10 April 2012, Tuesday (BSF Day)
The wife (Jesselyn) was able to attend BSF as the man (Josh) had offered to take leave to take care of the baby (Jeff). At 9am, the wife received a text that the man would be taking the baby to the paediatrician for a third time as his cough was not getting any better but worse.
11am, BSF ended and a call was made. The paediatrician recommended that the baby be sent to NUH children A&E and possible admission.
The BSF group had started walking to the lunch venue and she tagged along in a daze with her mind mapping and racing at all the things needed to be done in the next few hours for the 3 children.
At the coffee shop, chairs were added to the fixed sitting area while she made a call to her in laws. She excused herself from the lunch and made arrangements for the 2 older children. She fetched the elder son from his special school at 11.30am. and took him to buy his early lunch.
12noon, home. Settled the big boy’s lunch. Father-in-law (fil) came by bus as his car was at the workshop.
Paediatrician called and was very surprise that we had not reached A&E. Yah, if Jeff is our only child, we definitely would be there directly from her clinic and grabbed the first A&E doctor we see by his collar to attend to Jeff.
1pm, sent lunch to Zoe and gave her all the instructions needed for the day.
1.20pm, reached NUH children A&E.
1.30pm, Jeff went through preliminary checks and after the doctor listened to his lungs, she put him on nebulizer for 3 rounds, 20 mins apart. Chest X-ray was done before 3pm. It did not look good. An infection in the right lung showed up, or rather not cleared up despite the nebulizer. Hospitalization was recommended.
Josh waited with Jeff for an available bed for admission.
I went home as fil had left and the two big children were on their own. Zoe took very good care of Zane and checked on him every 10 mins. I bought dinner and when I stepped into the house, all was well. Shalom peace filled the house and my heart. I looked at my daughter and I gave thanks. She is sensible and reliable in times like these.
I went through the evening routines with Zoe and Zane. By 9pm, I sent them to bed. Fil came again to stay with them while I make my trip back to NUH. Surprise, surprise, two very dear friends of my family showed up at my gate and insisted in taking me to NUH. They just visited Jeff and bought dinner for Josh at NUH. You can make a mental calculation of the distance they travelled literally. Their love for my family blessed Josh and I deeply. It was also this couple’s ministry which embraced us into God’s bosom again. It was this couple’s unconditional love which convinced me that God has a place in His kingdom for my special son too.
9pm, Jeff had visitors. His very dear teacher and her husband came. She came within hours after receiving my text that Jeff was hospitalized. Jeff was very happy to see her but by then, he was already quite tired out by the whole afternoon and evening’s hospital procedures and treatments. Teacher A said he was tired and quiet.
10pm, I reached NUH. Josh and I exchanged duties’ details. He updated me on Jeff the last 6 hrs and what to be expected in the night and I ran through with him Zoe and Zane’s morning routines and what needed to be packed for each child. Jeff began to be active and smiled a lot at his mommy dearest. He started talking too.
11pm, Just Jeff and I in the B Ward. Josh reached home and the big kids had slept. Soon, Jeff slept too. He was awakened every hour for nebulization by the nurses.
It was impossible to rest properly in the ward. The parent’s bed was pathetic for one. But the main grouse were the other adults in the ward, not their sick kids at all. One mom kept pressing the nurse call button, any other 30 mins. One set of parents left the TV on and the sounds could be heard despite them using headphones. One dad snored very loudly. Another parent had the radio on. Yet another parent had her cd player on. Then, it was iphone’s sounds, ringings, sms beeps and alarm (went on for minutes and woke everyone up except the owner). I stayed coooooooooooooooooool. Peace. I prayed and I talked to Him. The night was very long. I cried a lot through the night. I asked and I asked, I rested and I commited, I trust and I believe.
11 April 2012, Wednesday
9 plus am, the team of doctors made their round. Jeff’s right lung was not cleared and his breathing was very heavy. He had to stay in the hospital for another day. Another round of nebulization recommended.
10am, Josh came for his “shift”. Again, we did our updating with each other. I am very thankful that I have a partner to go through this ordeal together. Really thankful.
12noon, back home. Lunch and started working on the piled up chores. This was the best way to distract my mind from things.
1pm, fetched Zane, settled his lunch. More chores. I tried to rest. I really did try but was too tired to rest (ukwim?)
4pm, fetched Zoe.
The kids had early dinner and we all went to NUH to visit Jeff. Josh informed that Jeff had to be isolated as lab test showed that the virus which infected his lungs was air-borne. My heart sank.
Jeff was transferred to an isolation ward. Yahooooooo !! Why? It was big (A ward mah!). It was quiet. It had a sofa. It gave lots of privacy. The doctor came and assured Josh that Jeff had to be isolated not because his condition was turning for the worse, but more for the sake of his other children patients in the same ward.
This was really divine intervention. That night, I really got to rest. That isolation room was my Derbe (Bsf ladies will know what I mean). Another miracle, Jeff responded very well to the rounds of nebulization. He was taken off it before 6pm. By 8pm, he was taken off the drip too. He started using the space chamber and oral medicine. If his lungs cleared up by the next morning, he could go home.
My Bsf leader, E came. She is a mom to two and she took precious time. She kept assuring me that her girls would be fine. She braved the carpark chaos and the NUH maze just to visit Jeff, to pray with him and to bring cheer to me. I am beyond touched. Why? This is a fellow sister I only know for 2 months and here she is, doing so much and walking many extra miles for me.
I know the Bsf ladies were praying. I could feel the strength which came, and I know it was from our Lord Jesus. I could sense the Presence in the ward with me, esp in the nights and I know it was the Holy Spirit. I could embrace the comfort which enveloped and I knew that was my Abba Father.
Thank you, S, V and PT for the texts and whatsapp messages. Thank you for your love and care. Thank you all for praying. I experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit in this episode.
12 April 2012, Thursday
930am, Josh reached NUH. The doctors and their Professor came into the ward. Once again, Jeff’s lungs were checked. C.L.E.A.R.E.D !!!! The most beautiful 7 letters word of the day!!
Jeff could go homeeeeeeeee ! I needed to be diligent and do what the nurses did the day and night before for two more days at home for Jeff. I was on the dot playing nurse. I woke Jeff at 2am, 4am, 6am in the nights. We stayed at home till Sat. By Sat afternoon, Jeff was back to his usual self. I took back his privilege and started the disciplinary warnings.
I got my son back! Yeah!
Now, it is time for a very hard decision ……………… followed by other necessary decisions.
A mother’s love will carry me through. I have the Lord, no worries. Thank You, Lord God!
JJZZJ Days Of Our Lives 