Friday, February 8, 2008

A Tantrum of Monstrous Proportions, and a Mommy with a Lot of Tenacity

That’s what it took to get my Cadester home from the hospital last night. His pediatrician had said that he probably wouldn’t be able to come home until Saturday, but by yesterday, he was so, so angry at being in the hospital. He wouldn’t stop crying (okay, let’s be honest: it was really more like screaming). He kept pointing to the door, crying, “Let’s go! Let’s go!” He wouldn’t be consoled with any of his toys or his bottle - nothing, absolutely nada we did could soothe him.

I took it as a good sign that he was so adamant about going home; it meant he was feeling well enough to be aware of his environment and know he wasn’t at home with his toys and in comfortable surroundings. So after hours and hours of my mom and Brandon and I juggling him and his screams, after we were all lullabied and nursery-rhymed out, after we all agreed that we could not survive another minute like this, I got online and looked up my pediatrician’s home phone number. Now, before you all start feeling horrifyingly embarrassed on my behalf, that I’d actually have the tenacity to call my son’s doctor from home, late at night, you all must realize that Dr Cramer is a good friend of our family’s; we lived in the same neighborhood for years. I went to high school with his kids, and quite frankly, he was devastated when he found out I was getting married to someone other than his son. He’s the kindest man in the world, and he told me that if I needed anything, I could call him, day or night. So after a few minutes of debating with myself, I decided to take him up on that offer and finally called his home. I told him that I knew, as a mother, what my son needed, and that I really thought he could do more healing and recuperating at this point at home. He had been breathing for a few hours on his own without oxygen,and I made sure to update Doc Cramer on all these positive points. He then talked to the nurse and told her we were discharging Cade, and she really didn’t believe him – I’m pretty sure no child has ever been released from the hospital at 11:30 at night! But we were able to go home, and Cade was so happy at last (and finally stopped screeching and driving us all batshit).

He’s still under the weather, but after this fatty week from hell, I can survive a sick weekend with my child – as long as we’re both at home, we can get through anything, no kidding.

So, yeah. Cheers for the worst week as a mother that I’ve ever endured finally being over. Cheers I survived it, but more importantly, cheers Cade survived it! I was able to get through the week by more or less taking care of myself (basically, you all should know that means that I actually ate. Yay for me for not restricting when conflict and such broke out. What a giant step for me. )

10 comments:

Heather Lindquist said...

Wow....great for you for taking charge! Sometimes mom's really DO know what's best, don't they? Well, it's good to hear Cade is safe at home now...I truly DO believe that being home with you andBrandon will do wonders for him. AND YIPPEE for Brie for taking such awesome care of yourself during such a stressful week!

KC said...

congrats for Cade's return home, and for knowing what he needs, and for knowing what YOU need!

Devon said...

I'm so proud of you, ecstatic and relieved that this week has ended in good news, and happy that you'll all finally be at home.

You've definitely been in my thoughts...

I'm so thrilled!

Abby said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Abby said...

So, I posted this comment and then noticed a typo, so I'm redoing it. No more typos, I hope! I'm so obsessive... alas. Anyway, I haven't commented, but I've been keeping up on Cade by reading your blog every day... I'm so glad you guys are home now. The thing about calling the doctor at home made me laugh--good for you! I'm happy that you're hanging in there and taking good care of yourself, too.

Laur said...

did you know Dr Cramer is Conner's pediatrician too?

Tanya said...

Oh brie, this makes me happy...congrats on him coming home and congrats for getting through this.

Anonymous said...

I am so so so glad you got to bring your little one home. i agree that he will do better in surroundings he recognizes. Ill be thinking of you guys!

Thanks for the well wishes on my blog. I guess when you have a little baby growing inside of you, it likes to make you ill ;)

Hope youre doing well!

Anonymous said...

I have been a Mom for a long time but I love watching my daughters become Moms. Its not actually automatic at birth. Every child needs to have a Mom who understands him so well that she becomes his advocate and protector. No one else can really ever do that. Congrats Brie for a job well done!

Emily said...

I'm so glad Cade is home and doing well. :)