The first time I got a real look at Maddie, the medicines being pumped into her had swollen her body and stretched her skin to its limit. I didn’t know her eyes were blue for two weeks because they were swollen shut. The tape that held her ventilator in place covered her face. The tubes were everywhere. She had a PICC line in her right arm, an IV in her left arm, an umbilical line, a forehead IV, and three chest tubes. Punctures in my brand new baby’s skin. Punctures in my heart.
I’d never heard of chest tubes before Maddie. Basically, it’s a tube that goes directly into the chest to help remove excess air. Maddie needed chest tubes because the ventilator she was on kept popping holes in her tiny, weak lungs. Air would seep through these holes into the pleural cavity, or the area between her lungs and chest wall. That air would prevent her lungs from expanding, making it impossible for her to breathe. From all my reading, chest tubes are extremely painful – not only the inserting, but also the removing. Maddie had five chest tubes at one point, and when one would stop working, it would be moved. She has a roadmap of scars all over the right side of her chest. Scars all over my heart.
Maddie’s umbilical line only lasted about ten days, so after that when the doctors needed blood – always daily, sometimes multiple times per day – the nurses would prick her heel to draw it. Maddie had so many heel sticks that toward the end of her stay in the NICU, she would sleep through them. After one of her IVs became infected, the nurses would only insert an IV when abolutely necessary – for a medicine that couldn’t go through her PICC line, or for a blood transfusion. She’d sleep through those insertions, too. My heart felt the pain her skin had grown accustomed to.
Every new baby gets vaccines, that’s nothing new. Maddie had to get an extra vaccine every month to help prevent RSV. That’s six extra shots in her chubby little thighs. Both times she’s been re-hospitalized, she’s had IVs and blood draws and heel sticks. Her last few illnesses have required blood tests. Her cystic fibrosis studies needed blood. Now that she’s older, she doesn’t sleep through the needles. She always cries out, but then she gets quiet and waits for the blood draw/shot/medicine to be through. So little, but so brave. It makes my heart break.
One of Maddie’s NICU nurses once told us that while Maddie would never remember her hospital time or the pain, Mike and I always would. The pain of her pain will never leave me. When my shoulder hurts or my c-section incision is bothering me, I just have to remember what my little baby went through to keep the complaint from passing my lips. I thank God every night that Maddie will never remember the difficulties she faced in her first year of life. If I thought for one second that she would…well, I don’t know what I would do.
I’ve thought a lot about the physical scars on her chest, the scars that she will surely notice and ask me about. Scars that will show when she’s old enough to wear a bikini. A chest tube went directly through her right breast tissue, so there may be some growth issues there when she starts to develop. Right now, I call the marks her kissing spots. When I’m dressing her in the morning, I kiss each spot on her chest until she shrieks with laughter. If I could remove any reminder of her difficult start, I would, but since I cannot, instead I will teach her to celebrate them, cherish them. They are marks of life.
So far in her eight months, Mike and I have counted one hundred fifty three shots/IVs/sticks/pricks/tubes/holes in Maddie’s skin. Life-saving holes. Each hole in her skin is a hole in my heart I will carry with me until the end.
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jen says:
that was a beautiful post.
she is adorable…and you sound like such a terrific mommy.
jens last blog post..apple juice and cookies – stat!
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Anissa @ Hope4Peyton says:
Oh, I know what you mean. And I mean I DO know what you mean. That pain is indescribable and my heart breaks for Maddie and you who have cried for each of her hurts. It’s a hard road being the parent of a sick child, but God gives you the strength to be just the mother she needs. Those moments when you kiss the scars are healing her with love, and healing you as well.
I’ll be praying for that beautiful, foot-eating baby girl of yours and for you too.
Anissa @ Hope4Peytons last blog post..The day that changed EVERYTHING
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Baby B says:
Near tears here. I can’t imagine how hard that was for you and Mike. You’re right, Maddie is one of the bravest little babies out there. If anyone has a chance, it’s her.
Baby Bs last blog post..Two Camps, Or Watch While I Attempt To Climb Back On The Wagon
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Bec says:
The day I first saw the PICC scar in Erin’s leg (at first she was too small for it to be visible) I cried all day. It took an hour an a half to place. The little scars all over her tummy from where her skin tore in her first weeks. I haven’t had the heart to count her scars. I can’t imagine what she and Maddie went through, but you’re right they’re like little holes in my heart too.
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nanette says:
This is a very sweet and warm post. Little Maddie is so very strong, although I’m sure she takes her cues from her loving parents.
nanettes last blog post..It’s about time!
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cindy w says:
God, Heather, it’s not nice to make me cry right before bed.
Of course the bigger she gets, the smaller and less noticeable the scars will be. And you have absolutely the right attitude about teaching her to celebrate them and point to them as sort of a badge of honor. “You think you’re a badass? I survived THIS, m’f-er.”
cindy ws last blog post..easy like Sunday morning
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Fiesty Charlie says:
All you would ever need to do is show her this post, and she will know not only how much you and Mike love her, but how deep those scars go in your heart.
I would endure anything and everything to keep Abbie from hurting. We have been so lucky to never have to see anything worse than an allergy or nurse maid’s elbow.
I remember working at the hospital on the little ones, and they always seemed stronger in spirit than any adult I have ever known. Your Maddie is a strong one and she will embrace those scars like she has had to embrace so many other things…
All our prayers and good thoughts are with the three of you.
Fiesty Charlies last blog post..Classic Abbie Video Sunday…
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Backpacking Dad says:
“kissing spots”
Goddammit.
Backpacking Dads last blog post..Suburbanity and the Future
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Rebecca says:
The three of you have been brave together. I can hardly imagine what this has been like for you. I cry when my babies have their immunisations.
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moosh in indy. says:
Wah! That little kid is so loved.
What BP Dad said.
Only the Mormon version.
“Goshdarnit”
moosh in indy.s last blog post..mooshisms.
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Anna Marie says:
Whew. That was hard to read. What a fabulous tribute to your sweet girl.
Anna Maries last blog post..The Revolving Door
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Midwest Mommy says:
Wow, what a great post. Poor little thing. I can’t even imagine…
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maya says:
mwaah- that’s a kiss for maddie- and for you!
those pricks… the tubes….i cant relive it.
we took our video camera to the nicu with us.. so we have a lot of footage of the girls, but i cant look at it. I just cant yet.
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Jennifer says:
Oh, what an ordeal you’ve all been through! She is a little fighter for sure–and so beautiful! You are all very strong!!
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Christy says:
“…instead I will teach her to celebrate them, cherish them. They are marks of life.” Those are really beautiful words. That little girl of yours is going to shine in this life!
Christys last blog post..The Real Me?
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ali says:
marks. of. life.
LOVE.
way to kill me this morning.
alis last blog post..life with Emily…*sigh*
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CaraBee says:
This is a beautiful and touching tribute to the trials of brave little Maddie. Not to mention her supermom! Someday you will hold her on your lap and tell her the tales of her early days and she will be proud of her “kissing spots” because they are proof she fought the good fight and WON!
CaraBees last blog post..Bling Baby
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Kristine says:
I can’t even imagine the pain all three of you have endured.
“Kissing spots” – that is beautiful!
Kristines last blog post..Movie Monday – Robbie hates Elmo
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Flüge Los Angeles says:
I feel so sorry about your situation! God knows what he´s doing. Hopefully it will turn out well!
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Black Hockey Jesus says:
It’s so crazy to have 3 heros that you feel like you know but you’ve never even met.
Black Hockey Jesuss last blog post..Sweet Face
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Judy C says:
I meandered over here from either Becky’s or Niobe’s blog – my children are grown or almost grown now since I am, as my sons delight in telling me, old. I am commenting to share a perspective from my advanced years, especially since I noticed your mention of cystic fibrosis. Life moves fast, especially for those with health crises, and I suspect you wonder in the midst of it if all you go through, that the pain you willingly endure, is worth all the pain your tiny infant goes through to stay alive.
I think it is.
This past weekend my oldest son’s best friend Matt got married (my son was best man). It is not unusual for a 30 year old to get married but for Matt’s mom, it was nothing short of a miracle. Matt has struggled through a lifetime of cystic fibrosis, associated health challenges and warnings to his mom that he wouldn’t live to age ___ (starting in infancy).
But he did live – through painful treatments and dark nights of the soul. Saturday when he married his love, Matt, his bride and his mother radiated unbelievable joy from the depths of their beings. For his mom, for Matt, those depths were plumbed by pain and suffering, but having been so low, the joy they felt was that much sweeter.
Your post moved me to tears; especially the healing gift of your transmuting your daughter’s scars to love. I read your story and I think Maddie is blessed to have you both as parents.
Judy Cs last blog post..Weird Freeway Sightings
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Aunt Becky says:
I’ve always wondered how you (and all of you) make it through that time. I know that you soldier on because that’s just what one does, but I wonder if I’d be strong and brave enough to make it.
You three–and the multitude of others like you–are amazing. Just amazing.
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Maria says:
I cried during Simon’s first two vaccinations. I cannot imagine going through what you and Mike have gone through. The only time Simon had blood drawn was after his peanut reaction when they needed to do a full workup to see if he had any further allergies.
The nurse had me restrain him with my arms around him and one hand pinning down his skinny little arm. He was about 19-months-old at the time. Even that passed relatively quickly and left no marks.
Maddie’s kissing spots ARE beautiful and I hope they’ll remain a beautiful testament to how much her parents love her and how so many people’s lives came together to save hers.
This morning at work, our maintenance guy hear us talking about putting together a group to go play with siblings at the Ronald McDonald house here at our local children’s hospital. He got choked up and told us his son had 50 surgeries before he could leave the hospital, and that his niece had weighed less than a pound at birth and was now a healthy teenager. It blows me away how many parents survive such overwhelming trials when their children are so tiny and vulnerable.
You guys are awesome.
Marias last blog post..alphabadass
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Andrea's Sweet Life says:
No matter WHAT I’ve been through in my life, nothing compares to watching my child suffer, and being powerless to help ease the pain.
Maddie is so brave, and such an inspiration!
Andrea’s Sweet Lifes last blog post..Not Just a Mommy
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Christy says:
So that made me tear up. Heather you are a great mom! Call me later let’s get lunch this week.
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Danielle says:
Oh, now I’m just sitting here crying. You are both so brave. All of you actually…
I love “kissing spots”…
Danielles last blog post..Dmitri
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Danes says:
There’s nothing left to say that hasn’t already been said more eloquently above, but that was a beautiful post. If Maddie’s anything like you (and I think she is) then she WILL wear those scars like badges of honor – I can’t wait to watch her get older. She’s gonna do something kickass with her life for sure.
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Kristin says:
Maddie is so lucky to have you and Mike as her parents.
I thought it was horrible when Meg was tested for allergies and had all those needles. Hard to be brave when you feel to sad inside for your child.
Kristins last blog post..Post Vacation Letdown
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rachel says:
Poor little girl! That makes my heart break.
rachels last blog post..Time
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Ms. Moon says:
I agree with Danes. Everything has been said. But I’ll bet that those scars which seem so large now will be so tiny by the time she is ready for a bikini.
Y’all are brave. Your beautiful girl is brave.
You are testaments to the spirit which we cannot see but which lives in all of us. You KNOW how strong that spirit is.
Ms. Moons last blog post..Ruby And Maxine Are Ready For Their Big Date
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Jackie says:
Maddie’s a lucky little girl to have you guys. Love you all.
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Jacque says:
Bless that sweet baby…My nephew had Leukemia and went through all that awful stuff. It does break your heart. I cannot imagine having to go through that with my child. Teaching her to celebrate her body as the miracle that it is, is a wonderful tribute to her strength even when she was so very tiny!
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Tara says:
This is a great post, heartbreaking, but great. I’m sorry that you and Maddie have been through all of this.
Taras last blog post..What I served for dessert last night
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holli says:
We kind of bonded way back because you were one of the few people who understood how much pain I was in when Faith was sick – and it was nothing like this so I can’t imagine. The two of you will share a bond like no other mother/daughter and your strength is already evident. Hugs to you both.
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heatheribabble says:
This is my first time at your site, I think I came from a comment you left on your husband’s site but I forget how I got to his site before that…
I just wanted to say that what you said was beautiful. And that hopefully her scars will be like my college roommates- she had heart surgery when she was a newborn and now her scars consist of a tiny check mark (she calls it a nike swoosh) and a tiny tiny line… and they’re on her back so nobody ever notices them. Something about how the skin moves/expands made them go from her chest to her back so maybe that will happen with Maddie.
heatheribabbles last blog post..I guess this is a ‘blob’
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Mrs. Querido says:
You brought tears to my eyes….beautifully put.
Mrs. Queridos last blog post..Diapers: Evidence of God’s Faithfulness
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Trish says:
And now I’m sobbing at work.
Indeed.
–Trish
Trishs last blog post..Wednesday
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dana says:
You made me cry at work. This is beautiful and I’m gonna link Mommy 4-1-1 to it. *sniff*
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153 Holes In My Heart « Mommy 4-1-1 says:
[...] wrote the most beautiful, heart-stirring post recently. Check out what she has to say about her baby’s “kissing spots.” Keep the tissues handy. [...]
Leslie says:
Jesus – now I’m crying at work too- good thing I work alone!! Frick!
That little girl of yours is precious and so brave and so are you and Mike. I can’t even imagine what it was like for you, Mike, or Maddie but thank you for sharing your journey.
Leslies last blog post..This I do not like
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Mama Kalila says:
That was beautifully written… and made me bawl. I’m glad she is doing well now.
Mama Kalilas last blog post..I’ll Keep It Short – I Promise
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iMommy says:
Oh goodness… what a precious girl, and what a hearbreaking story. I don’t believe it will ever be less hurtful over time, but I hope that your family is always healthy and sound from this point forward. Best wishes to all of you.. and I’d just like to say that I am amazed by your strength, your courage, and also that of your family.
Truly sobering – and it puts a whole different take on my frustrating day with my toddler. Thank you for sharing.
iMommys last blog post..There’s a new four letter word in our house…
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Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants says:
{{tears streaming}}
Alli ~Mrs. Fussypantss last blog post..Fight the Frump -Truthfulness in self portraiting
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Corinna Lyons-Revello says:
Beautifully written. I have a daughter myself and cannot imagine going through that kind of ordeal. It is my worst fear. The photo is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing that.
Corinna
http://www.myscrapbooklife.com
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AlexM says:
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
AlexMs last blog post..EMT: Mobiil-ID flash promo site
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JuliaS says:
Touching post. I had NICU girlie too – one with scars, though not as extensive as your sweet little Maddie’s. I tell my girl (who is now almost 12) that she is the toughest girl I know – she is sweet and kind, but she is tough through and through. It takes a truly strong spirit to endure what these little ones often do. Though, even now, she truly hates people messing with her feet. :0)
Good wishes
JuliaSs last blog post..To Tell You About Hannah
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A Button On A Washboard | The Spohrs Are Multiplying says:
[...] at those ab muscles (those spots up on the left are some of her chest tube scars). Those muscles aren’t just from crawling and growing – they’re from breathing. Her [...]
Then She Said “Doctor, It Hurts When I Go Like THIS” | The Spohrs Are Multiplying says:
[...] My mom (St. Grandma) went with us to see Dr. Looove (Maddie also needed a shot, so I needed moral support). St. Grandma and I were talking about the doctors, and we noticed Maddie was listening intently to [...]