I'm Grateful Today

I'm in a grateful mood today.  How about you?

It's a beautiful day in Eastern Iowa.

I was able to sleep in a bit this morning and enjoy laying in bed a little longer than normal.

But, mostly, I'm grateful that Bennett is on the mend.

 This is not a sight you want to see.

Bennett had been sick since Tuesday evening.

Fever, vomiting....constant vomiting. 

Yesterday, our Nurse Practioner wanted to see him. 

We were worried about dehydration and yes, a trip to the hospital was needed for fluids.

As he slept, 

fluids pumping into his body, 

I thought of the thousands of parents who deal with this on a daily basis. 

 Parents who watch their children being poked and checked over.  

Parents who watch chemo drip 

into their sweet child's little bodies in the hopes of making them better.  

Parents who are praying over them, 

hoping someday all these visits and needles will all be in the past. 

This I could handle 

because I knew it would make him better 

and we'd be on our way home in a matter of hours.  

I knew this was the best thing for him. 

Then, he woke up with a shock and was in extreme pain.  

Teenage-Boy-Crying kind of pain. 

Bennett is our tough kid and I knew he was in a lot of pain.  

Our NP was called and concerns were raised about appendicitis. 

After tests and an ultrasound, it ended up being Mesenteric Adenitis. 

Yep, it's a real thing. Click on the word.  

If you have children or teenagers, it might be nice to know about it 

in case this ever comes up for you.  

It mimics appendicitis.  But, thankfully, it isn't. 

We arrived home after five hours at the hospital.  

Everyone got a good night's sleep

 and hopefully each hour Bennett will be feeling better.  

I'm so thankful for the nurses in the Pediatric's Unit at Mercy Medical Center. 

I am extremely thankful to our NP Erin.  

Bennett received excellent care. 

I would highly recommend them to any one who has a sick child. 

Thanks to my friends and family who texted me to keep me company. 

Would you do this today?

While watching your child 

play or sing or eat or sleep, 

say a small prayer for all those parents 

who are watching their child sleep in a hospital bed, 

hooked up to machines

and ask for a healing touch, a guiding hand, and a gesture of love.  

If you know a parent in this exact situation, offer a hand.  

Give gas money, 

a pizza gift card, 

make a meal for the family, 

offer respite or to take their other children for a day. 

Offer a listening ear or sit with them at the hospital. 

Be a friend to a parent in need today. 

Be grateful for today.