A Sick Baby

One of our smallest babies in the NICU spiked a fever last weekend. By Monday he was showing signs of pain and respiratory distress. His lungs sounded good but he needed oxygen. We were not sure what was making him sick so we started him on a broad-spectrum antibiotic and gave regular medications to control the pain and fever. Since he didn't want to feed, we put an IV line in and gave him fluids through it.

Over the days that followed, this angel stared up at us from his crib with wide eyes. I need to tell you something and you have to act on it, those eyes seemed to say. We all wished that we could understand.

On Thursday night he became very sick with a high fever and a very fast heart rate. It became apparent that he has a bad case of gastroenteritis that had caused some ulceration in his gut. We gave emergency treatment and called a paediatrician for advice. All the while those huge eyes were boring into us. You are grown-ups. Make it go away!

If only, we grown-up's had that kind of power. We are thankful to be able to give our angel the most appropriate antibiotics for his condition and that we have the anti-acid medications he needs to heal his gut. We can give oxygen, IV's and painkillers to support him but it is going to take time for him to get better. Of course, at just 3 months old, he doesn't understand that.

Our angel is stable and comfortable, but I will feel more confident about his recovery when I see a smile. I think we all will. While we anxiously wait for and try to coax that smile, we pray.