The Bailey Seven: July 2011

Well it started out as a normal Wednesday morning at EMS. The medic and I were called out for a "lift assistance" of a older fellow who needed help. After he was safe and taken care of the secretary says to me "Don't worry but Jacob is at the station with a BB stuck in his left ear." WHAT??? He is at the station right now??? Yes, but don't worry everything is fine and the other medic is taking care of it, and your Dad is with him. I say okay, and after a series of other events I finally get back to the station. The medic has tried to suction it out but has not been able to get it. He has already called the ER to see who was on call and talked to the NP (Nurse Practitioner) that was on duty. She numbed his ear, and said she was going to try one time. She attempted once without success and suggested to take him to Vandy Peds (as we locals call it). So my wonderful Mom loads up Jacob, meets Steve at a gas station and heads to Nashville. Three different Doctors try to get the BB out. None were successful and Jacob was crying and in pain by this time. The BB is getting farther and farther in there. By the time they left the ER the BB was next to his ear drum. They gave him some antibiotic drops so it wouldn't get infected. Thursday morning I get home and call the ENT Dr. and make an appt. for Friday afternoon at 4:00 pm. That same evening the Dr. actually calls my home to verify that I had an appt., check to see if Jacob is in pain, and see if I had any questions. I was AMAZED!!! So Friday morning, Steve and I do some odd and ends around the house. We also get in touch with Steve's sister who happened to be coming to visit. She was on her way and would be here to watch the other 4 children. PRAISE GOD! Then we headed to Nashville about noon. Of course since Jacob was actually being put under he hasn't been able to eat anything since supper on Thursday and only clear liquids Friday morning. Being the kind parents that we are we didn't have the heart to stop and eat anything either! =)

Jacob on his way to Nashville.

Vanderbilt Children's Hospital

We arrived at the hospital, registered and waited for about 20 minutes.

Jacob watching Tombstone...his favorite movie

The Rascal Flatts Surgery Center

We were called back to the prep room. While Jacob's vitals were taken, and we verified allergies, etc, the Drs. (ALL 7) came to talk to us, explain the procedure, see if we have questions, etc. They also told Jacob that they wouldn't even put in an IV unless necessary, which he was VERY happy about. So we put his gown on...which he LOVED!

Jacob and Mom before heading back to the surgery.

Then they put the rails up and away they rolled. What a strange, awful, humbling feeling it was to watch my son be wheeled away in the opposite direction of the way in which I was lead. I had complete trust in the Drs, after-all it wasn't a big procedure or anything but I was still very glad I hadn't eaten anything in a while! After about 20 minutes, anesthesia and all, they had the BB out and we were told that he is headed to recovery and the would come get us in a few minutes.

Jacob waking up...

Another 20 minutes and we were able to go back and see the groggy little fellow. They said he did very well and he woke up nicely. They fed him some cherry icee and monitored him for about 10 minutes and said he could go home!

Per his request they wheeled him all the way out of the hospital. But once we got to the waiting room there was our friend, Rob Bailey waiting to give Jacob a hug and a goodie bag! What a blessing his friendship is to us and our children. The love we share for Christ bonds us eternally!

So with relieved parents he headed home and stopped by McDonald's to grab a bite to eat. All went amazingly well. I hope to NEVER have to go through anything like this again, but if I do it will be at Vanderbilt once again!

Here is Jacob on the hour long ride home, coloring in his new coloring book and feeling better all the time. He was never in any pain since he woke up and even now never complains at all.

We arrived home to the other children, Steve's sister and niece. Jacob was SO happy to see Crystal...I think it made his day so much better!

So, that is the story of the BB in Jacob's ear....How did it get in there you ask??? He stuck it in there by accident...that is his story and he is sticking to it!

Thankful that even minor mishaps turn out fine.

This year our vacation consisted of visiting friends in 3 different states. We started out heading to Texas. We have friends there we have known for 16+ years. It was very hot and dry there. One day we saw 113 degrees on a bank sign! We celebrated 4th of July with them but it was so dry we couldn't have any fireworks! We enjoyed our time with the Mullens very much. We also took the children to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor while we were there. They loved that!

We all gathered around the flag pole, sang, prayed, and thanked God for allowing us to live in this fine Country. It was a great experience.

Here is the patriotic Bailey Family celebrating America's 235 Birthday! From there we headed to Kansas to visit more friends, the Belchers! Steve went to collage with Tim, so they have known each other awhile! =) In a near by town they have an awesome city park. They have a carousel for a nickel! That is .5 cents people! Steve had never been on one before...so we rode twice!

They also live on a farm so we got to help them work their cattle. They needed shots, wormed and tagged. It was a fun experience even though the children gave up on like the 5th cow! Steve and I stuck through till the end!

This was before we started working them. They would just come right over to you! I guess once they know you are going to poke holes in their ears they aren't so ready to come right over!

Helping out...

Cowboy Jake. He was out there almost the entire time! He enjoyed watching, but this mommy wouldn't let him get to close.
From Kansas we headed to COLORADO! Our final destination and where we would spend the remaining week. After the HOT weather in Texas and Kansas, Colorado was beautiful! It was about 70-80 in the day and about 50 at night.