Reminders

It has been a while since one of the Cs has scared me. Thank goodness for that. But we were due and it was Cody who decided to step up to the plate. Yesterday morning I get a call from our babysitters phone and that is abnormal so I quickly answer. Cooper is on the other end speaking very calmly. “Mom, we need help, Cody is very sick. We are at the creek and CiCi put him in the car.” I tore out of the office to meet them at the house. Cody was drenched in sweat (so abnormal) and white as a ghost.  We get him inside and get water and a sandwich and a cool rag, all the fixings. They hadn’t been outside long enough to warrant overheating so I call the pediatrician. I really wanted him seen being a Friday and also that Cody isn’t one to faint or any of the things that happened in that moment. She is booked solid and tells us to go to ACNW and have them send everything to her.
Pause.
Y’all. I can’t tell you how HUGE it is to have ACNW in our backyard. I have had to “bring him to the ER” and that meant driving 3 hours in a worried state to the ACH ER.
Feel very lucky that we have this hospital!
I go through the checklist with Cody of what he ate, drank, did, etc. I ask, did you take your medicine last night? Cody is 15, we are working on independent living so at night he goes to the bathroom and brushes his teeth and takes his medicine. I don’t hover. Wellllll, I can also tell when he is lying so I go and check his medicine. It is clear he hasn’t been taking it.
Way to go, Mom.
We load up and go to Springdale. Everyone there is SO kind. Shout out: Nurse Lindsay, Nurse Josh, Nurse Caroline and Doctor Michelle!
I was SO pleased with the thoroughness and honesty of their exam and tests. When we arrived, Cody had hypertension and a very high heart rate. He was sweating profusely again and was feeling “dizzy in his head”. The wires, the IV, the various tests and pokes...it is so easy to file those memories away in a closet in your soul that is marked: TRAUMATIC HISTORY. But, those kinds of memories have a way of jumping out when you least expect it. It can be a song on the radio. A commercial on TV. A victory that Cody has worked hard to achieve. This last week those unexpected memories have been popping up more frequently. Cody being excited about his first job and now, sitting in the ER room watching the doctors and nurses evaluate what is happening to my son. It reminded me that Cody’s journey is far from over. We have been coasting and that just is not acceptable.  Just because the surgeries are *hopefully* behind us doesn’t mean I can coast. He is far too precious for that. I let him down. That I won’t do again.
After all of the tests, we learned that Cody was going through withdrawals from stopping his meds abruptly. That is a sight I don’t care to ever see again. Through it all, Cody was a champ. He had everyone laughing and giving out high fives and coming to visit. That’s my special and unique kid. He can bring joy in every situation. He is the patient and he is keeping everyone else calm.
The doctors did test his heart. They wanted to be sure there wasn’t any damage and praise God there is not. Of course not! That heart of gold is SO strong!
After one last round of high fives and good-byes, we blow that joint with a promise to never, ever stop taking our meds again. As we get in the car, the first thing I hear is this love song. And while it was written as a love song between lovers, it broken me down and brought me back to those long, nerve-wracking days and nights in hospitals and waiting rooms. Surgeries, colostomy bags, casts...I needed to be brought back there. I allowed myself to be cocky and just complacent. Cody is far too precious for that.

I can't count the times

I almost said what's on my mind
But I didn't
Just the other day
I wrote down all the things I'd say
But I couldn't
I just couldn't
Baby I know that you've been wondering
Mmm, so here goes nothing

In case you didn't know
Baby I'm crazy 'bout you
And I would be lying if I said
That I could live this life without you
Even though I don't tell you all the time
You had my heart a long, long time ago
In case you didn't know

Cody feels much better today. And I am thanking God for the gentle reminder of His precious gifts.