TIPS FOR DEALING WITH A MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILD

MB Sick

By: Ryan Beck

May’s blog is personal but hopefully it will create dialogue for some thought, discussion, and support.

 I am a mom of two beautiful boys ages 3 and 16 months.  They are the reason I get up in the morning (literally – because they are shouting at 5am that they are ready to start their day). I always knew that I would do everything and anything to make sure they stay happy and healthy.  Currently, we are closing some chapters in our lives which include some significant medical issues with my youngest.  The first 13.5 months of his life were the scariest moments of mine.  My baby #2 was born prematurely via emergency C-section under general anesthesia due to fetal decelerations.  He had to be revived and treated with oxygen immediately following delivery (something I learned after reading the delivery notes-since I wasn’t conscious for the event – and yes, having a delivery like that was traumatic).  When we got home, he felt different.  Since he was our second, my husband and I knew what “newborn fragile” felt like and we aren’t the type to get overwhelmed by the delicateness of a new baby, but baby #2 felt fragile, period.   And he was.  To make a very, very long story short, our little guy has had multiple procedures and seen teams of specialists at hospitals all over the country from Fargo ND, the Medical University of South Carolina, Boston Children’s Hospital, and finally Mayo Clinic of Rochester MN where we have decided to continue care.  No penny went unspent when we needed to travel all over the country to investigate his issues. (Thankfully we sold our house one month prior and dedicated those funds to his medical treatment.)

We live 2000 miles away from any other family members.  I am thankful how my husband and I have been able to deal with the chaos together as a team.  We get together, share, comfort one another, and create a plan of action to move forward.

---

MB Better :)

I wanted to share my “take away” advice of what I have found helpful dealing with your medically fragile child. 

1.  ALWAYS TRUST YOUR GUT:  I can’t emphasize this point enough.  Always trust your mommy/daddy instinct.  I knew something wasn’t right with my little guy and I fought my way to get the answers and treatment I felt comfortable with moving forward.  I was a Dragon.  A certifiable B.I.T.C.H. to get what I wanted and get the appointments needed – right away.  Do what you have to do.  Get second, third, and sometimes fourth opinions until you feel like no stone went unturned and you got prompt cohesive care for your little one. 

2.  COMMUNICATE with your Spouse/Partner/Best Friend.  It is totally normal to have different reactions to different information being handed to you –especially information regarding your child’s health in the future.  But what is vital is taking the time and candidly sharing with your significant other your perspective and what scares you the most about the diagnoses.  When emotions are honestly brought to the table, as a couple you are then able to create a supportive plan together for treatment moving forward.   

3.  SHARE 3 GRATITUDES DAILY.   My husband and I do this and it WORKS.  We take turns sharing 3 things we are thankful for each day before we go to sleep.  When we have been faced with incredibly stressful days, these always had me ending my day with a smile and appreciation of the good things in life.  But, I totally get it – days can get shitty.  But trust me, even the simplest gratitude sharing can help reshape your mindset. (I remember once, after a very long day, I was thankful for a south facing driveway – even the small things can reshape mindset.)

4.  APPRECIATE ONE ANOTHER FOR THEIR INDIVIDUAL ROLE.  My husband works very long hours and he provides for the family.  I own my own business so I am able to work from home.   I am lucky to be able to have this time with the boys and be the one offering them support & comfort.  I am usually the one on the phone, making the doctor appointments, going to the local appointments, following up, asking the questions, and creating a sense of normality for both of them.   I recognize Keegan and I are two instruments in an orchestra. Although different, our roles are an integral component and vital for our family as a whole. 

5.  JOKE and SMILE. Make each other smile over the little things.  When dealing with medical treatment for your child, everything is serious.  My entire demeanor has changed since dealing with this experience.  But laughing and smiling are so important. I remember there was one night where we heard something and looked at each other trying to figure out what specific alarm was going off - we had so many alarms in our house hooked up to our little man, when something went off – we weren’t sure if it was a movement alarm, high heart rate alarm, apnea alarm, low O2 sat alarm, fire alarm, or the clothes dryer.  It was insane.  But at moments like those where becoming overwhelmed would have been easy – it was nice to know we could have a laugh.  Because it was ridiculous – we had a ton of alarms!

6.  TAKE TIME FOR 1:1 TIME WITH OTHER SIBLINGS.  This is really important to me and something that I try and work at every day.  When my baby #2 was born, I mourned my one on one time I used to have with my first.  But I also craved quiet, lazy newborn snuggles in the bed with baby #2.  Neither of those things happened.  Having one child with medical needs is exhausting, heart –breaking, and totally consuming.  So I try really hard to make the one on one time with baby #1 because that is incredibly important to me.  I also try my best to make sure he has a sense of normality with his weekly activities and social events.

7.  TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF.  Honestly this is something that I struggle with because our life is so incredibly busy.  But the days that I do get even 30 minutes to myself to workout – I am a better mom, wife and person.  If I could give myself advice – I would say – always take at least 30 minutes for yourself.  Hopefully, you may get an hour. Try for an hour. 

 8.  GET RESPITE.  If there is a way that your medical insurance/state health care covers respite, get it – use them as a resource.  Use them so you can get a break and some help.  Talk to your doctor or state worker to see if its assistance and resources are available for your family and how you can contract hours.  We are eligible and this is something I regret not taking full advantage. 

9.  SPEND FUN TIME TOGETHER WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER.  As I said before, when dealing with incredibly serious decisions, life can get pretty heavy.  Remember to have fun together and enjoy each other’s company.  Leaving the house for date night for us was not a reality since I didn’t trust anyone else hooking our little guy up to monitors and his oxygen before he went to sleep.  But my husband and I do make time for each other.  We cook homemade pizza every Friday night and watch Shark Tank or Dateline.  It isn’t glamorous – but I look forward to our Friday nights together all week.  Setting aside that time together is a mental reprieve from all the other stressful situations going on. 

10.  TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME.  Stay ahead of the game, but don’t worry too much about the “what ifs”.  Focus on positive things you can for yourself and your family one moment at a time and everything will work out.  Things do get better.  Hang in there.

---

I have partnered with the doctors that created ProActiv on their new clinical skin care line Rodan and Fields.  They are now doing for aging what they did for acne.  Rodan and Fields used to be the #1 clinical skin care product in Nordstrom.  Products are now only available through private consultants like me.  More information about Rodan and Fields:

• We're NOT a home parties company, and we don't stock inventory
• The Drs create clinically proven products that were formerly the #1 selling skin care line in Nordstrom and actually do what they say they're going to do
• R+F was voted TOP consumer product company in 2013 (same award Apple received)
• We offer web-based training that fits in around her schedule
• An incredible compensation plan full of perks (free Lexus, luxury travel)
• An immediate, supportive team of leaders that will teach her exactly how to be successful in her first full month of business
• A NO risk, 60-day money back guarantee

I am looking for motivated individuals to support our national expansion.  Join my team!  Message me at ryancc.beck@gmail.com to get the conversation started.