Update 3 - River made it through The procedure

River made it through The procedure. 


Ever paced and sing in a hospital corridor while others stared? I have. Tonight during River’s procedure. I gave them a show for about 30 minutes. Let’s call it NICU karaoke. Tonight’s playlist featured Garth Brooks, “The River.” It was a song on the hits album That I wore out more than once as a Kid/Adult. Garth if your reading this I Ain’t going down till the sun comes up! We will fight and pray for healing. We are resilient. #garth


Up next was a bedtime staple with Fielder, “This is the Day that the Lord has made.” We sing it every night. I miss him. I Love him so much and miss our nightly routine. I miss Carly too. I’m angry we can’t all be together. 


I channeled my inner Big Mamaw next and sang a medley of “Oh How I love Jesus,” and “Every Day with Jesus.” Big Mamaw was my maternal great grand mother. I barely met my maternal grandmother Berta. She died of Cancer when I was three. No parent should ever have to bury their Child. Big Mamaw did, and made the best of the situation. She took little mamaws place for me as a Grandmother figure and taught me a lot. I learned the value of a penny from her. She always used to say, “pennies make dollars.” She never learned to drive and lived life simply. We took her grocery shopping and to get her hair done weekly when I was a kid. I could always list the first four items on her Grocery list: Dr. Pepper, Little Debbie Cakes, Toilet paper, and paper towels. At karaoke intermission I had a Dr Pepper in her honor. She would be outraged at the number of pennies it cost me to buy it. She grew up in the Depression. She didn’t trust banks and one time my mom and I found a Shoe Box full of money she had stashed in her house. In my 10 year old mind she was rich. The reality however was this: money in a shoebox didn’t take care of her. She had people who loved her dearly. She loved them back, and Fiercely. Her hugs were BIG; She was surprisingly strong for her age. She smelled like a mix of Vicks vapor rub, DR Pepper, moth balls, and sweat. I regret fighting her hugs now, but y’all seriously that smell. It would cling to you too. Love someone Fiercely. I’m not saying it will make them rich or live until they are 95+, but it will comfort them in a time like this. I’m comforted by he from the grave. 


Finally I sang River of Life. It was also comforting. It made me feel connected to River. I’m not rich by any means, but I’m rich in love and memories. I’m thinking about starting a foundation as another means of connection. It might be too much work. Carly will probably say I don’t need another Project. I may just end up donating my time to parents who experience circumstances like ours in the future. Having no support sucks. Being alone with nothing but social media is brutal. I’ve worked with homeless people who have told me about lessor struggles and pain causing them to spiral. We are social creatures. Thanks to Facebook in a time like this for sharing information fast, but it doesn’t replace genuine care and kindness and being a good neighbor. We need a lot more care and kindness and good neighbors. There are people here who don’t have anything. No money or familial support. I think we will call the River of Life foundation with the mission to help families cope with their present and future struggles after labor and delivery trauma. Just a thought. 


Baby girl is a fighter. They removed 9cc of blood from the brain. The surgeon was great. He was humorous and quick witted with a good bedside manor. We bowed to each other since we couldn’t shake hands of hug. Ugh. COVID. I am thankful for his care. She did great and is resting, but is bloated and her breathing is much more laborious than last night. She is almost fully dependent on the ventilator. They have to replace a faulty umbilical arterial line. Sometime before tomorrow at 7:00am they will place a peripheral inserted IV central catheter. Basically just a better way to ensure she is getting the nutrients and antibiotics she needs to recover. 


Hero’s work here. Through the night. Their names are too many to mention, but thank a nurse you know for choosing the profession. It will mean a lot to them. 


This is going to be a long drawn out process. I’m afraid this is only the tip of the NICU iceberg that we must navigate around. We will need continued support and I’ve got to figure out how to logistically deal with the reality that River will be here a while. Anyone who has suggestions or experience to share please help. We need you. Everyone else please continue to pray. That’s all for now. 


Oh and in case you are wondering Hooters wings are still delicious and their fries still suck

Comments

  1. Praying for River. Grateful she came through the surgery so well. Fight River fight.

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  2. Continued prayers. Thinking about her this morning with her next procedure.

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  3. Praying for you and all of your family. We don’t know each other . I go to church with your sisters so I feel like I know you...πŸ™

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  4. Glad to see an update this morning. We continue to lift up prayers. πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™ Nancy and Phil Stephens.

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  5. Praying for River and you and Carly. We live 20 minutes from the hospital. Please let us know if you need anything!!! Food, snacks, drinks, laundry done, anything!!! My number is 6788986113 and email is louisandstaci@gmail.com Love y’all! Staci and Louis.

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  6. Praise the Lord she made it through the night! I will continue to pray and alert my prayer warriors who are your brothers and sisters in Christ. I am sorry you have to do this without a physical hug. I am praying for continued healing for all of you! By the way, what color hair does River have? Is she another ginger? πŸ˜€

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  7. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY FOR THE GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!! You keep singing and being positive. God is writing a story for you and your family. I’m still praying for y’all, I’m also praying for the medical staff.

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  8. I’m praying for River and your family. 2.5 years ago my husband and I were going through the same thing. Our daughter was born via emergency c-section, diagnosed with HIE, and had a brain bleed among many other things. Sadly, our Emery passed away. Please reach out to me if y’all would like someone to talk to that’s been through this. My email is bourchierfamilyof4@gmail.com.

    Ansley

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  9. So glad she made it thru surgery! Continuing to pray. The NICU journey is long with so many highs and lows. You never realize how many little things she’ll have to learn to do. Babies recover so much faster then you would think. Praying for comfort and peace for your whole family as y’all are all in different places.

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  10. Praying for you guys! Love you all and sending hugs!!!!

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  11. My family is friends with April and Matt. We are praying hard for River to get well. We are praying for you and Carly too.

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  12. Praying for you all and appreciate the updates! God is bigger and He is enough. He is your hope. These are long days that will be 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. Romans 5:2-5 “We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Faith and Dr. Pepper will pull you through ❤️

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  13. Trusting and believing for you guys. Big prayers for all of you in the days ahead for peace, comfort, navigating the logistics, etc. All of the things. We serve a mighty, powerful, and miraculous God. **Big hugs**

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  14. I grew up next door to MawMaw and our families loved each other like blood family. Even though I’ve never met you, I still love you and your precious family because you’re a Martin. Please know that I am praying for sweet River and for you and Carly. And I am praying for wisdom for the medical team. ❤️

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  15. Will be praying today for River and everyone. Love to you all.

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  16. Praying for River, Carly, You, and your entire family!

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  17. Praying for y’all!! Love y’all!!

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  18. I have no words, just tears and prayers for all of you and especially ones of complete healing for River!

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  19. Praying for your precious River. Girls are fighters! Sending love to all of your family.

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