»
S
I
D
E
B
A
R
«
I haven’t got alot to write…
November 17th, 2008 by Tiff

…these days, it seems.

The truth is, I am worried about the girl.

So worried that I’m not sleeping well and when insomnia hits, it messes everything up.

I have no trouble getting to sleep but then I wake up a few hours later, full of nightmares and worries and stress, I can’t seem to relax enough to find slumber again.

Functioning as a human being when you have not had much sleep is hard.

Functioning as a mother harder still.

Don’t get me wrong, the IVIG is going great.

It’s the other stuff, the threat of bigger things, with little or no answers.

It’s the waiting

and

it’s the watching.

Lately the kids have been asking me if Ivy seems a little blue around the lips. I try to weigh up whether they have overheard my debriefing to David or whether they are genuinely seeing some change in their sister.

Everyone (okay, not everyone but people who are closest to us) has noticed her extreme fatigue and her breathlessness and someone in the street asked me about her bruising the other day.

*sigh*

I’m sure some of it has to be the medication.

I know that to some, I might not seem very proactive  but really there is very little for me to do except wait until we see the paed. He is the only one who can push for appointments to be brought forward and there is nothing emergent that would give me need to phone him because, aside from the usual goopy ear and the wet cough that has hung around since the last bout of pneumonia, she has been well.

No high fevers, no febrile convulsions, just a ‘cold’ she can’t seem to shake and general crankiness

and

afterall, he took two weeks to return the call about her heart (when, by his own admission, he knew it was a touchy subject for us) and his last little snark, before he went away, was about his expectation to speak to us almost weekly. He might have been joking on that one but then again, he may not have.

(On an aside, we most certainly do not talk to him weekly (more like daily - kidding, just kidding)).

It’s hard to write about the possible lung disease and the pulmonary hypertension when I don’t know where we stand on that.

It’s hard to write about it but it’s easy to worry.

I’m quite good at that.

Now the worry is invading my sleep, so I figured, if I push it out into the universe, I might feel better

and a good night’s sleep may be forthcoming.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Netvouz
  • description
  • ThisNext
  • MisterWong
  • Wists

29 Responses  
Veronica (477 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 8:31 am

I worry about Ivy too, so I can only imagine how much you are worrying.

((Hugs))

Lets hope the Paed decides to leave his arrogance on holidays and just help, without the snark. No one needs the snark.

Jientje (80 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 9:10 am

Hugs Tiff, big big hugs xxx

Fe (60 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 9:14 am

Tiff…. I would call. Despite all of his comments…. I mean, how important are they in the scale of things?

I would trust your “mothers’ intuition” and I would call. Blue lips and lethargy….. well…. I would call. Whilst she’s going through this I would defnitely call for a cold…. with blue lips.

What the worst that can happen if you call and everything is fine? And if you don’t call?

Call.

Oh, and ((((((((((( BIG HUGS )))))))))))) to all of you.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PlanningQueen (57 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 9:43 am

I don’t know how you cope with so much worry all the time. I never sleep well when I am worried about my kids. I think you should always go on your gut feel.

Jennette writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 9:45 am

Of course you aren’t sleeping or functioning properly. So much to worry about. You, precious Ivy and all your family continue to be in my thoughts.

I’ve not been around much for a couple of weeks because my 4yo son had pneumonia which took 4 awful days/nights to be diagnosed and ended with us in hospital. He is now so much better thanks to IV antibiotics and hopefully on the way to full recovery. It was a big scare for us and made me understand just a tiny bit about what you are dealing with every day.

My wish is that Ivy experience good health and her mum real sleep.

HUGS

Jennifer, Playgroups are no place for children (6 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 10:15 am

I think if our roles were reversed, I’d be as worried as you and not sleeping. Hugs sent all the way to Australia from the US.

HappyCampers (48 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 10:28 am

Dear Lord, Please give Ivy’s Mama peace this night. Cover her in your hedge of protection and give her the ability to rest. Fill her with your strength so that she may get through each day, knowing You are there with her every step of the way. I pray for her comfort in knowing You are in control. Amen.

Rach (63 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 10:28 am

Wishing and hoping that some answers are on the way for you and your sweat pea. xxx

Amy writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 10:48 am

I hope getting it out there has helped a little. Sleeplessness on top of everything else is the last thing you need.
Mate, I can’t believe how much crap you cop from your doctors. I am livid for you about his little comment and all the others you’ve received so undeservedly over the years. Not fair.
Will continue to pray for Ivy as you wait for his return. xx

Donna (25 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 11:35 am

Now that you’ve given it to us, let us help you carry the load so you can get some sleep. (((hugs))) and prayers for you and for your family.

Trish (318 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

No wonder you aren’t sleeping or functioning properly. I know you have so much to worry about. I am worried about you too and precious Ivy.You always continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Trust your gut feelings Tiff and make the call if you think it’s time.
Amen to Happy campers prayer - it is my prayer for you too right now.

hoppytoddle (36 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

Tiff, please know that this isn’t a judgement on you, just what’s on my heart, so I feel I should say it. Remember how the pulmonologist made you feel like you did such a bad thing not whining about Ivy when she had the pnemonia? Maybe you should call about this. Quit judging things by ‘Ivy’ standards & by more typical.

You need:

1. Rescue Remedy. If you can’t get it in Little Egypt, there, google it. Get the gumdrop-like things. If you can’t find them, email me. I’ll gladly send you some.

2. Cinnamon tea. Cinnamon helps keep our blood sugar balanced, which helps you sleep better.

3. Local honey in the tea. Honey helps raise your seratonin gradually & slightly. It gives you sweet dreams, (& sweet tea).

The next time someone hugs you, after the embrace is broken, tell them that they have to give you another hug from your friend in F-L-A, U-S-A.

HennHouse (Karin) (76 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Oh Tiff.

I’m praying.

What pregnant emptiness there is in the the watching. And the waiting. And the worrying.

Dina (89 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 1:06 pm

I can’t blame you for being worried and also for not wanting to write about it.

I find sometimes writing helps and sometimes it makes me feel worse.

I hope things get better and you have less to worry about.

lceel (304 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

Oh my dear Tiff. We all worry .. about Ivy .. and about you. Try to rest. Let us worry.

Jeanette (230 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 2:48 pm

(((HUGS)) Hope you got some sleep.

frogpondsrock (212 comments.) writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

I like hoppytoddles comment. that is good sound advice. I can send you some rescue remedy if you like. but you should be able to get it in a decent chemist. then a few drops under your tongue and you are rescued.
chamomile tea will help you sleep as well. .Well it will make you drowsy at least :)

as for everything else Tiff all I can do is send a((((( Hug)))) and thanks heaps for your comment on my weekly winners you made me feel quite special..

cheers kim

river writes:
November 17th, 2008 at 5:38 pm

I think you should take Ivy to the hospital. When others including your other kids are noticing blue lips and weakness, it’s time to do something.

Holly (100 comments.) writes:
November 18th, 2008 at 1:19 am

Only you can judge what you should or should not do right now regarding all this. But, I am hoping that writing about it has allowed some of the worry to escape you, which hopefully in turn will allow you to rest a bit. I know you won’t have a decent nights sleep until Ivy is well - truly well. But I’m sure that sleep without nightmares would do you a world of good.

m & B writes:
November 18th, 2008 at 2:51 am

I can’t believe your paed is being such a snark, and I’m sure his arrogant attitude puts you off making the call, but if it is going to help you rest easier and reduce your worries make the call, and let him deal with his attitude!

(((((Big Hugs))))) and to share your worry are all I can offer.

Xbox4NappyRash (314 comments.) writes:
November 18th, 2008 at 4:12 am

It’s good to get it out, no matter what people say.

I hope things work out like the should, and I hope you got that good sleep.

Suzie (65 comments.) writes:
November 18th, 2008 at 4:24 am

I m so sorry you are going through this. I wish the doc was better to you and you did not have t second guess him all of the time. I wouldnt be sleeping either. Stay strong ((hugs))

Widdle Shamrock (101 comments.) writes:
November 18th, 2008 at 5:54 am

Tiff, you have seen ‘blue’ before and what was the outcome? The loss of little William. And it wasn’t that long ago it happened in the scheme of things.

Ivy’s situation is a real concern too, so add that onto your history and no wonder sleep is evading you.

I pray you peace in the midst of this storm.

Listen to your gut and do what you think must be done.

Mary writes:
November 18th, 2008 at 7:40 am

I am worried too. About you as well as Ivy.

Mum writes:
November 18th, 2008 at 3:18 pm

You know, maybe your request for Valium (even though said in jest) might not be a bad idea after all. You need some respite from your worries & a good, uninterrupted sleep will give you that. I know there hasn’t been anything like a normal sleep pattern for you for as long as I can remember, so maybe the time has come to help yourself get that much needed rest, even if it means resorting to medication. Just the once, because what’s good for you, will be good for everyone, especially Ivy. Please think about it, just until the next visit to the paed,when investigations can start. And if all else fails, call him weekly (and, if necessary, daily) to let him know your concerns. Love always , Mum xxxx

Liz writes:
November 19th, 2008 at 2:07 am

I agree with your mother, please, if only just once, you might need some medication to ease your thoughts enough to catch up on your sleep. I have been “medication free” for months, but occasionally I need a prescription med to get to sleep. Its not a long term solution, but you need to rest yourself or you will go nuts. You have such a weight on your shoulders, unburden yourself, if only for one night, and take care of yourself.

If the kids have noticed a change in Ivy too, if she has a blue tinge to her lips, take her to the doc. The breathlessness and bruising are all signs that would worry me too, so you are not unjustified in your worry. Call someone, if your pediatrician is being an ass, oh well. You can live with his nastiness (you’ve survived his bad attitude before, and the dragon lady receptionist’s), as unpleasant as it might be, as long as you get your baby the attention she needs.

Dr. Cason (59 comments.) writes:
November 19th, 2008 at 10:37 am

I know this probably isn’t going to help but I echo your worry.

I’d say don’t worry but I agree with the rest, you need to call. You need other specialists.

Katie (32 comments.) writes:
November 19th, 2008 at 10:39 am

I’m so sorry you are going through this. Calling is a good idea - it never hurts to call and it will help you too. I hope you do get a good night’s sleep.

Childlife (204 comments.) writes:
November 19th, 2008 at 4:47 pm

Waiting is the hardest thing — I hope it goes fast, Tiff, and that you start getting some sleep. Keeping the girl in my fondest prayers.

Leave a Reply

Readers who viewed this page, also viewed:

»  Substance: WordPress   »  Style: Ahren Ahimsa