New Years Eve we had a scare. I mean, it was so scary. I had no idea what to do, I felt helpless.
On New Years Eve… R came down with a fever. She was pretty warm and lethargic, so we gave her some children’s fever medicine and put her to bed. We were staying up late and watching a movie (cause it’s NYE, gotta stay up late). By 11:30 we heard her mumbling. I thought she was having a nightmare, so I went in to comfort her. This is just the part that I will probably never get out of my head, even though I wish I could… R was laying there, staring up at the ceiling, breathing with shallow breaths, and making a weird mumble sound. My first thoughts, “OMG. She’s can’t breath.” “She’s dying.”
I reached down to pick her up, and she wasn’t responding. Her face was blank. My husband and I ran her into the living room and sat on the ground with her. I was yelling, “Ruari? Ruari! Ruari wake up!” She wasn’t responding. Her lips were blue. Her face was pale. I had so many thoughts running through my head, and I couldn’t help my kid.
Slowly she started coming out of it. Very spacey. Shaking SO bad. Finally started to respond to us. I just completely gave in and started balling. All I was saying, “Hospital. We’re going to the hospital.” My husband didn’t need any pushing, he was already throwing on shoes and grabbing a blanket for R. We rushed to the hospital. It was just a few minutes to the New Year. We waited for the doctor. Hear the “Yay!” and “Happy New Year!” from all the doctor’s and nurses in the empty hospital. The doctor came in. We chatted. He checked out our kiddo. He new exactly what had happened. Our baby had a seizure. OMG. That scared me. What?
Turns out it was a febrile seizure. It’s normal for 2 – 5 year olds to have these with fevers. Not all kids get them, but holy crap… some kids do. AND, it’s scary as shit. I can’t even. The doctor had us hang around for a couple hours. They gave her popsicles, a stuffed puppy, and many stickers. They were fantastic. They made a scary situation less scary for our 3-year-old.
R was better on Tuesday. Still had a fever, but was playing. I’m just so happy that everything is ok. I was so scared. I’m so glad that’s over, and I’ll be more prepared and mentally ready (and nervous as hell) for her next fever.
I hope you all had a great New Year. We ended our 2012 with some craziness. Time to kick off 2013 with good health and happiness.
– Chelsey
Tags: 2012, 2013, emergency, hospital, new years, parenthood, wordless wednesday
Categories: Uncategorized
So I read this earlier – and it scared the socks off me. I know what it is like to be utterly terrified when something is happening with your kiddo and you just can't FIX IT.
I am so glad she is okay. And that you did the right thing and were able to get some answers.
God bless your family with HEALTH in 2013!
Josh had one last month and it was beyond a doubt the scariest thing ever. We were terrified. I had no idea what was going in. I honestly thought he was having a stroke or something and we were losing him. I could get him to open his eyes- they kept rolling back and he couldn't speak or anything. So so scary. We took him to the ER but they just gave him motrin lol. They didn't get our craziness. glad R is ok. I really hope we never experience it again and hope you guys don't either!!!!
Man. So scary. Well, you're not completely crazy. 😉
I had them as a child, and now as I approach 40 years old, some would say I turned out just fine. 🙂
Es had one about two years ago; it was fucking awful but fortunately she's never had another. The ONLY reason I didn't freak out is because my friend's daughter gets them frequently, poor dear, so I knew how to deal with it. I'm so sorry you had to go through that.
I'm happy I know what to expect now. It is pretty lame.
I am too so glad that little R is okay. I know this too well having experienced it with my first child. Terrifying to say the least. Again, glad that she is okay.
Oh my, how scary! So glad she's okay. Until I had kids, I never even knew what fear was. They can evoke such strong emotion, can't they?
Seriously!
Lulu had a really high fever last week – no seizure, but she was lethargic & wouldn't take fluids so we went to the ER, too. Just as an FYI, they make Tylenol suppositories for babies in she can't/won't take the liquid.
What a scare! Glad everyone is okay.
She loves the taste of the children's medicine… so that hasn't been a problem. 🙂
Awww, that IS so scary!! I'm glad that she is okay. I hope that it does not happen again.
Oh my, I'm so sorry you had to go through that! My little one gave me a scare like that today. She has breath holding spells and sometimes has little seizures with them, but she always comes out of the spells and recovers quickly. Today she didn't come out of it like she normally does. She was unresponsive for way longer than normal. We rushed her to the ER. They did some tests and she is ok, but scared the crap outta mommy. Reading this made my heart sink. I know that feeling and it is definitely some scary shit. I'm glad your LO is ok. Hope she's feeling better soon (and you too!)
Oh my goodness! That's scary. 🙁
Scary! My boyfriend's older brother used to have those seizures when he was younger too. Ended up in the hospital quite a few times. I'm so glad she is okay! You guys are such a strong family.
I'm so glad she's okay! Yeah, my mom still talks of the time I had a fever-induced seizure at 6 years old while she was trying to get doctors to see me in the ER waiting room. I had chicken pox and the doctors kept telling her to take me home, and then that happened. I had an infected spot on my chest that had to get lanced that night. That was 22 years ago, and my mom still sounds so freaked when she recalls the story.
So scary!
Oh man, that is some scary shit. My oldest had has fevers where she starts rambling incoherently and that's scary enough but I can't imagine going through what you guys went through. I hope the little lady is feeling much better. Big hugs to all!!!
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So so very scary!!! This is a parents worst nightmare come true. It hurts my heart when my little ones are sick. Having to take them to the ER is even worse. I'm glad to hear she is okay now.
oh my gosh!! so glad that she's ok!!!
(sidenote: I know someone else who's daughters name is Ruari! very cool and unique!)
Really? We met a little girl named Ruari 6 months ago. 🙂
Febrile seizures SUCK, and they are so scary for both parent and child. Now that you know that she is prone to this, you'll be on high alert next time and hopefully you can keep her temp low enough that she doesn't have another one. HUGS honey, I know that cannot have been fun!
I KNOW how scary that was! My "baby" had over a dozen grand mal seizures between 2 and 6. It is the most terrifying thing to see your baby like that. His first was a febrile seizure, but then he had several that were afebrile. One thing I did for a little more peice of mind is to order him a seizure bracelet so whenever he was out of my care (church, etc) they would know what was happening to him if he was to have a seizure while in their care. Not as if you're not freaked out enough as it is, but don't forget that now that she's had a seizure, she MUST be supervised non-stop around water (tub or pool). Let me know if you need any more tips or someone to listen who knows the horror of having it happen.
awww…sweet baby girl. i'm so sorry you/she/your husband had to go through that. terrifying. glad to hear that she's doing okay, tho! and i'm happy that you shared this with your readers…so many of us have young children. if this ever happens to my little zoey {god, i hope not.}…i'll be better prepared. happy new year, darlin.
I wish I had known about febrile seizures before, so I do hope it helps!
So scary! I am so glad she is feeling better.
For some reason that just made it seem so much more traumatic then I recall them being when my son had them. (he had them pretty regularly until he outgrew them). I hope Mia doesn't follow in his footsteps and it was just a one time thing, I pray the same thing for Ruari! No parent should ever have to witness their child having a seizure, but as I keep telling family and friends, when I know so much sadness is going on in the world, I was thankful it was "just" a febrile seizure!
It has been FOREVER since I've commented on your blog, but I've followed for quite some time now (because Ruari and my daughter are so close in age), but I had to cmment after reading this…Mia, my almost 3 year old (her birthday is 1/18/13), also had a febrile seizure on New Years Eve! "Luckily" my son (he's almost 7)had them from the time he was 11 months until he was 3 years old, so I knew right away what was happening, but because it was her first, we still called 911 and were rushed by ambulance to the local emergency room. They had to poke and prode her SO much 🙁 to rule out anythign else, but she tested positive for a strain of the flu, which caused a fever, which caused the seizure! I was actually giving her a bath when it happened! 🙁
Oh my goodness. I can't believe we both spent out NYE that way. I'm so happy your baby is ok! <3
gosh that is horribly scary and so glad that she's ok
That sounds absolutely terrible!! I'm glad she is ok – and hopefully you will not have to experience that, ever again.
I hope so, too.
so glad she's ok! This same seizure happened to a friend of mine…I can't imagine the scariness!!
Ruby had one when she was 18 months. I am crazy about treating any fever with her now. Totally scary. Glad little R is ok 🙂
Oh man. I will be crazy with fevers now, too.
So glad your daughter is OK. It sounded like you kept your head and did the right thing.
Sort of kept my head. There was a LOT of crying… on my part.
That sounds terrifying! Thank you for sharing though. I have a 20 month old. Hopefully this will help me if I ever go through the same thing.
I hope it never happens. BUT, if it does… hopefully you'll be prepared. 🙂
So glad to hear she is okay Mama. What a nightmare!
Febrile seizures are definitely scary! My now 7 year old had 2 when she was smaller. I'll never forget how frightening they were. I hope your little one is feeling better!
Oh man. It's scary that they are normal, but helps to learn other mama's have gone through this. <3
I'm so glad she's okay. Such a scary ordeal! Lots of hugs to you guys.
Thank you. ::virtually hugging back::
I'm SO sorry for you. Just reading this made my heart in my throat.
My wee one had a fever that I couldn't get down the week before Christmas, I wasn't too concerned until the pediatrician said they should see her. They warned me about the possibility of seizures from fevers. I will never take them lightly again after reading this. I wish I could give you all a big hug. How scary!!! I'm So So sorry. Glad she's doing better. what a brave, strong lil one, just like her mama.
She's fine today, thank goodness. Still had a fever last night… . and I had a hard time sleeping. Glad your kiddo is better, too!
My thoughts are with you. Last new years, my daughter (who was 1 at the time) was sleeping with me because she'd been so sick, when all of a sudden she started seizing. I sent my other daughter to call the ambulance, but it felt like it took so long for her to come out of it. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. It still makes me paranoid whenever she gets sick again, wondering if it'll happen again.
I hope that she feels better soon.
Oh man! I'm sorry you went through that. I hope we don't have to experience it again.
Scary Shit is right….jess!
J http://lifelovesand.blogspot.ie/
Normal?! To have a seizure with a fever? Eeeeeek, so scary!! So sorry your experienced that! I would have been out of my mind scared. Thank goodness it wasn't something more serious!
Yes. Normal. I do not like that it is normal!!!
Eeek! I've heard of that happening to kiddos of other friends. Sounds so scary. Sorry you had to endure all that, and glad she's all better now! xoxo
Thank you. <3
My goodness, what a scary scenario for you and your husband. My husband (he's 31) suffered two seizures about a week ago. He has never had a seizure before, so of course we were both terrified when it happened. Following an ambulance ride to the ER, the doctor confirmed that a bad mix of pain meds was the culprit. There is comfort in knowing his two seizures were preventable and they won't randomly occur. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh my goodness! So hard watching someone you love go through that. I'm happy he's ok!
Couldn't agree with you more! Yes, he is doing much better, thank you 🙂 I will say that this scary experience reminded me of what is important (family, friends, love) and what is not (dirty socks on the bedroom floor, an overflowing garbage can).
Oh no! Poor baby. That would be absolutely terrifying. I'm so glad she feeling better.
So glad she is ok! I have heard of those fever seizures and they sound awful 🙁
Oh my God, reading this was like major deja vu. My son had a febrile seizure at 12 months after getting his immunizations. I remember how devastating it was and how absolutely terrified I was. I'm so sorry you had to go through that! I'm so glad she is okay. Happy new year right?
I blogged about my experience too… http://sweet-green-tangerine.blogspot.com/2012/08…
I teared up reading your story, so scary!
i'm so sorry that you had to go through this. 🙁 i know firsthand how scary that is to watch your child go through. ugh. blessings to you and your family and may the rest of your new year be brighter. <3
I'm happy to know what it is now. It will be less scary when it happens…. but I bet I'll still take her to the ER. cause: scary!
This totally made me tear up!! Wow, SO scary!! And I'm SO glad she's ok. Cheers to a new year… and health! 🙂
At least I know it can happen now… I had never heard of it before that night. :/
OMG. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. That sounds so scary! I'm glad she is feeling better though.
oh, that would be incredibly scary! my girls never had febrile seizures, but I've had friends who kids have. it really is scary. i'm so glad they could get it under control and she is doing better!
Scary stuff. Glad she is ok.
Oh wow, that is so scary! I'm glad she's ok, I don't know what I would have done in that situation 🙁
Oh how scary!! I'm glad she's ok and you guys too!! It takes awhile to get over something like that!
Yeah, I had a dream someone was screaming last night. I woke up, everyone was asleep.
omigosh that would be horrific! So glad its over with.. and was resolved pretty quick… wishing you guys a very warm, healthy
New Years indeed!
xx
mel
needle and nest
Thank you.
Oh poor girl!!!! <3 Sounds very scary!
Our friends' girl had that too few times. 🙁
So so sorry you all went through that. When I worked in child care a two year old in my classroom spiked a fever and had a seizure. It was the scariest thing I have ever witnessed in a toddler. I think more and more people are becoming aware that they can happen, but it is absolutely terrifying to watch. I hope Rauri continues to feel better and you guys don't have to experience another episode like this!
Goodness, that would be scary. You are watching over other parent's babies… and one has a seizure. Ahh!
Hope your 2013 is filled with health and happiness! 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
Oh my goodness…what a scary experience! I'm so glad she's ok <3
How incredibly terrifying. I don't know what I would do. We just moved to Tanzania for my husband's job and there is no adequate emergency medical care anywhere (We would have to be airlifted to South Africa or Germany). On Christmas Eve we realized our distillery broke (which provides us with potable water) and my husband was puking/pooping his brains out. I had given some of the water from it to our baby before I realized it was broken. I was in panic mode for about 24 hours, but thankfully she only had one little bout of diarrhea. It made me realize how scary not having a hospital nearby is. I could only imagine if something like that were to happen. Yikes. I'm so glad your daughter is okay.
Oh my goodness! That is so scary. We have a quick drive to the hospital, I can't imagine what it's like not having anything in driving distance. :/
Holy cannoli that is scary!! I remember when my daughter had a fever that was 104 when she was about 3 and it scared the crap out of me. She was pretty much lifeless with the fever, rushed her to the hospital, and the diagnosis was strep throat. Scariest thing ever when you have to take your baby to the ER. I sure hope R is feeling better super soon! I'll be sending up some prayers and happy thoughts your way! Happy 2013!
Taking your kiddo to the ER is so scary. <3