Posted by Rose on August 10, 1998 at 17:09:07:
In Reply to: Amanda Update posted by Michele (Amanda's Mom, 26 weeker) on August 09, 1998 at 20:12:36:
Michele, I read your post and was suddenly transported back to those days just three years ago. It's hard to believe how fast they can get sick. We went through many days like that also.
The analogy of a rollercoaster ride is so accurate. You're up and then you're down. I always imagined that I was forced onto a horrible scary rollercoaster that the ride operator wouldn't let me off of. He would just stand there at the controls and laugh an evil laugh every time I passed by, but would not stop the ride.
Sometimes literally from the time I would call in the morning hearing a "great night" report, take a shower, and drive the 10 minutes to the hospital and walk in, Elizabeth would be in the middle of a "four alarm" spell; Bright lights over her warmer, doctor bagging her, three nurses huddled around, monitors all dinging and blinking, and Mom escorted to the hallway only to slump down on the floor crying and waiting for someone to let me know what was happening.
You could have never convinced me then that my daughter would ever grow, get off the vent, drink from a bottle, smile, or even cry, but somehow it all happened eventually. There's nothing anybody can say or do to take away the paralyzing worry and fear that you have for your baby, I remember that, but hopefully it helps to come here and get it all off your chest. I had the mother of a former tiny preemie to help me through our experience and we are still friends to this day.
Prayers for Amanda.... Rose