Saturday, September 12, 2009

One Scary Night

Last night The Hulk woke up around 2:00 a.m. I figured he woke up and was so upset because he had soaked his diaper and pj's. So I changed him and put him in bed with me. He felt a little warm but not bad. Then about 2:30 I felt him shaking and thought he was shivering. But he wasn't. He was making a horrible sound and when I flipped on the light I saw it was a seizure. That is a vision and a sound I could never hear again and it would be too soon. I immediately called 911 and tried to keep him comfortable and safe until the ambulance arrived.

The 911 dispatcher was amazing and four EMT's arrived in about 5 minutes (but it felt like 2 hours). They quickly rushed him to the ambulance and then the hospital. By the time we got in the ambulance he stopped seizing (it lasted about 15-20 minutes total). But he was still really rigid and not with it. But he was finally screaming instead of making the other weird seizure sound. What a beautiful scream it was! I'd listen to that scream all day. That means oxygen to me and I was so worried he would quit breathing.

My best friend Darby who is also an ER nurse met us at the hospital. Originally they were going to transfer him to a children's hospital in a bigger city. But as time past he became more alert. Still lethargic but not so ridgid and he started reacted to us and following us with his eyes, moving his head, etc. They were running labwork and did a CT scan of his beautiful brain. None of the results showed any injury, infection, etc. Though he did have a fever.

So about 7:30 this morning they let me bring him home. They believe that it is probably a seizure caused by his fever which is probably caused by a virus. Supposedly it is fairly "normal" for some small children to have seizures from fevers. I'm hoping that we never again fall into that normal category. So I'm just supposed to attempt to manage his fever well and keep it down, push fluids, and encourage rest. All things I can do. They didn't mention never leaving him alone even when sleeping or keeping your hand on him at all times while he sleeps but I added those directions myself. I don't know if I can bring myself to put him to bed alone for awhile.

I'm just so thankful that he is okay. I was so very scared last night. More scared than I have ever been. I felt so helpless. And when he didn't seem to know I was there and couldn't respond to me I was terrified. What a horrible moment in time. I'm just so very very relieved that he is home with me and resting comfortably on his favorite blanket a few feet from me. We are blessed!

Clickin Mama

4 comments:

Melba said...

OMG I cannot even begin to imagine how terrified you must have been during those moments. And to be alone with him, well...that just had to be so very scary.

It's like you said on my blog the other day...I feel like I know you even though we've never met. My heart was racing as I was reading this post...I was so scared of what you were going to say!

I'm so thankful that he's OK today, and that you survived the experience as well, but I will keep you both in my prayers. Do you have any idea how high his fever was when he had the seizure? They tell you not to worry about it too much unless it's really high, like over 104, but this makes me wonder.

Fevers in very young children have always kind of scared me anyway...I can't imagine what I would have done or how I would have felt if I had been in your shoes.

BIG hugs,

Melba

jodilee0123 said...

Oh my! That is so scary!! You just have your sweet little angel sleep next to you as long as you have too! I will keep your family in my prayers. I can't imagine. . . and I'm so sorry you had to go through that! You are an awesome mom!

Michelle said...

watching my friend's seizures is scary enough, i'm sorry you went through it with your son.

i say let him be with you as often as you want, even at night if it means you can keep an eye on him.

prayin for both of you!

Janis said...

You poor thing! How scary. I remember when Bekah had her seizure back in January how scared I was and that was at 9 in the AM and I have worked with clients with seizures for almost 20 years...it's quite different when it's your own child. For her they just chalked it up to dehydration. Now we constantly push fluids on her - especially when she is sick. there are still moments when she is laying on the floor and still I like yell to make sure she is responding. Not sure I will ever get over that.

So glad he is doing fine! You're such a good mama!!! :)