Wednesday, September 14, 2011

There is no news

Last week we had a positive outlook. This week not so much. On Saturday Scarlet had a set back. Her belly bloated up and her doctors were worried she had an infection. After almost 3 days of blood tests and X rays, it was determined she had gas. It was very discouraging, so I haven't wanted to post. I don't want to get my hopes up. I don't want to talk about it anymore. I don't want to sound too pathetic or ungrateful, but I am starting to lose my ability to stay positive and get excited for any progression.
Every one has asked me how I am, and I will give you the answer. I don't want this to come across as pety, or bitchy, because it's not. I'm not ungrateful or angry or jealous. I do not seek attention or desire pity. I am simply describing my experience.
This has been the most terrible experience of my life. And to be honest, I have been through some $%*@ in my life. I have never felt such helplessness and heartache. I have never been so frusterated and consumed by my need to act. It is difficult to describe how hard it is to watch your defenseless infant struggle. To watch her be stabbed with needles for blood. To stare longingly through the plexi glass of her pod, but not be allowed to touch her for weeks. To not have the oppurtunity or option to hold her, or touch her, or to stop her from crying. To watch a stranger comfort her. To see her weak and watch her cry.
I am heart broken. Yes I know this will end. I know it will resolve and she will come home. But the journey from the beginning to end is a long, hard one.
Do I feel sorry for myself. No. I'm just sad. I don't ask, 'why me'. I know it could be much worse and I'm grateful it's not. I have seen babies come through the NICU with heart problems, one with limbs missing and some that can't breath on their own. I even watched a little boy cling to life and found out later he couldn't cling any longer. He slipped from the world through the night.
I am ready for my family to be together. I'm ready for the emotional upheaval to end. I'm ready for the uncertainty to be over. I don't plan on posting until she can come home. I do not know when that will be. I don't have a guess, and I have to come to the point of not even trying to estimate. Hopefully one day I will be able to have a picture of her at home, with out tubes or wires, and then I will believe it.

5 comments:

ShEiLa said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you... for a Mother when her child is suffering... we always say 'Why them?' 'I will gladly take this so they don't have to suffer.' My heart felt sympathy goes out to you Miss Ashley.

ToOdLeS.

Jed Wheeler Family said...

I hope Scarlet can come home soon, or else I will have to plan a covert operation to get her and then Brent will probably have to escort me to his "office." Gas!? Please! Tell them to quit poking your baby over gas. I'm sorry you've had to go through this. And no it won't be but a distant memory once she's home, whoever thinks that is an idiot.

Annie Leavitt said...

abby was the worst experience of my life. WORST. it was my own personal gesthemene. but in the darkest day, at the worst hour, i knew that Heavenly Father loved me and that the Savior had personally suffered through all of my trials already, just for me. it was comforting to know that someone really, truly, knew what i was feeling. and i didn't have ot explain it.

hang in there. hang in there. hang in there. my only words of advice. : )

Trent & Tara said...

unlike Annie i have not gone through the NICU thing. However I agree with her in the darkest hours of our lives. We just have to rely on our heavenly father & Christ for comfort. That is how you go from day to day. I hope the best for you and that soon you will be holding your baby Scarlet. Let me know if you need anything ok. LOve you Ashley

The Logue Family said...

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family - we love you so much.
~hugs~
The Logue family