3 minutes of HELL

My latest post was about mother's day, so I thought I would now share what happened on father's day. Before I get into the details, let me share because I know some critics out there might wander why I am publically sharing this story. It is because had I read a story similar to mine, I may have been able to breathe easier while I experienced a mother's worst nightmare. All the nursing knowledge in the world does not prepare you to deal with a medical scare with one of your OWN children. I want moms who are reading to learn from my story.....and so I am choosing to share.

Unfortunately, this father's day I had to work 7am to 730pm. All day, Kinley had had a VERY low-grade temp. Paul had given her motrin once for a temp, but otherwise he let me know every time I called (I called a lot that day) that she had no other symptoms besides being extra clingy. I remember talked with a few co-workers that day about how wierd it was that Kinley was running a fever off and on for two days and the only remotely noticeable symptom was that she seemed a little more sleepy. As a nurse, all sorts of 'worst-case scenarios' ran through my head. She did not have diarrhea, appear to be in pain from an ear infection, no vomiting, no new teeth, and no respiratory symptoms. So of coarse, as soon as my shift ended I rushed home to attend to my baby.

I arrived at 830pm, and felt her and again she felt just slightly warm. She was smiling, signing, and acting her usual self. I went to change and when I returned, she felt the warmest she has been all weekend. So I actually took her temp, and it was 102.2 ( which is medically considered a fever, but not very high). I gave her motrin, gave her some water, and then went to rock her to bed. There was nothing alarming, but I remember thinking I am definitely bringing her in on Monday because I just had a bad feeling. Kinley could not settle down, she kept closing her eyes then opening them. So I rocked a little longer that night, and it was a good thing I did.

In a split second, she went limp, and started convulsing her entire body. I screamed for Paul and ran to lay her in the hallway ON HER SIDE. Paul immediately called 911. She was turning slightly blue, and would not snap out of it. I knew it was a seizure, so I timed it and just kept rubbing her back, kissing her, and making sure to keep her safe from injurt. I have taken care of so many kids with seizures, but when it is your own kid you can't help but panic and think the worse. I seriously thought I might loose her. I have never felt so helpless in my life. I remember screaming on the top of my lungs for 'God to please help us. The seizure lasted what felt like a lifetime, but was 3 minutes exactly.

When it ended the ambulance arrived. She was breathing, but EXTREMELY out of it. I started to calm down a little when her color came back, but she was not focussing on me and could not talk. Post seizure is called the postictal period, and I knew these symptoms could last an hour or two, but I also knew some seizures could cause brain damage so I was TERRIFIED to say the least. The entire ambulance ride, I could tell she was just as scared. She was now focussing on me when I called her name, but could not talk (which if you know Kinley, this is so not like her). By the time we arrived at the hospital, and got settled in our room, I heard her cry out 'mama', which has never sounded sweeter. I started crying and just hugging and kissing her.

The doctor greeted us and immediately told us the most reassuring news of the night. Febrile seizures, although terrifying to witness, do NOT cause brain damage to the child. I felt my heart beat slow down and my mind settled. She went on to explain that 10% of kids get seizures from fevers. She went on to explain that it does not matter how high the fever is, but instead how fast the temperature rises. Remember, I said from the time I changed my clothes, she went from feeling slightly warm to VERY warm. This was all new knowledge for me, because even though I work on a pediatric floor, we never see febrile seizures because like she said kids typically have one and then they are fine. And she was right. Although, I was rightfully worried about Kinley, she did just fine. Despite the different lab tests they drew, we still don't know what caused her fevers, but none the less she seems to be over what ever viral bug she had....and we are seizure free.

This is not something I wish on any of you, but I hope to illustrate how important it is to treat a fever in a young child, and if they do start seizing, just make sure to keep them safe and rest assured that febrile seizures are 9 times out of 10 not an emergency.

I can't tell you how blessed I am that Paul was home with me. He was able to call 911 while I attended to our daughter, and then the minute he showed up at the hospital, I felt at ease. He was able to rock Kinley to sleep and keep me smiling throughout the whole ordeal. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing man by my side as we experience the ups, downs, twists, and turns of parenthood!!!

So for now that's our latest update because right now I hear a little girl crying for me to come get her out of bed....her cry is music to my ears these days, and I am thrilled beyond words to be able to give her just what she needs at this moment.