He celebrated his 1st Birthday in hospital

It was 4am on 16th May 2008 when I woke up to hear Aaron's soft cry for milk. Touched his hands and was shocked that his body was hot. I got up to make his milk and while he drank, I rushed to the kitchen to grab the thermometer. It was 38.5deg. I put a wet towel on his forehead, fed him paracetamol and patted him to sleep.

At 6am when I woke up, his temperature didn’t subside amid the fever medication given earlier. And at 8am when he woke up I gave him another dose of his fever meds. He was very lethargic and simply lie down in his cot quietly. I left with Ashraf at 9.00am to his school for Parent-Teachers Conference and came back at 10.00am.

I was trying to put him to sleep when I felt his body jerking - like he was startled. He looked his usual self. Then 15 minute later another jerking. He was still having high fever. I quickly rushed him to the clinic and while waiting for his turn, his body startled a few times. I requested that the doctor see him first. Doc was shocked that his heart-beat was beating extremely fast. Advised me to give him Brufen immediately and in one half hour to 2 hours, if temperature still at 38 deg, I must rush him to KKH A&E.

I could not wait for one half hour, I quickly told my maid to pack his bags after his body jerks 3 times continuously at home. I rushed him to KKH with Azirul. As the doctor was afraid that it might be fits (despite me telling them its not), he was warded. In the observation room, it happened again and this time it was in front of a nurse. She was shocked that she holds him like she was afraid he was going to fall from the bed. She asked me what happen.... well... I wish I knew what is happening. I really don’t know!! hmmm..

He was sent to the ward and I got my brother to sent Azirul home while my youngest sis went to my place to collect my bag - going camping at KKH!!!! Aaron was extremely cranky the first night. Refused to be put down in his cot and only wanted me to carry him. Imagine carrying an 11kg boy in your arm for hours!!! I had to be strong for him... physically!!!

My poor baby had to celebrate his 1st birthday in the hospital!!!! As if it’s not bad enough that Daddy is not around for him...

I called up my helper, Su to tell her to take good care of the 3 boys while I am taking care of Aaron at the hospital.

SU - Ibu, Amirul dan Azirul ke rumah nenek aja ya? Saya dan Ashraf ke hospital besok. Saya tolong ibu jaga Aaron.
ME - Ya... anak2 ke rumah nenek aja. Tapi kamu tak usah ke mari.
SU - Ibu tak bisa jaga Aaron sendiri. Kasihan ibu angkat dia terus. Ngak apa... nanti saya ke sana dengan Ashraf naik taxi ya.
ME - Nak tolong saya ke atau rindu Aaron?
SU - hehehe.. ya... rindu juga...
ME - suka hati kamu lah Su.....

Alhamdulillah my helper is so thoughtful and reliable.

True enough, I needed that help. I was so dead tired. My arms were aching so bad that I felt like crying. When she came the next day with Ashraf, Aaron was so happy to see them. He started to play with Ashraf and was his usual self. I requested from the doctor to discharge him but was told to wait for his urine test result.

Unfortunately at 3pm his temperature shot up to 39 deg and he was again so cranky. This is despite the regular fever medicine given to him. Doctor came and told me that there were traces of infection in his urine but was unable to confirm. They need another specimen to run the test again. Wadoohhhh... By 5pm I decided that we had to stay another night. I needed my helper to stay with me for the night to help look after him. From 4pm till 10pm Aaron didn’t even pee. He refused to drink his milk, juices, glucose or water. I had to use the syringe to feed him some water so that he did not get dehydrated.

My youngest sis came with her family and was kind enough to sent Ashraf to my MIL place.

And another night of crankiness with Aaron but it was not as bad as the 1^st night as my helper and I took turns pacifying him. We managed to get some rest...but hospital is hospital.. you can never get good rest... I hate it!..heheh

The 3rd day, Aaron was still having fever. It was not getting better at all. However I was determine to take him home. At home, he could play and crawl and he would sweat it out. It’s better than staying in the hospital and not being able to move freely.  Also, the urine test showed no infection at all. A few doctors came to advise me on the implication of taking him home. I am fully aware of the consequences and I take full responsibility should anything happen to him. And it’s a no-brainer... if my son is terribly sick wouldn't I be rushing him to the hospital again?? hmm... so anyway, they had a Senior Doctor to talk to me. I was firm with my decision and assured them that home would be an ideal place for him to recuperate. Not the noisy hospital!

My SIL called later to tell me that Ashraf has been feeling so down. He misses his mama. Adoiiii... She did everything to cheer him up and nothing works. She then sent him to see me at 7.00pm - as I was getting ready to go home. And my Ashraf was having fever!!!! SIL said it just started about half an hour earlier and before that he was alright. Aikkk... you miss Mama sampai demam demam?

SIL sent us home and at home.... I was busy attending to 2 sick boys. But Alhamdulillah their fever subsided the very next day.

Well... it was a long weekend and a very tiring one. For Aaron, this will be the most memorable birthday to him... celebrated his 1st birthday at the hospital!!!!

My Beloved Aaron

Aaron Ashfiq will be 2 months next week and he is growing well; to my relief. You see, ever since he was born, he has been in and out of hospital.

 

1^st Admission

He was only 2 weeks and was admitted for jaundice. His jaundice level increased instead of decreased and as he was a premature baby, he was referred to KKH for phototherapy. He stayed for 1 night but his jaundice only disappeared at 4 weeks. I had to bring him to polyclinic for his blood test every 2 days until end of June when his jaundice level is at satisfactory level.

 

2^nd Admission on 6^th June 2007, Wednesday

He was 3 weeks old. On 5^th June, I observed that he kept vomiting after each feed. It wasn’t regurgitation but a forceful vomiting (projectile vomiting); like a merlion. He didn’t cry but seeing him vomit at every feed made me worried. He simply cannot keep his food down. I have never encountered such problem with the rest of my boys. I thought he had stomach flu because a week before, hubby, Ashraf and Azirul had stomach flu and they were really sick. But Aaron didn’t have any diarrhea except for a slight fever.

 

The next day, we brought him to a pediatrician and as the doctor was afraid that he might have blockage in his stomach, he was referred to KKH. He was admitted and an ultrasound showed that he has stomach spasm (Pyloric Spasm) also known as Gastroesophogeal reflux [GERD]. Luckily it was only spasm and not Pyloric Stenosis (blockage in the stomach) where only surgery could help correct the Pyloric Stenosis. However, due to the excessive vomiting and to avoid malnutrition and other complications, he had to be put on IV drip. I was so sad that I cried when I heard him wailing his heart out when they poked his tiny hand. My poor baby even had to fast. Yes, fast for 8 hours a day, hoping that the spasm would stop. So no milk, nothing! Can you imagine a baby that age going through all that? Most babies I know would be wailing if we feed them 2-3 minutes late. But with Aaron, Thank God, he was so patient. Each time he woke up, he would make some noise to indicate that he wanted milk but I could only let him sucked on the pacifier instead. At times, he would spit it out and went back to sleep. He has lots of patience. This went on for 3 days. It was a trying period for me as well as for baby. Hubby couldn’t take leave to accompany me so it was only me and Aaron most of the time. And yes, all this was during my confinement period. Doctor told me that his vomiting and stomach spasm will last a few days, at most, a week. There was nothing else they could do to stop the spasm. After 5 days, he was discharged. I was advised to :-

• Play with, bathe, and/or change his diapers before feeding.
• Feed smaller amounts but feed more often.
• Feed slowly, holding baby upright.
• Burp baby often during the feedings.
• Handle baby gently after the feeding.
• Place baby on his side.
• Raise the head of the bed or propped his pillow up.

3^rd Admission on 20^th June 2007, Wednesday
He was 40 days old. A few days before his admission, Aaron had blocked nose and had difficulty sleeping. On 19^th June evening, I bought the infant nasal suction bulb and was using it to suck his mucus when he suddenly went stiff and was like gasping for breath. I quickly sucked his nose with my mouth, hoping to remove the mucus, if any but nothing came out. Hubby tried to do the same but baby was still stiff. At that panicky moment I simply forgot what to do. Somehow I recalled my mum telling me that should babies get choked, turn him and pat his back. I did just that a few times and he started breathing normally. We monitored him the whole night and were certain that he was his usual self.

On 20^th June 2007, I heard Aaron wheezing. Hubby was at work and had to fly that evening to India for his project. I took Aaron to KKH and upon hearing that Aaron had an episode of Apnea (stop breathing) he was immediately warded. Doctor asked me if he had turned blue when he stopped breathing but I told him it was hard to tell cause his lips are purplish (dark blue – which they said was due to pigmentation).  Aaron had to use a heart and lung monitor (apnea monitor). There were few times when his breathing was read at 45% (safest level 90% - 100%) and because of that, he was put on oxygen to support his breathing.

As he was still having stomach spasm, an ultrasound was conducted again to rule out Pyloric Stenosis and it was confirmed that the vomiting was due to pyloric spasm. Doctor recommended Enfalac AR milk (Anti Reflux) for him and his vomiting stopped.

Doctor told me that the apnea, especially in young infants and more so for premature babies, are often associated with medical conditions that require treatment (such as gastroesophogeal reflux [GERD], infections, or neurological disorders). Aaron was hospitalized for 7 days. I had to ask my mum to help my maid look after my boys at home. Hubby flew on the day Aaron was admitted and was back on 23^rd June 2007. So it was another depressing period for me. And due to all these stress, I no longer breastfeed Aaron cause it have all dried up…heheh. But one thing for sure, that is not a concern as long as Aaron Ashfiq is well again.

 

Oh yeah, did you see the day he was admitted? Both times were on Wednesday and he was born on Wednesday too! What a coincidence! After this no more please!!!!