I actually got to escape the house Friday night (thank you to my amazing husband for that). I was only at Target getting groceries but it was OUT of my house and without anyone in tow to have to keep track of. AS mentioned in the post I just did we decided to work on potty training. In light of these I wanted to grab a potty ring seat for the big toilet so Lilly could sit on that. Target was practically out and the Princess themed seat was not one of the few in stock. Darn it.
I got to my car thinking we’d just wait but the second I opened the door I realized I forgot buns for the sloppy Joes we were going to have at some point in the weekend. Instead of going back inside I decided to go over to Wal Mart. I figured I may have better luck with the princess potty seat as well.
They did have a seat, although it was different, so I got that. I then thought I would take advantage of my freedom and look around at some other other baby stuff in case there was something I decided I must have for Edison. I actually saw a Princess bowl and got that since one of Lilly’s decided to spontaneously combust in the cabinet the night before.
As I was standing there in the line I would look up and down the aisle to see if there was something else I wanted to look at. Nope. Then I hear the question “Did you guys ever get out of the NICU?” I look up and see a girl there. crap. should I know this person? They look familiar, but definitely not a nurse (for one, they would know). I cheerfully answer yes, on November 17th and we got into a conversation. She makes some comment and mentioned Gage (DING!- remember who it is now) and we talk more about our kids.
Gage was admitted across the hall from Edison a month after he had been there. Oct. 8 I believe. (due date was December, he was born at 29 weeks gestation). I remember peeking through the curtain as this new resident was being cared for. I was horrified, worried, astonished, intrigued, and SO THANKFUL for my Edison the whole time I was watching this. They intubated the boy after just a little while and things calmed down.
As this other NICU mother and I talked in the Wal Mart baby aisle it became so very apparent, again, that I am so lucky to have our Edison in the health that he is. She shared storied of Gage still being on Apnea monitors because he will have gaps in breathing due to nervous system immaturity. He also has to go see a hematologist due to some blood concerns and sees his pediatrician twice a week for checks and something else. He was 3 pounds 6 or so ounces when he was born and is now a fantastic 12 pounds.
I said that we were lucky to go home without monitors even though it was planned for him to go home on oxygen. Edison had a blood transfusion, but it was a one time thing with very minimal risks. He has still had moments where I know he has paused his breathing because I recognize the squeaks and gasps of breath that follow, but he pulls himself out in a matter of seconds. Even with these things I still consider Edison to be so much better off. And yet, as we exchanged our experiences this other mom seemed horrified at the things he went through.
Hearing her story I just feel so fortunate that Edison doesn’t have more health problems. He was smaller than this other boy. He was supposed to come home on oxygen. His hemoglobin levels at one point were very low and he was just so pale because of it. He should have been worse off.
We really should have swapped contact information to try and get together sometime but unfortunately we didn’t. Maybe we’ll run into each other again someday. Maybe our boys will go to school someday and become great friends. Both in perfect health, running around playing just as boys their age should.
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