Joys of Grandparenthood

Me answering cell: Hi Cindy? How are you?

Cindy: Call the Spencer Children’s Hospital and tell them I’m driving in with baby Sydney now!?

Me: WHAT? WHERE are you?

Her voice falters, it sounds like she’s in a wind tunnel.

Cindy: He has a 106 degree fever… he’s listless.

Me: Okay. I’ll call you back.

I swipe her away and call the hospital.

Me: Hello, my daughter-in-law is bringing in her 14-month old son to the ER. He has a 106 fever.

Spencer ER: Ok, we’ll see her when she gets here.

Hearing this conversation, my husband comes into the kitchen.

Me: Cindy. I called the hospital and they said they’ll see you when you get there. Where is Nathan?

Cindy: He is too sick to get out of bed.

Her voice cracks and she is sobbing. As a whining siren passes her car, I pause.

Me: Cindy, listen to me. First, you need to breathe. You are doing the right thing. Just keep breathing and get him safely to the ER. You will be okay. Stan and I will meet you at the ER in 10 minutes.

A loud exhale.

Cindy: Okay.

My text to Nathan:

Stan and I are meeting Cindy and Sidney at the hospital. How are you holding up with the flu? I guess Cindy and Sidney gave it to you. Keep drinking sweetie. I’ll be in touch.

No response from Nathan.

Text to Nathan with attached image of baby Sidney in Cindy’s arms.

Nathan “hearts” the photo.

Text from Me to Nathan: We arrived and they are in triage. Sidney was very quiet with some moans. They are going to give him a big dose of Motrin and assess. He’s with momma. Hang in there.

Nathan: Thanks Mom. I want to come, but I can’t move and am running to bathroom every five minutes.

Me: Don’t worry, we are here.

Me to Nathan: I was pacing halls with Sidney and all of a sudden heard our famous quarterback say, “Good night, Spencer Hospital, time for all your visitors to go home and all the children to go to sleep.” See you tomorrow. I saw a mom holding two crying children perk up and looked around saying “Hey kids, that was Josh Allen!!!” It was a moment of brevity in this intense place.

Nathan: I am writing you from my computer, I left my cell in the car (which Cindy took.) Ugh. Keep writing me please. I feel like a lousy Dad. Cindy still has the flu but was in better shape than me.

Me: We are here. You are being a better Dad at home. Stan went to get her chicken soup at Panara’s. Given this is a teaching hospital, we have had about four doctors, med students and residents listen to Sidney’s heart. Attached photo: Sidney gobbling some pieces of Panara bread.

Me: I think the Motrin is working. They are keeping him for observation; they want him to drink before we leave. Oh, I hear Cindy calling us…

Me to my Mom (Sidney’s Great Grandmother) : Thanks for the chat. What a night – Sidney’s doing much better – kids spike temperatures. I need a glass of wine.

A month later…

Me texting husband: Hey Stan. I’m staying later to babysit Sidney. Nathan just ran out to meet Cindy at the ER. She has had terrible abdominal pain and left work.

Stan: Wow, I didn’t even know you were there. What is going on?

Me: It appears she is pregnant.

Stan: Wow, nice way to hear about it.

Me: It is only a month. I’ll be in touch.

Nathan texting: Sorry Mom to run out on you like that. We are waiting to be seen. How is Sidney?

Me: He’s fine, Barely eating sweet potato I made him, but he’s drinking his milk. Let me know what happens.

Nathan: It is inconclusive, they are thinking either an ectopic or miscarriage. Either way it’s pretty terrible.

Cindy calls: Hi, how is Sidney?

Me: I’ll put you on speaker phone – talk to him. Hey Sidney sweetie, listen to who is on the phone?

Cindy: Hi Sidney, how are you? Mama and Dada miss you and we’ll be home soon.

Sidney: Loud Crying

Me to Cindy: Mmmm, maybe that wasn’t a great idea. I think he misses you. We’ll be okay. I’m going to do bath now.

Nathan texting: They are doing more blood work and another scan.

Me texting my husband Stan: What is with this family? Such drama. They don’t know anything, It’s too soon and her hormone levels aren’t that high.

Stan: Have you eaten dinner?

Me: No, I’m trying to put him down after bath – he’s not interested, just crying and clingy. I’m exhausted.

An hour later:

Family chat from Nathan: We are getting discharged – she’ll be closely watched for the next few weeks.

A day later:

Nathan texting: Can you come pick up Sidney. We need a couple of hours – it’s really hard on us - emotionally and physically.

Me: Sure, I’ll be right over. Can you pick him up later at our house? Remember to mourn – I know this is hard, you were so excited for the next child.

Two hours later:

Nathan: We are coming over to pick him up. Cindy is coming too. Thanks for giving us a break Mom.

Next morning:

Me texting: Nathan, I’m so glad you guys stayed for a little while last night. You need family at a time like this. Don’t hide it, so many pregnancies end like this – it’s a miracle we have live births.

Next day after a family dinner.

Nathan texts: I am sorry I had to kick you out last night. Cindy wanted to be alone. Crazy turn of events. The doctor called to say her blood work and hormone level are consistent with a healthy pregnancy. The doctor’s office called to wish her… congratulations.

Me: What? Wait… I thought she had an ectopic or miscarriage. What about the sharp pain?

Nathan: The pain could have been anything. More bloodwork this week will confirm it. This is a roller coaster ride.

Cindy to family chat: Well, the hormones are rising, a healthy sign. Confirming with you all that nobody shares this information. I can’t stand the back and forth.

Cindy: Oh yeah, if we ever see this kid, the name is Phoenix, one who rises from the ashes!