Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Count them...1,2,3,4,5

I have a great ambition to die of
exhaustion
rather than of
boredom.


I saw this recently on British Laura's site. I would say that it is really apropos at the moment considering what is happening here.

I now know what it feels like to have five babies at the hospital at the same time. Yes, you read it correctly: FIVE!!!! Hank was the first one to start having some problems breathing and soon after Sean started. One of the nannies and I sped of to the hospital and in the car I was praying so hard because Hank was under sever respiratory distress. His body was jerking as he was trying to breathe. Sean was not nearly as bad as Hank. We made it to the hospital okay and as soon as we got there they helped us. I also called Kay (What would I do without her?) and she met us there. After talking to Dr Hicks, the babies' pediatrician, he asked about the heart babies. At his recommendation all three of them (Susan, Rachel and Olivia) were brought in. It was a good thing because all three have pneumonia. So we did something that the hospital had never seen five babies in one room with two foreigners and two nannies. They think I am totally nuts. China has an interesting medical system, you have to pay before they will do any medical procedures. It is a really efficient system because they do not have a department that has to collect bills and everything is in cash. No medical insurance. If you got the money you can get the care. I went to put money on their accounts and I gave the woman the five babies names and put US$1250 in total, her eyes just widened some.

The bad side of this is the fact that Susan gotten really sick She was admitted to the PICU last night. I was so worried. She had a temperature of 41.4 degrees. It had not responded to any of the medication and by the evening her temperature was sky high. She was having such a hard time breathing and we could not get a bed with a respirator to help her breathe. About 9 pm they came to tell me that she had a bed in the PICU. I was so relieved. But Susan, true to form, was still drinking milk and not only that but more than what she normally drinks. The doctors were not sounding very optimistic, but I have gotten used to that. I was asked last night to prepare for Susan death. I am not ready to give up on her and I know she is not ready either. She still needs a family and I want to see that she gets that.

This morning everybody seemed to be doing better. Rachel has been eating like a horse. I have never seen her drink so much milk willingly. Since this morning she has not once refused a bottle that I have her. To put that into perspective, we were dropper feeding her a few days ago because she refused to suck. She is really good at using her tongue to push the nipple out of her mouth.

At home Nina, Amanda and Antoinette are now on antibiotics because they have a bad cold. Just in time for Amanda's family to arrive tomorrow. The first time in 14 months it has been this bad.

I hope you will keep us all in you prayers and especially Susan.

Got to go. I am off to the hospital.

Love and laughter,
Amanda, who has not known a minute of boredom in the last 14 months....oh I wish.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh WOW! Bless you and those babies. I thought it was crazy when my two boys were hospitalized at the same time, but five.
I pray they are all alright. Please let us know how Susan is doing.
Bless you and your babies.
Lisa

Anonymous said...

OH no!
I have dealt with babies in the hospital, but one at a time!
It is so hard when they get pnemonia.
I will be praying hard for little Susan.

Anonymous said...

I was so pleased to find your blog. I am a South African wanting to adopt internationally, but am finding it difficult to find resources or others who have done this. Could you please email me and perhaps you could offer some advice. It would be greatly appreciated! purplepixiestarr@hotmail.com

Mommy said...

We are praying for you, the babies, and Amanda's parents.
Please keep us posted. I think Susan will surprise the Dr.'s once agian !
Rebecca

Anonymous said...

We are praying for everyone at the foster home...especially for Susan. She has a special place in our hearts.
Keep up the great work Amanda!!
God Bless, David & Jan

The Mom said...

Oh no :( I'm sorry the babies are so sick. I will keep them all in my prayers, especially Susan.

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Anonymous said...

Oh, Amanda, I am so sorry about little Hank. He has a Father now, tho'. And is out of pain. thank you for all your tender care for this precious little one. Bless you, Amanda and Kay

Anonymous said...

I am reading your blog for the first time after finding the link from "The Red Thread" site on Amanda Kate's journal. My family, (husband Josh and duaghter Elizabeth 4) are LID Sept. 5 2006. We are waiting for the next Waiting Child List to come out through our agency Families Thru International Adoption, based in Evansville Indiana. Is there a chance for any of your children to go there for referral?
I am just amazed by your life and mission!

Thank you for any response!

Bless you!
Kate