One Of Those Mornings

It is one of those mornings today. I slept on average 2 hours earlier. For some reason my son was unusually hyper in the early morning. He slept last night by 11 pm. Then woke up two hours later. He kept on fussing and fussing. I could tell he has this energy that need to be expended.

Last year I would try to put him back to sleep by rocking him in my arms, singing to him. When he was in that hyper state of energy,  these methods usually did not work. He would still be up during my attempts two hours later. His wide eyes staring at me, wanting to wiggle out from my arms and wanting to do something more.  

Today I learnt to let go and make peace whenever he is in this state. For one thing, Prof Ng has shared with me that some Biliary Atresia babies and toddlers do not have a normal sleeping rhythm because their liver is out of rhythm, so to speak. 

There were rare moments he slept through the night, from 11pm till 8 or 9am the next day. Oh, how rested I was. Although he may wake up a few times in the night, but he can be easily soothe back to sleep.

This early morning however, he wanted to wake up and move! So, I allowed him to crawl over to the chair and cabinets because he used them as a support to stand. He would talk to me. I would sometimes try to understand him. Sometimes I would say, yes, yes. Sometimes I would be honest and tell Patrick - I don't understand you. I am sorry. Usually that would either cause him to "explain" more in baby talk or he gives me a look and turn his attention away to toys among others. 

When he finally went to sleep by 5ish am today, I finally dropped into dreamland until I woke up by 7.30am by his cries. When I tried to soothe him back to sleep that's when I noticed one of his ears were bleeding.

Photo taken today of my attempts to try to stop his bleeding in his ear.

His jaundice induced itchiness can sometimes caused him to scratch until he injured his skin. Usually would be the forehead and ears area. This morning, it was one of his ears. Quickly I tried to stop the bleeding. 

After attempting a few times of stopping the bleeding (I timed myself 2 minutes on two attempts), the bleeding still continued. Then I tell myself - just go by feeling or instinct how long I need to press the tissue against that wound. So, I started reciting seconds aloud. Until I reached 197 seconds, then I felt I should stop. When I observed the wound, no more blood seeping out. Thank goodness.

There were moments his jaundice can cause intense itching (pruritus). It can be so bad until his sleep was affected. His teary eyes with cries to help him feel better always put me into action. I would massage his body. I may use a baby moisturiser on his body. I would sing to him. I assured him, "Don't worry. Mummy will try to make you feel better."

Sometimes the methods I tried don't help. I would then read to him, or encourage him with toys and so forth. We both would wait until his sudden rise in bilirubin in his bloodstream lessen.  Then he no longer would scratch. We did have a medication prescribed to help him ease off the itchiness. However, my husband mentioned that using too much of that would contribute further to deterioration of the liver. Until it affected his sleep, then we used the medication. Luckily, that state rarely happen. 

Today one of those mornings, my sleep much affected. More than a year of this. Sometimes I could feel exhaustion clung onto my skin like an elephant glue. My mind in a state of tiredness that made me incapable to have a proper thought. I would always make a joke to my friends when I found myself reach to an exhausted state that I have become zombie-fied.

Zombie Mama....

Luckily I had time to meditate and pray while Patrick sleeps. Yet if sleeping more essential rest than meditation and prayers, then I would listen to my body and sleep away.

Earlier I manage to have at least half an hour of meditation and prayers. Although I no longer felt as exhausted, tiredness still a part of me now which I find it manageable. Luckily I no longer work. How could I when my daily average of sleep is three hours? I marvel mothers who juggle work, marriage and family together. 

Looking at my son sleeping soundly now, my heart opens like a sunflower facing the sun. No matter how tired I can get, seeing him with a rested face is a reward for me. Sleep well, my son.