Overall, as a mother I feel I have been fortunate in not having any catastrophic events happen in our family. There have been limitless close calls and nearly every night I thank God for my kids having survived another day, especially Emma...she is truly meant to be on earth at this moment. We have had 9 stitches, a broken bone, a sliced finger, a finger nearly sliced off, falls down wooden staircases and 7 trips to the Emergency Room. And we are so grateful that nothing has been life threatening or tragic.
But of all these experiences none match to the one I had with Savannah on Sunday, March 13, 2011. It was a normal Sunday morning with all of us scrambling around trying to get ourselves ready for church. I noticed Savannah was a bit sluggish and continually had her arm covering her stomach. As we quickly jumped into the car she proceeded to tell me she didn't feel very well. She had some stomach pains and it burns when she goes to the bathroom. Being all too familiar with this we both knew she probably had yet another bladder infection. She has had 2 already this year and I was afraid another one was resurfacing. So I told her there wasn't much I could do for her now, let's wait and see how the day goes and hopefully we could hold off until tomorrow to see a doctor. As we drove down the road I continued to watch Savannah in my rear view mirror. Her face etched with pain, but it usually does and amounts to nothing so I disregarded it. Suddenly I heard her exclaim quietly, "Mom I need to go home." We were 5 minutes from the church so I told her I was going to drop the kids off to daddy and then I would bring her home. Within those 5 minutes Savannah's face fell ghostly and she started screaming in pain. By the time I got to the church, I was still uncertain of her pain level since she often complains and it never amounts to being anything (at least by the doctors). But I felt an urgency in my heart and I threw the kids into the church building and ran back out to the car to find her doubled over and screaming in pain. That is when I knew this was serious. I jumped into the car and thanked God that the hospital was only 5 minutes away. We walked as fast as we could into the Emergency Room and as soon as they saw her they whisked us back into the back to receive care. She continued to scream out in pain, begging me to make it go away. Feeling utterly helpless I stood there with my arms holding Emma and my heart breaking. She was as white as a ghost and beads of sweat were forming all over her face. All I could do was begged them to relief her pain. I held her hand, stroked her face and tried to whisper encouraging words but nothing worked. Mom could not solve this problem. Mom could not make this pain go away. It was pain that I have never before seen anyone go through. I struggled to hold the tears as I watched my oldest daughter suffer beyond what any eleven year old should feel. She started to hyperventilate and I walked her through the breathing patterns that I knew through my 5 labors and deliveries. Once her breathing stilled the drug took effect. And I have never in my life been more thankful for the miracle of drugs and said a silent prayer to God for helping my sweet baby girl.
As she rested from the relief, I was able to reflect on what just happened. All those times she told me her stomach hurt, or her bladder hurt or her side hurt, and here it was the obvious reason why. I knew further testing was about to occur and I had to get Emma out of my arms so I could be more helpful to Savannah. I used the hospital phone to call Harvey praying that he would answer. And he did. He entered the hospital just in time as Savannah was just about to be rolled away. Harvey kindly asked the nurse if he could administer a Priesthood Blessing to Savannah. Once he was able to do that he gently took the baby and I was able to be alongside Savannah as they took her in for a CT scan.
She slept soundly as the scan was happening and it was there that I was able to talk to the technician and get information on what was happening inside my daughters body. She was passing a kidney stone, one that may be too large for her body to handle. It didn't end there, she found that Savannah had not one but 4 stones, 3 more still resided in her right and left kidney's. My heart sank. As they wheeled her back to her room we waited while the drug continued to take effect and she was filled with fluids.
As I watched her sleep my heart for the first time since arriving at the hospital calmed to its normal beat. I felt sadness for Savannah and the trial she had just endured, but I felt gratitude as well. As we go through the trials, blessings can so quickly be found. Whether they be in the form of friends or loved ones, medicinal drugs or a positive and helpful hospital staff, the Priesthood and it's healing power or the mere fact that Harvey picked up his phone, I was able to find the blessings of the day so quickly.
They found the stone to be barely passable and she is still waiting for the awful event to take place. But while she waits the pain has subsided and she has been able to return to her normal day to day activities. I have found extreme anxiety in the waiting game and only pray that when that jagged stone decides to proceed down the path to the bladder it will happen at home and it will be quick.
I, and especially Savannah, have felt the love from everyone. She knows she is loved and she has felt of your prayers. I hope I never have to see any of my children in this much pain again, but from it I have realized how deep my love is for my daughter and how important her relationship to God is. She will have more trials that lie in her path and hope she knows she has a loving Heavenly Father that she can call upon in her darkest hours and in her desperate times of need. Alongside trials and tribulations comes growth and strength. Again, I thank all of you who asked about Savannah, wrote to Savannah and called and talked with Savannah. I love my daughter but it is nice to know others do too.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Savannah the stoner
It's Movie Time
(A little over a month late in posting this, but the hubby was getting on me about it! Sorry Rylie)
We invited friends over and turned our basement into a movie theatre. We gave each child fake money and a ticket. They then handed their tickets to the ticket master (Madison) and proceeded downstairs. The stairs were lined with bright white lights and as they turned the corner they entered the movie house. We hung stars from the ceiling, we hung up a black sheet for the back drop. We placed huge bean bag chairs down for seating and set up a concession stand. Concessions is where they spent their money. I bought these Styrofoam trays and disposable sippy cups for drinks (not going to get any on my carpet). We had popcorn and candy which was consumed by the mouth full and the movie was none other than Rylie's favorite movie, Toy Story 3. The best part was I put the older children in charge of concessions so once the kids were downstairs I didn't have to do a thing. The moms and I sat upstairs and talked while the kids were downstairs watching the movie. Awesome!
After the movie the kids came back upstairs for their star cupcakes and party favors. The party favors were fun. I bought some of those plastic popcorn containers, made to look like the old fashioned red and white popcorn holders. And stuffed them with candy, unpopped popcorn bags, sunglasses, rings and necklaces. It was the easiest party I have ever thrown. Due to either my big girl helpers or the non-interaction efforts I had to make with the kids. I would do this one again in a heartbeat!
The birthday girl striking her pose!
A surprise visit from Rudy the Ruritan! A big time filler while we waited for everyone to show up. Thanks Rudy the Bear! (This birthday party with Rudy the Ruritan a pic was taken and submitted into the local newspaper.) I need to get myself a copy!
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