Update on Hyrum

Hyrum continues to amaze us with his recovery.  We were given some restrictions when we left the hospital.  Mostly things to help prevent him from hitting/injuring his head.  Things like no bike or scooter riding, no jumping, running, or climbing, basically don't be a 7 year old boy. :-) We were also told to just watch him and see how his does overall.  He may be a little more emotional; we may find that he has a few things that he's slower on; he may get really tired easily.  Besides being a little more clingy, he has had no symptoms/signs/issues. 

On Monday he went back to school for the first time.  Again, I was prepared to watch for signs of tiredness, not being fully up to speed with the other kids, etc.  And again, no problems.  I went to school halfway through the day to check on him and when he saw me in the hallway he smiled then kept walking toward the cafeteria for lunch.  I had to holler at him to come back.  He was back at school, feeling good, and going full speed.  He teacher said he was acting just like the old Hyrum.

The one area at the hospital that they felt he struggled on his cognitive test was when she asked him to name as many animals as he could in a minute.  He was pretty slow about it.  So we were told to put a restriction on timed tests and let him build his way back into them slowly.  Yesterday in class they did 50 in a minute. (This is a math worksheet with 50 problems and the kids are supposed to answer as many as they can in a minute)  This is optional for Hyrum to do, but his teacher told me he insisted he wanted to do it.  He only missed 4 problems!  When I heard this I again felt a wave of gratitude for the mercy we were given in having Hyrum taken care of so well.  He comes home from school happy and excited, which is typical for the Hyrum we know and love so much.

We also continue to hear stories of events that unfolded surrounding Hyrum's accident that we didn't know about.  People that were touched by our story or were involved in ways that we were unaware.  We continue to feel so blessed by the love of our friends, neighbors, and even strangers.  We have no related family in the area, but we definitely feel the love of family.  We have been so uplifted by all the love and support.  Thank you so much!

Hyrum's Miracle

Here's a highly condensed version of our story.  My "journal" entry is 12 word document pages long. :-)

For those who don't know Wayne is working on his MBA through BYU.  This requires him to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah (a drive of just under 3 hours) every other weekend.  On the weekend of March 11-12 he had some things going on that I was invited to attend with him--a dinner Friday night, a class of presentations Saturday, followed by a luncheon.  I was excited for the chance to have a weekend away and spend some time with Wayne at school.

After striking out on all our "regular" babysitters I had the thought to ask some friends in another ward.  I had never had their daughter babysit for us before, but I knew they were a good family and I felt comfortable that she would do a great job.  We met and talked through the details and she felt confident she could do it.  With the boys taken care of, Wayne and I left Friday morning for Utah.

We had a great weekend and were headed home Saturday afternoon feeling refreshed and uplifted.  About halfway home I received a text from my good friend and neighbor.  She said she saw an ambulance at my house and wondered if everything was ok.  I laughed thinking that was absurd and she must be mistaken.  I responded, I hope not, I'm not there!  About 2 minutes after I sent that text my phone rang showing Parker's number. Oh no, I thought.  I answered and it was a paramedic.  He said he was at my house with my son Hyrum who was apparently playing and had somehow gotten the rope swing around his neck.  He told me he would be taking Hyrum and all my kids to the hospital.  I quickly said I had a friend I could call.  I called my friend back and she said she and her husband were already on their way.

I then called Parker's phone back.  This time it was Parker who answered.  I asked him what happened.  He said Hyrum was outside alone and somehow got the rope swing around his neck.  The babysitter had seen him and yelled for Parker.  She called 911 as Parker ran out to Hyrum.  He said he was all blue and was drooling from his mouth.  Parker was miraculously able to lift Hyrum with one arm and untied the rope with the other hand.  He then laid him down on the ground to check for breathing.  Hyrum soon began to gurgle so Parker turned him to his side to help him be able to breath.  Hyrum coughed and began to cry, but didn't regain consciousness.  Parker was crying as he relayed the story to me and I could hear the babysitter upset in the background.  I assured him that he had done a good job as well as the babysitter.  He said my friend had gotten there and I asked if the paramedics needed anything more from me.  Then we hung up.

Wayne sped toward home, but we were still a good hour plus away.  We wanted Hyrum to get a priesthood blessing as soon as possible, so I called my friend back and asked her to have her husband give Hyrum a blessing.  She said he and the dad of our babysitter were on their way to the hospital, but the paramedics were not allowing them any access to Hyrum.  They wouldn't let them see him or give him a blessing because they were not family.  Her husband is a doctor and was taking his badge hoping to be able to get back there, but they weren't sure.

Wayne and I were worried, of course, but I could feel that we were being cared for.  At this point we weren't sure the severity of the accident.  But we recognized the blessing of my friend noticing and being there to help so quickly.  I felt a measure of peace as we sped toward home.

After another 20 minutes a call came through Wayne's phone from our friend who was an ER doctor.  Wayne answered and immediately asked, "are you working today?"  He said "Yes, I have Hyrum."  Although we had felt the hand of the Lord thus far this was too miraculous to be a coincidence. I felt a burst of emotion at this miracle. He explained what he knew of what happened and told us that Hyrum had been intubated as a precaution in case his neck/airway swelled.  Because of the intubation he would have to be life-flighted to either Boise or Primary Children's in Salt Lake because our hospital didn't have a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).  We requested Primary Children's and told him we were about 35 minutes away and he said they would wait for us.  We then said that there were men out in the waiting room that could give Hyrum a blessing and to please let them back.  He said he would.

I felt calm, though worried, as we drove the last few miles to the hospital.  When we got to the hospital we quickly went to Hyrum's room.  He was out getting a CT scan, but was soon brought in.  It was hard to see him.  His eyelids were purple and the rest of his face was splotchy from all the broken blood vessels.  He had a tube in his mouth, hooked to a ventilator so he could breath.  There was an IV in each arm.  They told us they were keeping him sedated so he wouldn't try to pull the tube or IVs out.  But it was a light sedation so when they would move him too much he would start to wake up.  This happened while we were there and he began to gag and fight the breathing tube.  He had tears in his eyes and it was hard to see him confused and struggling.

We were told that the helicopter would not be able to transport him to Children's hospital so they were flying a plane in from Boise.  This, I believe, was another blessing as well because it made it so I would definitely be able to fly with him.  Paramedics came to transport us to the airport. 

As they prepped Hyrum for transport Wayne and I were given an idea of what to expect moving forward.  The breathing tube would likely be in for a couple days, then he might be monitored a couple days after that.  He may have brain swelling that could cause him to lose some of his functions and motor skills.  He may have to relearn some basic things like eating and walking, or he may have speech or learning impediments.  We were encouraged to be patient and take everything one step at a time.

The plane ride seemed long with a lot of time to think through everything.  My thoughts mostly lingered on the boys and babysitter at home and I hoped that they were handling things well.  My heart ached to be in two places at once; still with Hyrum, but also home to hold and reassure them.

When we got to the hospital there was a huge team ready to evaluate and take over the care of Hyrum.  He woke up a couple times and had what they called "purposeful movements" which was a great sign that his brain knew where the pain was and was purposefully trying to stop it.  After only about 20 minutes in the emergency department we were moved up to the PICU. 

When things came to a lull I took time to call Wayne.  He and the stake president had been to the house and had talked with all the boys and heard their side of what had happened.  The babysitter had made the reaction to call 911 immediately, Parker had truly saved his life by getting him down and breathing, Aiden had dropped to his knees and prayed when he saw Hyrum, and Brenner had flagged down the ambulance, then held the rope swing out of the way as the paramedics worked.  They had all acted beyond their years and had been instruments in the Lord's hands to preserve Hyrum's life.  Wayne had taken the time to give each boy a Priesthood blessing and the babysitter received one from her dad.  Then Wayne was given a blessing by the stake president.  They said there was a great spirit of peace in our home.  Our home was also filled with wonderful ward family members who were anxious to help us in any way.  Wayne didn't worry about the boys being taken care of as he gathered his things to leave.  We love our friends and are so grateful for their love and support of us!

The bishop and first counselor were driving Wayne to the hospital.  We all were feeling peace and knew the Lord was with us.

The rest of the story goes pretty quickly with miracle after miracle.  Within just a couple hours of being in the PICU Hyrum woke up and was able to respond to small commands, so they felt safe to extubate.  He then slept for a few hours until morning when the neuro trauma team could check his neck.  They found no injuries and removed the neck collar.  We no longer needed to be in the PICU so we were moved to the neuro trauma unit.  Hyrum was awake and able to answer our questions.  He couldn't remember anything that happened (still can't) and he was confused on what day it was--he basically lost his whole Saturday--but he knew who we were, who his family was, and he basically understood that he was in the hospital because he had gotten hurt.  Sunday passed with a lot of movie watching and Xbox playing and filled with wonderful messages from family and friends, and video messages from Primary.

On Monday morning rehab therapists and physical therapists looked him over and determined he was a healthy 7 year old.  We were even told we might have to slow him down he was moving so fast after a major accident.  His throat--swallowing and breathing correctly--were the last obstacle standing between us and freedom.  At 11:00 he passed his swallowing test and began eating food.  Then at 3:00 he passed his cognitive test and we were cleared for home!

Our pediatrician is a family friend and he said he felt good hearing that Hyrum's blood PH was normal from the beginning, but even with that Hyrum surprised him with how fast he recovered. 

For our part, we don't doubt that we were given a miracle.  The reaction of the kids, the placement of people at the right moment, the absence of any side effects--so far as we can tell--is truly miraculous.  Even as we were leaving the hospital Monday evening the nurse wheeling us away said, "Wow, he has been incredible.  He really had angels with him." then later, "You know this is why I do my job, is for moments like this". 

I'm so grateful to everyone who reached out in love and support for us.  We felt the strength of your prayers; we felt your love for us.  I'm grateful for the scouting program that taught Parker the skills necessary for a situation like this.  I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing us with direct and immediate answers to our prayers.  We know that our Savior suffered not only for our sins, but also for our pains and it is because of Him that we can find peace.  It is through the priesthood, which is the power of God on the earth, that we can receive miracles.  My testimony is forever strengthened.  Thank you to everyone who prayed, reached out, served, and thought of our family. We love you all!

I am determined

After three years of silence, I am determined to get back to blogging.  I love looking back on our posts and remembering details that would otherwise be forgotten.  It shouldn't be that hard if I just determine to do it...famous last words, I know. 
But here goes...

My apologies

The following post has some editing errors....I cannot figure out how to fix them. So if you cannot read some of the printing or notice that some lettering is different than the other, sorry and you're right. Hope you still enjoy!

February, where have you gone?

In a blur of birthdays, holidays, diapers, laundry, housework and all the other stuff. What a busy month it has been--but don't I always say that? Guess this just isn't the time of life for it be not busy.

The month started off with Teagan's blessing. My brother Aaron and his family (which includes 4 little boys!) and our dear friends Bob and Amy, and their daughter Missy, from Idaho Falls, all came to be with us on this wonderful day. It was a beautiful blessing. Unfortunately, as usual, things went crazy after sacrament and we got no pictures taken. I barely was able to get a few of Teagan right before I had to change his clothes because he messed through them. Things like that always seem to happen.

Aaron and family stayed late that evening so we could have a fun Super Bowl party together. I'm definitely loving the chance to spend time with my family and play lots of games, games, games!

We had two birthdays this month. Hyrum turned the big 2! He woke to balloons on his chair and pancakes for breakfast. He loves pancakes and I tried to be creative and make some look like twos--he wouldn't touch the shapes and only would eat the round ones. Funny kid! I had to go to the doctor for my 6 week, so they played with the neighbor boys in the morning, and the rest of the day was pretty normal. He didn't really get that it was his birthday. Every time someone would say, "Is it your birthday?" or "Happy Birthday!" he would scowl at them and say, "No birfday". It was funny. Then for dinner we put out the party stuff and had Hyrum's favorite...spaghetti. Next came cake and presents--which I must say get harder and harder with each additional little boy...they already have everything from their brothers! But we figured out a few things. I think he enjoyed it! This video is long, but cute--at least we think so.

My birthday was the next day, but as our life normally goes, Wayne had to work late so it was skipped. We did a small thing Saturday, but it was a bit last minute and so there are no pictures.

Valentine's day came next. We made some Valentine candies to get ready. Since it fell on a Monday night, we did a quick lesson about how we can show love for each other and most especially our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by reading John 14:15. Then Wayne and I had made each boy a Valentine with a special message on it and had hidden them around the living room. When they found them it had their refreshment/treat on it. It was a fun activity.

The end of the month came the blur of just stuff, stuff, stuff. Hyrum decided that he will gladly take on the role of a terrible two and has set to work making messes or chaos wherever he can. Stealing pudding cups and eating them on the couch upstairs. Not only did I have to change his clothes, but mine and Teagan's as well. How he managed getting chocolate on everyone I really don't know. Waking up in the morning and somehow getting out of his pajamas without unzipping them. He's in a nude phase. He often comes walking downstairs with no pants on and even no diaper. And most often, he throws his food everywhere. This happens all the time, but I took this picture because this happened within about 5 minutes of me handing it to him, turning and going into the kitchen for my lunch, and coming back to find yogurt EVERYWHERE! Such fun!

All the while Teagan has been growing like crazy. We had his two month appointment this week and he now weighs 13lbs 10oz.--90%. Check out the guns

He smiles and coos and seems to prefer Mommy over Daddy which is different from the last two. He now gets to sit in the Bumbo and loves to watch his brothers. So far he has survived being shaken violently by Brenner (who said, "but he's smiling Mommy"), being given CPR compressions by Hyrum (it was done in fun, but I don't know what the kid was thinking), and being jumped on by Parker (Parker didn't see him on the couch and thankfully only hit Teagan's legs and grazed his head). He's practicing his Kung Fu.

I've tried to be diligent and not miss taking pictures of Teagan just because things are busy, but I then realized I had no pictures of the other boys. So I gathered them around and got a shot.
Brenner the guber.

You gotta see this!

I was looking through old pictures to see how much Teagan looked like the other boys and I was shocked by how much Aiden and Teagan look alike.
AidenTeagan

Aiden
Teagan

Then I also noticed that Hyrum and Parker really resemble each other


Parker and Aiden Hyrum and Teagan

Parker and Aiden Hyrum and Teagan

Guess if we have another boy he'll look like Brenner. No point in changing the pattern when you get it right the first time. ;-)

This kid is Amazing!

Teagan is now 10 days old and what a great kid he is! I really have nothing to complain about. While my mom was here she kept saying, "he's about as close to perfect as you can get!" And she's right. First off, he's incredibly cute. He is already on a 3-4 hour eating schedule. He pretty much only cries when he's hungry--or if you are picking on him by giving him a bath or cleaning out his goopy eye. When he's awake he's happy and just looks around at everything. And if he does need comfort, he loves his pacifier and just being held. I really can't complain. We LOVE having him here!

Introducing Teagan Glen Swearingen

Teagan Glen Swearingen

Born December 29, 2010 @ 9:07 am

7lbs. 10oz. 21 inches long

(name pronounced Tee-gan)

Just after he was born

This photo was by Brenner

Wayne has his coat on from picking up my mom

Getting ready to go home

Look at all my boys!

He's so cute!

Our family (Man, we're getting big!)

His Birthday Story

For those who do not wish to know "all the details" this post is not for you. ;-)

I've been incredibly blessed to have good pregnancies and good labor/deliveries with only minor bumps along the way and Teagan was no exception.

My due date was December 27th and we decided we liked the idea of getting through Christmas before having the baby--not that you always get to decide, but we weren't going to "make" him come early. We figured we would try to set up an induction for on my due date. So I wasn't worried as the time got closer that nothing was happening and I wasn't progressing. On December 20th I went in for an appointment and the Dr. said I was still very thick and only dilated to about a 1. He then said he heard a skip in the baby's heart rate and wanted to do a non-stress test and check my fluid level. Non-stress test came back great--no sign of a skip--but my fluid level was on the low side of normal. The dr. didn't seem too concerned, so I wasn't, but then he said that the hospital was booked and it looked like I wouldn't be able to get in for an induction until at least the end of next week (Dec. 30th). That was a big let down. We scheduled an appointment for next the next Tues (Dec. 28th) and he said the only other way I would get in sooner was if my fluid level dropped more.

The rest of the day I was bummed not to have my plans work out, worried about the baby's health, anxious about how to get Mom out here; all those crazy emotions that jump to the surface so easily during pregnancy.

On Tuesday I went in and did another non-stress test and fluid check. The test showed a drop in the baby's heart beat and my fluid had dropped again. Since I was now officially past my due date and had those two issues the dr. said we needed to get in to have this boy. Since my body was still not cooperating they decided to have me come in that night to start cervidel (sp?), which is medicine inserted in the cervix to soften it and get it ready for pitosin in the morning. So I came home and got things set up to head back into the hospital that evening.

We went to the hospital at about 4:30pm and they got me set up. As soon as they put the moniter on the baby we could hear his heart skipping and being irregular. They told us it wasn't something to worry about at this point, but they would be monitering me carefully. They put the cervidel in at 6pm. It was to stay in for 12 hours. They said it typically just gives cramps, but occasionally will start someone into full labor.

Things started out well and Wayne decided to head home about 8:30pm and get rest in his own bed. The hospital bed for me was very uncomfortable and because of Teagan's heartrate the nurse was constantly in adjusting the moniter so that they were getting good readings. Pretty minor annoyances, but I definitely wasn't getting a lot of rest. At around 3:30AM I started having contractions. They started out erractic going from every 10-20 min. apart, then started getting closer and stronger. From about 4:30-5:50AM I was having hard contractions about 13 min. apart. Just before 6AM the nurse came in and decided to take the cervidel out and check me. She said I was a good 4 and very thin. She said I could have the epidural if I was ready and the anesthesiologist was right outside in the hallway. Woohoo! I was ready.

By 6:30AM I had the epidural in and was enjoying my body going numb and not feeling the pain of the contractions anymore. I called Wayne and told him not to doddle getting back in because I was going to be started on the pitosin.

At about 7:30AM, they started the pitosin. Still no Wayne. At around 8:15 I felt some pressure and told the nurse I thought the baby had dropped. She checked and said sure enough I was a good 5 and my water sack was bulging and baby's head was very engaged. She called for the dr. to come break my water. Still no Wayne.

Wayne came just before the dr. at 8:30AM. Dr. broke my water and said I was a 6-7, then quickly said I was an 8 when I had a contraction. At 9AM I said I was feeling more pressure, the nurse checked and said, "you're ready to go". The dr. came in and I pushed three quick times during one contraction and out Teagan slid. No cutting, no tearing. I went from a 5 to birth in about 45 min.! Fastest one yet!

Since Teagan's heart rate had been irregular the NICU nurses were in the room and quickly took him to check him out. They said normally kids will regulate quite quickly after they are born, but unfortunately Teagan did not. They let me hold him for about 5 mintues then took him out the door to the NICU. Wayne went with them.

It was a very odd, surreal experience to have everything go so quickly, then be left alone with no baby or husband. I wasn't sure if I should be happy he was here, or nervous for his health or tired or scared or what. My emotions were a jumble.

They did an EKG and checked him all out. Everything came back normal and they finally said they would just watch him for a couple days in the hospital and hope everything normalizes. They brought him back in and I was able to feed him and cuddle and feel all the great emotions of having just had a baby.

Over the past couple days his heart rate improved from skipping to just a small murmur to completely normal. The pediatrician said he thinks it has completely resolved and though they will keep a watch at normal visits, he doesn't think it will be a continuing issue. YEAH!!

I feel very blessed that everything went so well and smoothly and that Teagan's little issues have been resolved. I'm so grateful he's here and healthy.

Merry Christmas 2010

I'm late--of course--and too tired to be funny, witty, or even interesting so...

We hope you all had as great a Christmas as we did and that this next year brings you blessings of peace, love, joy, as well as many of those "fun" things we all want. ;-)

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby boy #5, due to arrive tomorrow--December 27th--but more likely to come later in the week. We hope to spread the wonderful news soon.

Our love to you all!!

Christmas in full swing

This year has felt a little different. I did really well with getting shopping done early and that has been great. But with the baby coming I feel like my spirit has gone between Christmas mode/excitement to baby mode/excitement. Why can't the two coincide? I don't know, but I feel like one gets turned off to focus on the other. I'm sure it will all come together into about 3 days of crazy fun and excitement.

We've tried hard to stick to doing all our normal traditions this year. We got our Christmas tree the first weekend in December. Then decorated it that Monday night for Family Home Evening.

I made things a little easier on me this year by making round cookies to decorate instead of shapes and then Wayne bought some decorating icing to save me from having to make extra icing and put in bags--very nice. And it didn't seem to hurt the decorating or fun.

So far we have made sugar cookies for decorating, shortbread house pieces--which will come together on Christmas Eve, 6 batches of poppy seed bread, 4 batches of jelly, and 3 1/2 batches of turtle cookies. It mostly has all gone to neighbors and friends, but we have wonderful people who have filled our counter with wonderful goodies in return.

Aiden had a Christmas program called, "A Bug's Christmas". He was a soldier beetle. It was very cute with fun songs and a cute story.

Parker had a Cub Scout program. They went and sang songs and told Christmas jokes at a set of apartments for the elderly. The people loved them coming and the boys did a great job.

I love Christmas and all the traditions and festivities that surround it. It also means Wayne gets time off work and home with us, which is always wonderful. I woke up this morning a little sad to realize we were almost at the end. But I quickly decided that was the wrong attitude and to enjoy every minute of the time left.

I hope to put up another post with our "official" Christmas letter, but if something should prevent me...

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!