Thursday, July 8, 2010

Sickness & Death

Thank you all for the prayers you've sent up for my family. Sadly, my Uncle Randy passed away early this morning. I am thankful that he is not suffering any longer, and I smile when I think about the beauty he is experiencing right now.
What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see
And I look upon His face
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand
And leads me through the Promised Land
What a day, glorious day that will be.
I plan to leave Raleigh tomorrow afternoon, and I'll be driving solo to my parents' house where I'll stay through Saturday afternoon. In a strange way, I'm looking forward to getting away by myself, even if it is to attend a funeral. I'm ready to see my family; I feel like I should have been down there with them all along. I long for the hug that only a family member who has experienced this much death can provide.

Of course, that whole plan depends on the sick little boy who is sleeping upstairs. I took him to the pediatrician this morning because he woke up with a fever of 101.5 today and has been so cranky for the past two days. I suspected an ear infection, but everything checked out just fine. The doctor mentioned that this could be the start of another round of hand, foot, and mouth disease, so we'll have to keep a close eye on him over the next few days. His temperature got up to 103 this evening, and I'm praying hard that it doesn't get any higher than that.

I had a moment of high anxiety/fear/worry before he went to bed tonight. It was right after dinner and all Ethan wanted to do was lay his head on my chest. He didn't have any energy and you could tell he just felt bad. I started inspecting the color of his fingertips and toes, I checked his capillary refill, I listened to his breaths, and I placed my hand over his heart, imagining the worst. Reliving the worst.

Just as I felt the tears forming in my eyes, he sat up, asked to get down, and began to play in the floor with Jeramie. I breathed a sigh of relief and said a prayer that whatever this is will not get the best of him.

We're going to alternate Tylenol and Motrin throughout the night in hopes that his temp will stay down and his body can fight off this crud. If all goes well, I'll continue with the above plan.

Pray that Ethan's body will remain strong and cool. Pray that things will get better overnight, not any worse. Pray that I can make the trip home tomorrow. Continue to pray for my mama, and my aunts & uncles, who have lost their baby brother, and for my cousins who have lost their Dad.

Pray for us all. Lord knows we need it.

4 comments:

Jen said...

Sending lots of prayers, Joye. What a tough time! I am glad Ethan let you know he was okay by wanting to "play." Isn't that the best feeling?? You worry so much and then when they perk up it is just like a weight is lifted! We'll be praying for your family.

Jen, Craig & Andrew
www.thehuegelfamily.blogspot.com

Kim Smith said...

I'm praying for you guys!

Stefenie said...

Many prayers coming your way Joye! I am sorry for your loss.

Poor Ethan! That little guy for sure deserves a break! Hope he gets better very soon!

The Simmons Family said...

We'll be praying for you all!! It sounds like you have a lot going on! Sounds like Ethan is feeling pretty cruddy too. :(

I wanted to answer your question about the stuff on Owen's tummy. It's just gauze. Fancy gauze. Owen's Gtube surgeon ordered it right after his surgery.. it's called Mepilex AG and it has some silver stuff (they use on burn patients) to help with granulation tissue (which he doesn't have). I love it because it's self stick and you can cut it to any size and put a small slit in it. I stays on in the pool, tub, anywhere. The healthcare company delivers it. Owen is addicted and I can't take it off... ever!! He has to have it on.

Ok. That was a novel. Sorry. I have heard of some reuseable pads that people make called Tube Buddies or something? They are cool... but Owen is addicted to his gauze.

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