{grateful}

There have been a few specific moments in my life as a mother that have really shaped me, and contributed to how I appreciate and see life.  Some of them have been monumental, such as the births of my children, and others have been small but significant experiences, but each has touched me in such a way that they are imprinted on my very soul.

This weekend I had another of those moments. 

I left Saturday morning to do some shopping, errands, and the usual running around for the day.  I had a list a mile long, with a lot going on the coming week. Ryan wasn't feeling well, but his sugar was perfect--79. He wasn't throwing up, running a fever, or showing any other signs of illness, so I sent him to bed to rest before I left.

I walked in the door at 4:45pm, and as soon as I saw him I knew he was very, very ill.  I immediately called the doctor, and after a brief assessment and conversation with Rick about what had gone on during the day, we were on our way to the hospital.  He was so sick that Rick had to carry him to the car, and in that moment I got really scared.  I hid it from Ryan, but inwardly I was praying as hard as I could.

We arrived at the Emergency Room and were immediately rushed back to a trauma room.  Ryan was hooked up to an IV, blood work was done, and information was gathered.  When his doctor (and really close family friend) arrived, I started to realize just how serious things were.  He had lost 9 pounds of fluid in just 5 hours--more than 10% of his body weight.  He was cold--his body was rushing all the blood to his organs in an act of survival.  His breaths were short and quick, and his body was having a difficult time.  The diagnosis came back just as we thought it would...DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis).

After two days and nights in the hospital, we are home.  After Ryan was stable, his doctor told me just how serious it was.  He had been within 2-3 hours of being critical--and possible resuscitation.

(the picture the nurses took for his chart for security purposes)

Today, I am feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. 

Gratitude for:

• a truly amazing and wonderful doctor who sacrificed his own family time (on his weekend off AND Father's Day) to help Ryan. He also was able to give him a blessing right before the MRI he had to have to determine if there was any cerebral edema (fluid and swelling on the brain)--we were both scared, and it made a huge difference
• the doctor's wife, my dear friend, who sacrificed her husband once again AND who took my youngest four in addition to her seven for the afternoon, so Rick and I could both be with Ryan
• kind nurses who went out of their way to make both of us comfortable
• an awesome husband who held down the fort while I was gone--and who mopped, swept, vacuumed, made beds, did laundry, and more so we could come home to a clean house
• a neighbor and friend that watched the kids while Rick brought me things that I needed to stay overnight in the hospital--despite the late hour
• a good friend and visiting teacher who brought dinner and watched my little ones while Rick had to work for a few hours
• friends and family that called, left messages, sent e-mails, and checked up on us.  I wasn't able to get back to everyone, but just know HOW MUCH I appreciated them and you...you are all wonderful!
• an extremely brave son who endured a lot not only the last couple of days, but the past 7 years since his diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes
• a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers

.....

Rick had his own adventures here at home...

• an entire gallon of milk spilled on the island, down into the cupboards, and onto the floor---then two little boys dancing in it
• another morning diaper incident...despite double the amount of duct tape
• deciding that brushing Kate's hair for church wasn't good enough, and using the curling iron to try and improve things. the result?  Smoke.  Coming from her hair.  I'm glad he stopped at that point, lol.

......

I am grateful.