It's been a rough few months in our house. Not newborn rough, or toddler tantrum rough, or even financially or family drama rough. It's been medically rough and life circumstance rough. And yesterday, I hit my max and just let the tears flow. Writing it down is therapeutic, and I do want to remember this stormy period because I know someday I will look back and say to myself, "I can't believe we made it through this!!" Because we will make it through this. So, let me back up and start from the beginning. I'll also throw in some random adorable pictures because that just makes any post more fun to read :)
Before Teddie was born, life was stressful. We listed our condo for sale, sold our condo, bought a house, renovated a house, moved, started preschool for Cam, and started a new life in a new town and new neighborhood. Okay, fast forward to Teddie's birth (which was surprisingly quick and not stressful), we welcome our beautiful tiny baby girl. Because she was so small, we had to supplement in the hospital, get regular blood sugar draws and be crazy vigilant about feedings, which weren't going great. She then fails her hearing test. Okay, we deal and I'm only a little stressed. Until the doctors tell us they won't discharge us from the hospital because she has a potential life-threatening adrenal gland problem. They run a few tests and let us go because she passed the life-threatening stage, but we have to go back for more blood work and tests the following days, weeks and months ahead. She is now an established patient at an Endocronologist who is following her care, she's being monitored and she's okay. Fine, hurdle overcome and we move on.
A couple weeks later, Rick is on a work trip for two nights and my mom stayed with me to help with the kids. I decide to go take a shower (cue bells and poms poms!!) and as I step in the shower my knees buckle, and I can't move. Mom takes my temp, it's high. I start shaking and she promptly packs both kids in the car and takes me to the ER. Diagnosis: mastitis. Rick flies home, I get antibiotics, hurdle #2 overcome.
Fast forward a few more weeks, Cam's getting used to having a sister at home, I'm getting use to managing two kids, taking Teddie to a bagillion doctor appointments, etc. I get a really bad back pain one night and call out to Rick to come get Teddie from me. I knew exactly what it was -- kidney stones. I've had them before and will never forget that sensation. I take some meds, get in a hot bath and try to work through it. I have a rough night, but I feel marginally better in the morning and decide to just chug water like it's my job so I can pass it. Ten days later, I'm still in pain and my mom finally convinces me to go to the doctor. I see my urologist... (side note: I had to bring Teddie with me and she fell asleep as I was rocking her waiting for the doctor. They needed a urine sample. I peed in a cup, wiped, flushed and washed my hands all while holding her and not waking her up! Ninja Mom!) My urologist comes in the room and says, "Impressive!" My stone is 12 mm large (the biggest one I've had to date is 5 mm. Anything over 5 mm requires surgery). Doc sends me straight to be admitted into the hospital (all while my mom is getting on an airplane and my sisters are dealing with their own crises). I have surgery and stay in the hospital for two days. My supply tanks, and I decide not to fret about trying to get it back and thus begins the end of my nursing relationship with Teddie. Hurdle # Whatever overcome.
Oh and while this is all happening, my grandmother passed away, my sister's dog was attacked and died, and my other sister's house flooded.
We went apple picking last weekend!
Ok so we overcome all of that, and we're still dealing with Teddie's small size and I'm constantly taking her in to have her weight checked to make sure she's gaining and not falling off her 2nd%ile curve. Cam is doing well at camp and school and having a great summer. He's made some great friends, and their moms have taken me under their wing and been so sweet and helpful during all this crap. Feeling lucky at the moment!
Then school starts and Cam gets a cold on Day 1. Then Teddie gets the cold and then I get it. After two days of feeling like crap, I decide to take Teddie in to the doc because her fever isn't breaking. Doc says she may have a sinus infection, but she's really fine. Except she hears a heart murmur so we need to go see a cardiologist. Okay, then.
Call cardio, drive home, and storm comes. Power goes out. I'm struggling to breathe and feeling really sick, ask Rick to come home. He arrives, I'm really struggling to breathe, inhaler isn't working so I go to urgent care. Yadda, yadda, yadda, I end up in the ER and then ICU for two days in respiratory distress from an asthma exacerbation. Rick moves into our parent's apartment in the city with the kids because we have no power in our house. I'm released from the hospital and go home with ten different medications to take, a follow up with a pulminologist and a nasty hacking cough.
Sickly snuggles
I just want to eat her.
So there you have, it. Yesterday was the last straw as Cam's school told me he needs to come in pull ups now since he keeps pooping his pants. I left school, called Rick and cried one of those therapeutic cries that felt so good. I just needed to let it go. My mom took Cam for the night and I got in bed at 8:00 last night. Today is a much better day. I know so many people have it so much worse, so I really don't mean this to be a whiny complaining post (though maybe it's turned into that already!). Mostly, I'm just tired. And I feel like we can't catch a break.
First day we needed to wear a hat!!
First time in a swing!!
I'm so glad it's Friday, and I'm so glad the sun is shining. It has been GORGEOUS here and we have been taking advantage of the Fall weather. Planning to do more of the same this weekend, snuggle these babies and enjoy some birthday parties for Cam's friends. Onward and upward!
