Glimmers of Thanks

I am thankful that our little Lilly is here with us today, in full health and function, delighting us each and every day with her Sweet Spirit and Lovely Disposition.

On March 14th, our lives were starting to change, and we didn't know it.

{The following is an excerpt from my journal}

On about March 8th Lilly had an ear infection. She was given the antibiotic Augmentin and took it for about 7 days when she began vomiting. Her pediatrician said that we should discontinue the antibiotics since she had most of the RX. (later we found that at this point she had a stomach virus- nothing to do with the antibiotic)

Lilly vomited about 6 - 8 times that day. She had no fever and no other symptoms, she had been a bit puny for a few days and really had no appetite, which we chalked up to the antibiotic which is known to be rough on the tummy -- the reason why we discontinued it --.

We snuggled on the couch and watched a marathon America's Next Top Model together. She was pretty lethargic, but had stopped vomiting and so when she asked to go to bed, I tucked her in.

{end of journal entry}

We had planned a camping trip to Tyler, Texas which was postponed a few times due to lots of rain. Because Lilly had been a but puny, it seemed just as well. The weather cleared enough that we were going to go on the 14th, but Lilly was still not quite 100%. My family went on the camping trip on this day, and Lilly and I were going to meet them the next day if Lilly felt better. We had every confidence that she would.

I got this picture from the camping crew that evening. They were enjoying themselves and looked forward to our joining them in morning.

The thing that you need to know about Lilly is that she LOVES camping. She had been asking to go camping for months, really. When everyone left earlier in the day, we didn't tell her where they were going, and she really was not feeling well enough to ask. I was going to surprise her when we drove up in the morning.

{back to journal entry}

About 30 minutes after I tucked Lilly into bed I heard the most horrible thud! and found her lying on her stomach on her bedroom floor- crying. I thought that she just tripped as she ran out of her room with nausea.

I brought her downstairs and kept her on the couch with me and we dozed for a few hours. She would frequently wake and ask for a drink of apple juice. I noticed that her hands were very shaky as she brought the cup to her mouth. I also noticed that her legs were shaky when I helped her to the bathroom. She couldn't walk on her own, and while assisted, she looked a lot like she had Parkinson's Disease. I started to get nervous then. I thought that she was really weak from dehydration.

At about 3:00 am I called the Nurse Advice Line at her Pediatrician's office. Twenty minutes later when the nurse called back (about the longest 20 minutes of my life) she said that if Lilly couldn't stand on her own that we needed to go the the Emergency Room.

As I prayed, I knew that it was the right thing to do, and I wasn't really scared or upset at the thought of it. I know that this is where the Spirit comforted me, because I am always just one small event away from panic.

I called John's mom to come with me, since she lives about a mile from us. I was in a time warp. It took me about 20 minutes to get out of the door! I was a bit befuddled trying to decide what I needed to take with me.

I left a message on Johnny's cell phone. I told him that by the time he got the message, we would probably be at home and that Lilly was probably dehydrated. His phone was dead and being charged in the van. (Maddy and Stephie had their phones in the tent-- I am not sure why I didn't call them???)

When we got to the ER, they gave us Gatorade to start the rehydration process-- that was their best-guess right out of the gate, too. We sat in the waiting room for about an hour giving her about 1 oz. at a time. She was very lethargic and glazed-looking, and she was not talking. I could tell that she was listening, but I didn't know if she could understand. She had such a pleasant look on her face. She was being so sweet, but I couldn't get her to respond.

{end of journal entry}

More of the story in next blogs.

Things I am thankful for in this situation:

The Power of Prayer and Personal Revelation - This was a strengthening experience for me. I had to pray on my own, without the strength and goodness of my sweet husband. The Lord responded immediately my giving me the Spirit to comfort me and the strength to go through this situation as the only parent.

Inspiration from the Lord - I am thankful that John and I were both inspired that Lilly should not go up with the rest of the family that day. She had been perking up, so we thought, but it was very apparent that she shouldn't go. I shudder to think of what might have happened being out in the boonies when she started this illness.

Pictures - During this illness which lasted the best part of a month, I kept on looking back at the picture below.

This was the last picture taken of her before her illness. I kept wondering if it would be the last picture of her as normal. (more posts will let you know what all was happening to her during this time)
I am so grateful to have pictures. They are so powerful and wonderful.

I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. And truly, I am.