Friday, January 18, 2008

I guess I am a Princess...

Last night Chip was home with three of our kids while I stayed at the hospital with Wyndham again. The previous night I slept a full hour and a half...on the foot of Wyndham's bed all curled up. Chip had the 'bouch'...which for those of you who don't know is a chair/couch that turns into a small bed. This particular chair had the type of mattress you would expect to find tucked under the cushion...a little bit lumpy and sunken in places. Chip actually slept fairly well.
As I prepared the 'bouch' last night, I used the extra bedding I had from the night before to sort of make it all 'level. It looked fairly inviting at 11:30 last night...especially following my hour of sleep from the night before. I laid down for about 3 minutes and had tried back/stomach and both sides by then...each position felt different sags or springs that I knew would not feel good by morning.
So I gathered three pillows that were in the room and lined them up on my level surface and covered it with a blanket. It looked like a pillow-top bed. But let me tell you, it was just imagery. Not the real thing. I woke up with different parts of my body not so happy about the bed I had been so proud of 'building'. You would think with my 5-2"/120 lb frame that it would have been perfect. But even after all my efforts I still had tossed and turned and feel I still need some sleep. According to fairy tales, it just makes me a princess. =)

Wyndham and I are heading home with Chip and the other kids soon. She has been discharged and instead we have to follow up with a couple of procedures. We will be giving her some meds to hopefully address the seizures she may have- although her head injury still carries certain life-long chances for them.
We are so thankful that her shunt seems to be functioning just as it should. All of her caregivers here have been amazed that it has never caused a problem or needed a revision. They told us we are VERY LUCKY...some kids have more than 100 surgeries involving similar shunts. To me it just seems another obvious reason to give God praise and thanks for taking care of Wyndham- even when we didn't realize she needed that care.
Thanks again, so many of you, for your prayers, your emails of Scripture and encouragement and calls and text messages. =) We have felt all your support as a family and feel blessed that we can share our needs and have them responded to in such wonderful ways. Life is hard at times- you and I both know that. But it is so much better when the burdens can be shared and we help one another through those times. Thank you for helping us and caring for us at this time. From all the Ferlaak family members, "Thank you".

17 comments:

clg0513 said...

Jody -
I am so there with you on that couch/bed/chair thing at hospitals...I had to sleep on one last week and my back is STILL feeling the effects of it. They need to come up with a better solution. Hugs to you and wyndham - glad to hear you'll get to go home.

Dean Tipper Diva said...

Yea!!! I am so happy to hear that Wyndham gets go go home, and you both get to sleep in your own beds. That is wonderful news. We will continue to keep your family in our prayers.
Blessings, Meagan

somebody,somewhere said...

you are such an inspiration! :) i'm sure your bed at home is going to feel wonderful when you get to sleep in it! :) i admire the way you share EVERYTHING - good bad and in-between! and even your height (i'm 5'2" also!) and your WEIGHT! :) love to you all and prayers still coming your way! :)

Ida said...

I know I am a little late with my well wishes, but I wanted to express them anyway. I am so glad to hear how well Wyndham is doing and that you will survive. If I had one verse to leave you with it is this one brought to me by my daughter when she was 3 years old:
Fear not for I am with thee. Isaiah 43:5 You probably know this one, but it is my source of security when I am scared, lost, hurt or anything, even happy.

Tina Vega said...

I am SO GLAD to hear you are heading back home. I'll continue to keep you in my prayers!

Shauna said...

Life can be hard...this is true. One of my favorite songs out right now is Mercy Me's "Bring The Rain." I have felt God speaking to me through that song and it has been in my head when I have read your blog over the past few days.

Ann(i)e Hafermann said...

so very very happy that you are bringing Wyndham home today!!! You strength and faith are so inspiring...I love to read your words!
XOXO
Annie

Dena said...

Ok - just doing some catch up - Will have Wyndham in my thoughts and prayers and check back for reports!

BIG HUG!!!

Sarah said...

Among the many (I'm sure) who haven't posted, but have been praying....I'm so glad to hear you've made it home. Hospitals are no place to rest and recover. You'll both do better now.

Gillian Ottaway said...

So glad to hear you are heading home! Enjoy the night with your family :)

paige said...

yeah wyndham--i'm so glad you are heading home baby girl!
sweet dreams
xo

Bird's Words said...

I remember all too well the long, long nights on the "bouch" when our son was in the hospital so much last year. My own bed never felt so good as the first night back home (for lots of reasons, as you well know!) Blessings on you all. My prayers are with you all, particularly Wyndham.

... said...

Just wanted to check in, so glad yall are all going home together, Praise Jesus!
I know what you mean about the sleeper chairs in the hospital. Funny thing is, when my mom was hospitalized, I was the only one who slept like a log on the thing, lol.

Unknown said...

Im so glad she is coming home soon...I hate those dang chair/beds they suck and then the fact that the nurse comes in every hour to poke and disturb a sleeping child is horrible. I know they are doing their job but man I would get so frustrated when they did that to my son. A lot of sleepless nights in hospitals. But bless them for being there and taking care of our sweet babies. xoxoxo

Christine said...

I am so glad you are home, and Wyndham is doing well! Snuggle together this weekend and get some rest. Big hug and lots of LUB!

Q's NEWS said...

So..........how did your very own bed feel last night? Just checking in on you guys to see how Wyndham is doing. Happy Saturday!! xoxo Susan in WV

amy & lisa said...

Just want you to know that I am one of those people who have "stumbled" upon your blog. I've read your story and I have to say...you inspire me! Thank you so much for sharing all that you do and my our Heavenly Father continue to be with you and your family every day. I've added your blog to my blog list and also your family to my prayer list on my blog. God Bless and Keep following Him!!
Lisa