Almost the Worst Day of My Life - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

Photojenics · #1 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005

I had probably the scariest and worst day of my life today.

Gavin (15 months) and I were dozing in the car while waiting for Chelsea (15) who was in a biology co-op class. Gavin was sitting in my lap, and I had the windows down, enjoying our first cool day of fall. Suddenly, Gavin let out a cry of distress. I looked down and his eyes were wide open, but I could tell he wasn't really "there." I thought he was having a nightmare, and started shaking him and calling his name, but got no response.

Suddenly I realized that he felt REALLY hot and was turning a funny color. I jumped out of the car and kept shaking him and calling out his name. As I watched, he turned deathly white and his lips turned blue. At the same time this was happening, the co-op classes were ending and the parking lot was filled with Moms and kids. The mom next to my car realized something was wrong, and sent one of her sons to get Chelsea's teacher, who used to be a nurse.

Chelsea and her teacher came sprinting across the parking lot, while I was totally freaking out. Gavin was completely unresponsive, and I couldn't "feel" him inside his body, he felt like an empty shell. He looked like he was dying...he didn't seem to be breathing and his color was so bad, I thought his heart had stopped.

The teacher helped me to focus and checked to see if he was breathing. At that moment, he started foaming at the mouth and having a seizure. The teacher kept talking calmly, and helped me to keep his airways open. The seizure lasted for about 15 seconds. Finally, his little body went limp and his eyes closed. While this was happening, the other Mom's had already called 911 and had an ambulance on the way. Poor Chelsea was freaked out and scared to death.

A few seconds after the seizure, Gavin opened his eyes again and I could tell that he was "back." He looked exhausted, and was burning up. We only had to wait about 5 minutes for the ambulance to show up. The paramedics looked at him, and they suggested that they take him to the hospital. We ended up spending the rest of this afternoon and evening there, while they ran blood tests and took xrays.

From what we can tell, he seems to have picked up a virus that caused a fever. I had noticed that he felt a little warmish, but he hadn't been sick and was acting normal, if a little tired. The doc said they think that the fever spiked suddenly, causing the seizure. He was 103.8 when we got to the emergency room. They gave him both Tylenol and Motrin, and put him on an IV. I have to alternate between the two every three hours, and take his temperature every hour and keep an eye out for any more spikes because he could have another seizure.

God was really watching over us. If Gavin had had the seizure earlier, there wouldn't have been anyone in the parking lot to help me....and I wouldn't have known where to find someone. The doc said that sometimes babies have fever spikes and seizures and night, and the parents never even know it. I found out tonight, after we got home, that two other families at church reported children suddenly developing high fevers. Since we were at church last night for youth group, I think he must have picked something up while we where there.

We have an appointment first thing with our family doctor tomorrow (Friday) morning. Until then, I foresee a long sleepless night ahead of me. I can hardly go longer than 15 minutes without checking on him...making sure that he's breathing, cool, and the right color!

--

Jen - exhausted in N. TX

avahna · #2 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005

Wow, I hope everything stays on the good/getting better side. I will keep you all in my thoughts.

Dana

danib · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005

I am so sorry, I know I would have totally lost it. Wishing you all the best!

laurieg · #4 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005

Oh my goodness Jen {{{hugs}}} to you! How scary this must've been for you- I can't even imagine. God is so good- I'm so glad that He protected your little guy! I'm gonna say a pray for Gavin right now. {{{more hugs for you}}}

Diamante · #5 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005

OMG!! I'm sure that has to be the scariest moment!! Reading this has made my heart race and brought tears to my eyes just thinking what you have gone through! You and your little man will be in my thoughts and prayers!! Take care!

lanne · #6 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005

Ohhh.. i have just cried reading your post. Kids do spike temps quickly! and they can be really dangerous. Our little one spikes just as quickly as this - no warning and he just throws a temp... often the first sign of any illness. I really do hope this doesn't happen to you again and that all is OK. Take care.... and thank goodness everyone is OK.

Tracey R (Haley64) · #7 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005

Jen...I can honestly say I've been there!! My daughter was around 14 months old, went to bed just fine and healthy. I went in during the night to check on the kids since I also had a 2 month old. I just touched my daughter "Lydia" on the head and she was burning up. In just the light of the full moon I carried her to the living room and laid her on the couch in the moon light (not wishing for her to fully wake up while I cared for her) I saw that her eye's were rolled back in her head and she was gasping like a little fish. I also freaked out, Daddy could barely remember our address when he called 911, thank god we had good first responders in the area who were there within minutes to help settle us down. We lived 45 minutes to the closest hospital and it took the ambulance about 20 minutes just to get to our house!!
Lydia came out of it also within minutes, thankfully and as you said, looked tired and worn and still with a high fever.
At the hospital they told me about children spiking high fever and that anything sudden like a touch of a cool hand, a loud noise...can send them into what they called a Febrial Seizure (not sure of the spelling).
To this day, and now she is almost 13, I still get afraid when she gets sick, she still spikes high temps really fast and gets fevers higher then any of my other 3 kids have ever had. But she has never had another one...Thank-God!! But I tell you what, now when she has a fever, I rarely let her get all covered up with a blanket like they want to do, I make her lay in her undies with just a thin sheet until her fever gets back under control, or to where I feel it's safe!
My heart goes out to you and I am praying that this is and was the last time you will ever witness this horrible occurance.
Tracey

frankcassiesmom · #8 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005

Wow well praise God for how it all turned out!! Oy what a scary thing. May the Lord continue to keep your littles atrong and healthy.

Kim