I wonder if I could have done anything differently to prevent my son, Dominic Tyrell, from ending up in the sad shape he is currently in.
My son is four years old. He was born five months premature: he weighed only 11 ounces at birth: he spent six months in the hospital, four of those in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Doctors gave him very little chance of surviving; if he did survive, he would be severely and permanently disabled.
He has since learned to talk a little, but doctors doubt he will ever walk. His brain was left damaged as a result of "brain bleeds"; he has cerebral palsy and cannot walk. He also has very bad eyesight: he is legally blind.
In addition to that, Dominic has seizures. It was, in fact, a seizure, that put him into the Intensive Care ward. He's been here two days; doctors have him knocked out, so he can get some needed rest. He had a prolonged seizure, or "status epilepticus". Doctors are trying to find out what happened and why he had such a long-lasting seizure. So far, tests have proved to be "inconclusive", which is frustrating on my part because I want answers. NOW.
I have been at Dommy's side ever since Tyden (my husband) called the ambulance the day before yesterday. I have been too scared to leave, in case something should happen while I am not there. The doctors all say I am being silly, but I can't help it. To see Dommy jerking like a dog that had been hit by a car scared the holy crap out of me; I don't want to leave my baby!
Meanwhile, Tyden has been playing house-husband with our other two kids, Ivory Danielle' (6) and Ishmael Gordon (9). He's been laid off his job at the auto plant, so he has the time to babysit while I stay with our youngest, in the hope that he will be okay and come out of this thing.
It is still hard seeing my baby boy lying in a hospital crib in the NICU, still as death, his face ashen, an oxygen mask covering his face, and wires and tubes sprouting haphazardly from his flaccid little body. I do know he's alive, but the doctors have him purposely in a coma so he can rest. It looks a lot worse than what it actually is, but still, it's not easy coping with this latest problem in Dommy's life!
I have been getting snatches of sleep in the NCU waiting room. I don't sleep well here: too much noise, too many distractions. Or I hear parents sobbing as the doctors give them the latest bad news and that doesn't sit too well with me either 'cause I'm afraid my turn will be next. If anything were to happen to my baby, I don't know what I would do: I'd probably go crazy with grief!!
Well, I am gonna try again to get some sleep; it's just too damned early to be up like this! I will write in here again soon with another update on my son's condition. Just pray that Dommy will be alright and pray that I get my sanity back! I would greatly appreciate it!
~Shirley Mabel Adamson, Cincinnati, Ohio. :(
~To be continued.~
