When someone you care about gets hurt or sick, no matter how many ideas, plans, or dreams you might have, everything gets put on hold.
That’s sort of how it felt like the last few days when my eldest child ran high fevers and complained of stomach pains. He was taken to the doctors a couple of times before finally going to the hospital yesterday for some tests.
Thankfully, after a shot of IV and some meds, The Boy’s health started to improve. He is not 100% yet, but he seems to be on the mend. We got back on home ground this evening.
What a relief!
Unfortunately, this scenario has happened more often than we’d like over the last few months. For some reason, the kids seem to have fallen ill a lot more than usual this year. Three hospital stays (two overnighters and one 3-day stay) in about five months, I think. Plus, all the other non-hospital sick moments we’ve had.
Times like these, The Hubby and I really feel the pain of living so far away from relatives. Yes, the kids have no grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins to call on easily, as our relations are dispersed in different countries (Philippines, South Africa, USA, and UK). We’re the only ones living here in Oz.
On one hand, it’s good exercise to find different ways to make things work within our family unit. On the other hand, it can get really tough and lonely.
I mean, I find it even sad knowing that my younger brother and his wife haven’t even met the kids yet (and his kids haven’t met my hubby and their cousins). And, my other brother hasn’t met The Girl yet. At least, not officially anyway. Skype Video helps to bridge the gap though, as we’ve all managed some kind of virtual family reunions every now and then. Gotta love technology for that, hey?
And yes, even though The Hubby’s sister and her husband haven’t met The Girl yet either, they’ll be able to do so this December. During the upcoming Big Trip. We’re all so looking forward to it!
It’s really incredible how things look different during moments when life shines on things that matter most, isn’t it?
Pic Note: Yep, that’s The Boy. Photo taken at the hospital today, using Neve’s camera phone function, with the aid of a new mini gadget (will talk more about this in another post!). Edited with Photoshop CS4 (+ a bit of Picasa).
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Kari 10.21.09 at 10:17 pm
While I am not nearly as far away from my family members, I can still relate to what you are going through. During a time of crisis or extreme stress when there’s nobody to turn to close by it seems to make it that much more worse.
I am very glad to hear your son is back home and will continue sending positive thoughts your way. Hang in there and the storm will pass!
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Melissa W 10.22.09 at 8:10 am
I wonder if there is something in your home environment that is lowering your kids’ immunity? The paint or the carpet or even allergens in the air like mould etc? We only discovered Daisy is allergic to mould spores when we moved out of our Summer Hill house (with major rising damp problems) and all her severe skin rashes and bad coughs cleared up in a matter of weeks.
When we left Sydney we left behind a huge family support network and you really do feel it in times of crisis. Close friends are great but there are times when it really takes a family member to step in, and if you don’t have anyone around it can be very stressful.
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Connie 10.22.09 at 9:44 am
I’m glad that Cam’s recovering well. Mahirap talaga pag malayo sa pamilya. Then again, it teaches us to be tough and resilient.
Take care, y’all!
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Shai Coggins 11.30.09 at 11:02 am
Thanks, Kari, Melissa, and Connie! Really appreciate your thoughts & good wishes on this. *hugs*
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