Rough Week
To say last week did not go according to plan is a bit of an understatement. Originally I’d intended to be on the downhill slide with the book this week. Maybe even finishing it up. Instead, I spent my birthday in the PICU with my eldest. An intense twenty four hours later, she was on the mend but had to remain in hospital for several days. She’s now home and as playful as ever.
Understandably, I got zero work done. So it’ll be at least two more weeks before this draft is done.
Before becoming a parent, I thought I knew what fear was. I’d been deployed. There were mortars and rockets fired in my direction. I went on missions. Route clearance patrols where we looked for IEDs. (I was public affairs so I got around and did some interesting things in pursuit of a story and photos. Once I even got to put on a bite suit and let one of the military dogs take me down). None of that compares to the fear and terror I have felt since having children.
As a writer, I need a passing familiarity with an emotion to be able to convey it to you, the reader. Every experience I have, every emotion I feel eventually finds its way into my writing. I guess I now have a whole new set to pull from. Though I would have preferred to spare everyone the pain of this past week and just used my imagination.
Thankfully, my pediatrician office has a doctor on call even at three in the morning. And the Nationwide Children’s ER near my house is amazing. The doctors are kind and responsive and got my eldest the help and care she needed as soon as I walked in.
I’m not sure if I’ll do a snippet this week. On one hand, I love seeing everyone’s reactions and we all deserve a little pick me up. On the other, I am tired. We’ll see how I feel later.
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Responses to “Rough Week”
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There is nothing quite like being a Mom. I have four kids and my youngest (23) is moving out in a few days to start her dream job in NYC. While I am happy she gets to follow her dreams I do feel like my heart is breaking a little. I would love to tell you that being a Mom gets easier as they grow up, but nope, it does NOT!!! However, it is worth every second.
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I’ve never been a parent by blood or heart, so I can’t relate, but I’m glad everything turned out alright.
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I am glad your daughter is feeling better, that must have been truly terrifying!
Hopefully you will be able to get back into the groove once you’ve managed to recover from the experience, and I know I will enjoy whatever you’re able to do/share when you are able. -
I can completely empathize! One of my twin daughters was hospitalized at 18 months after having a fever for 10 days! As in your case, luckily things turned out well but it is absolutely heart wrenching to see them so sick, not to mention the fear, panic and helplessness you feel as a parent!
While I LOVE your snippets, I don’t think any of your readers will begrudge you taking a break to recoup after something like that! Don’t forget to take care of momma! We are constantly on the go for our kids and forget that we need to take care of ourselves in order to continue caring for them too!!
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It’s so scary when our children need to be hospitalized. My almost 6 year old was hospitalized twice — once at 2.5 months and another time at 3.5 months. I’m glad your daughter is home now. Be sure to take care of yourself. Experiences like this can be traumatizing as a parent.
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I am so sorry. So glad your little one is alright and wish you hadn’t had such a personal scare. I hope you rest with your little ones. The story will be there when you have time. Sending a warm thoughts your way. Thank you.
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My niece spent a week in the NICU while they tried to figure out why she wasn’t gaining weight as a newborn. We could not get my sister to leave her side except for 2 hours when I sat with Lauren and my brother in law made Kim eat dinner. I remember feeling so helpless and terrified. My sister had miscarried 3 times, so Lauren was a miracle baby. I’m so glad you have resources nearby. I can also see from your post where Aileen gets some of her skills (I’m reading the series for the fifth time). Take care.
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Love for you and the little ones. Don’t worry ’bout the snippet, just take a break and just breathe. Bein’ a mom is tough
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I was a ghost writer at one point in my past and now a CEO. The most important thing that has made me good at both, was being a Mother. All those feels, while juggling all that’s required, is it’s own bootcamp for life. Welcome to the battle front!
I want to thank you for writing your books, even when it’s been difficult for you. When I’ve had really devastating days where it feels like I’m suffocating, having a world to escape to for a bit has been such a gift. It has given me some breathing room and I love the chaos that always explodes around your characters. Such great world building!
Appreciate you!
Yours in the struggle -
My granddaughter went to one of those in Columbus one night. The kids were impressed by the level of care she got.
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I feel you! My little girl was born with a disability and needed open heart surgery before the age of 1. We have spent so many days – and nights – giving her care over to health professionals. Knowing that they’re the ones with the skill to help her, helpless to do it ourselves.
A friend of mine who has older kids told me that you have to learn to put aside the worries of what might happen to them when they’re not with you, otherwise you’ll never be able to function. I’m working on that!
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First off, I’m sorry you had to experience that! And I’m so happy your daughter is doing better, and I hope neither of them end up in the hospital again!
Secondly, this post was very cathartic for me. As the mom of a medically complex child who has had so many surgeries, long and painful recoveries, and hospitalizations over the last 16.5 years, I feel like I have PTSD around anyone I love getting very sick or hurt. I’ve always felt like it’s kind of an overreaction on my part, especially when compared to people that have gone through war zones. Your post helped me to see that what we have dealt with is traumatic and no less deserving of all the feelings that go along with that. So thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. -
I’m not a mom, I’ve never been to war, but I do have nieces and the youngest spent a good portion of her beginning in the PICU. So if even a portion of what I felt in that moment is what you had to deal with for days… I pray you never have to feel it again and your babies grow up healthy and your family is blessed for the rest of your days!
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I am a mom to my nieces and nephew, and Grandma to their 4 boys. I am so sorry your little had issues that tear at our hearts. I am so glad the help was available quickly. I hope you never have to go through that again.
My oldest was very sickly as a child, until at age 7 when they figured out her spleen was diseased. The bond between child and mom are so strong I still fight wanting to take all their pain away. And man oh man is it hard to let them make their own mistakes!
Rest up mama! And always take the time to be with them. They grow up so fast!
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