The Land of Splat!, as I describe it in Blest Atheist, is that place where we all find ourselves at times that seems to have no permeable border. Every time we try to cross out of the land of troubles into the land of normalcy, we are sprung back into our troubles (old or new) with a splat!. And so it goes with my life and the life of my children and my friends. We seem to be well settled in the Land of Splat!. Had I had any idea to the contrary, I would have been brought back to the reality of Splat! by the recent birth of my granddaughter. A bit preemie (but not much, five pounds being a good birth weight), she managed to surprise doctors considerably. They had discovered through sonograms that she would be born with hydronephrosis (a kidney condition that could be corrected by surgery--our grandson had the same) and her intestines outside her body rather than inside. She also had a cyst on her spine that they were hoping would not be spina bifida like her aunt (our daughter) has. Those hopes were in vain. She does have spina bifida, but that and the hydronephrosis and external intestines are a small matter compared to what the doctors were presented with at her birth: all her lower organs in pieces (at least, two pieces), some of them (e.g., the colon and rectum) missing, and her body fully open and split in two from the waist down (no belly button would be the result of her birth). The doctors recovered quickly fronm their surprise and immediately went into surgery, rebuilding a little human being. More surgeries and many months of hospitalization are in the offing, but she is fighting to stay alive, looking cute as a button, and garnering a little fan club of doctors and relatives/friends. We look forward to the day that she comes off life support so that we can hold more than her little hand; she curls her fingers around ours so quickly that we know she would love to be held. Nothing is insurmountable even in the Land of Splat!, but one certainly gets to experience unusual and trying moments.
If anyone out there reading this blog has had experiences similar to any of the various problems my brave little granddaughter is experiencing, I would love to hear the outcomes, share strategies, and learn about your coping mechanisms.
- e mahlou
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9 hours ago
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An update: I went to see my granddaughter today after having spent a week in travel status for my job. It was good to be home, and it was good to see the little fighter's progress. She was certainly unhappy today with her intubation, and she was letting everyone know it. I remember sometimes feeling annoyed when my older daughter, as a baby, would cry at length. I simply wanted her rock her or cajole her into being quiet. I see other parents, in public, trying to do the same. In the Land of Splat!, things can take on very different perspectives. I was delighted today to see the baby cry, to hear that she had a voice that for so long could not be heard because when I had last been able to be with her she was still on life support. When she contorted her face into an infuriated red squish and kicked her feet in frustration or anger or whatever was driving her little fight, I wanted to say "Go, girl!" We know she will make it. We have finally heard her cry. Who ever would have thought that a crying baby would be such a welcome thing!
- e mahlou
For those following our granndaughter's progress, I can say that there has been progress, indeed. There was talk about perhaps sending her home soon. She would still have to return in August for surgery because it was discovered that she also has spina bifida and will need to have her spinal cord untethered, probably some time in August, when she is bigger and stronger. She now weighs 8 pounds! So, the hope was great to have her at home. However, she developed two simultaneous infections: a urinary tract infection and a blood infection. So, she will now have to remain in the hospital, they predict, until the end of June. However, in spite of this unexpected setback, we know she is going to make it. She has spirit. A few days ago when I was visiting, she rolled her little hand into a fist, stuck it into the air, and concurrently let out a conquering scream. Yep, spirit! (And, of course, prayers from all over the world!)
And finally, truly good news. The blood infection is gone, and the UTI is nearly gone, too. The little one has been given a release-home date of two weeks from now. Everyone, especially my son, his wife, and their son, is looking forward to that date. The doctors have been very surprised at how quickly she has healed and gained weight. Not surprising, really. She has been on dozens of prayer lists -- and probably all it really takes is one small request. In my personal experience, God likes to send miracles for the situations that are beyond man's control, like this one.
And the ending...at least, for now. My granddaughter, in one piece now, was released from the hospital on Friday. My kids are so delighted; they have yet to put her down. Not able to hold her for two months, they just cannot stop holding her now. She is happy, fat, and feisty. Great outcome! The doctors are pleased with themselves, and we are pleased with the doctors -- and grateful to all those who prayed for her and the priests who offered masses for her.
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