What else do you call a Near Death Experience (NDE)????

Caution: If you are a non-believer, the following evidence may be disturbing. This time narrative is based on a true story and rated ND (not for doubters.)

Tuesday, December 26— family notices I have a low grade fever and a stuffy nose.

Friday, December 29–Mama worried all night because I still have a stuffy nose and was laboring a bit on my breathing. Drove me to the local Emergency Room. Doctors took some blood and X-rays. I have the Rhinovirus and x-rays of my lungs detected white spots–double pneumonia. I was taken by ambulance to the Primary Children’s hospital in Riverton, Utah. No beds available at Primary Main Campus…so many RSV babies! God bless them all.

FYI: Rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of the common cold. In the United States, children have an average of two rhinovirus infections each year, and adults have an average of one. Most rhinovirus infections are mild, but they can cause respiratory failure, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

Saturday, December 30–The nurses and doctors are doing their best to keep me comfortable but I keep de-satting through the night (heart rate drops and oxygen level drops.)

Sunday, December 31–at the light of day on New Years Eve, doctors call it and I am “life-flighted” to the Main Children’s Primary. I NO LIKE.

Text message sent to Grandma by Mama read “Okay sooooooo rough night…don’t panic yet…we are being life flighted to Primary’s …she needs more care..they are putting her in NICU second floor…we’re heading there now..I’m driving..she’s flying with the best.” Don’t panic yet? I don’t think so. We are now in full panic mode.

Monday, January 1st–a not so happy New Years. Had an arterial line inserted, intubated and placed on a new ventilator apparatus.

Tuesday, January 2nd-thru Saturday, Jan 6th–not doing so well and Mama and Dada getting more sad, anxious and depressed…oxygen levels falling; blood pressure too low…my heart and lungs are more tired than ever; CO2 levels rising; white blood cells are up; doctors order more antibiotics; pneumonia has spread and more severe; doctors have now ordered me on Therapeutic neuromuscular paralysis (medical paralysis.) Note: Neonates with respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation may be treated with muscular paralysis to improve oxygenation. 

Saturday, January 7th–Family and friends pray and fast for me. The doctors and nurses need to know how to help me.

Tuesday, January 9th–Mama calls Grandma crying. The doctors have decided I need a tracheostomy. They are prepping me now for surgery. Now Grandma is crying…she calls Sarah and makes her cry. An urgent message is sent out for some serious prayers. Grandma calls the hospital’s Chaplain services to request a special blessing for me. Sarah calls Darren to help with a blessing.

Still Tuesday, January 9th–Mama calls Grandma to tell her that instead of a tracheostomy, a cannulas tube was inserted into my jugular vein (big one in the neck) and I am now connected to ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)–a type of life support bypass machine that pumps oxygenated blood through my body so my heart and lungs do not have to work so hard. Grandma Googled what this is and that was not such a good idea. However, it did bring herself, Grandpa, Uncle Darren and Aunt Sarah to the hospital. They drove through a blizzard to see me. Daddy and my brothers were already hanging out in the cafeteria. Grandpa and Uncle Darren anoited my leg with oil (the only part of my body they were allowed to touch) and blessed me. This warmed my heart better than any old machine.

Wednesday, January 10th thru Friday January 12th–3 Days of Mourning. You would have thought I had died like Lazarus and then Risen from the dead. Well, there are some similarities. A special ECMO nurse is in my room 24/7. Another nurse assists her. Many smart doctors swarm around me. Everyone so “grave. ” Sorry for the “ill humor.” There I go again. Seriously, I seemed lifeless and by the looks on their faces and the quiet sobs I could hear, this was “no laughing matter.” Stop it.

Saturday, January 13th—A doctor phoned Mama to tell her I improved drastically during the night; they were taken me off the by-pass machine, my neck catheter was removed, and I woke up and saw Mama and Daddy. There were new tears in their eyes but these were tears of joy. Prayers of gratitude are recorded in heaven.

Monday, January 14th–I am transferred to another room and had to say good-bye to my critical care team. Yes! and Thank-you! You know who your are.

Tuesday, January 15th–Allow me to share what Mama texted Grandma: “She makes every nurse fall in love with her. Makes my heart so happy. I walked into her room and her nurse was hanging out and talking to her. They say she’s the most perfect and sweetest baby.” Right?

Thursday, January 18th–Extubated and now breathing on my own with oxygen mask. Tried to pull it off (I NO LIKE) so I am being swaddled like a baby! So NOT Right!

Friday, January 19th–Happy 11th Birthday to my Big Brother Matthew!

Monday, January 22nd–Happy 8th Birthday to my Big Brother Samuel!

Tuesday, January 23rd–Mama is upset. First, during the weekend, I was being weaned off some strong narcotics. I wean off “stuff” very, very slowly. Some of my nurses did not know this. They do now. Mama was livid when she came into my room and noticed I was in distress…a lot of distress. If you are a recovering addict you can identify with the tremors, itching, irritability, etc. that are associated with withdraw. Oh, the “language” Mama used….I was soooo proud of her! She was like a Mama Bear ready to devour the **** nurse for withholding my pain meds for too long. And boy, did they listen to her. Way to go MOM!

Wednesday, January 24th thru Friday, January 26th– Slowly, but surely, I am weaning off the pain meds and I enjoyed a spa bath (with shower cap) because tomorrow I am having a special person visit me….Yep, grandma. She hasn’t seen me “awake” for one whole month and it is “killing” her. So, mama is relenting and she is coming to take a photo shoot.

Saturday, January 27th–Special Photo Op of Me:)

For God breathed into me the Breath of Life and I Live.

Visit my next page, “Sweet Birthday Ladybug”