Skip to main content

Deep Breath

The low oxygen is no longer a mystery. Blood tests confirm that everything is okay and that Ricky simply needs to practice some deep breathing. 

Often, when a person experiences trauma, is in extreme pain, or is sedentary for a long period of time (in Ricky's case all three apply), the person will breathe in short, shallow breaths. Ricky has been avoiding deep breathing since the accident. The MRI scans from yesterday show his lungs as kind of flattish (I know that's not really a word, but hey, it's 11:30 pm).

In order to remedy this, Ricky needs to fill those lungs with air. That's extremely difficult when it hurts so bad to breathe, but if he wants to get those "dumb oxygen things" out of his nose and if he wants to go home, he needs to do just that. We have been trying to make a game of it. He is much better at it when he has visitors. He's a good performer for company. When our whole family was in the room tonight, it was the happiest I saw him all day. So, even though it was squishy in the room and kind of stressful for me and Rick, I think it did Ricky good to have all that action. He is a sweet boy who just loves to be around people, especially his family.

The brace should arrive around noon tomorrow. I have promised to bring Ricky a jelly donut from Dunkin Donuts if he will keep doing his breathing (and to entice him with something to eat as he still doesn't have much of an appetite). Maybe he can come home by tomorrow night.

Until then, we will all practice some deep, stress-relieving breathing. 

Comments

Kristy said…
I am so sorry your family is going through this right now. Ricky is a strong little boy. I know it can be stressful but many prayers of peace and quick healing are with all of you. So many people love your family, and I hope that you are letting those who live near you help relieve some of your burden. Sending love to all of you.
January 3, 2014 at 5:47 AM
Deanna said…
Praying for you guys!!
January 3, 2014 at 1:53 PM
Jenn S said…
Sweet boy! Tell him to be brave and strong! We love that happy boy of yours...and tell Andrew that his buddy Clayton said to get feeling better too! Bless all of your hearts!
January 3, 2014 at 4:50 PM
Unknown said…
We are so sorry to hear about this accident. I'm sure that Ricky will be spoiled with love and attention especially when he gets home. We will pray for a fast recovery for him.
January 3, 2014 at 5:12 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

That Sinking Feeling - Real Talk From Your Mother

Also found at Letters from the Nest:   https://open.substack.com/pub/lettersfromthenest/p/that-sinking-feeling?r=48qui&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web Dear Nestlings, I hope you don’t mind a little stream-of-consciousness letter today. I don’t know if I have anything specific to share, so let’s see what floats to the surface. It’s a bright fall Friday morning. These last few weeks in central Pennsylvania have been lovely, sunny, and warm. I know winter is coming, so I try to be outside as much as possible to take advantage of the sun before it hibernates. I just completed the forty-minute round trip to drive one of you to the high school. You know who you are, but maybe in a few years, when you read this, you won’t know because every one of you has missed the bus sometimes and has endured lectures about planning better and showing your respect for my work by not requiring forty minutes of my life for your convenience. Anyway, everybody is at school and work except...
Post a Comment
Read more

Gavin in a Million Words or Less

 Way back when Emily was in 6th grade, her teacher, Ms. Grey, asked parents to write about thier children in a million words or less. I posted what I wrote about Emily on our blog. I wish I were more organized and tech-savvy to find the link to that post and put it here, but I'm not. It's a nice idea that maybe I'll do later. Anyway, you get to read what I wrote to Gavin's fifth grade teacher who made the same requests of parents: Gavin is the youngest of seven children. His three oldest siblings have flown the nest, so he talks to them on the phone and looks forward to holiday visits. This summer, his oldest sister had a baby, so he’s an Uncle! He has three older brothers, who sometimes make life tricky for him, but are also sources of wisdom, rides to the store to get candy, and annoying TikTok phrases. He sometimes wants to be more grown up than he actually is. This little guy is academically oriented. He loves to read BIG books. He rarely reads a standalone nove...
Post a Comment
Read more

Back To School Meanies

 Letter From the Nest August 15, 2025 https://open.substack.com/pub/lettersfromthenest/p/back-to-school?r=48qui&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web One August, more than twenty years ago, at an evening book club discussion, my “older” friends (now I look back and know those women were the age I am now), were discussing the woes and triumphs of back-to-school season. One woman was anticipating her youngest child’s senior year of high school. She said, “For more than two decades, our lives have revolved around the school district’s academic calendar. I don’t know how I will plan my life without knowing about school breaks or holidays.” I remember her bittersweet tone as she anticipated freedom from school schedule constraints but also mourned how those constraints guided her choices. What would she do? Other women joined the discussion, wondering if their kids would have good teachers, if they’d be able to balance volunteering in the classroom, how to streamline school supply pu...
Post a Comment
Read more