Wednesday, February 9, 2011

before and after.

Four weeks ago, Jeff and I were sitting in a little ICU room at the Primary Children's Hospital in SLC. Our oldest son was diagnosed with a collapsed lung due to Plastic Bronchitis from an allergy to pet dander.
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Things were very uncertain and unclear. We were confused. The doctors were confused. Our child was in a medically induced coma. It was the hardest period of time in my whole life. I can honestly say that.



We were told that white on the x-ray = bad news. We lived for positive news. There were long, very bleak moments, and slowly... happy moments started to creep in. Small tidbits of happy news, slowly growing into one giant burst of goodness. He would be okay.
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Our new home would have to be rid of anything containing dander. All the carpets were ripped up, and a fresh new surface of dark wood was laid down. The walls were washed. The ceilings too. Every book, picture frame, toy, knick knack, anything... it all had to be wiped down.
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It was the longest two weeks of my entire life.
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But now,
we have health again.
And that really is, the most important thing.

11 comments:

Erin said...

Oh my goodess!!
Glad to hear all is well.

forever folding laundry said...

How scary!!
I had no idea that could happen...??
I'm glad he is healthy again.


~Keri

Erin said...

Emily, So glad to hear that he's better!!

Tamie said...

we prayed so hard for your little josh to get better! i'm so thrilled that he is on the mend and that things are looking up!
with your post, it got me thinking about our whole purpose here on earth. mostly it got me thinking about what satan says to eve in the garden of eden when he is tempting her to eat the fruit that she's not supposed to eat. that with an earthly body we will know health and sickness. i think that it is imperative, at least once in our lives, to experience sickness to a degree that is unusual (not the flu or a cold); so that we can appreciate the goodness that we have in good health. even if having it happens isn't necisarrily to ourselves.
My grandmother told me that he being ill at one point in her life allowed her to have more empathy for those with debilitating illnesses or just an illness at all. she was right.
it is near impossible to be able to comfort someone with something that is crippling their physical body unless you understand how crippling to our existence an unhealthy body can be. appreciate the good health and marvel and our bodies and God's hand in creating and mantaining them.
just sharing here...but so thrilled for you and jeff that your boy is back with you in good health!

hope said...

I was so relieved as you posted on FB the updates, each getting better, one at a time. Prayers are answered!

Sandy said...

Oh gosh, that's really scary! Thank God he's okay! :)

Kami said...

I'm glad to hear that he's doing better. I can't imagine what that must have been like.

hoLLy said...

I didn't even know about this until after it had all happened. It was during my "facebook fast" and Joey told me about it. I couldn't believe it! So serious! And scary! I can't imagine what some of those days were like for you guys. I'm so so glad he is okay! We said lots of prayers as he was recovering. So, this was caused by the previous homeowner's pet(dander in the carpet from their pet I guess?)

Doran & Jody said...

Oh my scary! Glad things turned out good. It's never fun watching your children suffer.

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

I can't even imagine what that must have been like. I'm glad your story has a happy ending!!!!

~C~ said...

Oh my gosh, your poor little man! I'm so glad he's better. My oldest has asthma and we live in constant fear of lung issues. So scary. Saying prayers everything and everyone stays healthy and dander free.