Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Hospital Moments

Our family put all the meaning back into the threat, "If you don't eat, I am going to shove that food down your throat!" last week. Will is now fed 800 calories a night through a nasal-gastro tube and a home-care food pump.
It's the happiest tube-fed baby in the world! He is thrilled that there is no more of that hard chewing and bothersome swallowing. (Brigham sometimes refers to him simply as 'Crazy.')
In the Child Life room. I had never seen bubbles before in my entire life. They are wonderful!
The nurse told us that she had never seen a child crawl in and out of the bottom of his crib like Will did, for an hour at a time.
This is him after waking up from his endoscopy (which revealed nothing amiss). I just want to add that my assertions about his determination not to sleep were medically substantiated. He did not fall asleep with the sedative that was supposed to be super fast-acting. Yes, he stopped fighting, but the child was awake. Awake enough, even, to pull the IV containing the sedative from his arm. We had been sent out of the room bc he was supposedly under, but a few minutes later I heard him screaming like crazy (like Crazy?). It was a few minutes before he cut off mid-blood-curdling scream. Tell me again that I should just let him cry it out and he will give up.

I admit that I have often longed to be hospitalized: summer of '02 (to avoid making a decision about where to go to law school); Jan 1999- July 2000 (I was a missionary in South America, but it wouldnt have mattered where)*; the week before Will was born (Andrew was 2); the first few months after Will was born . . . But my hospital fantasy is over forever. It was awful being stuck in there and I couldn't get out fast enough. Will and I finally made a break at 11pm on day 2.

Things are going fine at home. It is actually sort of nice to know that he will get at least 800 calories a day, no question. And seeing the other children who really do have serious illnesses was very sobering. Babies with cancer. Will is doing very well and has not made another attempt at pulling out the tube. He is just the sweetest little thing ever. I sometimes hate to see that tube on his face, but most of the time I don't notice. Its the look of heartbreaking sympathy on the faces of kindly strangers in public places that reminds me. People really are kind. How could then not be?

*just kidding. the only serious one is 2002. I really did fantasize hospitalization then. It would have been a car accident that did no permanent damage, but serious short-term injury. So I could have a few more months to decide. Totally understandable.

17 comments:

Monica Rich said...

Ok, your expression in that picture cracked me up. Bubbles truly are wonderful.

I'm glad to hear that little Will not pulling out his tube. What a trooper.

Dan and Hilary said...

Will looks so adorable! I totally think hospitals and kids sound like a sad scenario yet I find it so cute at the same time. I am glad Will is doing better, and I hate to admit that I had no idea he was having any problems. Alexandra, you are made of steel (in a soft way) and always have been!:)

Troy and Nancee Tegeder said...

What a sweet boy. I'm sorry about Will's tube. I'm glad he is doing okay now with the tube though. I can't believe he didn't fall asleep after being given sedatives. I think the "crying it out" option is definitely not for you. Thanks for the contact info.

Ie Li said...

You are hilarious. Your Will is so darling. Your red coat is beautiful. Your blog is awesome.

Briana said...

I'm sorry. I had no idea.

The picture of Will wearing the goggles warmed my heart and made me giggle. So sweet...

Hope everything continues to go well with the tube.

Bri

Jacqueline Auna and family said...

He's such a bright little guy - so happy and sweet despite all that is going on! You are an amazing mom and he's a really wonderful little boy.

Lauren said...

What a sweet little guy. He looks so happy and I am glad he is doing well on the tube.

You all are troopers!

Carolina said...

He really does look like the happiest tube-fed baby in the world!

I hope everything goes well with the tube and that he won't need it long.

Unknown said...

I am glad you are out of the hospital now and that Will is getting the calories he needs! There is nothing fun about a sick baby, although those bubbles sure would have brightened my day too. :) I love that picture of you two!

I agree with a previous commenter that you are made of steel. I love you guys!

Eliza said...

You should just let him cry it out and he will give up.

Really though, that is a sad story. but I'm glad that he's getting what he needs! What a brave mom and boy. I'm sorry you had to go through that...leaving your child alone in a hospital room! I'd be crying pretty hard actually!

I noticed the tube on Sunday and wanted to ask you about it but didn't get a chance.

I love your coat too.

Will is adorable.

And...bubbles! Amazing!

Eliza said...

Umm, I was trying to be funny with the first line of my comment and it kinda didn't work at all. Sorry about that. I'm kind of anti crying it out in general and many older moms think I am nuts.

Tat said...

You're a trooper. Will really does look happy, though, and that says a lot. I, too, had previously fantasized about hospitalization, for many of the same reasons, but four days (back in August) for pregnancy-related dehydration cured me of that misconception forever. Also, the look on your face in the bubble picture made me laugh out loud.

Momo Cannon said...

You are all troopers! Wish we were closer to help out. Hope Will gets what he needs. A few pounds will relieve everyone's concerns. Love, Momo

Audrey and the Boys said...

Sorry I wasn't able to help out when he got the tube. I can't believe that the original sedative didn't knock him out. What a fighter. Maybe he is like Scott. He has often said that if he could cut one thing out of his life it would be eating. I just don't understand that!!

Alisha said...

Alexandra - you're a good mom.

April said...

Will can take rides in our stroller anytime :-) You are very optimistic about the whole thing, and I admire you for that.

Tiana said...

What a little trooper. You are all amazing. Yeah for 800 calories a day! (how many parents can guarantee that in their kids?) I wish you speedy growth little Will!