I knew something wasn’t right with Lucy. Moms, don’t doubt your gut. I am so thankful that I listened to mine.
For the past 3 weeks or so Lucy has had a rattling sound when she breathes. I blamed it on her adoring sister and the viruses and bacteria she brought from preschool. At her 2 month well baby check up on Feb 15th, the doctor said it was just a minor cold. In my gut, I knew it was just a cold but worried still.
Then this past Tuesday (Feb 22nd) she started to get worse. Nursing her was getting difficult. Tuesday night she woke up mad as can be! I could not sooth her with nursing, she was breathing pretty fast and all sorts of worked up. So first thing Wednesday morning I called my doctor. He was not in, I was sent to the nurse practitioner. I took Lucy in – and brought Lizzie and David with me. Everyone was exhausted, the exam didn’t go well. The nurse practitioner said it was just a cold and sent me home with instructions to keep an eye on it.
Oh I did. I knew something was wrong, I just didn’t get it diagnosed correctly. That night was just as exhausting and frustrating. I spent all night sitting up on the couch and in a steamy shower to help her breathe.
Thursday morning I took her right back to my doctor. And he was in this time. And I did not bring my 2 youngest. Good thing too. She was diagnosed with pneumonia in her right lung.
Then, the decision: admit her to the hospital or heal her at home? Making this decision was tough – I wanted her home with me, where we were both more comfortable. But I wanted her somewhere safe too. I called my friend Gena from the Fairytales and Puppydog Tails blog and she helped me so much. She went through a bought of pneumonia with her son Myles and had lots of wisdom to share. I also called my Aunt Debbie who is a nurse, and really close to obtaining her PhD in nursing. With the list of warning signs in my head I took Lucy home.
And saw a few warning signs. The most obvious one was her rapid breathing. Off to the hospital we went!
After we settled in, got her oxygen tube flowing and IV pumping antibiotics into her (which, by the way took 5 different people and numerous pokes to get!) she calmed down, nursed and fell asleep.
That is when I finally was able to take a deep breath and pray.
And I wanted Lucy to be covered in prayer from everyone I could think of. I emailed my church’s prayer chain, called my mom and then I tweeted. Yes, I sent out a tweet asking people to pray for my 2 month old baby girl with pneumonia. And guess what? One of my followers – @LifeVerse, a prayer warrior and Bible Study leader – read my tweet and sent it to her 10,000 followers! I got so many tweets, and facebook messages, all telling me they were praying for her and me!
I was overwhelmed with the support. I believe prayer is powerful in two ways – it is a way for us to speak with our Heavenly Father and seek his will, and it unifies believers. I felt that unity. It is like one giant bear hug across the globe. We were covered in prayer here in this town and across this nation.
God doesn’t answer prayer right away or in our way. His answers are not always clear. Sometimes he takes us through something instead of around it. Earlier this week while she was breathing hard, I cried out to God. I asked him to heal her, because I know he could. But he waited. He took me through this. But I thank him that he spared Lucy a long suffering time and she is healing so fast!
Less than 24 hours after we checked in here, Lucy is already off her oxygen. Now she has less tubes for me to mess with when I try to nurse her! I am hoping they release us tomorrow, I’d love to be home with Lizzie and David too. Lucy is cooing, smiling, and in a much better mood. I can tell she really likes being able to breathe – whooda thunk?
My trust was focused on God and the encouraging words from my family in Christ really lifted my spirits during this exhausting and troubling time. I followed my gut and got her seen and diagnosed and my friends and family followed theirs and prayed. I love guts! Don’t ignore them!
Oh poor little thing. I’m glad you acted on your instincts!
Me too! Thank you for all your thoughts and support Penelope!
Hey Annie,
Im so glad she is doing better. I will continue my prayers and im glad shes doing better take care
Always trust your instincts! So glad she is feeling better. 🙂
Thank you Sandy! I will never doubt my gut again!
Wow, how scary. I agree, mom’s intuition is usually right. Hope she gets feeling better soon.
Yes, quite scary, but it turned out ok in the end! She is feeling better already – can’t wait to go home.
having just had pneumonia myself 2 months ago, I feel so horrible for poor Lucy. I’m so glad that she is doing better and has so many people keeping her in their thoughts and prayers!
I have never had it, so I cannot relate to her 🙁 I am glad she is bouncing back so quick. I can’t wait for it to be away completely, but she is showing so many signs of improvement!
God is Good, no, GREAT! I love reading stories like yours about the power of prayer. The internet has just helped make that reach even farther.
So glad to hear she is doing better. Hope you all will be resting at home soon!
Amen!! He really is good ALL THE TIME.
Way to go, trusting those mama instincts! Praying for Lucy and that you’re both home sweet home soon. Blessings!
Thank you for your prayers! We serve a good God that hears them!
I’m glad she’s feeling better! Hope you guys get home soon, it’s hard being in the hospital with one baby while you have two more at home, I know that first hand. I always go with my gut especially with my little ones cuz they can get worse over night. Take care and always know you have a friend in WA praying too!
Amy!! How have you been? I am so glad you left me a note, it made my night! I miss you so much, wish you still lived here so we could get the kids together. Have fun in WA though – and thanks for the prayers!
Isn’t it amazing? I have had two extremely sick children and prayer and god has got me through both. I’m so glad you listened to your gut and she is feeling better already. Hang in there. I will continue to pray for her!
Praise the Lord that he carried you through as well! I will admit, I barely held it together on Thursday. It was awful I was so tired and exhausted and just a mess. God and the encouraging prayers pulled me through.
Moms always know best. 🙂 Good for you for sticking to your gut.
The 4 best and truest words in the world!
Glad to hear that little Lucy is doing better now. It is hard on a mom’s heart when her child is sick. Hopefully you will all be home tomorrow!
We got the OK to go home tomorrow if she has a good night tonight! SOOO EXCITED!!
oh my, that is so scary!! Praying for a fast, complete recovery!
Thank you so much Chari! I am so glad you stopped by! Hope you are feeling good 🙂
awww bless her heart and yours. Sometimes you have to stay on them doctors and i’m so glad to see you did. Good to hear she’s feeling better and you too. Hopefully you both will be going home tomorrow. keep us posted
Thank you! So far I think we are going home in the morning. Now to try and get some sleep…..yeah right.
So thankful that your little girl is doing much better! Yes, I always follow my gut instinct too and am always spot on with it! HUGS to you both 🙂
I think God gave moms super powers in their instincts. It is so strange how spot on they can be!
Annie I have been thinking about you and Lucy and I am so glad you posted an update. I am happy to hear that she is already improving. I hope you are home soon.
My youngest is now 14 months old but when he was just 3 weeks old he had RSV and was hospitalized for 6 days. Absolute scariest moments of my life. So I understand how tough and scary it is. I’m here if you ever need to chat or cry.
Thank you Marianna! I really appreciate your kind words more than you know. 2 months is so much bigger than 3 weeks, I bet you were a wreck. And dealing with all those hormones after the birth, wow!
My biggest challenge will be keeping her away from her germy older siblings once we get home. I am not looking forward to that. My dr even seriously suggested flu masks for them to wear if they have a cold. Not gonna happen with a 3 yo and 22 month old. ugh
I’m so glad to hear she is doing much better {{hugs}}!
I have been thinking of you all and continue to pray she heals faster and stronger!
Poor little one, I will pray for her. It’s so hard to see your babies sick..
It took 3 years for our daughter to be diagnosed with a heart condition which she ended up having surgery for. Her breathing just always seemed off and noisy.
If you feel that there is something wrong keep pushing for answers no matter how many drs it takes.
That’s why God gave Lucy you as a Mother 🙂 And yes, prayer is a miracle not always the one we ask for or think should be delivered, but the fact that we have access to the creator of the universe who loves our children even more than we do – that’s a miracle!
What an inspiring story- I’m so sorry your little girl is sick- but so thankful for her healing, your wisdom and the amazing power of prayer!
I’m so happy little Lucy is doing better, she’s such a sweetie. Mama’s instincts are always right…xxxx
Poor little sweetheart! I am so glad that you followed your gut. Us mamas are rarely wrong in that department!
So glad she is healed and that you had such a community of faith to lift her up in prayer!
As moms, we worry about our kids from the first sneeze to the worst that can happen. That is good that you went back to the dr, because ones opinion may not be anothers. I am so happy that your lil angel is doing much better, may she be blessed with great health from here on out. 🙂
How very scary. I’m so glad she’s safe and on the mend now. And, that you listened to your mommy instinct.
Praise the Lord! I’ve had so many gut feelings over the years. We were very active foster parents for babies before Sweet Peanut came along (now foster to adopt) and we have been to the hospital too many times on gut feelings that turned out to be right. Lots of miracle healings too. I know the relief of a well baby. Prayer works!