December blog catch up

The start of December was great. We had our tree up and decorated the first weekend after Thanksgiving. I managed to do some baking and also had a few presents wrapped…unheard of if you know me. Jake and I had taken the kids out to eat, and to pick out our annual Christmas ornament and then met my parents at Riverfront park for the Christmas tree lighting. We were seriously enjoying our “normalcy.” December, 13, we ended up having to take Claire to the ER at Doernbecher for increased seizure activity. The ER did their best to slow Claire’s seizures, but could not so Claire was admitted to the Pediatric ICU. On the 14th, Claire was having some airway issues and was on oxygen all day. Jake was out of town and my dad was kind enough to go up to the hospital to stay with Claire that evening. Prior to me leaving Claire was really out of it…nearly unresponsive. I learned a new medical term-“obtunded,” which is a state between aware and just before coma…Claire was conscious, but barely. Claire was not gagging and was basically laying in my arms just whimpering. Later that evening, Claire lost her ability to breathe on her own and was intubated. Claire stayed intubated for about 48 hours. On the 16th Claire was extubated, and showing improvement in her breathing. The breathing tube had left Claire very hoarse and raspy but at least she was breathing on her own. The overwhelming feeling of sadness and struggle that I had was monumental. I was struggling with how sick Claire was and feeling so sad that we were in the hospital so close to Christmas. As is always the case, God was faithful and helped me through it and healed Claire enough to be discharged on Dec. 21. Claire’s actual diagnosis was aspiration pneumonia. Claire had inhaled vomit and gotten sick. While hospitalized Claire received antibiotics and also had a test done to confirm reflux. We left the hospital with an altered feeding schedule and were able to have Christmas at home with our family!
In the midst of all of the chaos and sadness I was feeling with Claire, Tristan was being a good boy and growing like a weed. He was “furniture walking” eating more and of course flirting with the nurses every chance he got. Tristan was full of laughs and snuggles…something this mommy needed when I could not snuggle with Claire.
Should anyone wonder what our life was like with Claire in the hospital and Tristan still nursing…here is a small glimpse.
6 AM wake up…feed Tristan, shower, grab coffee and something to eat and hit the road hopefully by 8. Get to the hospital and spend all day with Claire while Jake worked. Try and eat dinner with Jake at the hospital before Tristan and I headed home. Jake lovingly stayed with Claire and though it was rough, God gave us the strength to make it through.
One other blessing…on December 17, 2011, my brother and his lovely wife welcomed their first baby…a beautiful girl born with a head full of hair. Cecilia Belle…I drove from Doernbecher to Corvallis to meet my niece…it was a long day…but worth it for newborn cuddles and to congratulate my bro & sis-in-law.