So, as some of you already know...we had an eventful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We spent them in our home away from home, WVU Children's Hospital.
Yup....you read that right....and I bet you said something like, "Are you kiddin?" "NO WAY" "AGAIN?" As I did!
Sophie is fine!!!! Let's start with that. She was very sick and had a high fever (104). We took her to Urgent Care and were sent straight away to the hospital. (We were pretty sure that was going to be the routine, but were hoping for the alternative) Sophie was admitted on the 23rd.
When you have a kiddo with a shunt, little things are more serious. The Docs are more cautious... This is a good thing and we are grateful for that. High fevers could be dangerous for her. Long story short, they did a CT scan to check the shunt and found it was fine....What they did see, however, is that Sophie's sinuses were completely inpacted. She also has a double ear infection. As I said to some friends earlier...this is when mama jumps up and down, sticks her tongue out and says to the pediatrician..."I told you so, I told you so.." You see, I have been BEGGING them to check her sinuses for months with no luck. We were finally put on an antibiotic last week for the ear infection, but by then, it had progressed too far and the antibiotic didn't even make a dent.
So Sophie has been put on a mega antibiotic and fluids. She's working through it and has now been fever free for 24 hours. YaHOOOOO!
Now for some Christmas Cheer to warm your hearts. This stay has been a reunion of sorts. All the doctors and nurses know us now. Sophie is everyone's little sweetheart. Nurses came to give love and attention. We never had to give a history, explanation....etc. They already knew our girl. It was just about making her better.
IF you ever end up with the "Luck o' the Lucas's" and are hospitalized on Christmas, know this: It was lovely and sweet, quiet and peaceful. There was no major running around, deadlines to be met, etc.. Santa came to Sophie's room and waved through the window. (not too close..to avoid scaring her) A very good friend brought over a surprise amazing Christmas Eve dinner. (YUMMMMMM SARAH...It was so good!)
Now here's a tear jerker part:
At about 9:00pm, when things were winding down...we had a knock on the door. Standing there was one of Sophie's doctors, along with 3 others. She says quietly, "We've come to sing for you....You are a music teacher, right?" They preceded to sing a Christmas Carol for Sophie and us. Sophie sat up in bed, unsure at first. She listened and watched intently. When they were finished (it was lovely, BTW) she paused for a moment, breathed in, clapped with as much energy as she could muster, squealed and signed "thankyou thankyou thankyou"...over and over. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Previous to this, she had laid there, lethargic and weepy. Mom was especially grateful to have a carol sung to me that I did not have to teach, but could simply enjoy. (Why don't we carol anymore???) Mom was also moved because...about 18 years ago, while taking voice class...I walked these very halls and sang carols to patients and staff one evening. We did it as a "final" for the class. It was a memory from college I have always loved. Now I've lived both sides of the coin.
Finally, when we woke up this morning, our room was filled with presents tucked here and there. There was a stocking on the door, a card at the bedside, and a bag of gifts. (better than mommy and daddy could have done). We don't know how Santa's helpers did this. Jason and I are not heavy sleepers. We wake at the drop of a hat. None of us heard them...not a peep. There was even a stuffed animal on the bed. Sophie woke up and got to tear through presents, play with new toys and eat yummy food and cookies. Not a big appetite yet, but she sure tried. AND she did it all from the luxury of a remote control bed.......with a nurse call button. Haha, yes, she has discovered the joys of "room service". ; ) We even had a couple of local friends drop by with yummy cookies and sweets later in the day after daddy went home! We are very blessed.
Now for another bit of warm and meaningful memories for mama. WVU Children's hospital is on the 6th floor, east side of Ruby memorial hospital. On 6 west is Labor and Delivery. So only 50 steps separate where we were a month ago, to where we are now. I decided that I would walk over in hopes to see a familiar face, and thank them. It's easy to feel thankful in the good times in your life. It's not always as easy to feel that same thanks during the sad/hard times. I'm trying to learn to see the good in every situation...the kindness.
So, when I walked over, I stood there for a moment, soaking in the memories. I recognized all the women sitting behind the desk. The nurse at the front said, "Can I help you?" I smiled and said, "No, you already have..and so have you Ava...and Ashley... etc...You just don't recognize me. That's a good thing!" I no sooner got Heidi out and it was smiles, hugs and kindness.
I told Ava I remembered her, but she probably wouldn't remember me...because she was only my nurse for a very short time. I then told her the story of how, on my first overnight stay, after the magnesium sulfate and procedure to slow things down she was my nurse just once, on midnight shift.
At 4 am she came in while I was sleeping, to take stats...she had come in apologizing, rubbed my arm gently and said, "sweetheart, you are resting so peacefully...you just rest mama..you've had a rough day.... she did her job, then stood there and comforted me for a minute or two before leaving. I specifically remember her rubbing my arm gently as a slowly fell back asleep.
I preceded to tell her how much that gesture had meant to me that night...scared, tired, alone, sore, and sick from all the medical stuff. She remembered the night also, but was in shock that I could retell her that moment in time. She then quoted back to me some of the specific things I had said to her that night, accurately. She teared up and said, "you have just made my night, my holiday...thankyou for telling me this."
Later that evening, back in our room...two more amazing women/nurses from that floor came over and visited for a few minutes. They played with Sophie and chatted like old friends. I consider them all friends at this point. I know many of you may think that is "unconventional", but oh well.... It's who I am. You have people in your life for years, or for moments...and they are all put there for a reason. These ladies helped me find peace and understanding in a scary and tragic time. Their experiences with other moms made them comprehend what I was experiencing and how to get me through it....I will always be thankful and incredibly moved by their kindness.
The moral of the story:
So, if you look at it simply, the Lucas family had a holiday full of food, family, friends old and new, caroling, christmas cookies, santa, presents, surprises, visiting , generosity, laughter and being so grateful for every blessing we have been given.
Sounds like Christmas to me....don't you think?
Our girl just before we left for the hospital. What 17 month old lays happily on a couch unless they are feeling yucky??? Sorry folks, I totally forgot the camera at the hospital...
Sophie back home...and just opened some of her gifts... This one from her "Abby Jenny"... A doodle pad that plays music as you color. She loves it! Especially the green crayon. She carries it around like a prized possession!
You mean there is more Christmas??????? HOLY COW!!!! Visiting Grandma P to drop off presents! This is a few days after her discharge. She is starting to feel better!
Mom's new favorite picture! I love the hat and the girl modeling it! 
