The Greatest Birthday Gift

Our week has been hectic to say the least. I needed to update our blog and had so many things to write about but that was last week. This week is another story...

Forgive me if for the lengthy post. Although our week was tough, I would go through it all over again in a heartbeat...because being a mother is such a rewarding and amazing gift.

I had one of the worst weeks ever, but the best birthday.

Evan has been teething tremendously--more so than ever. He has always been a huge drooler. He developed a pretty bad diaper rash a couple of weeks ago, and we applied his prescription ointment. I wasn't too worried as it was a common symptom of teething. So, last Wednesday was Evan's 18 month checkup! He weighs a whopping 28 pounds and barely 31 inches tall. The doctor found an ear infection in one ear and prescribed medicine. The week prior he had been wheezing which typical for Evan when he gets a cold. He had a bout with RSV and he will always have a bad cough when he's ill. So she put him on the nebulizer and felt he needed allergy medicine. We thought everything was just fine. Evan battled high fevers all weekend long following the Dr visit. I called in to the hospital and the nurse assured me it was typical for teething and ear infections. I gave him Motrin around the clock and all Mr. Evan wanted to do was "BEEZ". This meant Bee Movie. He would climb on to our bed and point to the TV and says "BEEZ". He also has been saying "Please" for everything, but there is a distinct difference in Evan's tone. BEEZ is much more demanding than the sweet "Please" when he holds his cup for more milk.

So, the fever just wouldn't break for good. They would go and come back but his temps remained between 101 and 103. Monday morning I called for an appointment and found our doctor had left for vacation. So off to the Urgent Care we went. We were seen immediately and I was pretty confident the ear wasn't getting better. Well, in fact it was. It was clear, but the other one was worse. Bizarre that Evan had developed a 2nd ear infection while on antibiotics. So, they decided to prick his finger and run a simple test to determine if it was simply viral or more. To my surprise, the doctor returned to the room with a concerned look and said we need to run more tests. Evan's white blood cell count is too high for an ear infection and furthermore, since he's been on antibiotics. She ordered a Strep Test, Chest X-Rays, Urine Analysis and the dreaded blood from the arm test. I was at a loss of words...only tears came out.

By the way, Alex was out of town for all this. He returned Monday night, but has been hosting a huge training seminar with the newbie sales reps all week. I have only been in his presence between the hours of 10pm and 5am. These are only 4 times a year. But I was rescued and so was Evan. The visit took 4 1/2 hours because they wanted to wait until Evan had completely calmed down in between tests. Well, every time the nurse, lab tech, or doctor returned, he got all worked up. I would too if you pinned me down to draw blood!! Jill, our next door neighbor, works at the hospital and came down with a carton of milk for Evan and entertainment. I thought I was smart playing magical cups with Dixie cups and cotton balls. But Jill, had much more up her sleeve. She brought much needed relief and smiles!! Evan managed to crack a smile and let out a few giggles once she blew up a glove like a balloon. When Evan smiles, I smile.

We left at 12:30pm with a new antibiotic and a diagnosis for Viral Pneumonia and and ear infection. Again, I thought Evan would be fine, I could relax. Nope...he gagged and got sick every time I tried to give him his medicine. All over me, our couch, the bathroom.

Jill to the rescue, again!! She truly is SuperMom. Jill took over bathing Evan for the 3rd time and dressed him for bed and put him down while I was on the phone with the hospital again. He went down easy as usual, and I relaxed. Phew....The doctor called shortly thereafter with "The Pink Stuff". My favorite as a kid. I left to pick it up while Jill watched Evan. He took the medicine just fine and even said "MMMM" and smacked his lips. Phew...

We returned for a followup blood test on Tuesday and things were back to normal. Phew...

Wednesday got another message from the hospital with alarming test results and she had called in an additional antibiotic. Of course no further details were given, so we played phone tag. The urine analysis from Monday showed that Evan had developed Staph Infection and needed an additional antibiotic. It sounded so much more serious on the voicemail, but I was reassured by SuperMom (Jill) that he was and would be fine.

Oh, and it was my birthday week to top it off. Let me reiterate, "Although, our week was tough, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat." I have been blessed with a wonderful and healthy child and these moments I will cherish forever. You take the good with the bad. But looking back, it has made me realize how truly blessed I am.

Evan gave me the best birthday gift ever. It was the simple reminder of how amazing motherhood is. How despite the stress and uncertainty of his health, praying he'd be okay, and wishing I could endure his pain, that those fears and tears were the greatest gifts... I was reminded that I was chosen to be Evan's mom and I was chosen to nurture him, to soothe him and to watch Bee Movie 20 times in 4 days. This gift lasts a lifetime...what more could you ask for.

Tonight, Evan was all smiles and gut busting laughs as we played hide-and-seek.

Side note: Alex also gave me a wonderful gift this week. Last night was a dinner for the trainees to meet the "Corporate Spouses". I was looking forward to finally spending time with my husband, especially since it was my birthday. Dinner was wonderful, and Alex surprised me with homemade cheesecake prepared and presented by Hormel's Corporate Chef. Our 40+ dinner guests (trainees, VP's, spouses) serenaded me for my birthday.

So, thank you to my boys for a very memorable birthday. And thank you to Jill for the gift of friendship...which I know will last a lifetime as well.