Hospital Stays, Funerals and Thanksgiving
This has been an extremely exhausting and hard week.
Our family has been passing around a cold (which turned into pneumonia for Jude and RSV for Simon). At 17 days old the intensity of Simon’s cough was very concerning so I took him to the doctor first thing Tuesday morning. The doctor was concerned about his rapid breathing and suggested we take him to the hospital where they would better be able to check out such a young baby. So that afternoon Joe dropped off Simon and I at the Pediatric ER. As much as I didn’t want to go to the ER I knew respiratory issues in young infants can be very dangerous and we decided to be safe and just take him. I fully thought they would check him out and we would be back home that evening, but I was wrong.
The doctors and nurses were also concerned with his breathing, not only was he breathing rapidly but also very forcefully. He was struggling for breath. They tested him for RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) a very serious virus for young infants, and it came back positive. They gave him a breathing treatment and admitted him to stay overnight for observation. When we were admitted his oxygen levels were really low so they put him on oxygen and continued with the breathing treatments. Thankfully he didn’t have any/much congestion in his lung.
Joe was able to stay home with the older boys for a bit and my parents were also able to help take care of the boys and bring me stuff in the hospital. (like food!) Tuesday evening Joe brought me clothes and some food while my parents watched the boys and put them to bed. Right after Joe left to go home I got a call from my dad that my grandmother (Mema – my dad’s mom) had passed away. I was in complete shock especially since she had just commented on my Facebook post about Simon a few hours prior. As I sat alone in the hospital room with my sick 17 day old son and found out about my grandmother’s passing I was completely overwhelmed. We later found out that she went to lay down and watch TV, fell asleep and just never woke up. I am greatly saddened at her passing but it is comforting to know that she went very peacefully.
On Wednesday morning they took Simon off oxygen and he did really well maintain oxygen levels on his own all day. In fact, there was talk of sending him home later that afternoon but the doctors agreed that because of his young age they would feel more comfortable keeping him one more night. So we stay another night and were discharged first thing Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, morning.
We spent Thanksgiving at my parent’s house with my dad’s family. We all had so much to be thankful for, even though we were all sad that Mema was not with us, it was so nice to be with supportive and loving family. Everyone was so happy that Simon was doing so well and home from the hospital. We watched old home videos of my dad and his siblings from when they were growing up.
I have never been a big fan of Thanksgiving (I don’t really care for any of the food.) but this year I am extremely thankful for so many things. I’m thankful for the health and well being of my family. I’m thankful that my Mema went so peacefully and is now resting with Jesus and reunited with her beloved husband, my Pepa. I’m thankful for so many supportive friends both online and off. I’m thankful for the awesome nurses and staff at the hospital. I’m thankful for non-hospital food. I’m thankful for an awesome husband who puts family 1st and cares so deeply for us. I’m thankful for Joe’s work and co-workers that have been extremely supportive and understanding. I’m thankful for so so so much.
The funeral will be held on Saturday morning, what would have been Mema’s 84th birthday.
