keptwoman Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I'm so sorry. I remember the 3 days my eldest was in NICU, twice the size and half as sick as most of the others, but it still ripped my heart out. I can vividly remember the crying (mine, baby didn't cry much) That's motherhood I guess, and NICU.. a strange alternate universe. Take care of yourself, drink and go find someone and ask if there is any food, they may have a parents fridge about somewhere with things you can eat in it. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Dd was in a Children's hospital for four days after she was born. They had a bed in the room, I stayed there the entire time. There was a couch that dh slept on. They brought me a meal every meal and let me bf (they even put a sign on the door to knock first). The nurses even showed me their snack frig. and told me to help myself whenever I wanted. One nurse came in to rock dd asleep because I had been up for two days and just couldn't get her to settle. So, be sure to state your needs, you just had a baby! There will be someone that will help you! Maybe at minimum they can get a recliner in baby's room for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennsmile Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug: It is fine to cry. I am glad things are going a little better. I am sure somewhere there is some ice and a nurse can help you find it so you can get some water that isn't lukewarm. Trust me I have nearly fainted a time or too at hospitals and they always have ice. ;) Do you have a friend or family member that come come sit with you? At least for a few days to help you, run errands like tissue runs and food runs? Having anybody in the hospital is stressful enough but you just gave birth and some care yourself. Hopefully today gets even better for you. :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 It's a new day. I pray things are going better. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Praying for peace, rest, FOOD for you and BF for Levi (love the name!!), and that today he can come home. Praying for your other kiddos and for your dh, too, as they endure this separation. Today will be better, Aub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigger Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug: Wow...I am so sorry you're going through this. When the baby was in PICU earlier this year for five days the Children's Hospital here was a very different experience. They considered *me* DS's food source and I was provided a menu and phone number to call anytime I was hungry and wanted/needed to eat to make sure I was well nourished (and the food was actually good). I was offered a pump, but already have one, so used my own, in his room if he was sleeping so I could maintain supply (he was seven weeks old, so BM was well established). I can't imagine what you're going through - you're in my thoughts and prayers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzymom Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I am glad to hear things are starting to improve for you. The NICU nurses are generally really great, so I would anticipate today will be a better day for you and your peanut. You must eat & drink! Ask one of the (friendly) nurses where the nearest ice machine is located. There should be pitchers available to fill with ice, cups, juice, snacks and a frig. If your d/h can bring you some decent food later, they will usually allow you to store in frig if you need to. Sometimes the nurses will offer to send down for food for you, or give you a voucher for the cafeteria so you can slip down while they are changing shifts, running tests, etc. One minute, one hour, one day at a time. You'll both be home soon.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyg Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I don't know what to say except -- This is a phase. It will be over soon. It will be over soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam L in Mid Tenn Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: praying again today :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I hope everything is going much better today. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMomof4 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Hopefully a few minutes here will do the trick, though. Thank you guys so much for listening & understanding. I know it will be ok, & I even feel guilty for being upset, given the babies around mine. Mine almost shouldn't even be there. And I feel guilty to want to be w/ him & feed him--I don't see ANY other parents around. I know that's backwards--you don't have to correct me. And I"m not...following the guilt? If that makes sense. Just feeling it. A little. And mostly brushing it away as best I can. When dd was in the NICU, my grandmother was there. She'd come for the birth and was so excited. My MIL was also there to care for older dd. MIL was very upset that dh wasn't getting home for the meals she'd prepared for him, after all, dd wasn't "that" sick. I was feeling the same way. DD was almost 9 lbs, laying next to a little 2 lb baby who'd been in the NICU for a month already. I felt terrible about being so upset about what was a relatively minor concern compared to the babies around her. My gm told me something I will never, ever forget. While it may not be bad compared to others, it was the worst time I'd every been through with a child. It was a terrifying experience *for me*. Comparing it to other situations is useless. Your pain and fear are every bit as real as the other parents. Your child in is the NICU for a very real reason. Don't try to pretend everything is fine because it isn't the worst situation imaginable. Thank God it isn't, but don't try to diminish the reality of your fear. Praying for you and yours. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Hope everything is going better today! Keep us posted. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Have you been getting food? When my DD was in the NICU at a Children's Hospital they gave me vouchers for the cafeteria (because I was pumping and working on getting her to latch). I think that was set-up through the lactation department. :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mereminerals Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Praying for you. I am so sorry you are having to go through all this. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Hope today is going better Pencil Pusher! I will pray for you and your family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug: That's terrible. Why do they have to be that way? :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 It looks like it was a misunderstanding. They close the NICU to parents & everybody for less than an hour during shift change, so they can, well, change shifts. The sign may have said that. I don't think I can read right now. The nurse didn't say that. She seemed to think I should already know. I don't think the NICU downstairs knows the upstairs policies, so I wasn't warned about anything. Baby's nurse came & got me a little bit ago. She wanted me to take his temp & change his diaper. :confused: I couldn't tell if that was standard or if I was in trouble because dh called. Anyway, I fed him his bottle of colostrum. (It was cold, but he ate it all, was wide awake, calm, looking around.) She's going to come get me for the next feeding. Did I say they gave me a "parent room" in the NICU so I could feed him? The daytime people were great about it. Night time people...may end up being ok after all, but I came in so bewildered. Somehow, I think it came off as belligerent. :001_huh: Once I'd changed & fed him, sat in there for a little bit, the nurse seemed to calm down a little. I think it will be ok. And I think it will be very short, too. Tonight, shift change, go home a bit later. I'm thinking. I've got tepid tap water in here to drink. No way am I going to get food now! But I think I've got some crackers in my purse that came w/ some soup the other day. I'm supposed to be sleeping, but the parent room is stuck at 85 degrees, & the fold-out sofa is...terraced. And every time I close my eyes, I have these long conversations w/ myself, repeating the events of the day. I can't unwind. And I figure once I do, it will be time to feed him. Hopefully a few minutes here will do the trick, though. Thank you guys so much for listening & understanding. I know it will be ok, & I even feel guilty for being upset, given the babies around mine. Mine almost shouldn't even be there. And I feel guilty to want to be w/ him & feed him--I don't see ANY other parents around. I know that's backwards--you don't have to correct me. And I"m not...following the guilt? If that makes sense. Just feeling it. A little. And mostly brushing it away as best I can. I wouldn't worry about how you came across. The nurses are used to post partum hormonal worried mamas. It may be too late at this point (hopefully your stay will be short!), but a nursing mother is supposed to get a meal plate at meal times. You get to eat it for your baby.:D At least, that is how it worked when dd was in Children's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Pencil Pusher, I don't know what to say other than I am praying for you and baby. And family. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappyhappymama Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Praying for you and your sweet bub! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug: Please go find some food to eat and lots of water to drink. You NEED it. Your baby NEEDS it. Insist on being able to get back into the NICU after you've found food and water. Is there someone that can come to the hospital and "translate" for you and get you what you need when you get flustered/confused/tired/hormonal? :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama2cntrykids Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Big huge hugs honey!! I would be in the same emotional state as you, maybe worse. I will pray for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpreadingtheFeast Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug: Please go find some food to eat and lots of water to drink. You NEED it. Your baby NEEDS it. Insist on being able to get back into the NICU after you've found food and water. Is there someone that can come to the hospital and "translate" for you and get you what you need when you get flustered/confused/tired/hormonal? :grouphug: :iagree: Praying for you and your baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DusksAngel Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Most hospitals have policies which include a meal for the child for each meal that the child is in the hospital. Sometimes they forget to let you know, so don't be afraid to ask about it. And don't feel bad for demanding to see your child, to be with him, or to feed him what you know is best for him. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iona Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug:I'm glad to hear that he may not need surgery and that it was a just a misunderstanding before. Don't worry about what others may think..just focus on taking care of yourself and little Levi:grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 :grouphug: I'm so sorry you've had such a rough start. My baby was only in NICU overnight and I was a total mess. Please, take care of YOU, too. I hope you get some sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I haven't been around lately and just getting caught up on the threads about baby Levi and his mom. :grouphug:Since your pm box is full I'll just say it here. You are so loved here; people are praying for you and your family. I hope little Levi is nursing well, wetting his diapers and you're both able to go home and EAT and SLEEP soon. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I hope especially, and pray, that the nurses are letting you in to care for the little big guy. God bless you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted November 11, 2011 Author Share Posted November 11, 2011 Update in OP. When I got up this morning, I sat by the window & pulled the curtains open behind me while I held my surprise baby-in-the-room in my lap. It's a tiny room, though, & I couldn't actually see out the window. When I gave up and settled into the chair, I realized that the view was reflected in the mirror. The mountains were perfectly framed there in front of me. I live in a place where everybody loves the mountains. Any time they're in view (& they often are), someone has to comment on their beauty, their majesty, yada yada yada. They're fine. They're mountains. I get that people like them. They don't *bother* me, but I don't have the same emotional response. I mean, I do understand it--I feel that way about the ocean--but I'm literally the only person (on the planet, probably) who can look at the mountains & go, "Meh." So you understand where I'm coming from. This morning I saw the mountains. I saw the sun, the atmosphere, the sky--the whole expanse of everything bearing down on them. And they stood. They COPED WELL. :lol: And for the first time, the mountains were beautiful. The sun rose above them, my baby was in my lap, and *I* was coping well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 :grouphug:Excellent!:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Nyssa Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappyhappymama Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Love your update and SO glad to hear you all get to go home tomorrow! You sound like you are coping something awesome. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Phew!!! Happy sigh. Very happy sigh. So very happy for you both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caayenne Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 (edited) :grouphug: :001_smile: Awesome update! I'm so glad that you get to take him home tomorrow. You have done an amazing job getting through this and you are taking great care of that little guy. It's wonderful to hear that he is doing so well now. I am praying that you get good rest and that you can go home as early as possible. In the meantime, it sounds like you and Levi are in good hands, which is good to know because you had us all pretty worried yesterday! Love what you wrote about the mountains (although, I admit, I am in love with all mountains!), and I'm glad that they are there to help you feel stable right now. Sometime just knowing that you will get through the day is a wonderful thing, isn't it? :001_smile: Hang in there and enjoy the precious alone time you are getting with your little one. Before you know it, you will have four other not-quite-so-little ones wanting their mama too! ;) :grouphug:, Andrea Edited November 11, 2011 by caayenne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted November 11, 2011 Author Share Posted November 11, 2011 Before you know it, you will have four other not-quite-so-little ones wanting their mama too! ;)[/size] :grouphug:, Andrea I went home for clothes/shower today, & 8yo realized I was going back, not coming home till tomorrow, & her smile froze, & her face turned red, & she insisted she wasn't about to cry & was fine. I held her for a little while & gave dh detailed instructions later on wrt exactly how to talk/listen to her, how long. Poor thing needs to cry, I think, but...well, she's the one who claimed to LIKE brusselsprouts "to be polite." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caayenne Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I went home for clothes/shower today, & 8yo realized I was going back, not coming home till tomorrow, & her smile froze, & her face turned red, & she insisted she wasn't about to cry & was fine. I held her for a little while & gave dh detailed instructions later on wrt exactly how to talk/listen to her, how long. Poor thing needs to cry, I think, but...well, she's the one who claimed to LIKE brusselsprouts "to be polite." She just wants her mama back and to know everything is going to go back to normal. She is super-sweet not wanting to upset you, though. :001_smile: It's so hard for them to grow up, isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted November 11, 2011 Author Share Posted November 11, 2011 She just wants her mama back and to know everything is going to go back to normal. She is super-sweet not wanting to upset you, though. :001_smile: It's so hard for them to grow up, isn't it? I reminded dh that in crisis, we have to subtract 3-5 yrs from what we expect of them. Suddenly, their behavior makes so much more sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caayenne Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 (edited) I reminded dh that in crisis, we have to subtract 3-5 yrs from what we expect of them. Suddenly, their behavior makes so much more sense. Oh, believe me, I understand that all too well with Ds9. With an Aspie, you have to subtract 3 years on a good day. In a crisis? :svengo: I tend to just start chanting, "Don't panic. Take deep breaths. It's okay. Don't panic...." :glare: :D Edited November 11, 2011 by caayenne clarifying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReader Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 such a positive sounding update! I'm so happy you'll be going home today, and that the nurses finally are better. that makes a huge difference. continuing to hold you & baby in prayer as you transition to normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Wonderful update! I'm so glad he is coming home today. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelissaMinNC Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I'm so glad to hear your update and know that you'll be going home with your babe in just a few hours - yay! You sound SO much better - I'm sorry you didn't have someone with you that first night to hold your hand through all the exhaustion and crazy-eyedness. You shouldn't HAVE to cope well AFTER you've had the baby - but you are; you're doing awesome. Hugs and prayers and good thoughts to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amber in AUS Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Big hugs. So glad you little one is going home soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Aw, PP. I'm so happy to hear your update. I was terribly concerned--and therefore praying, which is what I should have started with. We imagine all the worst things when it is someone we care deeply about. Ya know? God bless you and wee Levi and the rest of the precious ones. How you must miss them, and they you! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 So glad things are going better for you. I believe God put metaphors in nature for us to discover. Glad you found something that brought you comfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 So thankful to read your update! You'll be home in no time at all, nursing precious L. with your troop gathered close around you, reading aloud to them. Your DD8 will be playing Mommy to little brother. And then you will ALL be coping well! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I'm so very glad you will be going home soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyP Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I'm so happy to read your update! I don't post enough for anyone to know me, but I've been following your posts and I'm really happy to read that things are going well. Enjoy your little one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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