I haven’t written a post to share my goals since the end of July. And I almost laughed out loud this morning as I got ready for the day and the thought crossed my mind that maybe I should write a goals post today.
Life has been so unpredictable lately that it’s taking its toll on my mental state. I’m feeling sad and depressed and like I just can’t handle things right now. And at the same time, I know that I have to keep living life and moving forward. I have to keep being a wife and mom. I have to write and return emails.
I think it’s just the events of last week that brought me to this point. On Monday, what I thought would be a somewhat short doctor’s appointment for David ended up in him needing a platelet transfusion and us getting home around 7:00pm. We’d left the house around 9:30am. On Tuesday night, David had a fever that resulted in a hospital stay. We were able to leave the hospital on Thursday afternoon. But then David wasn’t himself on Saturday or Sunday, so after a call to his doctor on Sunday morning, I took him to the emergency room.
I suspected that David needed blood. His skin has been looking yellowish, and he’s been cranky, tired, and irritable. In the emergency room, they drew blood and found that David’s levels are borderline needing transfusions. His hemoglobin was 8.2 (he gets transfused when it goes below 8.0), and his platelets were at 24 (he gets transfused when his platelets go below 20). Because David was borderline, he wasn’t given any transfusions, and we went back home.
David woke up screaming and cryingΒ in an unpleasant mood this morning, but I’m thankful that Ruben was home to help today. We’ll watch him for the rest of the day and see how he’s doing before I call the doctor again or they call me, because they’re going to call at some point today to check on David.
All that to say, I can’t take this anymore I’m tired of this…for David and for all of us.
But I’m reminded of God’s grace. It’s sufficient, so we’ll keep moving forward trusting Him along this life’s broken road.
Setting Goals
I think it would also be helpful for me to set goals for this week (which will involve another hospital stay for David – a planned 4 day stay this time). I think setting goals may help me to focus on something that needs to be done when I’m feeling discouraged.
So, here are my goals for this week:
Family/Mothering Goals:
1. Pack a bag for David’s upcoming hospital stay and be sure to pack large books to take along, too. I use the books to act as a barrier and distraction for when David’s getting a shot or an IV put in. I saw this done by one of the Child Life specialistsΒ at a hospital in Florida and thought it was a genius way to help distract kids during a blood draw and/or IV insertion.
2. Set up childcare
Personal Goals:
3. Take a little time away for myself
4. Read 10 pages of the book Desperate (I had completely stopped reading this book and just picked it up again on Sunday. I want to try to finish it soon.)
5. Eat healthy
Home Management Goals:
6. De-clutter my desk area (which is a magnet area for toys)
7. Wipe down door handles with disinfectant wipes
Business Goals:
8. Get caught up on work
9. Return emails
10. Write 4 blog posts
What are your goals for this week?
Sandra, I’m so very sorry your family is going through this tough time, this awful time. I heart aches for you and your family. I know what it is like to be at that breaking point, the point at the end of your rope, that you can’t take another thing and then the next thing comes. But somehow as a mom we just keep going, moving forward, holding onto hope for the next day, next moment, next second.
I am continuing to hold you and your family up in prayer. I think it is great you are making some goals for this week. Trying to do something that resembles your old normal, in the mist of the new reality. Try not to be discouraged, I know it is hard you feel like normal will never return. But God is faithful and can bring you and your family through this time.
My son does better with his IV and blood draws when he can watch. (He has had lots of practice though, it is just a norm for him now. Which is sad but good at the same time.) But the book idea is a great idea, wish I would have know about it a few years ago. I hope it helps David this week.
I hope this week is less eventful for you, David feels better with the next transfusion, and that all goes well with the hospital stay and that your spirit can be renewed with the strength you will need for this upcoming week.
Oh my goodness, Sandra, I am so sorry that your family has to go through this terrible time. My heart just breaks for you all. But I do know that God is faithful and we’ve seen him answer our prayers thus far, so just keep on going and praying.
Hi Sandra,
I’m really sorry about David’s illness. There is NOTHING that takes a toll on a mom, like a sick child. It’s got to be the most stressful thing about being a mom.
I pray that God will cover you in peace this week. I pray that he will give you a sound mind and wisdom and discernment to deal with all the medical stuff. I pray he will give you something to focus on and the ability to look at this situation, not from inside the pit, but standing on the mountain, ready to conquer all that comes your way.
He will never leave you, nor forsake you!
I pray God will heal your sweet child, in the name of Jesus!
Take care of yourself π
Debbie
Best wishes to you!
I hope your son feels better soon! You should definitely take some time for yourself having a sick child makes me feel like a failure as a parent because there just isn’t much you can do. Sounds like your doing a great job pushing through! Hopefully it turns around quick π
Sandra, I’m so sorry to hear about your David’s trials (and, in turn, your trials). Keeping you in thoughts and prayers. Although I know it’s tough to do, I like that you added “take a little time away for myself” and “read” on your list of goals. Even a little “me” time can work wonders on your spirit…Easy for me to say, but I do hope it helps.