My Life as an African Gypsy

It had been a busier morning for me. I went and visited the family of a friend, Monica, who had recently died. The women and children had breakfast and then, too formally, they served me breakfast. (bread and butter and tea) I made silly face at the kids that filled the floor as they hid behind their mothers, not accustomed to strange white people in their house.

I got home and Anaya was in bed. She had gone down for her nap a little later than usual, but had enjoyed working out with Dad, stomping on the exercise mat and trying everything he did. Everything was normal.

After only 45 minutes or so, we heard her making some noises in bed, usually meaning, "Come get me!" It would be considered a short nap, but with some recent growth spurts and the like, I never think too much of it. I was making dessert for my Bible study that night so asked Jon to go grab her.

When they came into the kitchen, I noticed her breathing was strange. She didn't seem alarmed, just sort of gasping a bit. Jon put her in her high chair to start on lunch, her favorite meal of the day, but she was quite uninterested and the funny gasping hadn't stopped. I thought that maybe she felt nauseous and that it was an unusual new sensation, so was responding like this. Again, she was very calm.

I had a minute or two to finish up dessert. Jon commented on how she felt warm and began looking for our thermometer. He sat in a chair in the living room, and decided he wanted me to come look at her for a second opinion. My time sensitive dessert made me holler, "I need one minute!" I poured the hot dessert into the pan so it wouldn't harden in the pot, in my mind knowing we'd head to the doctor soon, and casually went into the living room.

After feeling Anaya, hearing her breathing again, and now seeing her lethargic state, I knew we needed to go. Quick. I grabbed Anaya and went to the car, while Jon began to gather a few things. She was burning up now. I began to panic, honking the horn for Jon to hurry.

I had a million things going through my mind, and I'm so grateful Jon was clear-headed enough to make decisions about clinics and hospitals. I was fearful her breathing was about to stop, but wisely, Jon knew clinics would just send us to a hospital.

Jon drove like a madman with his hazards on. I was thankful. He jumped curbs, drove on sidewalks, sped past a police officer who was trying to stop us, etc. We evaluated as we drove past hospitals, knowing we preferred the one that was the furthest, as we thought it would be the best care.

Anaya had now vomited multiple times, all over her and me. I didn't care in the least. I only hoped it would make her feel better and help her breathing. It didn't. I kept trying to get her to drink a little, as it seemed like a little color would return to her lips when she did. I'd sit her limp body up in my lap every few minutes trying to keep her alert saying things like, "You gotta stay with me!" I didn't want her sleeping; she already looked half dead and sleeping would be worse.

I just couldn't believe how fast everything was all happening. Thoughts of losing her would flash through my mind, but I couldn't go there, I needed to focus and do all I could for her right then. I'd pray and sing, hoping familiar things would be comforting.

Turns out the Lord was directing Jon, and we made it to the furthest hospital. We rushed into the E.R., where the receptionist decided we should go to see a pediatrician, knowing they would handle a child better. (There was no pediatrician on staff in the E.R.) As we quickly walked down the hall, Anaya in her diaper, me covered in vomit, we saw my OBGYN that delivered Anaya and will deliver Jovie. The gynecologists and pediatricians offices are next to each other.

It was only the Lord that had her in the hallway right then and not in her office. She immediately could tell something was wrong, but in her usual calm manner assured me that Anaya was just sick and would be fine. She told me with a broad smile, "And now you are becoming a Mom!" She rubbed Anaya's back and talked sweetly with her. After hearing Anaya's breathing she calmly let me know we would surely be admitted.

The receptionist was trying to begin paperwork with Jon, but my doctor matter-of-factly told her we could do that later, and took me into an office of a pediatrician. The office was empty. She quickly took me to the other pediatrician on staff, walking us right into her office. It was Anaya's pediatrician that was there for her birth and has done her check-ups 'till this point. What a blessing! She was wrapping up with a patient, so I walked out to wait. My doctor would have none of it, telling me to get in there.

She weighed her, listened to her chest, scribbled some instructions and off we went back the E.R. to begin treatment. She was given a breathing treatment, which she hated. The loud noise, funny smoke coming out, a strange plastic mask on her face, and inability to suck her thumb was all a little much. I hated her screaming, but her breathing did seem to improve. Her poor little head was drenched in sweat from the fever and screaming.

Then came the I.V. port and blood draw. We were asked if we wanted to leave. Heck no. There was no way you could get me to leave my baby right then. I held her head in my lap, leaned over, put my cheek against hers and sang softly in her ear. Jon got in front of her face, spoke reassuringly, and joined in songs. Her screaming was horrific for this Mama. I hated that nothing could be explained... she's only 1! After multiple pokes, it was in.

Anaya, still sick and exhausted shut her eyes. They came with a suppository to lower her fever. I worried it would be one more traumatic event, but in her exhaustion she only whined a second and it was over.

A few minutes later we were told we'd be taken to get her chest X-ray done. While walking out of the E.R. I realized her I.V. port was in the hand that she sucks her thumb. Agh! I wasn't thinking in all the confusion! Oh well... I guess she'd learn to suck the other thumb. No way I was going to ask them to switch hands.

Knowing we were being admitted, the staff wanted Jon to come deal with some paperwork and a deposit. They also would not run the blood tests without those being paid in advance, so with Anaya fairly stable, he complied. I took her for her X-ray. While waiting in the hallway, Anaya threw up again.

Looking in the room as they set up I was worried I wouldn't be allowed to enter, especially being pregnant. If that were the case, I'd made up my mind they would have to wait for Jon; Anaya was in no state to be left with strangers. Thankfully they had a weighted cover for me to wear. I could not hold Anaya, as she had to stand on her own while a man held her arms above her head, but I could stand right in front of her. She cried the whole time, and I acted like a loony lady trying to make her happy.

When we were done I went back to stand with Jon. When he told me what they wanted for a deposit, I nearly died. A bit worried, he didn't know if we even had that on the credit card we had with us. The hospital wanted a 5 day deposit and would reimburse us for what we didn't use. The pediatrician had already told us she thought 2 days minimum, so Jon asked if we could pay those two days and then, if necessary, pay the rest. We get a stinky exchange rate anyway when we get reimbursed, so Jon explained that as well. They agreed. Praise the Lord! (We do have insurance, but we typically pay ahead and they reimburse us in about 2 weeks.)

Finally, we could go to our room. Anaya passed out on my chest. Jon and I discussed that someone needed to go home to pack some things for our stay. It made most sense for me to go. I was covered in vomit and needed a shower, plus I know where everything of Anaya's is and what she tends to use on a daily basis. I should go. I cried. I didn't want to leave her, but I did know that she'd be fine with Jon and she shouldn't have any more major procedures for the next hour or more. I left.

In the car I made a few calls to ask for prayer. I could have had a break down, but I decided it wasn't a good time, there was still lots to do. It turned into more than an hour away from the hospital, thanks to traffic, but a good time for me to wrestle through some things and ultimately hand my daughter over to the Lord once again. I had to trust him, or I'd lose it.

When I got back, Anaya had accidentally pulled out her I.V. port, so they would come by in awhile to put in a new one. While I dreaded the process, I was happy she would be able to suck her thumb. The new port went into the top of her foot. Again, it took multiple horrific tries as my daughter screamed in fear and pain. Once it was in she got a splint and her foot wrapped, insuring it would stay put. It did.

Anaya had eaten some yogurt and drank some juice with Daddy while I was gone, but he told me she wouldn't even lift her head. She was drained. An hour or so after my return Anaya sat up, looked at me, and began talking happily. My heart was relieved. I knew she would be just fine.

It was a long night interrupted by breathing treatments and medications that were pushed into her I.V., usually both accompanied by tears. In between we'd watch DVDs and play with toys I brought from home. By morning Anaya couldn't be kept in bed. She ran the halls of the empty ward, pushed plastic chairs, and banged on glass windows. We were ready to go home. It was a relief when the doctor gave us our discharge late that afternoon. We'd have to continue breathing treatments and medications, but we could do it from the comfort of our home and without an I.V.

Anaya was thrilled to be home. She slept well in her bed, and took her breathing treatments like a champ. She had a great follow up appointment and life was back to normal, playing outside and roaming the house. Two days later; however, about 15 minutes after one of her medications, Anaya was in the bath when her eyes sort of rolled and she began to vomit. Immediately she went into a very lethargic state. I could feel the panic rising. Her breathing seemed fine, which was a comfort, though she did seem hot.

She stayed in my arms, and we watched her carefully. A nauseous feeling would be somewhat new to her, and we all know how miserable it is, so perhaps that is why she lay so limp. Plus it was bedtime, so it seemed normal she would sleep. After three more vomiting episodes, we decided we should head to the E.R. I could not handle another frantic trip so soon, and I felt like we were still in the position to pack a few things and drive a law abiding speed without entering oncoming traffic to get there.

Anaya slept the whole way, but vomited as soon as we entered. A wonderful pediatrician, who was not even supposed to be there and wasn't on call, was on her way out when we arrived, but decided she would come see us. Thank you Lord! She concluded Anaya probably had too many drugs in her little system. She took a long listen to Anaya's lungs and determined they were 100% clean. We could stop all meds except the antibiotic. Anaya got a shot of anti-nausea medication, was monitored for awhile, and off we went to the pharmacy to get a few more "in case" medications.

We arrived home hopeful we were finished; however, on the way to our room, Anaya vomited again. It continued until 2:30 or so a.m. but we were able to keep her sipping and hydrated. Thankfully, it stopped and she slept the rest of the night. So far she has kept liquid and some toast down.

The Lord was so good to us throughout this process, giving supernatural peace and energy to Jon and me. He arranged the best doctors for us and has provided us with the finances to be able to have insurance and not fret about good medical care for our daughter. We are so, so thankful to Him. And we are so grateful for this little gift of life He has lent us in Anaya. We choose to trust Him with her days.