… has spent the past 5 nights & 6 days in hospital with Bronchiolitis (thankfully Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) negative).
Thursday night after Ben was born (3 days old) he had a bad night sleeping and difficulty breathing... his nose was blocked and we were really worried.
Our midwife came to see us and got us to go back to the hospital to have Ben examined by the Paediatricians; they wanted to admit us for a night of observation.
He was placed on Oxygen and initially we were told he had a viral infection & established it was Bronchiolitis. Ben was likely infected by me :( ... you can just imagine the guilt I felt!! Unfortunately the flu I had been fighting off in the last few days before labour, grew in full force once he arrived. Thursday I got some antibiotics, but by then I had already passed the yukky's onto Ben :(.
We played the waiting game patiently until he was well enough to come home again TODAY!! I was able to stay right beside him the entire time in a little fold out bed that they have at hospitals, not very comfy... but at least I was there at all times.
Although this has been my most heartbreaking experience as a mother to date {Rob Thomas’s “this is how a heart breaks” kept running in my mind}… there were many positives also: Ben never got a temperature; he kept feeding really well (in fact had gained 300grms in his first 4 days and another 120grms during our hospital stay); his colour was always good and he rested well.
It was awful to have his nasal passages suctioned… he has a GREAT set of lungs!! Thankfully! His Oxygen levels went up and down over the few days, from .6 of a litre to nil, and back up to .3… two steps forward and one back each day it seemed.
Thankfully Nath’s Mum arrived from Adelaide the morning after we were admitted… she has been taking great care of Joshua, which has been wonderful.
Mikaela also went interstate the day after we were admitted… up to Sydney to hang out and have some fun girly time with her Aunts for 4 nights… so that too was a blessing.
We had some fabulous nursing staff looking after us… seriously these women are gentle angels on earth.
I kept a journal while we were in the hospital… I’ll likely make a mini album, just a little healing book. Of course too, when Ben is older he will be told he was in hospital as a newborn… he’ll want to know the details, so it will be a good keepsake.
I count my blessings… we share a 4bed room and the other 3, though much older, all have asthma… it is heartbreaking to hear them coughing and struggling, particularly in the night. The Mum's were lovely and we had quite a little "family" happening by the time we left. I am sure to be in touch with both Belinda and Amanda
Nathan has been my rock, by my side and back and forth all day long… trying to spend quality time with Joshua and with Ben and I… he did as he always does in a bad situation… impeccably!
Joshua did really well too and the adjustment of a family of 4 to 5 has been even tougher than we imagined with this unexpected turn of events… but Joshua has done great… I missed him very much. At times I feel a distance between us, then I take him on a bit of one-on-one time, even just a “date” to the cafeteria… and all is gold again. He is the cutest boy!
Mikaela has been away for the most part, and having a ball in Sydney… it lifted my spirits to talk to her and hear her excitement in all her adventures with her Aunts. She comes home tonight.
We got a gorgeous gift pack from Auntie Cassie, including the cutest little snuggle blanket which I wrapped Ben in often (and some charms for my Pandora bracelet, thank you sweetness SIL :))...
Yesterday Nath came in with a postage package for me… containing the MOST beautiful quilt for Benjamin made my dear friend Tanya (thanks gorgeous)… it really lifted my spirits… and has been keeping Ben warm and comfy...
This is how Benjamin looked this morning, they’d taken off the nasal prongs (JOY, JOY, JOY) and he did so well on his own they let us come home... YAH !!!!
I am SUPER grateful to those who sent love and prayers and best wishes… touched by the phone calls and SMS’s … thank you.
Delighted to be home with my family, all of us tonight :)
Love out
Bx
