Sunday, January 30, 2011

Then...

After I wrote this post on Tuesday, Mr. O-man and I had another long night: more coughing, more crying, more restless sleep.

Then...

Wednesday was a day spent on the couch with tissues, juice and me doing the best to console a very cranky, sick little boy. Thank goodness, Mook got home at 7 that night (he brought me flowers and made me dinner--brownie points) and he took the Wednesday night shift of getting up with O-man.

Then...
 
Thursday morning, with no improvement and what I felt was a worsening cough, I asked Mook to call the pediatrician to get an appointment--no more messing around. My momma-bear instinct just told me something wasn't right. I left for work hoping I'd come home to a solution for the "sick-ick"

Then...

About 3pm, I saw a blocked call come up on my phone. I never answer blocked calls. Except I did this time. It was the pediatrician...she spoke slow and calm, and I knew that wasn't a good sign. "JJ, I'm so sorry to have to tell you this, but your son and husband are in an ambulance on the way to the hospital."

Then...

I thought I might collapse. All I really remember in that moment is this loud buzzing noise in my head and my heart feeling like it might burst. I frantically tried to figure out how I was going to get to the hospital--I wasnt sure how to get there from where my office is, so my boss graciously got in his car and had me follow him there. On the way, I clumsily dialed numbers...choking into the phone that I was on the way to the ER.

Then...

Running into the waiting room...waiting for someone to tell me where to go....seeing Mook holding him as the nurses were frantically getting him hooked up to oxygen, getting his temperature as they asked us a million questions.  Waiting for answers...watching Oman slip in and out of a conscious state.  Not being able to do a thing for him but hold his hand and wait....

Then...

Being told he had RSV and a bacteria infection that was affecting his red blood cells. We wouldn't see a lot of improvement right away...he was very sick...he was severely dehydrated and would need an IV...watching four adults wrestle this little toddler who was fighting us with all the strength he had left as the monitors and tubes were being attached.



Then...

There is so much in between that Im still processing...some really dark, scary moments. But even in those really dark moments, our friends and family were so amazing that I am just speechless.

Then...

We were sent home...lots of care instructions and with knowledge we had a battle still ahead of us.

Then...

I was back at the ER...but not with O-man...with Mook. The night we got home from the hospital, he started feeling really crummy...by the next day he had a high fever, sore throat...and coughing up blood. Thank the heavens my parents were here to stay with O-man...


Flu.

Yes, he had the flu shot. No, he will never get the flu shot again (this all coming from him...as this is the 2nd time he's ever gotten a flu shot, and proceeded to get the flu)

Then...

Just to throw a little more excitement into the mix...this morning, my dad and I had to rewire a faulty switch that could have caused just a *tiny problem. (*huge understatement)


Now...


I'm tired. That may be the understatement of the year. I'm also incredibly thankful...things could always be worse. But I'm so, so, so hoping they only get better from here....please allow me share this little bit of wisdom: take nothing for granted. Hug your babies, your dogs, your cats, your wife, your husband, your bunny rabbit. I have never felt anything like that fear. I don't ever want to again.
 

66 comments:

  1. Oh, JJ. This post left me with tears in my eyes and completely speechless. I was shaking when you wrote about O-Man in the ER. I had to go check on Oscar. You poor thing! I am SO GLAD to hear that he is home now. RSV is sooo scary. I hope that you are able to get some rest and take care of yourself after such an ordeal. I will be thinking of you and your family. (((hugs)))

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  2. Someone very special told me this week as we traded tears via tweets, emails and messages that we take care of our own. The Shclubfest girls and kids are our family and when one is sick, we all feel it. So very true. While I may not have felt what you did, I will never forget falling apart when I got off the phone with you and just wanting nothing more than to hear good news as soon as possible. We are all so grateful that everyone is on the mend. Here's to hoping that you can get some rest now as well.

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  3. I hope OMan and your DH recover as soon as possible and that you never have to go through anything like it again. ((HUGS))

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  4. <3 <3 <3

    I can only hope that this time passes quickly and your boys are well soon. I hope that you felt all of us there with you. <3

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  5. what a difficult and heartbreaking experience for you have. thank goodness you are all home and recuperating.

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  6. Oh honey - I've been thinking of you guys since I saw your facebook update. This made me cry but I am so relieved that O-Man & Mook are both home with you. Sending so many hugs and calm moments your way. xoxo

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  7. OMG JJ, I am so sorry you had to go through all this and I am so sorry I've been so absent from everything and didn't know about it until now. Thank God Oman is doing a bit better and I hope Mook feels better soon.

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  8. Oh, JJ! How unbelievably scary! I am so happy to hear the Oman is home. Hope Mook feels better soon, too.

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  9. Oh thank goodness he's ok. I was thinking of him and sending him special Aussie sunshine vibes.

    JJ that must have been unbelievably scary for you. Take care of you too, huh? That was a biggie.

    XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

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  10. oh JJ, so awful, so scary. so happy everyone is on the mend! definitely grateful to send you some twitter love, and for your wonderful friends who kept us posted and kept that love coming your way. xo to you all!

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  11. I can't even begin to imagine the emotions you and Mook have been dealing with. What a horrifying chain of events!!!

    I'm so glad everyone is home and hopefully recovering well. I hope O-man is responding well to treatments and that Mook is on the mend as well.

    Take care of yourself sweetie! (((hugs)))

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  12. Oh JJ, my heart lept into my chest reading this post! I hope that both Oman and Mook are on the mend and that you're doing ok. Much love to you all. xxx

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  13. That must have been super scary! We are learning to not just live but thrive while swimming in fear. We tell people EVERY DAY to tell peole you love that you love them, to hug those who matter, and to appreciate their life. So glad that this story has a happy ending. Also glad we could help!

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  14. I can't imagine that terror. My prayers go out to you guys for a speedy recovery for everyone.

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  15. That picture of O-Man just rips my heart out--I cannot imagine what you went through.

    Here's hoping for speedy recoveries for O-Man and Mook...and
    please take care of yourself too!

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  16. Oh my goodness, how horribly scary!! I hope everyone is feeling much better very soon. (((HUGS)))

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  17. I am so glad Mook and O are on the mend. I can't imagine how scared you must have been. I never want to have to be in those shoes.

    Proud of you for staying strong! HUGS!

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  18. You all have been so heavy on my heart these last few days. I am so happy you are all well enough to be home, but am continuing to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. xoxoxo

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  19. Been following your updates..and I'm so so glad everyone is slowly but surely getting better.
    This is just too much for one person to handle. Stay well. I hope you can get some sleep (nice deep un-worried sleep). Sending huge hugs!

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  20. Oh sweetie! How scary! I'm so glad to hear both your boys are feeling better. Please please get some rest. Process the other stuff later, when you've had some rest.

    Sending you lots of love.
    *HUGS*

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  21. I'm so hoping everyone is on the mend and that nothing like this ever happens to you guys again! Thank you for checking in every once in awhile on FB as we were all very worried about O-man. Healthy wishes to you all.

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  22. I am so sorry! How very scary for all of you! Keeping you, Oman and Mook in my thoughts and prayers. {{hugs}}

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  23. Oh, JJ, what a scary series of events. Thank God you all were kept ultimately safe.

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  24. JJ, you've been in my thoughts and prayers for DAYS. Such a scary time, but I'm glad things are going well now and getting better. Hang in there, your doing an awesome job as a mommy and wife!

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  25. So glad to hear Oman's okay. Been worried since I saw the message go out.

    Give him a big hug from all his internet aunties!

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  26. Oh Good Grief, JJ. I so hope you are all better soon. How incredibly scary. Thank goodness your parents were there. Hugs.

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  27. What a scary week. I think it can only get better from here on out. You will have much to celebrate by the time Oman's birthday rolls around. I hope he is well on the road to recovery by then.

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  28. Dear Universe:

    Since JJ has obviously experience a full year's share of drama in just the first month of 2011, I wish to thank you in advance for all the smooth sailing and good luck she'll have from here on.

    Thank you.

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  29. JJ, I'm so glad that Mook and O-man are okay! How scary that must be. I'll be praying that no more sickness comes to your house and that both boys have a full recovery!

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  30. sending lots of love, healing and rest. and wine. and hugs. etc etc etc

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  31. I was following along on Twitter. So glad that O-man is home now and continuing to pray for a full and speedy recovery for both your boys.

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  32. I am so glad that O-man is home and on his way to recovering.

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  33. Oh sweetie you've been in my constant thoughts and prayers.

    Just know you guys are loved and prayed for!!!

    Sending loads of get well wishes to you and O-man.

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  34. Even though I've been keeping up and checking in throughout this whole thing reading your words especially the part about holding your sweet baby down so they could attach tubes and monitors sent me back into tears. I am so, so sad that you had to endure any of this and hope from here on out O-man (and Mook) continue to improve! Love ya tons!

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  35. I am so glad everyone is at home and slowly on the mend. RSV is so very scary- as an ER nurse I know how extremely scary is.

    I have you in my prayers constantly.

    {{HUGS}}}

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  36. Glad everyone is home. Lots of TLC at your house.

    Praying for you all.

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  37. Yikes on the ambulance ride and everything. I hope everyone is recovering well by now. Hugs to you.

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  38. Oh, JJ!! How terrifying!! I am so sorry for all you've gone through this week. And very happy to know that you came out on the upside of it!

    It makes me catch my breath to think of Skeeter getting ambulance/hospital type sick. Off to give him a squeeze right now.

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  39. My god, JJ, I'm so glad O-man is ok. And Mook...((hugs))

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  40. I am so so sorry you had to go through all of this :( I am thinking of you all and I really hope you get some rest soon and that everyone stays healthy. Hugs to you.

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  41. I am *so* glad he is okay. I was really scared for you guys. It really socked me in the heart, as yours was not the first local RSV case I had heard of, and I just... well, it all hits close to home when you've got little ones (especially little ones who you have just inadvertently exposed to who knows what on your own little jaunt to the ER-- I hereby call a ban on further trips to the ER for all of us this year!). I didn't want to say so, because I know it wouldn't have been helpful at all, but I know exactly how serious a blood infection can be. My one near-death experience was due to a serious blood infection, and weirdly enough, my grandmother died of a blood infection after having ignored symptoms because... she had gotten a flu vaccine and always got sick afterward. It's part of the reason why my first (and so far only) flu vaccine was last year when I was pregnant during Swine Flu-palooza 2009.

    Anyway... just so, so, so glad everyone's okay and on the mend and that the wiring didn't cause any major problems.

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  42. OMG, how incredibly scary. I'm so sorry you went through this. Sending healthy vibes your way.

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  43. I felt physically ill reading this. I can only imagine how terrifying this must have been for you. I am glad to hear that things are on the mend now. Wishing health to you family.

    Big big hugs.

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  44. Oh honey. How ridiculously terribly awful!

    I hope you get something great as karmic 'payback' (if you will) for these horrid scary times.

    Thinking of you!

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  45. Just sending so much love and hugs and support for your family right now. RSV is nasty nasty business. We are in isolation right now because of RSV season. I know what it's like to watch your kids on oxygen and when they can't breathe. It is more heartbreaking than words can say. Praying that there are no lasting problems and that everyone is on the mend and will have a full recovery. OXXO -Traci

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  46. Oh, JJ, I am so sorry that you and your family had to g through that. I am so glad that everyone is on the mend. Much love to all of you.

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  47. BIG SIGH! How to begin to tell you how infinitely sorry I am that you and your family had to endure all of this. I pray for your peace and some good times ahead. Girl, you deserve it!

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  48. Good lord, how terrifying. So glad O is on the mend.

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  49. All I can tell you is that I have never prayed so hard for people who "live in my computer" as I did for O-Man. I didn't know it was possible to be that relieved for someone you don't even know when word went out over Twitter that he had begun the upswing. Continued thoughts & prayers for your little family, for rest & peace & healing. And for Pete's sake, NO MORE DRAMA. You've endured your 2011 maximum already.

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  50. I hope Oman is doing better each day and will be fully recovered before you know it. Could Mook have not picked another time to get the flu? You have had so much on your plate, I hope you are taking some time to recover yourself.

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  51. I am so sorry, my friend. I am praying for you all. I hope that healing and peace find your home swiftly.
    xoxo

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  52. What and exhausting ride! So sorry you all have to go through this. I hope things are shaping up now.

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  53. Thinking of you and yours in this difficult time for you! Wishing everyone a quick recovery and great health.

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  54. OMG! I just now saw this! I so hope he and Mook are doing loads better. I hope your family and friends were able to stay around to let you get some rest too. This kind of thing scares the life out of you, doesn't it?

    Hugs

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  55. Thinking of you and hoping that everyone heals quickly. <3

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  56. Oh man what a pile of crap. I am sorry and hope everything gets 110% better real soon.

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  57. Oh my goodness, I'm so, so sorry!! :(

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  58. Here from lfca. So sorry for what you've been through! I was in the hospital with my twin who had rsv and the flu, and it sucked. My husband and I are getting divorced and he had my 3 year old (who had a high fever at the time) and I have no other friends or family here. There were a few times during our stay when I thought about how bad it could get but I wouldn't let myself feel it. How right you are, it sure makes you grateful for what you have.

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  59. I'm sorry that I'm here late. I swear I have been thinking of you & following Oman's progress on Twitter. THANK GOODNESS he is ok. OMG.

    I wanted to tell you that the boys had RSV 3 times each in their first 2 yrs of life and Gio was taken to the hospital from daycare in an ambulance when he was 9 months old and I was just beside myself..I know how scary it is...and while he was not in and out of consciousness, I was CRAZY with worry.

    I am so glad that everyone is on the mend. Love you all.

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  60. So horribly scary! I've had a couple of calls to rush to the ER for an ex who kept getting pneumonia one Winter. I can't even imagine getting a call that my child was on the way to the ER. AWFUL!

    Hope everyone is doing much better.

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  61. Ohhh JJ just read rachel's blog and caught the link to your page. So sorry you had to go through that. Through the intensity of love you feel and because of it, amazing strength surfaces when you need it. Hope both your men are okay. Sweet Oliver...hope to see you all again soon.

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  62. Oh, dear. I hope everything is okay soon. You and your family are in my thoughts.

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  63. Oh JJ ... here from LFCA (blogoversary) and so shocked to see this news. Glad things are "going ok (considering)," but yikes. I'll be holding you, Mook, and O-Man in my thoughts and hope you'll be able to post good news about speedy recoveries soon.

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  64. Just wanted to say I was thinking about you and I hope everything is going better for Oman and your dh.

    You're awesome!!

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  65. B"H. (Thanak G-d).

    Not much more you can say. I'm so so so glad that prayers were answered.


    (I've never gotten a flu shot, and never will- but the kids do...)

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