just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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These things change us
- Thread starter just pet
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HB1965
Litster
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It's not really meant to be a teaser just a statement. Once I get to know you better perhaps.
Jackotheshadows
Scream Cream
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Maybe not in a heartbeat, mostly because my heart seemed to freeze.
Sitting in the surgical suite of a medical center's Labor & Delivery department as my wife was wheeled in for an emergency c-section. Once upon a time, I worked in L & D, and in the OR, so I've seen hundreds of people on the table in the same circumstances.
But I was waiting outside. In a plastic chair. I'd seen the fetal monitor, the faces of the residents, attending physicians and the nurses. I knew those looks they gave each other. I used to give them to my colleagues when things were looking grim.
So, someone came for me, after Mrs Shadow was draped and ready to go, and they had my daughter out in three minutes. My wife was out of it, courtesy medication to keep her from having seizures (preeclampsia), but aware enough to know the room was very, very quiet. I left her to go to my baby, got to touch her hand, hear her make just one little squeak, and then watched her get whisked off to the NICU.
After getting out of surgery with the news that our baby was breathing on her own, but had seized herself, we had a visit from the attending neonatologist. A man with decades of experience, working in a Level 1 NICU, with state-of-the-art equipment, and some brilliant staff behind him. And listened to him tell us that he didn't know exactly what was going on, but that our girl needed to be transferred to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia immediately.
The thing that made *everything* within me scream to a halt? The fact that the doctor had tears in his own eyes as he told us the news, and that she may never get out of the NICU. Ever.
I learned three things from that day. One, control is an illusion that can be ripped away without warning. Two, prayers at 2am on your knees at the bedside of a gravely ill person sometimes are answered. And finally.....well, don't believe everything you're told.
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.c66f567633.jpg
Sitting in the surgical suite of a medical center's Labor & Delivery department as my wife was wheeled in for an emergency c-section. Once upon a time, I worked in L & D, and in the OR, so I've seen hundreds of people on the table in the same circumstances.
But I was waiting outside. In a plastic chair. I'd seen the fetal monitor, the faces of the residents, attending physicians and the nurses. I knew those looks they gave each other. I used to give them to my colleagues when things were looking grim.
So, someone came for me, after Mrs Shadow was draped and ready to go, and they had my daughter out in three minutes. My wife was out of it, courtesy medication to keep her from having seizures (preeclampsia), but aware enough to know the room was very, very quiet. I left her to go to my baby, got to touch her hand, hear her make just one little squeak, and then watched her get whisked off to the NICU.
After getting out of surgery with the news that our baby was breathing on her own, but had seized herself, we had a visit from the attending neonatologist. A man with decades of experience, working in a Level 1 NICU, with state-of-the-art equipment, and some brilliant staff behind him. And listened to him tell us that he didn't know exactly what was going on, but that our girl needed to be transferred to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia immediately.
The thing that made *everything* within me scream to a halt? The fact that the doctor had tears in his own eyes as he told us the news, and that she may never get out of the NICU. Ever.
I learned three things from that day. One, control is an illusion that can be ripped away without warning. Two, prayers at 2am on your knees at the bedside of a gravely ill person sometimes are answered. And finally.....well, don't believe everything you're told.
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.c66f567633.jpg
just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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Of course
This is a place to share what is comfortable
Or just to read
Comfort comes in all sizes and shapes
I have found comfort here
just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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Thank you for sharing this
Your heartache is palpable
This touches me deeply
I worked in a level 3 NICU for many years
There are no words
My heart goes out to you, your wife
And your daughter, wherever she is
And a wish for her to be in your arms...
HB1965
Litster
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Yes, I think perhaps I will peruse a bit more.
just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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Jackotheshadows
Scream Cream
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This touches me deeply
I worked in a level 3 NICU for many years
There are no words
My heart goes out to you, your wife
And your daughter, wherever she is
And a wish for her to be in your arms...
Thanks. She will be, when I pick her up from daycare today.
If you were in the NICU, then you'd understand that she was diagnosed with Grade II hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Outcomes are quite poor.I have to keep her little four year old self from riding the friggin' bassett hound, and gorging on M&M. She's turned out nothing short of miraculous.
just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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Thanks. She will be, when I pick her up from daycare today.
I have to keep her little four year old self from riding the friggin' bassett hound, and gorging on M&M. She's turned out nothing short of miraculous.
This is now one of my favorite stories
I remember the joy of the sickest babies coming to visit us years later, and kicking us in the shins
There is no describing that feeling
Give her an extra hug from me today
I bet the bassett adores her
Jackotheshadows
Scream Cream
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just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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He adores her and the food she drops, or feeds him.
The famous Drop Zone
Every dog worth his salt knows where that is
velvet_crush
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Reading all of these makes me realize how fortunate I am not to have had anything like this affect me or my family.
I find a way to be grateful every day for the things I do have.
I find a way to be grateful every day for the things I do have.
just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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Our hospice has a no return guarantee
Resurrection would be bad for business
Good to see you
Love the AV
just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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Angeline
Poet Chick
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It's always good to see you around again. I will mention to our mutual friend Weed that you are alive and well, which I'm sure will put a smile on her face and yours.
I took care of my father through a two-year battle with cancer. I was with him for the 48 hours or so leading to his death. It was a calm and humbling experience, filled with love and the understanding that when it's time to die, the best things your loved ones can do is be near you and let you know it's ok, and realize that sometimes the most loving thing you can do is let go. I could never be a nurse--it's just not who I am--but that experience, being around the nurses who were helping me care for my dad, helped me understand what real compassion is.
Last edited:
Raidho
Perv in Sheep's Clothing
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\Our hospice has a no return guarantee
Resurrection would be bad for business
Good to see you
Love the AV
Double the journey. There's no business like repeat business.
Ha. It's silly and fitting. I'll have a better one next time. I'm saving it just for you.
Jackotheshadows
Scream Cream
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Then you're very fortunate to have learned such a valuable lesson without all of the angst/pain/sorrow/hindsight that usually comes before.
just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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It's always good to see you around again. I will mention to our mutual friend Weed that you are alive and well, which I'm sure will put a smile on her face and yours.
I took care of my father through a two-year battle with cancer. I was with him for the 48 hours or so leading to his death. It was a calm and humbling experience, filled with love and the understanding that when it's time to die, the best things your loved ones can do is be near you and let you know it's ok, and realize that sometimes the most loving thing you can do is let go. I could never be a nurse--it's just not who I am--but that experience, being around the nurses who were helping me care for my dad, helped me understand what real compassion is.
Hello sweetest girl
Yes, do send her my love
And a hug to your man
What a wonderful tribute to your father
just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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just pet
Vanilla with a twist
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Yes_YEs_YES
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A beautiful story...I can see how this changed your life
My life changing moment came when I gave birth to my beautiful son Michael almost 24 years ago, for one hour I had the greatest gift of all to hold him in my arms & wisper a lifetime of hopes to him ... I watched the pained scrunched up face turn peacefull as he was released from his misery. People said how sorry they were that I had to go thru this...I had no words at the time but as time went on I knew I never was and never would be sorry that I "went thru" what I did, if I hadn't I never would have had my Son...even if it was only for an hour..............................
just pet
Vanilla with a twist
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2002
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- 49,093
A beautiful story...I can see how this changed your life
My life changing moment came when I gave birth to my beautiful son Michael almost 24 years ago, for one hour I had the greatest gift of all to hold him in my arms & wisper a lifetime of hopes to him ... I watched the pained scrunched up face turn peacefull as he was released from his misery. People said how sorry they were that I had to go thru this...I had no words at the time but as time went on I knew I never was and never would be sorry that I "went thru" what I did, if I hadn't I never would have had my Son...even if it was only for an hour..............................
