Monday, April 27, 2009

I could have missed it all.

This is Matthew's Birthday week. He will be 17 ......It takes my breath to say that. I can't believe this is the baby that had to be revived twice the night of his birth. This is the baby Doctor after Doctor told us he surely would die because of the sever reflux he suffered from.

This is the baby that changed everything for me, for us. When he came into our lives we where married 10 months and 15 days. In total honesty, I was a little put out about it all. I wasn't going to be one of those mom's that stayed home and got bored all the time doing nothing but watching kids. I was going to work and have a life. That was until April 30 midnight when the nurse came into check his vital signs. I got up to go into the bathroom and I herd the nurse swear. I can still hear and see it all clear today "Damn it, Damn it" as she hit him with the palm of her hand on his tiny back......then throwing him into the cradle, his feet flopping up into the air and then down......she took my baby in the cradle and ran out of the room. I ran into the bathroom and watched it all through the crack I left in the door..............I then heard "Code Red, Code Red" not knowing what else to do I stayed where I was..... hiding........hoping it was not for him.

By the time I came out an hour must have gone by...........the hospital floor was quite.......I went out to the nurses’ desk asking where he was.........for we still had not named him yet. The nurse was so smart that night in her thinking.........she said and I remember it so well..........."Oh! He is just the prettiest baby we have seen and all the nurses are taking turns holding him.........They just want to keep him for a while."..........."Oh .......Okay" I said.........She told me to get some rest........She knew he was my first baby and I was young.....I bought it..........I went into the room and I called Mark to tell him what was going on. I told him what the nurse said..... He said okay.......try to get some rest...........so I did. The next morning I was up early and ready for my new son...........The doctor came in and told me there where problems..........."He" had to be revived twice that night.........."He" was being transferred to another hospital right away. "He" had been baptized because the hospital saw I wrote Catholic in the religion box............and "He" may not make it............What?

"He" stayed in the hospital for 10 more days.......... We brought him home with a heart and lung monitor and medication that had to be given to him 9 times a day. We where not allowed to leave the hospital without CPR lessons and anyone that would care for this child had to know CPR ...........We were scared to death of this tiny little baby. We had named him Matthew Joseph............and he stole our hearts.

We were told we should hold him for at least 30 minutes after every meal.........I never put him down.......We were told how to give him his medication.......I never missed a dose.........We took him to a Doctor in Charleston, SC who told me , Matthew would surely die and there was nothing I could do.......... We took him to another doctor.

At four weeks old we where back in the hospital for an ear infection.........Mark looked at me and asked if I quit my job and was I going to stay home with him.............I said, Yes......and it was done.........I never looked back. We never looked back.
Now, I look at that time with him and I think........What a Blessing..........I could have missed so much if I went back to work...........If I wasn't so scared........If I trusted just anyone to give him his medication.......or just to hold him......I could have missed it all.

Now he will be 17 April 30 and I am so happy God sent us a reflux baby.

20 comments:

  1. Oh, such an amazingly beautiful post...such a wonderful story by such a terrific lady!!! It always amazes me how God can use the bad to lead us to a greater good (not always, but sometimes)...Only God...You may have inspired a future blog post...And Matthew? That's my son's name...he was God's gift to us after our firstborn died. And like you, I have treasured every moment! Love you Lisa...Janine XO

    P.S. I notice we are both fans of ellipses (...) Too fun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh I remember it very well myself - my dear sister. I remember rushing in to see him and the wonderful oppurtunity to spend a few nights in the PICU with him and father so that you could get some rest. At that time they would only let in the parents and grandparents. Reading this brought back many feelings. Nice tribute. He was a beautiful baby then and now he's turned into a beautiful young man now...

    You and Mark have done a nice job. Congradulations. Who knew those meds could increase his brain power so well! (I was in tears reading this post!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. No, never...I love ellipses!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, what a story! God's hand in your son's life and yours. What will he become :)? I have a son who was very ill when he was young and I always wonder what his life will bring when he grows up, as he has brought such joy to us who love him!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm in tears. This is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a great post with a very happy ending! Happy birthday to Matthew many times over!

    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy Birthday Matthew!!!

    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a beautiful post. Happy Birthday to Matthew! You are a great mom, and it shows in all of your posts, not just this one.

    He is truly a blessing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! How terrifying that must have all been! Congratulations on raising such a handsome young man.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It doesn't seem possible that he is seventeen. Hope he can come to the beach with us this weekend, we will have a blast

    ReplyDelete
  11. You sent chill bumps racing up and down my arms with this story of your beautiful son - the prognosis at birth, the difficulties, and then to see that wonderful picture of him.

    Thank you so much for your story.
    Happy Birthday to Matthew.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and you are always welcome. I hope you find there things that are uplifting and of help in our day to day lives.

    Love and Prayers,
    Prayer girl

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm crying.

    What a handsome young man. You must be so proud.

    Happy Birthday Matthew!

    ReplyDelete
  13. One of many cuzzins'30 April, 2009

    Wow Lisa,
    I never knew any of that...Matthew certainly fooled those doctors, didn't he? He's a very handsome young man and also looks strong and healthy. What a traumatic time that was for you. And now you can look back at the lessons you learned living through it. Great tribute to your son. And, a beautiful expression of your gratitude to mother him.

    HaPpY BiRtHdAy MATTHEW!! SeVeNtEeN WOO-HOO!!!
    Sending a birthday kiss and a few whacks...'cuz every 17 year old deserves a few birthday whacks!

    xoxo ~Regina

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! So glad he is okay. What a handsome young man. I like what one of many cousins said. Beautiful tribute to your son and being his mother.

    Happy Birthday Matthew!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow Lisa, lovely post.
    God is so wonderful.
    Matthew may God Bless you and Happy Birthday!
    Mary Elizabeth @ Now and Then

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lisa!

    I'm so happy for you and Mark. Sometimes it's like what it's ment to be is like it is.

    Give Mark a big hug from me and say happy birthday on OUR big day. Today I'm 60 and he is 17. I will send him my thoughts on my salutations tonight! Have a great birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Matthew,

    Look at all these wonderful people who want to wish you a happy birthday!

    Happy Birthday my Love, My heart shines with pride for you.

    Mom

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow, 17! Happy Birthday, Matthew!

    Lisa, you are a beautiful mom!
    And a very sweet lady. This post is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Gosh, I remember Matthew coming home and how afraid everyone was. Now, he towers over me---and you. Thank God for medicine. So, A big Happy Birthday Matthew.
    Auntie

    ReplyDelete
  20. This friendship just keeps getting better!!! What a kindred spirit you are!!!! Love it!!! Janine XOXO

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I will do my best to visit you back!

Have a great day!