Monday, February 07, 2011

just breathe.


I'm sure many of you are like me - having kids activated the mama bear and we want to protect them. In fact, we probably would indeed jump in front of a moving train to save them. But sometimes the most instinctive and seemingly simple things can become a big deal. And there isn't a thing we can do.

Just Breathe. We breathe. Never much thought to it, perhaps. But my boy doesn't always have such an easy time. He has (sometimes severe) attacks in response to any and every cold/flu virus. Over the years we have tools (nebulizer, flovent, inhaler, humidifier, etc.), experience and family 'protocols' to help us manage better. But it isn't always enough.


It is scary to hold a child struggling and fighting desperately to get a SINGLE BREATH and there is nothing you can do to just make it better NOW...just breathe.

We've had a virus in this house for what now seems like forever, slowly going from one to the next. We have been working on keeping G healthy so it would hopefully not hit too hard. But in the middle of the night it arrived. After a very scary attack at home where nothing we did helped, G ended up taking an ambulance ride with me at his side to the UW Children's Hospital, with a short stay in the ER (we are home now). After several different treatments along the way - from home to ambulance to emergency room - he finally was able to just breathe.

It was a long night, and I know this isn't over. We have a few days before he is out of the woods. But this mama bear is thankful for the people who worked to help her little boy just breathe. I am deeply grateful.



Oh, and February? I'm so done with you - please go.


.

29 comments:

Unknown said...

Ugh. How terrifying. My husband comes from a family riddled with allergies and asthma and I'm just crossing my fingers that our little boy doesn't have it. I hope very much that your young one gets better very soon. Love your way.

cfgyexy6464 said...

I'm sorry, Denise. How scary for G and for your whole family. I am wishing much wellness, love, and strength for your family for the rest of the month...

~nikole

Unschoolers Rock the Campground said...

Thank goodness this happened after the blizzard. I am so thankful that he is OK. I will keep him in my thoughts while he gets better... and you, too.
We had to rush Declan to the hospital at 11 weeks old for croup. The sound of him struggling to breathe is one I will never forget. Scary Scary for the Mumma!
<3

Sherry Gann said...

I hate to think of the terror--yours and his. :( Hoping the rest of February is uneventful for you guys and he pushes on through this without further complication!

Stephanie said...

How utterly terrifying.
I can't even imagine.

I'm with everyone else - sending loads of well wishes, and loving thoughts your way to sweep him swiftly and safely through the rest of the winter.
<3 x o

Stephanie said...

:( Poor little buddy. I know how terrifying it is when your little one is struggling for breath. Nothing worse.

I hope he feels better soon.

mamaraby said...

My oldest doesn't have asthma, but this past November it happened to him. I found the ambulance ride and multiple treatments just to help him breath to be scary indeed. I can't imagine going through it more than that one time and my heart goes out to you. Here's hoping the rest of winter sails by smoothly!

Sharon said...

I am so sorry Denise. Zoe was like that at G's age too. Now that she is older she still responds to viruses with asthma but the attacks are much milder. Hopefully G will improve as he gets older too.

SUMMERSTEAD said...

How scary! My older brother has asthma, and I remember waking up several mornings to find my grandparents in the kitchen because my mom and dad had to take my brother to the ER. I'll never forget how exhausted and tense my parents were until they knew he had survived another attack.

My thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family.

Sally said...

oh denise, i can't help but tear up as I read this -- we here understand exactly what you are going through. your post echoes what Bryan and I have shared in those wee hours of the morning during these attacks (because that is what it feels like) and helpless is exactly how we feel. There IS an end, though, and taking it as you have - one day, one breath at a time - is what will get you to the other side. As i said on facebook, you and yours are in my prayers. (hugs) to you all!

Francesca said...

So sorry to read this! I know exactly how scary and threatening respiratory issues are. Sending healing thoughts!

Shelley said...

I'm so sorry. I remember something like that happening with my younger brother in the midst of a terrible blizzard. A snowplow made a path for the ambulance. I understand feeling grateful for rescue workers and nurses/doctors. I hope the rest of February is full of blessings of peaceful healthy days and nights for your family. xo

Victoria | Hibiscus Bloem said...

How frightening for you all. I do wish your little man well and that you can all rest together.

Frogcreek said...

Gosh, that is so scary. I hope he recovers with out incident and that spring will hurry up a little. Hugs to you both.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful boy G is. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I freak out every time Isaac has an attack but couldn't imagine having to ride in an ambulance with him and nothing working. Oh man...don't ever want to experience that.

Sending you all love and healthy vibes for a quick recovery. xoxo

Jacqui said...

Healing blessings to your boy and to you too. How scary for you all. Something you never get used to. i can only send my hopes that it will lessen as he gets older. xxx

Wendy said...

horrible and scary. i recognize mr. dinosaur though.
xo

Sam said...

So terrifying. My mother had her first ever asthma attack suddenly, when I was 16, and I remember how scared and out of control we felt.
Sending healthy, healing thoughts to G and hugs and strength to you all.

Sam x

Amy Bradstreet said...

Thinking of you all and poor, G. So scary. Good health to you all and I know just what you mean about that mama bear rising. xo

Karen Maezen Miller said...

He reminds me of you, and that smile would take your breath away. It will get better.

Julie said...

My heart goes out to you:( Having kids myself and also being willing to do whatever I can to help them, I can only imagine how scary that would be.

Sending get well wishes your way:)

Melissa said...

Oh Denise, I have tears from reading this. I can't imagine the terror you must have felt watching his sweet face struggling to inhale. Best wishes are being sent your way!

Andrea said...

Thankfully that little guy has a super mom who does amazing things for him and stays strong for him! I am sending extra well-wishes your way, and am doing what I can to push Feb. along! Be well.

slim pickins said...

i find myself taking deep slow breaths as i read this - you and your beautiful boy are in my thoughts, hoping this season of illness is over for you...thank god february is no longer than it is!

Tara said...

Sending well wishes and thoughts of warm Spring air and health....

Hang in there.

brianna said...

Amen to everyone's kind words. So glad everything is calm now, and thank you for the reminder of what we take for granted!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

I really hope everyone is doing better at your house! I'm sure that must be a frightening ordeal to go through. Here's hoping for the rest of February (and the year for that matter!) to pass uneventfully.

denise said...

Thank you for all the good thoughts and wishes. It means a lot to me, well, to all of us. ((hugs)) to you all. He is slowly doing better with the breathing, although this is one nasty cold! But it is all hopefully UP from here.

Jessica said...

I am glad to hear he is home and getting there.We have a child with asthma too and know how a simple bug can spiral right out of control.A week or two and hopefully it will be right behind you.