Thursday, March 11, 2010
Our Brave Fighter, Isaiah (Part 2)
We brought Isaiah home on Thursday when he was 5 days old. On Friday evening, I realised that Clare felt a little warm and we fed her Paximol. We also tried to separate Clare and Isaiah. Clare continued to have a low grade fever.
On Saturday night, when I was breastfeeding Isaiah, I thought he felt a little warm. I asked Damon to confirm and he thought so too. We measured his temperature and to our greatest fear, his temperature was 37.8. I panicked and Damon suggested bringing him to Mt Alvernia A&E. We called my parents over. My mother followed us and my father stayed behind with Clare who was sleeping.
When we reached Mt Alvernia, the nurse at the reception counter measured Isaiah's temperature using the non-contact forehead thermometer and said there was no fever. We were so relieved. We waited for our turn to see the doctor. The doctor re-measured his temperature and said he was running a low grade temperature. He also said that the standard procedure for new born babies with fever, was to have them admit into hospital for observation and to find out the exact cause of the fever. I broke down when I heard that.
The nurse called Isaiah's pd and he said he would rush down immediately. I was very touched as it was already past midnight. The nurse then pushed Isaiah to the ward.
I just kept carrying Isaiah in my arms and a while later, his pd arrived. He examined him and said that he preferred to have Isaiah in the neonatal intensive care unit where he would be cared for by the nurses there round the clock. The only problem was no parents would be allowed overnight or to stay with the baby all the time. I was so upset then that I could not think. Damon decided that would be in his best interest.
The pd said he would run a urine test and a blood test for Isaiah. He also said they would get some spinal liquid to do some testing too. I really freaked out at that moment. They pushed him to the NICU and we were told to stay outside to wait.
That was the most agonising wait for me. I could not see what they were doing to him but I could imagine him in pain and feeling very frightened and insecure and crying away. As the NICU was near the nursery, we could hear a lot of babies crying and I hated myself for not being able to tell it any of the cries belonged to Isaiah.
After a long long wait, the pd finally came out and asked me to go in to see Isaiah. My heart broke when I first stepped into the room. Isaiah was stripped naked, not even with the diaper on as they needed to collect his urine. He was placed under a heater that caused his skin to dry up wvwn after such a short time. I could see his skin peeling, especially on the tummy area. He looked so small and helpless, with a IV insert on his arm. There are also wires attached to him, to monitor his heartbeat and temperature. His little foot was also bandaged at the heel because of the blood test. I could not control myself and I cried.
The nurse asked me if I wanted to pump out the milk so that they could feed him later as he had to wait an hour later to drink due to the procedures done. I borrowed the hospital pump and pumped out some milk for him. Then we had to leave Isaiah at the hospital.
When I got home, Clare had apparently woken up and she was so relieved to see me. She asked me where was Didi and I teared. I hugged her and we fell asleep together.
The next morning, we received a call fom the pd and said that Isaiah's condition had stabilised and could be transferred to a normal ward. I was so ecstatic! I packed some clothes and sent Clare to my mother's place.
We stayed in the hospital with Isaiah for another 3 days. Isaiah had low grade fever for the first day and the fever didn't return for the next two days. After some blood tests on the third day, the pd said we could be discharged.
I was so relieved. The 3 days at the hospital were very stressful. We worried that the fever would come back, we were heartbroken when the nurse came in each time to administer medicine to Clare into the IV tube. We worried about Clare who was still nursing a low-grade fever at home without her father and mother by her side. We wondered what she could be thinking, why all three of us were not around with her.
But thank God we have supportive family, parents and friends. We are also very thankful for the MPC community who showed their support and love by storming heaven with their prayers for our two little ones. I pray that God will continue to watch over Clare and Isaiah and bless them with good health always! =)
On Saturday night, when I was breastfeeding Isaiah, I thought he felt a little warm. I asked Damon to confirm and he thought so too. We measured his temperature and to our greatest fear, his temperature was 37.8. I panicked and Damon suggested bringing him to Mt Alvernia A&E. We called my parents over. My mother followed us and my father stayed behind with Clare who was sleeping.
When we reached Mt Alvernia, the nurse at the reception counter measured Isaiah's temperature using the non-contact forehead thermometer and said there was no fever. We were so relieved. We waited for our turn to see the doctor. The doctor re-measured his temperature and said he was running a low grade temperature. He also said that the standard procedure for new born babies with fever, was to have them admit into hospital for observation and to find out the exact cause of the fever. I broke down when I heard that.
The nurse called Isaiah's pd and he said he would rush down immediately. I was very touched as it was already past midnight. The nurse then pushed Isaiah to the ward.
I just kept carrying Isaiah in my arms and a while later, his pd arrived. He examined him and said that he preferred to have Isaiah in the neonatal intensive care unit where he would be cared for by the nurses there round the clock. The only problem was no parents would be allowed overnight or to stay with the baby all the time. I was so upset then that I could not think. Damon decided that would be in his best interest.
The pd said he would run a urine test and a blood test for Isaiah. He also said they would get some spinal liquid to do some testing too. I really freaked out at that moment. They pushed him to the NICU and we were told to stay outside to wait.
That was the most agonising wait for me. I could not see what they were doing to him but I could imagine him in pain and feeling very frightened and insecure and crying away. As the NICU was near the nursery, we could hear a lot of babies crying and I hated myself for not being able to tell it any of the cries belonged to Isaiah.
After a long long wait, the pd finally came out and asked me to go in to see Isaiah. My heart broke when I first stepped into the room. Isaiah was stripped naked, not even with the diaper on as they needed to collect his urine. He was placed under a heater that caused his skin to dry up wvwn after such a short time. I could see his skin peeling, especially on the tummy area. He looked so small and helpless, with a IV insert on his arm. There are also wires attached to him, to monitor his heartbeat and temperature. His little foot was also bandaged at the heel because of the blood test. I could not control myself and I cried.
The nurse asked me if I wanted to pump out the milk so that they could feed him later as he had to wait an hour later to drink due to the procedures done. I borrowed the hospital pump and pumped out some milk for him. Then we had to leave Isaiah at the hospital.
When I got home, Clare had apparently woken up and she was so relieved to see me. She asked me where was Didi and I teared. I hugged her and we fell asleep together.
The next morning, we received a call fom the pd and said that Isaiah's condition had stabilised and could be transferred to a normal ward. I was so ecstatic! I packed some clothes and sent Clare to my mother's place.
We stayed in the hospital with Isaiah for another 3 days. Isaiah had low grade fever for the first day and the fever didn't return for the next two days. After some blood tests on the third day, the pd said we could be discharged.
I was so relieved. The 3 days at the hospital were very stressful. We worried that the fever would come back, we were heartbroken when the nurse came in each time to administer medicine to Clare into the IV tube. We worried about Clare who was still nursing a low-grade fever at home without her father and mother by her side. We wondered what she could be thinking, why all three of us were not around with her.
But thank God we have supportive family, parents and friends. We are also very thankful for the MPC community who showed their support and love by storming heaven with their prayers for our two little ones. I pray that God will continue to watch over Clare and Isaiah and bless them with good health always! =)
Isaiah wants to thank everyone for all your prayers, love and support!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Our Brave Fighter, Isaiah! (Part 1)
The other time when Clare was born, everything went very smooth at the hospital. However, for Isaiah, he was down with jaundice and we had to extend our stay in the hospital. He was then readmitted into the hospital again when he was only 7 days old because he came down with a fever.
On the third day, when we thought we would be discharged. Isaiah's PD, thought he looked a little jaundiced. He asked for a blood test to be done. The blood results came back indicating he was a little jaundiced. We were given 2 choices. One, to bring him home and monitor. If it worsened, he had to be readmitted into the hospital for phototheraphy. Two, to stay and have the phototheraphy for one day. Damon and I decided to stay because I'm breastfeeding Isaiah and it's easier to stay together with him since we have not returned our room yet.
The first time I saw Isaiah in the nursery, stripped bare, with just his diaper on and placed under the light. I was heartbroken and I cried. The next 2 plus hours were like a standstill to me. The image of Isaiah naked and feeling insecure in the nursery just made me so sad.
Then the nurse pushed Isaiah in and told me that he is a very good and brave baby. He didn't fuss or cry during the theraphy. I was relieved and for the next 2 days we were in hospital, the only time I looked forward to were the 2-hourly plus breastfeeding sessions because those were the only times Isaiah could be out of the light and be with us.
Finally, after 5 days and 4 nights at the hospital, we could finally bring Isaiah home! =)
Baby Isaiah is Born!
Baby Isaiah is born on the same day as my mother's birthday! =)
Damon, my mother, my brother, Clare and I were having lunch in Takashimaya to celebrate my mother's birthday. Suddenly, at 2pm, I felt something flowing out, like uncontrollable urine. Then, before I knew it, there was a big gush of water. I was really terrified!
I called the emergency line for my gynae and was told to go to the hospital immediately. Damon and I went straight to Mt Alvernia and my mother and brother brought Clare home.
We went to the delivery suite and I started to feel contractions. Then the contractions got very strong.
Before my gynae could make it to the delivery suite, I started to feel a very strong urge to push. I was in SO MUCH PAIN! Hee... Damon said I almost killed him. =p
Finally, my gynae arrived and in 3 pushes, Isaiah was out! =)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Getting ready for baby... =)
I am on hosp leave now and next week I will be starting my maternity leave. So i am considered officially off work. =)
For the past few days, I've been trying to tidy up the house a little and also making sure we have got everything ready for the birth of my baby boy (whom we have not decided what name to give yet).
My father-in-law reminded us that despite being busy preparing for the birth, we must not neglect Clare in any way. She has been enjoying our 100% attention since birth, not just from Damon and me, but she's also the first grandchild for both my extended family and damon's extended family. It will be a challenge for us not to let her feel that she is less 'important' with didi around.
However, one consoling fact is that Clare loves baby and she has been looking forward to the birth of her baby brother. Since months ago, she has been asking me when is didi coming out and why is didi not out yet and she also shares with us all the different things she will do when didi comes out. =)
I often visualise the two of them together and I always pray that they will love each other and enjoy each other's company very much. =)
For the past few days, I've been trying to tidy up the house a little and also making sure we have got everything ready for the birth of my baby boy (whom we have not decided what name to give yet).
My father-in-law reminded us that despite being busy preparing for the birth, we must not neglect Clare in any way. She has been enjoying our 100% attention since birth, not just from Damon and me, but she's also the first grandchild for both my extended family and damon's extended family. It will be a challenge for us not to let her feel that she is less 'important' with didi around.
However, one consoling fact is that Clare loves baby and she has been looking forward to the birth of her baby brother. Since months ago, she has been asking me when is didi coming out and why is didi not out yet and she also shares with us all the different things she will do when didi comes out. =)
I often visualise the two of them together and I always pray that they will love each other and enjoy each other's company very much. =)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Daddy？ God？
I have not been updating my blog for close to 6 months now. So many things have happened and I will slowly update my blog when I start my maternity leave in February.
Damon kind of misplaced our house keys when we were out last Sunday. We only found out we did not have the keys with us after we reached home. Damon was frantically looking for the keys in our car when Clare started a conversation with me.
Clare: What's Daddy doing?
Me: Daddy's helping us to find the keys so that we can enter our house.
Clare: Huh? We lost our keys? How? Cannot go home already.
Me: It's alright. God will help us find the keys.
Clare: Huh? Daddy is God?
Me:???
Clare: Huh? Daddy is God?
Me:
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Clare's Fourth Day of School
This morning, Clare woke up at 6.45am. I asked her if she wanted to go to school. Initially, she said no. Then I told her that I would have to call my aunt and her teachers to let them know that Clare's not going to school. (Hee... Taking a risk here. =p) Clare then said that she wanted to go.
When we were leaving home and standing at the door, we had the following conversation:
Clare: Can Mummy go school?
Mummy: No, Mummy cannot go to school because Mummy is too big for school.
Clare: Can, Mummy can go school. Mummy is small.
I gave a very exaggerated reaction and all 3 of us laughed it off.
When we reached the school gate, Clare seemed to be able to predict what's coming. She clung on to me very tightly and refused to let go. After much difficulty, I managed to take off her shoes and my aunt held out her hands to carry Clare.
Surprisingly, Clare let her carry but when we moved backwards and told her that we would see her later, she started to cry. my aunt tried to pacify her and we left. When we turned the car around, we could see that my aunt was no longer carrying her, but we could not see how Clare's doing. Hopefully, she would be fine.
My aunt gave me a call and told me that Clare tends to cry whenever she wants something or doesn't want to do something. She feels that Clare is trying to test her limits and they would try to be more firm with her in school. During assembly, my aunt was handling a discipline case with 2 boys and they were crying as a result of a quarrel. My aunt told the boys that she didn't want anyone crying in school and Clare was eyeing and observing what's going on. Since that incident, she would stop crying whenever my aunt asked her to.
I then received a mms from my aunt:
"Assembly Time"
When we were leaving home and standing at the door, we had the following conversation:
Clare: Can Mummy go school?
Mummy: No, Mummy cannot go to school because Mummy is too big for school.
Clare: Can, Mummy can go school. Mummy is small.
I gave a very exaggerated reaction and all 3 of us laughed it off.
When we reached the school gate, Clare seemed to be able to predict what's coming. She clung on to me very tightly and refused to let go. After much difficulty, I managed to take off her shoes and my aunt held out her hands to carry Clare.
Surprisingly, Clare let her carry but when we moved backwards and told her that we would see her later, she started to cry. my aunt tried to pacify her and we left. When we turned the car around, we could see that my aunt was no longer carrying her, but we could not see how Clare's doing. Hopefully, she would be fine.
My aunt gave me a call and told me that Clare tends to cry whenever she wants something or doesn't want to do something. She feels that Clare is trying to test her limits and they would try to be more firm with her in school. During assembly, my aunt was handling a discipline case with 2 boys and they were crying as a result of a quarrel. My aunt told the boys that she didn't want anyone crying in school and Clare was eyeing and observing what's going on. Since that incident, she would stop crying whenever my aunt asked her to.
I then received a mms from my aunt:
"Assembly Time"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
