Saturday, November 1, 2008

Hospital Days

Well, it looks like we're going to be here awhile. I honestly thought on my last post that the little guy was improving--he'd had a good day-- but here we still are. His birthday has passed, now Halloween; I dearly hope we'll be home for Thanksgiving.

Sometimes it's hard to know how to frame my thoughts about all this. All I really know right now is to love him. I've had to make a mental shift away from any expectations, like when we'll go home, or what will happen next. On days when he is feeling better, and smiles, and shows his sweet personality, it's so encouraging and uplifting, and I feel better too.
I have spent very little time at home, but I did make him a birthday crown on one of the nights that I was there--it doesn't fit him, but it decorates the room a little.
Halloween was basically pretty crappy--a hard day for him, and it was so dissappointing not to all be together for the trick or treating. Ken took Dieter, though. And we did get these little hand colored pumpkin greetings on the lunch trays. They're cheering. I like that the volunteers hand made them.
Today was a much better day. I dressed Rainer in his Halloween pajamas and socks and he was able to get outside to the patio for an hour. Hooray! He is such an outdoor boy--he loved it. Both boys adored splashing in the puddles. It was so heartwarming to see their pure pleasure.

41 comments:

Angie from Dear Spring Green said...

God bless Rainier, you, and your sweet family right now. My prayers go out to you!

bigbucketgirl said...

when we had to rush our little one to the emergency dept earlier in the year i couldn't see past the next minute. it was like being in limbo from one doctors face to the next. we were seen in one hospital where he was stabilised and then emergency transferred in a lights and sirens ambulance 40 miles to another specialist hospital. looking back it feels like it happened in minutes but as if we were moving in treacle. everything was so waring and exhausting.
our son had lost so much blood that we were told not to have any expectations...now he doesn't like ambulances but there are no other effects. thankfully. I hope with all my heart that Rainer soon has more days when he feels better...for himself and YOU.
((((Rainer))) xxx

Heids said...

Oh Mary Beth, what a tough time for you and your family. Still praying for you all. Best thing you can do is take one day at a time, love each one of you and pray.

Will keep you all in my daily prayers.

Anonymous said...

keeping you in my thoughts. One day at a time sounds like a good plan at the moment. It's great that you can find little things to be grateful for. From my experience it helps in coping with the bad stuff.
Thinking of you,
Fiona

Rachel said...

So sorry Rainer didn't make it home for his birthday. I really hope you get to go home soon. Sending lots of good thoughts your way.

stefana said...

I've been reading your blog for a while now. I would like to send good thoughts, and I hope you all have the strength to get through these hard times. All the best to Rainer!

renee said...

I hope your son improves soon and you can all be together as a family.

Michaela said...

I can't even imagine what you guys are going through. Just wanted to say that I pray for Rainer and all of your family.

Sue said...

My best wishes and prayers for your little Rainer and you and your family!

Anonymous said...

sending heaps of prayers and healing vibes to rainer and your family.

crunchy peas said...

I am glad for the update. I sure have been thinking about you and wishing I was closer to bring you dinners, play with Dieter, clean your house, and love on you all a bit. Hang in there!

...praying that God's comfort decends on all of you.

Sharon said...

All the best to you and your family. Big hugs to little Rainier - he's a lucky boy to have such a great momma.

Gift of Green said...

Oh, Mary Beth. There's nothing I can say except that I am thinking about you and hoping for you. You are a great mom, remember that.

Our Green Nest said...

Oh wow - I can't even imagine all of that! You're all in my thoughts and prayers!

Kelli said...

Sorry. I can feel your spirit in your words. I pray he will be home long before thanksgiving and that you have a quiet peaceful christmast all together.

Anonymous said...

Rainer is teaching you to love the moment. I know not much of a consolation, but hold onto whatever you can whenever you can.

Prayers for your entire family!

Anonymous said...

You all are still in my thoughts. ((((hugs))))

Anonymous said...

Oh MaryBeth,
I so hoped to hear better news. It all seems so pecious now, life and love. I pray for you all.
Love, Ria

Knit - R - Done said...

My cousing had Leukemia when he was 2. All he remembers are good things, like getting attention from Mom, etc.

You will be in my prayers.

Rachael said...

Oh Mary-Beth, we are thinking of you and little R. Sending our strength and thoughts across the seas... x

Celia said...

Oh wow! You even embroidered the crown for him even all tired you must be! I have been right since the first day I went here; you're a great mom and so inspiring for the rest of us! Thanks so much and keep the faith!

MaMa said...

I'm praying for your little guy & hope he gets better real soon. I don't comment often, but I really hope for great health for him.
Lisa

Jessica said...

Oh, I am sending healing thoughts your way. Hugs- Jessica

Anonymous said...

sweet sweet wellness!

Kelli said...

I thought and prayed for you guys all day. Hope you had atleast a moment of sweet joy with your family.

Iris said...

You poor thing! I can't even begin to imagine what you must be going through. You'll all be in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Oh Mary Beth, we are wishing you and Ken all the strength you need. Reading you say that all you can do is love him, makes me cry. Taking him out for some fresh air with his brother, loving him oh so much, your doing the very best you can do, you're amazing. You're in our thoughts and prayers always.

Sarah said...

Hi Marybeth,

I'm so sorry to hear Rainer is still in the hospital. I'll be thinking of you all and sending positive thoughts. I hope he's able to come home soon!

Love,
Sarah

cagio said...

I don't have anything better to say than what has been said above - except to just send well wishes and hopes for a healthy tomorrow. My heart goes out to your family.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this time with all of us.

May God hold you and Rainer tight until the worst is over.

Really truely- you are all in my prayers. Is there anything we could send? Anything at all?

Julie said...

Sorry to hear you are still waiting for Rainer to be released from his hospital stay... I continue to pray...

Anonymous said...

you are so amazing, thank you for sharing on your blog such personal things. it is really the most moving blog i read, on so many levels. we actually live fairly close yet so far, strange how the blog world is. hoping for a quick recovery for rainier and that your thanksgiving will be at home with all your kids and family close.

Chris said...

oh, what a disappointment. i feel for rainer and the whole family - looking forward to days all together again.

TeamMcDonough said...

Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. I've always felt that our children pick us...somehow they know we are their angels here on earth. I can tell you're a great advocate for all your children. Rainier is bless to have such a loving family. May God continue to hear all our prayers for all of you during this time.

Anonymous said...

my thoughts are with you all, i wish you little guy well and i hope your all soon home, take care with much love from the land down under..

Anonymous said...

Thanks for updating us. Thinking of all of you and your littlest guy.

Anonymous said...

So sorry Rainer didn't get to join in with the Halloween festivities.
I really hope too that he will be home with you for Thanksgiving.

Lots of Love across the air miles x

Elfin Goddess said...

Hey Mary Beth! Hang in there! God be with all of you, esp the little guy. You are all in our prayers!

Mozi Esme said...

Hang in there! It is so rough to not know what is happening next - I can't imagine what you guys are going through with your beautiful baby in the middle of all the drama.

Laura said...

Mary Beth,
I have been behind on my blog reading....I'm so sorry this hospital stay is turning out to be a long one. We want sweet Rainer to get better quickly so you can all go home! Praying, praying, praying! You are a beautiful witness to all of us...such a devoted and loving mother.

Amanda said...

Hang in there! And I hope you all get to go home soon.