN READ THE PREVIOUS POST TO READ ABOUT OUR TRIP TO VAIL.

I HAVE A FUN POST COMING NEXT WEEK. WHILE WE WERE GONE MY DEAR FRIEND AND ELF, TERRI, CAME TO MY HOUSE AND PUT OUT ALL MY STUFF! ...I HAD ALL THE CHRISTMAS DOWN AND ALL MY REGULAR STUFF IN LITERALLY A PILE. SHE REDID THE MANTLE, MOVED FURNITURE, HUNG PICTURES, MADE NEW NOOKS....GENERALLY GAVE ME A MAKEOVER WITH MY STUFF. I LOVE IT AND IT WAS SO FUN COMING HOME TO. SHE MADE SOME GREAT PICTURES THAT I WILL SHARE NEXT WEEK.


29 comments:

Edie said...

What beautiful, sweet babies! I just want to squeeze that little one you're holding in your profile picture! :)

Enjoy the weekend!

Ra Ra Bazaar said...

What a wonderful story to share. I now have tears rolling down my face! You are so nlessed with the way in which you communicate.

Linda said...

Teresa I am so glad that your little guy made it through and has brought so much joy into your lives.

God is so good! And He does hear and answer prayers!

Your friend Terri sounds amazing. Everyone needs a friend like that!

Take Care Grammy Girlfriend!
Luv ya!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Wow!!! Powerful post...I am a big believer in 'Gut' feelings. So glad your daughter was smart enough to go with hers. Happy to know the ending to your story was a good one...have a great weekend.

T said...

Oh my this brings tears to my eyes! Praise God for his Momma's intuition!

Courtney said...

What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing and getting the word out. Have a great weekend!

Jennifer said...

A mother knows....

As I type this, my 18-month old is finally asleep after our own late night ER run. I can't sleep yet.

My husband is out of town at a military convention. Nudgie had a mystery fever all week - running between low-grade and somewhat high. Last night as I was watching TV before bed, something told me to check on her. Her temperature was raging at 104. I took her right to the ER, no questions or 2nd thoughts. Turns out that she has strep and a raging ear infection.

While not as serious as your grandbaby's illness -- a mother still knows when something's wrong!

So glad all is well and that he continues to bless your life!

~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com

Faye said...

Oh Teresa,I cried when I read this..We serve an awesome God..I love the oic. He is a cutie:) Hope you have a great weekend..Blessings, Faye

Love Being A Nonny said...

I cannot even imagine how scared you must have been. Thank goodness for a mother's intuition. I know he is even MORE special to you because you almost lost him. What an adorable little boy! Thankful he is healthy!

ShEiLa said...

Thank heavens for Mother's intuition.

I am glad your experience had a happy ending.

ToOdLeS.

Lynn said...

What a wonderful blessing to have your grandson healthy again! When we get a scare like that it really puts our priorities in order in a big hurry doesn't it. So thankful you have him to enjoy today!! Our God is good!

Blessings,
Lynn

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Yes he is your miracle blessing, it really makes you appreciate them all the more. Our daughter had a congenital heart defect at eleven days old I had to fight to get a doctor to listen to me. Yes, God gives mamas that wonderful intuition.

You have a gloriously blessed weekend!

Anonymous said...

God is so good to take care of our loved ones. I am so thankful you shared this. It was a blessing! Have a great weekend.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What a blessing God gave to all of you. Amen.

I am not in the running. It should be a fun day!

Joyce said...

Wow what a story! So glad to hear the happy ending!

Enjoy the superbowl...we're rooting for the Colts. Go Peyton!

Sharon said...

What a wonderful testimony! God is good all the time. Glad you have little Jack after all that. Hope you have a great weekend.
Sharon

Sharon said...

What a wonderful testimony! God is good all the time. Glad you have little Jack after all that. Hope you have a great weekend.
Sharon

Jane In The Jungle said...

Whew...that just put a lump in my throat...Praise God!

Lesli said...

Wow, what an amazing story, of course me being the emotional person that I am is sitting her crying like baby. Jack is a miracle and I am so glad that God took care of Jack and your family through this difficult time. God is good!! Thank you for sharing!!

Weezer said...

Having a child (or grandchild) fight so early in his life makes it all the more precious. Blessings on that sweet family.
Beautiful pictures. You must have tons and tons of them after so many days in such beautiful surroundings.
Glad you're back safely.
**Hugs**

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

Wow, what a precious story...
I can't find your super bowl post. Every time I come here it brings me to Feb 4th post. Hmmm...is it after that one? Oh well...Geaux Saints---I am from New Orleans!

Lesli said...

I have a little something for you over at my blog!!

Dionna said...

I have chills and tears in my eyes. I am so so glad that little Jack is okay. Wow. Thanks for the reminder to trust that inner voice.

~Amy Rose said...

What a blessing he is...an what a beautiful post to your daughter! Thanks for sharing!

Passed the "Over the Top" award onto you
http://therosefamily2009.blogspot.com/

Abbey's Road said...

Thank you for visiting, Teresa! I will enjoy catching up on your blog and making your friendship.

Blessings,
Abbey

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

What a wonderful Praise report of your grandson's recovery and health! Yes, yes, yes! A real blessing that your daughter went with her heart and that it was caught in time. God bless you and your family! Every Superbowl weekend surely has a very significant meaning!

Blessings & Aloha!

Tracy said...

Wow, what a story! Praise God that your girl followed her intuition, and praise God for healing that precious little guy! He is a miracle, indeed!

I read back a few posts to see your trip...what a gorgeous place! Glad you had such a great time!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment. Seeing your name made me smile. = )

Blessings to you!
Tracy

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!! Love your blog as well!! Its so pretty! I'm now a new follower of yours!!!:)

Anonymous said...

So glad that story has a happy ending!!

What a precious boy and a precious family!