Kind of down tonight...

mhop

I don't think there's really a point to this post except that you guys are probably the only ones who could possibly understand why I'm "pooty" (that's the word DH and I use when we're blue or down in the dumps...jeez, how many idioms can I use in one sentence?). 

Anyway, today ends a week that has been both great and not so great. 

The great:

Campbell started babbling this week and clapping.  What fun it's been to hear her say new sounds and watch her learn to make those new sounds. 

What's not been so great:

Campell had another "seizure" today which lasted for about 3-5 seconds and luckily her PT saw it too.  Now, it's not just me telling people what is happening.  Believe me, we'll be fighting tomorrow for a ped. neurologist referral this time (our pedi kind of blew us off after her EEG results came back normal).

Tomorrow she has a cranial ultrasound to rule out hydrocephalus. We're hoping she just has a big head like her daddy...

She has her first cold and I'm feeling guilty for exposing her to germs at Thanksgiving.  She has been miserable and not sleeping well.  So far it just seems to be runny nose and sneezing with no fever, so hopefully it won't turn into something serious.  This is despite the email we sent to family asking them to be cautious... and speaking of the email, I had words with SIL at Thanksgiving because she was offended by the email due to a sentence in it about smokers b/c she felt we were targeting her mother.  This wasn't true, there are 4 smokers in our families and it was just a reminder (I'll c&p the email below in case you're curious).  I'm still stewing about it.  (Especially since that although we didn't target her mother, she flat out lied to us one time and told us she had quit smoking then wanted to hold Campbell.  Thank God I hugged her first and smelled the smoke on her...)

Plus I'm really unhappy in my job and have really enjoyed my time off the past 5 days and do not want to go back tomorrow.  I guess I'll just count the days until Christmas break (I'm a teacher).

So, if you've read all this, I hope I haven't made you "pooty".  I just needed to vent a little.

Thanks...

oh, and here's the email...

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Family,

 

This is Robbie and it?s time for a serious conversation. . . . .  We are very excited about the upcoming holidays and getting to see all of you.  However, we need to ask a favor of all of you.  Campbell?s pulmonologist and pediatrician told us that Thanksgiving and Christmas are the highest days of the year for RSV because families get together whether they are sick or not.  RSV is a respiratory virus that is very common but can be very dangerous to preemies who?s lungs are compromised by having been on oxygen.  We are very lucky that Campbell has been approved for the RSV shot, but it is not a vaccine, it is merely antibodies to help her fight the virus if she contracts it.  Some of you know I work with a principal who?s 3 year old former preemie got RSV and ended up on a ventilator in the hospital?scary! 

 

The doctor said that RSV in adults can merely be a sore throat and in children it is runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and fever.  We aren?t telling you guys this for you to be scared to come near Campbell, we just want you to be aware.  If you are well, we want you to hold Campbell and love on her (please wash your hands first J).  Of course, we still can?t let you hold her if you have smoked and not showered and changed your clothes.  If you are sick or are just getting over being sick, please let us know.  This does not mean we won?t come, we just need to be aware.  We can?t wait for the day when we don?t have to be as concerned about germs.  We are really lucky because she has been so healthy and you have all contributed to that by being careful with her.

 

Also, Martha might kill me for telling you this, but she is worried that people will think she?s over-protective or neurotic.  Needless to say, she is not.  These are the guidelines given to us by Campbell?s doctors.  We know that you will support us in this since we know you all love Campbell and want her to be well. 

 

Thanks!

Robbie

CashewsMom

I don't think that e-mail is rude at all, my family has a website, and I put Rules for Logan on there in case people want to come and see him at the hospital, or when we get home.  In the e-mail I specifically said if you smoke, we will not allow you to hold Logan, and if you have kids, don't bring them.  If people think it's rude, that's their business, my business is keeping my baby healthy and RSV free. 

Sorry you're feeling bad, hope it helps to know we are all going through that, and I know this is only my first year dealing with this, and I am no pro, I can only understand how hard it is. 

Good luck, and I hope Campbell doesn't get sick!

millbug

I'm sorry you're feeling down tonight.  I'm bummed for other reasons, but it's hard to deal with the not knowing of Campbell's health and the inevitablities that all parents deal with but freak us out more.  When Avery got his first cold I was so pissed at myself because I gave it to him.  You've just got to remember that all kids get sick eventually and although our babies are at greater risk, they should and will get colds.  I hope that they can figure out what's going on with her seizures - I know you'll continue to fight to get the attention you know she needs.  Don't even sweat the family - if it's not one thing it's another.  Our son is behind developmentally but the most social, friendly and loving kid you'd meet.  My niece is really anti-social, won't talk to you when you speak, can't be without her parents - generally is not quite right.  My SIL blurted out at dinner when Avery was talking (he's 9 m.o) - I remember Amanda was doing that at SEVEN months - like she was trying to make me feel bad for having a developmentally behind kid to make up for his sociability.  I just let it slide off of my back.  Try to do the same. 

 Hopefully tomorrow will be a little better - I'll be thinking of you!

BrainySmurfette

The seizures sound like a worry--I hope there is a innocent explanation and you get to see an appropriate doctor.

On the head u/s--my DD had one, too, due to a big head concern.  She ended up just having a big head like Daddy.  I've known of a few others that had the same outcome.  Hopefully, it is the same for your DD.

Zeidy01

I'm so sorry about the seizure, I hope it gets corrected ASAP. I know is hard and family for some reason most don't understand. HUGSS!!!!

ijack

I would be pooty too! E also developed a runny nose today and I'm just kicking myself for deciding that having thanksgiving with friends would be okay I'm sorry that C had another seizure and I hope that you guys can figure out what is going on. I'm also sure that her head is genetic and I hope the tests prove that!

gymrat

I don't think the e-mail is rude at all. I can't believe people take offense to us needing to protect our children.

I'm sorry that you're feeling so down tonight. I understand you not wanting to go back to work. I'm dreading my inlaws coming here at 7 am tomorrow morning. As hard as the last 5 days have been taking care of two babies, I wish I didn't have to work full time. 

I hope everything will be OK with Campbell's health. I wish you didn't have so much to worry about and weigh heavy on your mind. ((HUGS))

crystalpopcorn

The email is not rude at all. I don't know how or why people would think that. ?I am sorry that you are going through this. ?It is sad that family can't even understand how careful we have to be. Good luck with the seizures. ?I am sure all will be OK.

mcdev

First of all...That email was definitely NOT rude in any way. ?Don't even waste one minute worrying about that. ?It was very clear that your husband was trying to look out for his little girl and not hurt any feelings in the process. ?I'm sure the rest of your family recognized that.

Second of all...I am so sorry that Campbell had a seizure. ?I didn't remember any other posts about that. ?I hope they have a very simple explanation for ?them and I am sure you will start feeling better once she sees the neurologist. ?It is always worse when you don't have answers for something. ?We moms are very good at going on the internet and freaking ourselves out with every worse case scenario! ?Definitely keep us posted on what they find!

?I'm a teacher too (although I'm still on maternity leave) and I know I always would get an anxious feeling the night before going back after a break or vacation. ?You know as well as I do that the day flies by though and so will the days that lead up to your next break. ?December is going to go so fast!!

Also, I just love your pictures of Campbell. ?She is GORGEOUS. ?I'm sure her babbling is just the sweetest sound! ?Good luck and hang in there!?