Norah's First Christmas
It was the night before Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve Eve, if you will.
While some of the kids were playing others were trying to get out of Dodge with the baby. In an effort to actually protect Norah, by removing her from the crazy, the sweet thang tripped and Norah fell, hard.
Her cry was strange, one we hadn't heard before. And nursing didn't comfort her. So off to the ER we went, and thus began our 24 hour adventure.
First praise: Mark's parents were here staying with us through Christmas, so we were able to both go to the hospital!
We thought it was sprained, or maybe dislocated, so our jaws dropped when the X-rays came back showing a broken femur. A broken femur!! I thought baby's bones were made out of rubber? Not so, my friends, not so. They hadn't ruled out her needing surgery, so they wouldn't let me nurse her. NO BUENO.
Then they told us the hospital we were at didn't do children's bone settings and casts, she needed to go to CHOC*, in an ambulance. If she had been 8 years old it would've been pretty cool, but alas…
We got to CHOC around 1AM. She was fussed over every 40 minutes which made for some great sleeping, not. The pediatric surgeon saw her around 6AM. CHOC is a heartbreaking hospital to be at. Room after room, floor after floor of really, really sick kids. Knowing Norah was the healthiest child in the hospital I spent the night praying for all the families there. I thought, "Maybe this is one reason we're here, to have a kid that's not so sick, to be a family that's not so discouraged. To be hope instead of heartache." So that's what I prayed for 6 hours.
Second praise: No invasive surgery needed!
But she needed to be put under anesthesia while they reset and casted her in - wait for it - a total lower body cast. So we waited a few more hours for that to happen. Savvy, the therapy dog, visited us while we waited. Again, if only she were older...
Third praise: The surgery went well and she tolerated the drugs, resetting, and casting perfectly.
They told us she would need to spend the night but Mark and I asked to be discharged ASAP. It was already well into Christmas Eve, and we were well into missing every festivity, and I wanted so badly to be home on Christmas morning. I begged at one point. No shame, people, no shame. She was sleepy all day but I finally got to hold her and rouse her long enough to feed her, hallelujah!
Fourth praise: We were discharged at 8:00pm!!
Although I don't love that it was drug induced, I do love that she slept though the night the night we got home. We were all spent, and not waking in the middle of the night was much needed.
She has been great ever since! The cast poses challenges, but we figure them out and move on. She's happy and giggly and pure sweetness nearly all the time. She'll have the cast on for about 5 more weeks. In the meantime I'm getting some incredibly strong mom-arms. Who needs a gym??
*Note to self: When a broken bone is suspected go straight to CHOC and save yourself a couple thousand dollars.
Christmas Eve Eve, if you will.
While some of the kids were playing others were trying to get out of Dodge with the baby. In an effort to actually protect Norah, by removing her from the crazy, the sweet thang tripped and Norah fell, hard.
Her cry was strange, one we hadn't heard before. And nursing didn't comfort her. So off to the ER we went, and thus began our 24 hour adventure.
First praise: Mark's parents were here staying with us through Christmas, so we were able to both go to the hospital!
We thought it was sprained, or maybe dislocated, so our jaws dropped when the X-rays came back showing a broken femur. A broken femur!! I thought baby's bones were made out of rubber? Not so, my friends, not so. They hadn't ruled out her needing surgery, so they wouldn't let me nurse her. NO BUENO.
Then they told us the hospital we were at didn't do children's bone settings and casts, she needed to go to CHOC*, in an ambulance. If she had been 8 years old it would've been pretty cool, but alas…
The ambulance crew is really use to people taking pictures so they actually told me ahead of time when and where they'd be stopping for photo ops. "We're all over Instagram." he said.
Thanks Ambulance Guy!
We got to CHOC around 1AM. She was fussed over every 40 minutes which made for some great sleeping, not. The pediatric surgeon saw her around 6AM. CHOC is a heartbreaking hospital to be at. Room after room, floor after floor of really, really sick kids. Knowing Norah was the healthiest child in the hospital I spent the night praying for all the families there. I thought, "Maybe this is one reason we're here, to have a kid that's not so sick, to be a family that's not so discouraged. To be hope instead of heartache." So that's what I prayed for 6 hours.
Second praise: No invasive surgery needed!
But she needed to be put under anesthesia while they reset and casted her in - wait for it - a total lower body cast. So we waited a few more hours for that to happen. Savvy, the therapy dog, visited us while we waited. Again, if only she were older...
Third praise: The surgery went well and she tolerated the drugs, resetting, and casting perfectly.
They told us she would need to spend the night but Mark and I asked to be discharged ASAP. It was already well into Christmas Eve, and we were well into missing every festivity, and I wanted so badly to be home on Christmas morning. I begged at one point. No shame, people, no shame. She was sleepy all day but I finally got to hold her and rouse her long enough to feed her, hallelujah!
She puffed up from all the IV fluids... she looks gigantic here!
The red glow light was a hit. Every baby should have one!
Fourth praise: We were discharged at 8:00pm!!
Going home in the "Hippo" carseat. True to it's name, it's huge, and perfect for her wide apart legs.
Although I don't love that it was drug induced, I do love that she slept though the night the night we got home. We were all spent, and not waking in the middle of the night was much needed.
She has been great ever since! The cast poses challenges, but we figure them out and move on. She's happy and giggly and pure sweetness nearly all the time. She'll have the cast on for about 5 more weeks. In the meantime I'm getting some incredibly strong mom-arms. Who needs a gym??
Home for Christmas!!
In those short 24 hours we were reminded how great a support system we have been surrounded with. My little network of prayer warriors were calling on angels to protect Norah and our family without ceasing. Our parents were dropping plans and helping with kids. Friends were stoping by with items to help Norah stay comfortable. Thank you everyone for blessing us during this tiny little bump in the road! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
*Note to self: When a broken bone is suspected go straight to CHOC and save yourself a couple thousand dollars.
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