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May 31, 2008

"Extreme Babysitting"

I know that watching your own child isn't really "babysitting", but I can't think of a better way to explain the past week; It's like some sort of crazy child-raising adventure challenge.

After Jade's first seizure, Jade and I spent nearly the entire week in the hospital. We need to keep a close eye on her, day and night, just in case she has another one (which she has, as few times). We don't know how severe the seizures will get and the doctor stopped one that would have exceeded ten minutes - so who knows how long it could have gone on.

My sleep was always interrupted by the various activities in the Pediatric ward and by the restless stirrings of my sleeping child. Sleep, when it has been possible, has always been light because a state of constant readiness is required in case she has another episode.

Nights of sleep deprivation followed by days of chasing an otherwise happy and healthy two-year-old is exhausting. The mental and physical fortitude required makes staying up for 36 hours to complete the Yukon Adventure Challenge last year seem easy in comparison.

Fawn stayed at the hospital last night so I could come home and have a good night's sleep. I can't say it was perfect (given that my circadian rhythm is totally messed up), but it was much more restful than what I've been getting. Unfortunately, it means that Fawn is now exhausted because she hardly slept last night.

The good news is that we got a referral to a pediatric neurologist and an appointment for an EEG in Vancouver this coming Friday. While the "Extreme Babysitting Challenge" isn't over, it's a lot easier to take when there are a few checkpoints in sight.

4 comments:

dogsled_stacie said...

Wow, sounds like you guys have been put through the ringer! Good to hear they're sending her out and I hope you have some answers soon.

Marian said...

Glad to hear you have an appointment soon. How will you get to Vancouver?....Granny was asking...especially after her experience!
Lots of love...and hang in there.

Meandering Michael said...

We'll get there NOT with Air Canada, I hope. It'll probably be Air North (YAY!). We'll get flown down. Our medical system is phenomenal.

Anonymous said...

I forgot about the original reason for that whole kerfuffle. Sadly, I think the ultimate lesson is to just not say anything. That, and Air North rocks.