12.03.2008

Amazed

I just wanted to say that Jamie and I are both amazed, impressed, overwhelmed, in awe and so incredibly moved by every ones kindness. Before we knew it, Hazels story was posted in practically ever Mama forum there is on the internets. I am astounded by the number of people praying for and thinking about her. I know she can feel it washing over her, like a cool blue light. I thought that I had lost some of my faith in human kind (it happens every now and then) but this experience of having total strangers who don't know anything about me other than the fact that I'm a fellow Mama have taken time out of their day to think about and wish well for my daughter. It means more to me than anyone could know. I cannot say enough thank-yous.

As for those of you who I do know in person and who continue to send us love, peace, thoughts, prayers, hope and grace, (and Visene, crosswords, chapstick, tissues and trashy magazines) you mean the world to me. Your words are being saved for Hazel's future, like a dowry. This Mama Sisterhood (and dada's, too) will be an inspiration to her and the wisdom and love from you all will follow her into her long adulthood. She will be honored to have so many aunties and cousins all over our beautiful planet. We love you all so much.

Tomorrow Hazel will be going to (hopefully) be extubated and have her NG tube replaced with a feeding tube. It's going to be very, very tricky and risky for many reasons that I'm not going to get into here. Suffice it to say that I was pretty much hysterical after the surgeon left our meeting. I'm very scared about the procedure. Hazel has been doing well, but has still not reached the point where we can say she is "out of the woods", so to speak. I want to pass on the following information to all the parents who read this: button battery injuries in children ages 1-5 are on the rise, much of which is because of those talking greeting cards. PLEASE do not send anyone who has children in the home a talking greeting card! I promise you that it isn't wrth it. Also, PLEASE add a quick layer of duct tape to things like the remote that all children play with, but probably shouldn't. Here is some very helpful and important information about what to do if your child swallows a button battery from the National Capital Poison Center in Washington DC. There is no reason that any other kiddo needs to go through this. I am learning that Hazel's injuries are on the very extreme end of things because of how long the battery was left undetected, but battery swallowing injuries are not as uncommon as one might think.

Love and hug your babies tonight, and think about Hazel tomorrow as she is called on to fight an incredible fight. Courage, kiddo.

45 comments:

AlePancha said...

Dear Am, I truly believe that you would step your feet right in the same spot I step mine now, were our roles be switched.
I was thinking today how amazing our babies are that they are capable of doing this to us, adults, strangers, they have this weird power of bringing us together. How amazing is that. I can only hope that my well-being thoughts and my prayers get to where they'll somehow encourage dear Hazel to fight and you and Jamie to stand strong.
We think of you guys, and that won't stop.
Our love, Ale, JoaquĆ­n y Lalo.

The Q family said...

I am one of those strangers that have been thinking and praying for your family. I am praying even now that little Hazel will come through this with great strength and courage. Know that your family is wrapped in love and prayer tonight. My little boys prayed for Hazel tonight before they fell asleep. We will continue to pray and I have asked everyone that happens upon my blog to do the same tonight. Angel

Judes said...

All the best of luck for tomorrow Amanda, I know that God's Angels will be standing next to Hazel all the way. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Please know that we are praying for you and your beautiful daughter, Hazel.

With prayer comes strength. With strength, all things are possible. We know this becuase our son Liam ingested a battery 2 years ago and spent 15 days at Georgetown Hospital. Because of prayer, he will turn 3 soon.

Stay strong. Say lots of prayers.

Matt & Susan Howard
Leesburg VA

Jaymee said...

Hazel, You have a all the good thoughts and wishes that we can muster. You are sooooo loved, by your parents and everyone else. Your mother is one of the strongest women that I know, and that strength is in you too. Sending you a ton of love, hugs and kisses.

Magoon Family said...

My son was born at a Boston hosital (Beth Israel) and they are great doctors there. At least she is in a wonderful hospital.

Anonymous said...

hi...don't know if you remember me from mommy lunches at acapulco's...i'm kaarin -- henry and lily's mom. my family is saying lots of prayers and thinking healing thoughts for little miss hazel...so sorry you are going through all this...best of everything today and everyday...the robinsons

Little Miss Maia said...

Sending lots of love to you and Hazel today. Stay strong.

Jordan@Me and My 8 said...

You are MORE than welcome. I think about Hazel often and keep praying. We are calling her healed!

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine what you are going thru right now, but you posting your story will help so many others, Thank you for posting! All our wishes and prayers are on the way baby Hazel, stay strong sweetie, Momma you stay strong too, she WILL come back to you have faith. The Shaw Family

Josh S. said...

how wonderful that you find the energy to help others in a time like this. thank you. i admire your strength, and continue to pray for Hazel.

naginata said...

Hi Amanda,
We're one of the strangers far away praying for Hazel. We'll pass along all the info regarding the button batteries.
We are praying for peace and wellness for Hazel and all your family.

CindyD said...

Amanda & Jamie
Matt and I are praying for little Hazel, I know her spirit is so strong... Please don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything at all - I'll be there in ten seconds. I'm sending her all the good energy that the universe can give me. Cindy

Anonymous said...

Jamie and Amanda,
You all continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Please know that your Annapolis friends are with you-sending love and healing thoughts to you and your precious little girl.

dragondreamer said...

Hazel is defifnitly in my prayers, as are you and Jamie. It is so sad that the doctors didn't think to x-ray over that wheezing... all the suffering it would have saved her. At least her PCP showed up!! These thoughts and prayers are coming from Louisiana...reaching you via the airways.. God's speed in with her recovery.

Susan said...

We will keep Hazel, your family and the medical staff in our thoughts and prayers.

ChandraJoy said...

I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I am keeping you and your little angel in my thoughts and prayers.

Kim said...

Hi, someone emailed me your blog about battery danger. What a lesson to us all. Hazel is a beautiful little girl and we will keep her and your family in our prayers. Stay strong.

Anonymous said...

I am keeping sweet little Hazel in my prayers, as well as your family. You have a beautiful little girl and I know that many people are keeping her in their prayers.

Sarah said...

I am praying for you and your beautiful little girl-- from the community of internet moms.

JennB said...

I am thinking of you three - as the mother of a 4 year old and 7 month old, I can't imagine going through this. You did the right thing and listened to your intuition to keep going back to the hospital. I hope the staff there has learned a lesson!!! Be thorough!! I am hoping that you all pull through this and move on to a healthier existence.

Anonymous said...

I'm a stranger that has been following your story. I'll be praying for Hazel...good luck tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

God bless hazel and your family. we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Unknown said...

I am amazed by you and your family. I an thinking you you all today.

Samantha said...

You are still in our thoughts and prayers out here in Cali.

Samantha and Beatrice

Anonymous said...

I am also a stranger that came across your story on a parenting board. I have forwarded this info out to everyone I know to warn them of this danger...something that never even crossed my mind!

I will pray for little Hazel, as well as strength for your entire family.

Anonymous said...

I, too, am a stranger praying for your daughter. I am forwarding your website onto all of my friends with young children. Thank you for sharing your story so that others may be saved from this, and God bless you and your family.

Mrs. Rogers-Kraft said...

Amanda:

I'm another complete stranger coming in and promising to say a special prayer for Hazel and your family. I will pass along a warning to my friends and family regarding buttin batteries.

Amber

PMJacobsen said...

My prayers are with you and baby Hazel.

Anonymous said...

Your little girl is in my thoughts and prayers. I could hardly bear to read about your ordeal. I'm wishing you all the strength in the world and a complete recovery for your baby!

Christy_jebsgirl said...

I will be thinking of you and your family through this time. I pray that your little Hazel is strong tomorrow.

On the Bump (aka The Nest) - 3rd tri board your blog was referenced in a post so I wanted to check it out. I will make my readers aware of the dangers of the button batteries.

Anonymous said...

Just know that there is one more family out there praying for you. Thank you for sharing your story and the warning that it gives the rest of us mamas. It's crazy what these little kiddos can get into. Good luck and God bless tomorrow.

noahandlylasmommi said...

I found your blog on babyfit and just wanted to let you know I am praying for hazel and your family.

Erin said...

*hugs* and major prayers to you and yours from a Mommy, Two little Boys and a Daddy in Victoria, BC, Canada

Anonymous said...

I am a stranger to you but I do know Erin Canole-silva, I read about your story and Hazel is in my prayers. God will be with her tomorrow and angels will help you through it!

Dawn~a~Bon said...

***HUGS*** to your little girl. I am so incredibly sorry you've had to face this.

Charlotte's Mama said...

Amanda,
Hazel is absolutely on the top of my list of people to hope for tonight... I will be thinking of you all constantly. I don't know you, but maybe I did at one time... we apparently went to high school together (Heather Kuske sent me here). It is so horrifying to realize that bad things do happen to really, really good people... and I am so sorry that your family fell prey to that. My thoughts are so with you as you struggle with your terrifying fear and I will be thinking of Hazel, your strong, strong little girl.
xox
Carol McMurrich

One Happy Momma said...

I saw your story from Kelli and I want to say we are saying prayers for Hazel and your entire family.

I have also posted for prayers on my prayer blog.

Blessings -

Cathy W.

Anonymous said...

Hazel is a beautiful little girl and I will keep her in my thoughts. Thank you for having the strength to share your story as it will help others. May her recovery be speedy and your heart heal as well.

Anonymous said...

I am a mother of three who came across your story and my heart goes out to you and your family. We will say lots of prayers for Hazel tonight.

Anonymous said...

Your daughter is beautiful and I can imagine you are in a great deal of pain right now. My daughter was hospitalized for five days last year with a diabetes diagnosis. She was 3 at the time. Stay strong, pray hard...I think she will be fine. We'll be thinking of you here in Houston!

rgresh said...

You and your precious daughter are in my prayers. I pray for a recovery you can take one day at a time.

Becky
Plano, Texas

Anonymous said...

I came across a story through a friend, and wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your sweet baby daughter Hazel. Love and light.

Anonymous said...

Your little one is in our thoughts and prayers here in South Korea.

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you and your sweet baby girl. Hope things are getting better.