Blunt Abdominal Trauma with Vomiting

Blake got admitted into the hospital on Saturday, 30 March 2013. This was definitely not on our things to do over the long weekend!

It all started on Good Friday evening, when Sean and Blake went to the playground. It started to rain a little, a while after they got to the playground, but Blake insisted on playing so Sean allowed it - a little rain is seldom harmful, seeing how I was allowed out into the rain to play all the time growing up (fun times!). I honestly believe that was what build my immunity to the way it is today.

What Sean and I don't allow was for Blake to jump from point A to point B. Watching Dora kind of made him an active 'jumper', constantly wanting to jump from one point to another, from one step to another. It didn't help that there were older children at the playground doing just that. At his current imitation stage, he did what we told him not to do, refusing to hold onto Sean's hand as well. So what happened? He jumped from a round stand to another, only to land his entire body weight on his abdominal area. According to Sean, Blake let out a very strange type of cry - meaning a cry we have never heard before. And instead of clamoring for Sean to cuddle him, Blake actually signal to Sean to not touch him! We honestly didn't think much about it, cos after a while, he got up and continued playing. He even threw tantrums when Sean took him home. What could be wrong with a child who is still his active self, right?

Shortly after returning home, Blake fell asleep at about 7pm. Nothing unusual on the weekends, when he refuses to take afternoon naps. I took him into his room and let him sleep. I was half-hoping that he would sleep through, cos he has done it before, otherwise it will be a major problem for us! But I also wanted him to get up within an hour to have his dinner and milk, cos the last time he had food was quite a few hours ago. Turns out, he slept through the night.

The next morning, I went in to check on my boy. He was semi-awake, but he didn't react the way that he normally does when he sees me on weekend mornings. He was drifting in and out of sleep. He sat up for a while, only to go back down again. So what did mommy do when the little boy sat up? Pictures! Haha.




Then I asked him if he wanted milk. He had virtually no reaction, so I made some for him. The Saturday before, he happily drank his milk in sleep mode before heading out for his school's family day, with no problems. But that morning, he barely put the bottle in his mouth before pushing it back into my hands. I asked him, "Are you sure you don't want milk?" Then he took the bottle back, and drank a little before regurgitating. The first round caught me off-guard, and before I could get him to sit up and clear the mess, he vomited even more out, with quite a bit flowing out from his nose too! That really scared me. It was a lot of vomit for so little milk! Hearing my panic shouts, Sean came in and took Blake away to clean and comfort him. Blake had started crying by then, probably cos he had no idea what was going on, and mommy was panicking.

While I was cleaning the bed, Blake sat on the sofa, completely dazed and vomited another two times, according to Sean. This was when we thought, something must be really wrong with Blake. He looked really pale, had absolutely no energy to even sit up on the sofa, looked like he was going to fall asleep again, and rejected everything we offered him - from his favourite snacks to sweets!

It was then that we decided, Blake had to go to the hospital. Something was definitely not right with him. I made a call to my mom, and told her what happened, hoping she would be able to watch Nakayla while Sean and I rush Blake to the hospital. It was a Saturday, the most packed day of the week for my parents. So thankful that my mom was willing to give up her Saturday activities to help me watch Nakayla for the day. Thank you, mommy!

After Nakayla was settled at my mom's, Sean and I rushed to the hospital with Blake in a cab. I was definitely not thinking straight, cos instead of going to Gleneagles like we always do, I had asked the cab driver to take us to KKH instead. I only realize that when we were preparing to admit Blake into the hospital.

The children's A&E department was pretty fast, either that or me going to the vending machine to buy some sandwiches and coffee really took a long time, cos by the time I returned with the food and coffee for Sean (we haven't had breakfast), they were already in one of the cubicles and Blake had already been checked. In a matter of minutes, we were at the back where Blake was placed under observation.


He was placed right in front of the television, which was showing cartoons on Disney Junior. Haha.
They gave him some glucose water, and when he vomited again after taking less than 30ml of it, they said it is best to have Blake take an X-ray, and to admit him for an overnight observation while they run some tests.

So we moved to the next room where Blake had his X-ray taken. Despite crying throughout, Blake remembered his manners and said bye to the doctor and nurses in the X-ray room when they left. Quite a funny sight at such a daunting place.

We then waited for the results to be out, and during this time, Blake started to become a little more active. He even took my food to eat. That's a good sign! After waiting for quite a while, I was wondering why nobody called us, so I went back to the same doctor to ask. Turns out, we were supposed to prepare for admission after taking the X-ray.

While Sean was at the counter handling the admission stuff, I followed Blake wherever he wanted to go. He started his Dora imitation, pointing at things going, "Is this a fish? No! Is this a fish? No! Is this a fish? YES!" Yes, Blake is very much into Dora now. Another good sign!




By the time we got to his ward and room, Blake was 80% back to his normal self. While waiting for the doctors to come and check on Blake again, I went down to get some lunch (yes, from breakfast to lunch!). Nurses came in and told us that Blake cannot eat, just in case of this and that, and to let us know that after they draw the blood, they will leave the plastic thing in him, in case he has to go on drip. Sean and I were very sure that Blake wouldn't need to go on drip - call it parents' instinct or whatever - cos Blake seemed almost like his normal self, and he was busy snatching my food from my hand!

Then came the dreaded blood test. My poor boy was so traumatized they had to splinter both his hands down to draw the blood. They also left the plastic thing in his hand, like they said they would.


He got very agitated whenever he saw the plastic thing on his hand
Blake managed to un-splinter himself on one hand, and attempted to pull out the plastic thing many, many times! We could see blood flowing out of the tube! Sean and I then decided, no point having Blake with that when it's not 100% sure that he will go on drip. I'd rather they poke him a second time when there really is a need for it, than to risk him pulling it out and having blood splatter all over the place.

I spoke to the doctor, and she agreed to let me take it off Blake. I then went to get the nurse and asked them to remove it. Now, this is the first time I really got very angry and upset at a healthcare personnel. The nurse insisted on leaving the plastic thing on, and even gave me the talking-down attitude. And when I asked her, what if Blake were to pull it out, she replied, "Pull out then pull out lor." Oh really? I know for sure Blake will pull it out on his own (by hook or by crook), and I'm asking you nicely to have it removed the proper way, but you refused to, and that's the answer I get for asking what happens if Blake really does pull it out? This time round, I stood firm and told her straight up to remove it right away.

The next nurse who came in to remove it from Blake had the same attitude, she said, "So if later have to poke again for the drip, we just poke ar!" Again, I looked straight at her, and told her to remove it. If you ask me, getting poked twice is definitely better than being poked the entire time, and risking unnecessary loss of blood for nothing (cos it's still not 100% that Blake has to be on drip)!

Blake was once again put through another traumatizing event when they were removing the plastic thing for him. So thankful for the husband! He went through all of this with Blake cos I'm way too scared! I remember when Blake was hospitalized in 2011, the team at Gleneagles had wrapped that plastic thing real nice for Blake, he didn't even attempt to do anything to it, and when they came to remove it, I looked away. With the good pressure Sean had on the wound when the plastic thing was removed, Blake had no blood-soak plaster!

And while annoyed, Blake soon got back to being himself :)


After all that is over, I went home to pack some stuff for Blake and Sean (didn't know he had to be admitted!), and dropped by my parents' place to update my mom and play with Nakayla for a really short while, before dashing back to the hospital - had to get Sean his dinner before the shops at KKH Mall closed.

When I came back, dinner for Blake was served and this was what he had been up to, during the time I was gone.






A little after 8pm, I left for home while Sean stayed with Blake. It was close to Nakayla's bed time, and I had been away from my baby girl almost the whole day! Once we got home, Nakayla got ready for bed, and I was all alone for the rest of the night.

Through this entire journey back home and settling Nakayla into her cot, Sean had taken Blake out of the hospital for a walk. It was only after they had returned that I received updates from Sean, complete with photos, from their walk and the night before sleeping.


Daddy rewarded the brave boy with ice cream!






Blake washed up and changed in the clothes provided by the hospital




He didn't like wearing hospital clothes, so Sean changed him into home clothes before sleeping
The next morning, Sean and I spoke over the phone and he said that Blake can be discharged. Yay! And knowing that I have already troubled my mom the day before, I decided to just bring Nakayla along with me to the hospital. After all, it will just be a couple of hours and we'll be out of the hospital. I asked my dad for a ride to the hospital. Hehe.


A place we never want to return to!


While Sean took Blake out for a walk around the hospital, Nakayla slept in the cot


Finally! Everything is done and we can head home!


Nakayla was too low in the baby carrier and couldn't be seen in the above photo,
so I took one with her separately. Haha.
We were told to return to the hospital for a follow-up and ultrasound scan, cos they suspect Blake might have another issue with his abdominal area (they still don't know what really happened to him). Based on the medical term written in the report given to us, Sean did a research online about it and we found out that whatever that is, it is not dangerous, nor urgent. It was recommended to wait till he is after five years old before doing further checks as most of the time, the body would correct itself. So that's what we plan to do. We will continue to monitor him, and will bring him for the follow-up checks after he turns five in another two years time.

Right now, I'm just glad this whole thing is over, and that my baby boy is safe.

First Time is Never Easy

The first month after having Blake, I had help. During my confinement period then, I had Sean, my mom and grandmother around to help me - from cooking to laundry to baby duties. But all that ended the moment I moved back home after confinement.

Sean returned to work, and I was all alone. With this.




Blake was a colicky baby. A super colicky one. He cried from day to night, night to day. The loud piercing cries of Blake could be heard blocks away. This I know because I remember Sean telling me he heard Blake crying while walking towards our block. Basically, my memories from those days with him were just him crying non-stop for 3-4 months straight. That, and tons of carrying which grew out muscles for Sean and me. Needless to say, the first 3-4 months was a very trying period for us.

We turned into the living dead due to the lack of sleep, and because of that, we argued a lot; The most we have ever argued in our entire of six years together then.

I remember being very depressed. I had shut myself out from the rest of the world (visible online with lots of rants), and I cried a lot, threw tons of tantrums at the slightest bit of anything.


This was how I ate at home for the first 3-4 months. All I ate were instant/microwavable food.


He would only sleep while being carried


Happiness to me back then was having peace in the house and not having to move to get anything done




Whenever he would sleep, I would try too

I find myself having to choose what's most important to me on a daily basis - eat, shower or sleep. I could not have all or two. I could only have one per day, when I'm on my own. Usually, I'll take food cos I could always take a quick shower when Sean's home. Not being able to shower when I feel icky was part of the reason why I never enjoyed breastfeeding. It's a very messy business for a first-timer, at least for me. Taking a nap would be a huge gamble cos Blake would wake up at any moment. Unless he's sleeping on top of me, it's pretty difficult to get a decent nap. And that would make me even more grouchy than I already am.

I was in constant angst and self-pity. I ever considered throwing myself off the building, with or without Blake, just to be done with everything. Yes, these awful thoughts flashed past my mind more than once.

On one of those mornings when I had that thought, and was very sure I would follow through with it, I called Sean to tell him I could not take it anymore. He had just reached his work place, and he got so worried about Blake's safety and mine, he took an urgent leave and rushed home to be by our side.

I had locked myself and Blake in the room. Blake was, as usual, screaming at the top of his lungs, and I was covering my head with a pillow bawling my eyes out. The whole room was a loud, noisy mess.

When Sean entered the room, the feeling that I felt when he came to comfort me first, instead of attending to Blake, was triumphant. I was actually competing with my own son for my husband's affections unknowingly.

I cannot remember how long it took for Sean to calm me down, and to get me back to sleep before taking Blake out of the room. I only remember that after that day, I still cried whenever I lost it, but never again did I have those awful dark thoughts.

Things got much better after Blake was 4 months old. Along with switching from regular formula milk to goat's formula milk, I had stopped breastfeeding him too, and those seemed to have had a positive effect on his colic. He only cried when he was hungry, fell asleep on his own in whatever comfortable positions he could get himself in, and that's when he began to laugh and smile at us too! :D








The funniest, and I presume most uncomfortable, position I ever caught him sleeping in








Saying Blake's laughter wasn't infectious is a lie. A big fat one!
As the tougher days past, I find myself enjoying the time spent with Blake. I even found him to be quite the trooper! Even when he was down with fever, Blake would still find the energy to play with me. Only when he is really down with something terrible, will he whine and just want to be lying near us, regardless of what we're doing.


Being a first time mother to Blake brought about a couple of regrettable actions which I am ashamed of. I had thought I was well-prepared for what was to come, but I was obviously not. However, thanks to the experience Blake gave me, I am now better at my motherly duties with Nakayla. If not for him, Nakayla would probably go through the first few months with me just like Blake had to. Perhaps this is why I seem to be more favourable towards Blake at this point. Looking at how things were with him then, and how things are with Nakayla now, I think I'm trying to make it up to him subconsciously.

But honestly, I must thank my lucky stars for having Sean in my life. I'm really lucky to have a husband who cares so much for his family, who gave me all the emotional and physical support I needed despite his own need for some back then. I cannot imagine how he lived through that period with the very little amount of sleep he had, and having to put up with all the craziness that is me, and still having to go to work as usual! And the fact that he went along with my idea of having a second child last year, in spite of all that has been mentioned above... He truly is a Superman. My Superman ♥



One is never alone in their walk down a difficult path.
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Mommified

Took a trip down memory lane on how I ended up with where I am now in my life, and I realize that ever since I met Sean, I hardly took a break! Instead, I took many, many leaps of faith! You see, I was never really the kind of person who would study hard for anything. Play hard, yes. Study even a little? No way. I still remember my secondary school mathematics teacher asking me this when I failed yet another maths test, "When will you stop your honeymoon period and start working hard?" Truth be told, I had no intentions of stopping at all back then.

But after being with Sean, I jumped into everything. Before I graduated from Republic Polytechnic in New Media, I was already taking bridging courses at Murdoch University for my Bachelor in Mass Communications. And before I graduated from Murdoch University, I was already working at Mediacorp as a Programme Liaison Executive. And even then, I was still fooling around, though I got every job and assignment given to me done.


Can you tell how happy I was when I got the job at Mediacorp?
It was my first (and only) full-time job, and in the department I had dreamt to be part of :D

I only started to focus a little more when I found out I was pregnant with Blake.


I resigned my job at Mediacorp, and took on a part time job as a New Media Trainer, teaching young students things my facilitators taught me in Republic Polytechnic. I spent most of my first pregnancy time doing something that I found myself to truly enjoy! I even went back to teach when Blake was settled in school, and I was pregnant with Nakayla!

All that aside, I guess I didn't have much to lose back then. I had just started out in the working world, and I did not really have to think too much about the finances as I almost always left it to Sean. It was definitely easier for me to give it all up and become at stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) for Blake. I was very, very lucky.

Now, you must be wondering why I say I was very lucky despite the numerous screaming and shouting to a very unfortunate pillow, and constant ranting online to family and friends who are on my social networks, about how my life is stuck in a rut? Because when I look at these, there is no amount of money or travelling or sleep that could bring so much joy and tears to me at the same time...





















I won't be able to imagine not being present for these moments too!









Too, too precious moments to miss! And with at least one of us staying home to look after the children, taking photos and videos for the one putting food on the table makes things easier. Sean may have missed the immediate moment when it happened, but if I managed to capture them on camera, it's as though he didn't miss anything!

And did I mention the joy of being able to go out when everyone else is working, and have the shopping malls to myself (and fellow SAHM troopers)? That is a definite plus for someone who does not fancy shopping in a crowded place, like me. I could also just pop by Sean's work place to meet him for lunch whenever I could. And one of the things I enjoy as a SAHM benefit - I get to shower whenever I want to!

HUGE disclaimer ahead: It's not all nice and dandy all the time.

I may stall on the housework front from time to time, but I definitely cannot put a stop to any baby duties.

There were times where I was sick, and I still had to get myself out of bed to take care of them. And I don't visit the doctor until Sean's home. There is absolutely no way I will bring the children to the clinic with me, exposing them to germs when they are perfectly fine. And that reminds me of the time I sprained my back while playing with Blake (I got carried away), and I still had to carry him, feed him, and clean him up, until Sean returned home from work. I moved like a baby learning how to walk, but with agonizing pain. There was also that one time, when Sean worked late, I had to literally change Blake's soiled diapers single-handedly, while carrying Nakayla. Don't even get me started on the mess just one child can make. This post will never end if I did. Haha.

Till this day, I still have no idea how I managed to do some of the things I did, but I did it. I did them all somehow. Haha. Staying home for my children definitely made me push myself to limits that I never knew was possible. Even at my fittest, when I was on the netball team, I thought running around the court 12 times, followed by 240 male push ups in one training session, or playing a full day of netball from 7am-7pm, were my toughest days ever. But after being a SAHM, those seem easy-peasy in comparison!


Did this when the "how _____ see ____" meme was all the rage cos I couldn't find any on SAHM!
And as though the children alone were not enough to keep me occupied, I took on whatever paying jobs I could do from home (Ribbons and Tape, La Canine Coupes, and baking to name a few). I even started this blog to remind myself of their growing up!

This whole 'mommified' process was definitely something neither I nor anyone else who knew me back then would ever imagine me to be. So, to answer my teacher's question... Mdm, my honeymoon period stopped the moment I became a mother.


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