2.22.2010

Where I've Been


In case you haven't heard already, Cailin's been in the hospital with RSV for the last week. All things considered, she's doing pretty well, we're just waiting for her to get off the last little bit of oxygen (they call it a "trace"), and to stop requiring her airways to be suctioned out, at least so often. Of course, we've been waiting for this for the last 4 days now, but every day things look a little better. We'll see when it actually happens, though. Maybe Weds?

Being at the hospital this long is a completely new experience for me--I've never had a chance to interact with other patients before during any of my stays. This time around, because I'm pumping every 3 hours in the "pump room" I've had a chance to talk with some of the moms of other patients, and hear their stories. I've also had the same nurses and respiratory therapists a couple of times in a row, so I've gotten to hear their stories, too. I've come to realize that this place (the pediatric floor), while definitely a wonderful place with many happy endings, is also a place of much heartbreak and difficulty. There's the girl whose baby is 3 days younger than Cailin, who's already been released once, and is back in the hospital. There's the baby who had RSV to start, then somehow ended up with a blood infection. There's the baby they think has meningitis. But then there were the 3 other patients my nurse had yesterday, who were all released with (all things considered) healthy babies. There's my nurse herself, who had a baby at 19, then found out a year later that she had endometriosis, and had a hysterectomy at the ripe old age of 24. She refused to work pediatrics for a long time, and finally just recently has found the strength to be here, and has really grown to love helping others babies, and is considering doing that full time instead of rotating. There's the respiratory therapist we saw on the first night, who has a 15 year old daughter, and just found out a few weeks ago that she is finally expecting a second child, after years of trying, which ended with going to the doctor to tell them she wanted a permanent solution, only to find out she was pregnant.

When I asked one of the nightly respiratory therapists why they chose to suck out baby snot for a living, he just told me that even though it didn't seem like a very ideal job (can you imagine choosing a job that makes babies scream and cry all night?), it was a way to make an immediate positive impact in a child's life, and that made it all worth it. All I know is that I am SO grateful that despite whatever reservations our nurses and techs and therapists and doctors may have had about their jobs, they chose to do it anyway. My baby is here and thriving this week because they've chosen to do a job that while not ideal, and often so difficult, can make a big difference. I am forever thankful.

Now if we could just get out of this place... we're tired of being here.


and we really miss these three:

10 comments:

Kelly Hannah K said...

Hoping you can get out the hospital soon too! And I love the pictures you've posted. So sweet! The first one of Cailin looks like Janey while she's asleep. And the photo on the bridge is too cute.

*Aliese* said...

Yuck. I'm so sorry you've had to be there so long! I remember with my siblings though, the nicest part about those long stays were the "family members" you'd sort of adopt through talking with other families and getting to know the awesome doctors and nurses.

Erika said...

Many prayers that she'll be able to get out very, very soon so you can return home and get some real rest.

Anonymous said...

Jessie, I'm so sorry about Cailin's RSV! I have a friend whose son was hospitalized with it, and I know how scary it was for her. I also remember when DJ was on oxygen, and every time his level dropped and the monitor went off, I jumped in my seat. I just felt so anxious and worried that it was like I was on pins and needles all the time.

I know it's so hard when your baby is sick, and I'm hoping that you get to go home very soon. You're all in my prayers.

BECKY said...

You're a fabulous mom. Keep on keeping on through these hard days. I, like you, am just so grateful we have the doctors we do. If we didn't, right now Cailin might not be here and neither would my baby and I. It's such a miracle. Give her kisses and tell her we want her home soon!

Corby said...

Oh no! How did I miss this! I'm so sorry to hear this. You and Cailin (so adorable) are in my prayers.

pinksuedeshoe said...

I hope you can come home soon. I can't imagine how ready you are to be home in your own bed with a healthy child. I too am so grateful for all the people in the medical field that choose to deal with sick and grouchy people all day in order to save the lives of the people in their community. Sending you lots of love!

Tannie Datwyler said...

Being in the hospital like that for so long is kind of scary, but at the same time, like you said, it is neat to meet people and hear their stories. I got a bit of that with Linus in the NICU. I hope Cailin gets better soon! I think about you often.

Middletonfamily said...

I am sorry to hear that you guys are still in the hospital. It must be really hard on everyone. Cailin is going to be one tuff little girl when everything is all done. Hope you guys get to go home soon!

Mandi said...

Thinking of you guys! You've got such a great attitude, Jessie. You're coping so well. :)

I'm so grateful for wonderful and dedicated doctors to take care of us and our loved ones when sickness comes.