It’s Tuesday and I’m sitting down to write my blog post for Wednesday while the kids are at school.
I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I’m not sure if it was PMSing (sorry, it’s real life over here) or because I was dreading going to get Ryan’s blood drawn today.
We had to do this fun little activity a few weeks ago in preparation for his heart catheterization and it was traumatic – for both of us. He screamed and cried for at least 20 minutes while I had him in a mommy-body-lock trying to calm his fears and hold him still all at the same time.
It doesn’t get any easier when they’re older.
He told me he didn’t want to do it, that he wanted to leave, that he was scared, and on and on as tears flowed like waterfalls down those juicy fat cheeks of his.
Oh how I wanted to ball him up and put him in my pocket and run out of the lab before he shed another tear, or I spilt some of my own. It was that bad, people.
We finally, FINALLY, were able to get his blood drawn when I promised all we had to do was count to 20 and it would be over. I was so anxious to stop his crying that I had been talking really fast. The phlebotomist said, “Slow down, mom,” when I hit 6 at about 3 seconds in. We slowed down and she was done by the count of 15. I fed Ryan his lunch, dropped him off at school, then came home and sat in a stupor for a few minutes before I could continue my day.
So when they told me he’d have to have his blood work done again for this Friday (we’ll get to that in a minute), I’m pretty sure my insides curled into the fetal position until this morning when it was all over.
I’m so happy to say that this morning went much, much, much better. Ryan was nervous, no doubt about it. He shed a few tears and told me he was scared, but I reminded him I would be with him the whole time, how brave he had been last time to get it done even though he was very scared, and that I knew he could do it because he already did it before and told me when it was over it wasn’t as bad as he had imagined it would be.
When we pulled into the parking lot he whimpered a little but put on a brave face. He sat very patiently in the lab waiting room and walked like a big boy into the office when it was time. We pulled up You Tube on my phone and put on an episode of Ben and Holly at his request. And then after a little arm pulling and cajoling, we counted together to 14 while the phlebotomist took his blood. Just like that it was over.
And then my small intestine unwrapped itself from around my stomach and my shoulders let go of my ears.
Now about Friday…
We had Ryan’s cath a few weeks ago, at this point three weeks feels like a lifetime. I thought we’d have a definite answer on if Ryan would have surgery this summer the following week. I really need to stop expecting answers! Seriously.
Instead, the cardiac surgeon requested a chest MRI to see how much room is in Ryan’s chest for the baffle – which has to do with the rewiring that will take place during the surgery. And they want us to go to DC to get it. I was already speaking in Virginia this Friday so I wanted to book it all in the same trip. It saves me 9 hours driving time, know what I mean?
True story though. Thursday was all blocked off for cardiac MRIs so my choices were doing it on Friday at times that I am supposed to be speaking, or staying the weekend and doing it Monday.
Although it makes for a stressful day, I booked it for Friday (after asking Ryan if it would be okay for grandpa to take him while I speak) so Ryan, Piper and I can come back home and be with the family for the weekend. Of course, now I’m stressing about the logistics, but it will work itself out, I know it will.
Wednesday will most likely be spent preparing things for the rest of the family while I’m gone Thursday and Friday, packing the three of us for our trip, and going over my talk for Friday. You know, all in a day’s work.
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Comments (8)
Love the updates on Ryan. He sure has an awesome mommy! ☺
Feeling for you, mama! You are doing an awesome job.
I honestly do not know how you do everything that you do. Ryan was such a brave boy about the blood draws and sometimes they do hurt and I know
you would have put your arm up there for him if you could – instead you had your mom’s heart up there. & hats off to a grandpa that would take Ryan to such an appointment. I always think about the testimony that Ryan will be giving when he is all grown up. Have a blessed day
Leighann…my goodness you are an awesome mommy! And our Ryan is a brave little boy indeed. Kudos to Grandpa for saying he would take Ryan to his appointment. I will pray that all will go well for them, and for you as you speak.
Of course our God is an Awesome God…and He is with us through everything…and He never lets us down.
John and I will be praying!
Love, Linda
I’ll be thinking of you and Ryan on Friday. Best of luck on your talk, and prayers for optimal results on Ryan’s MRI. Have a blessed rest of the week!
You are such an amazing mom! Will be praying for you, I know it’s got to be difficult. If they could just make two of you so you could be in two places at once!!
Thinking of you this Friday. I hate when my kids have to get bloodwork – I had to wrestle my 7 year old last year the same way , he was shrieking and actually ran to the corner of the docs office. So glad second time around was better. Keep leaning into Jesus!
You’re the jam, man.