Here's the continuation of the ER back story:
The night we landed in the ER, I called the first people that I hoped could help us and explained the situation: I needed help with the kids. Kristin had a fever of 104 and was being admitted to the hospital from the ER; she had a
raging infection with an unidentified source.
Initially unsure of just how bad the infection or her fever were, once transferred to the ER they wanted Kristin to go without anything to control the fever so that they could see just how high it would go.
(The fever had been masked for a week with continuous dosages of Tylenol and Ibuprofen to help with what we believed and were told were post partum recovery pains and symptoms.)
Once off of any meds, Kristin's rigors were so bad in the ER that they could hear her bed rattling at the nurses' station outside her room.
She shook with terrible, uncontrollable cold chills for more than 2 hours while her fever spiked. These symptoms, along with severe headaches and blood pressure spikes would cycle episodically throughout her stay at the hospital in what we came to refer to as the Horrors.
While this was all starting, I was racing home with the kids. Once I returned, and when we were more aware of just how bad things were, we moved into frantically trying to make plans for Annika and Luka to be cared for so that I could stay in the hospital and help care for and advocate for Kristin. It was clear she was not leaving the hospital.
Wayne and Diane could cover days, but they needed to be able to rest too if they were going to manage the twins' care during the day.
It's all a blur, but folks jumped in immediately and without hesitation when I called and asked for help.
The first team of recruited volunteers was ready, meeting the kids for the first time and also now responsible for their well being:
It doesn't get better than this!
With a Gonzo like energy, Judith flung herself immediately at the task as I worked on a second body to help her for the first night...
...and Michael jumped in the fray shortly too!
With almost no time and no notice we had the first night covered. I now had two A-list parents helping, which meant I knew Annika and Luka were in good hands for the night and I could focus on Kristin.
But it was also clear that Kristin was not going home anytime soon. Not to mix my Muppets with my metaphors, clichés or sea faring days, but we needed more hands on deck.
The following morning—and after a sleepless night and another hospital department transfer—I once again called in more help:
Our loyal friend Helene agreed to help organize a watch schedule for Annika and Luka. She helped put together sets of two night watchmen teams each night for the following week, or as long as necessary, in addition to other logistics.
Now meet the rest of our intrepid team of Night Watchmen and Logistics Runners:
Shelagh...
...was also already working simultaneously with Helene on coordinating logistics of other types of care as well, including researching Doula's, scouring the twins moms' networks for resources, interviewing folks for us, and jumping on the night watches too.
Here she is with Annika on her first watch:
And a classic Shelagh style Instagram pic of the kids that she took while on watch:
All this, while still managing her own domestic obligations with a set of toddler twins at home, plus older brother Marty. Thank you too, Jeff, for freeing Shelagh up to help us by doing double duty with your own family!
And also,
Michael, Ben...
and Margaret!
...who all jumped in for afternoon grandparent support and night watches rotation...
...while also providing essential parenting know-how: black belt level skills in karate baby swaddling, as well as essential work tools, like bouncers and sleep machines.
Helene and Doug each took two watches in addition to logistics...
Here they are after their first night with the twins, still learning their habits and needs.
Ever positive, they approached the task with joy and a positive attitude:
Although during at least one of their watches, they experienced the night terrors and the power behind Annika's lungs:
Here's one morning report Helene sent us:
"They didn't manage to kill us though we did finally hear the power of their lungs. Having your diaper changed when what you really want is food seems to bring out the worst in anybody."
And some pics from their night watches:
"Who's got more wrinkles?," Helene asked. "Well, who's got the better smile?!," I replied.
I think Doug wins on the smile but Luka has him beat on the wrinkles!
The calm before the storm.
And, of course, there are our Logistics Runners, Jess:
and...
You think I'm kidding, right? These guys are the real thing; totally bad!
Just look at them, these pictures are actually of them:
and...
See? Reason beyond madness dictates that we were in good hands.
These super heroes and knights errant helped with the tactical details, like feeding pups...
It was plain as a Rorschach inkblot: with a team of Watchmen like these, our kids were more than well cared for.
There is just no way that we could have cared for them on our own, leaving me available to help Kristin as well. And all of this happened with selflessness and love. Everyone stayed positive and let me focus on Caring for Kristin.
Thank you, Watchmen, League of Extraordinary Muppets, superheroes and knights—we felt so much love and are so thankful for your extraordinary help!
