2/05/2007

From bad to worse

First of all, thanks to everyone for your sympathy, your stories and your prayers. I promise this is the last time I'll write about our current sickness. I hope.

Over the weekend, Keith and I both had a little visit from the flu fairy, fortunately we were each worse on different days. Even with his fever remaining fairly high, Ethan's behavior finally began to return to it's normal crashing, banging, jumping off the furniture state. So, at least he is recovering.

Last night, Drew was pretty fussy so I took his temp. and it was high. Even though we gave him Tylenol every four hours, his fever would rise significantly in between doses and he was miserable. Another fitful, fearful night's sleep for us all.

This morning, Drew's temperature rose to 103.6 and he wasn't due for more medicine so I called his pediatrician to check up on a dosage of Motrin to alternate with the Tylenol. I left a message for the nurse and went to take a shower. Keith was holding Drew and rocking him at this point and suddenly I heard him yell out, "I think Drew's having a seizure!"

Sure enough, his head was falling backward and his eyes rolling back as his whole body silently fixed and shook. Even though I knew what was happening and the likely reason for it, it was unbelievably scary. When he began to turn blue around his mouth and we weren't sure if he was breathing, Keith called 911 and I attempted to do some rescue breathing which may or may not have been necessary. He came out of it soon after that and began making little noises so we knew he was ok. The whole seizure was probably only two or three minutes but seemed a long, slow torture.

Sometimes it's nice to live within a stone's throw of the fire-station. The ambulance arrived within two minutes. They checked Drew's vitals and whisked us away to the E.R. Keith and Ethan stayed behind and Keith told me later that Ethan burst into tears as we pulled away. "How come I don't get to go in the ambulance?", he wailed. Keith explained that Drew was very sick. "But I'm sick TOO! It's not fair!"

We spent a couple hours or so at the hospital with poor, sleepy Drew getting poked and prodded, x-rayed and monitored. Febrile seizures are fairly common and he is ultimately ok but I would be very happy never to experience such excitement again.

14 comments:

Booker said...

oh man! Well, at least Ethan didn't get all scared about what was happening...

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry you had to experience that.When it comes to your babies minutes do truely turn into hours. Your boys are so cute. We miss all of you a lot.

KJ said...

Oh my goodness! You poor, dear people! Praying for you!

~jenna said...

oh liane, so glad that drew is ok, and that YOU have recovered too, from the stress :)

Claire said...

I can't believe that! I'm so sorry. I hope you've picked yourself up off the floor by now or scraped yourself off the ceiling or whichever it is....And MAN! The FLU FAIRY!!! You guys get ALL the drama! I don't even want to know what you had to leave under the pillow...or what you got in return. EW.

brandywine said...

Yikes!! I pray that life gets more boring, soon.

the Joneses said...

My hands feel clammy just thinking of watching a child experience something like that. I'll be praying that God banishes the nasty flu fairy.

And leave it to Ethan to insert a bit of pathetic humor into the crisis.

-- SJ

JJ said...

Land sharks! Are you sure you aren't making this stuff up?! Your poor family! At least you live in a town where you know you are being rescued by the best ambulances money can buy. So glad Drew's okay...hope you all get well sooner rather than later!

Anonymous said...

Ah! How did you handle that?! I would have fainted! Kisses to Drew and Ethan, Hugs to you and Keith, sounds like you need them!

Anonymous said...

Oh my god! So awful! I hope the little guys are feeling better today. What a horrible sort of lack-of-control kind of situation to be in.

Stephanie said...

How frightening! I am glad that he is okay and that everyone is atleast headed towards wellness. It's hard when mom and dad are sick as well. Ugh! I hope you all are 100% better soon.

kat said...

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through, it is definately scary. I am going through similar, thankfully though no seizures yet. We are praying for quick recovery.

Shari said...

That would be a terrifying experience! I'm praying that you're all 100% soon!

Cara said...

I'm so thankful that Drew is okay. Seizures are probably worse for the person watching them...it's horrible. I would find it such a relief that the ambulance could get to my house so fast. I'm glad you guys have them so near.