“I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.” ~ Mother Teresa
Stanton continues to have a respiratory crash every three weeks. It's difficult to handle these illnesses so close together and yet so predictable. We have one week of horror, then two weeks of good. This time around it's put us in the hospital. Stanton has pneumonia that he just can't shake. It seems to be lingering in his lower left lung. It's sad to admit, but being at the hospital has been a bit of a break. Here, I'm only mom. My only job is to comfort my child. I can focus all my energy and efforts on him and his needs. This, I can handle. The nurses and hospital staff take care of everything else....the medication, the breathing treatments, even the food and clean sheets! I am thankful to be in a place that is comfortable so I can focus on my job...being mom.
The pediatrician on call has witnessed what I deal with on a daily basis: the fight to get Stanton to take anything by mouth. One sip of apple juice at a time; the eye dropper of water; the throwing up of forced medications, the refusal of food. He's really had nothing to eat or drink since Saturday afternoon and is, therefore, IV dependent while here. Today, however, he's finally reached the bottom of an apple juice box. It took all day - but he did it! I hope this is the start of a better night and day tomorrow. We can't go home until he begins drinking and taking his formula (Elecare).
After watching our oral battle, the pediatrician has raised some tough issues for us to consider and pursue. We first will see a pulminologist at Tulane. That leads to a series of "What If" scenarios that I'm not ready to share. The pediatrician wants to talk to our primary pediatrician about making a call to our team in Cincinatti. The doctor feels it should be a phone conversation, not just a faxing of records. This again leads to some difficult choices and scenarios that we must face.
Am I ready for this next, difficult journey? Can I handle what lies ahead? Why does God trust us enough to push my family down this stoney path?
"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
A tear just dropped as I finished reading today's post. All I can do is share you a comforting wish and remind you to keep the hope alive for Stanton to soon get a formal diagnostic and that a soon day he may not have his eating/pneumonia/vomit episodes... It's a good news that this doctor is interested in attempting to re-puzzle his special case :o) the prayers continue! Big hugs!!!
ReplyDeleteJessy
MY DEAR SWEET GINGER, JOHN ,STANTON AND BABY SAGE,
ReplyDeletePLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALL IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS THIS THANKSGIVING MORNING, WHILE I KNOW THAT YOU HARDLY FEEL LIKE GIVING "THANKS" THIS MORNING,I ALSO KNOW THAT YOU WILL, THAT'S WHO YOU ARE, THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOUR FAMILY, EVEN THIS SITUATION IS HIM REACHING OUT TO YOU, FOR THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE YOU ARE STRENGHTENED AND YOU ARE NOW ENABLED TO GO FORTH AND REACH OUT TO SO MANY WHO ARE GOING THEIR OWN "TRIAL'S AND TRIBULATIONS" .. PLEASE KNOW YOU YOU ARE LOVED, AND ADMIRED.. GOD IS WITH YOU ON THIS JOURNEY, AND HE LOVES YOU AS DO WE.
JOHN & CONNIE BENNETT