Every morning we as moms wake up to start our day. For the most of us these days follow our typical schedule and by the end of the day we are laying in our beds thanking God for one more day on this earth, for having healthy children, and for all of the many blessings that we are blessed with. After these prayers we snuggle in tightly and and wake up in the morning to repeat. However, during the day there were many moments of frustration over bills, housework, dinner, and the little every day things of life.
I am one of these moms. I have a cardiac baby, but nothing that has caused any issues since she was 12 weeks old. I wake up every day grateful for the blessing of being able to have a typical day. Being able to snuggle in my bed at night thankful for every blessing that I am blessed with. The only worry I am faced with is how crowded my bed has become, because a certain little toddler girl doesn’t agree with me on the fact that she should remain in her toddler, princess bed at night ~ even if it is literally RIGHT NEXT TO MOMMY.
Yesterday my day started out just like any other day. I woke up and had no idea what major turn my day would be taking. Ella has a condition called Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome. You can read all about her story with that {HERE}. Ella is on a medication to regulate this heart problem called Flecainide, which is a powerful drug that regulates her heart beat. It keeps it from going fast.
Little Miss Ella decided that she was going to pull out the drawers and climb up to get her medicine off of the counter. Her child proof medicine cap is not on it. It’s a blue cap that you can pull the top off to put the syringe in to make it easier to fill it. Now, I will refuse this easier cap. She drank her medicine. We don’t know exactly how much, but pretty quickly she was out of it and having a hard time keeping her head up and eyes open.
We jumped in the car and I drove about 90 to the hospital while my husband kept slapping her face to keep her awake. I was praying and praying and praying that she would be okay. We went to the hospital in Ashland, because it’s closer than Rogue Valley. Once they got the IV in they had an ambulance show up to transport her to RVMC where she could be in the PICU. Her BP was low, her HR was low, but we were all thinking that maybe she just needed to sleep this medicine off and she would be okay.
Boy, were we all wrong. Upon arrival to RVMC she finally woke up and sat up and was crying telling us, “All done! All done!” while doing the sign language for all done as well. I literally could feel my heart aching inside of my chest for my precious little princess. Right then she started to throw up, and in the middle of throwing up her eyes got big and bulgy and it seemed like she wasn’t breathing. The nurse grabbed her and I FREAKED! I ran out of the room crying hysterically, dropping down and praying like I’ve never prayed before. All I could hear was “CALL IT! CALL IT!” then CODE something being called. Then my head started spinning and in my mind I knew she was dying at that moment.
At this point I was sitting behind the nurse’s desk with my head in my hand praying for God to just please not take my precious baby girl away from me. I didn’t want to move, because I didn’t want to feel the pain that was going to hit me the minute I realized she was gone.
They had a lady from social services and come hug me so tightly and tell me that she’s breathing on her own. Her HR is low, but she’s breathing on her own. They were trying to get me to slow down my breathing because I was on the verge of hyperventilating. I’d never been more happy when they told me, “Mom, she’s waking up and she needs to see you right now.” I went over and I could tell that she recognized me, and when she said, “All done!” I was so relieved that the seizure didn’t defeat her!
After this we were informed that Ella would be mediflighted to Portland where they can keep an extra close eye on her heart. This medication messed up the rythmia of her heart and things were just not looking great.
At 2am the Panda team from Portland had arrived and Ella and I got inside of the ambulance and loaded up on a tiny airplane and got to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital around 4am. Ever since we’ve been here she’s gotten better and better. As of right now we’re planning a morning release. She had another EKG done and we haven’t received the results, but I’m praying that everything is back to normal!
Moments like these make us stop and appreciate what we have. Sometimes I might take everyday for granted, because I wake up and do the same thing every day. My days run together, but when life throws you a curve ball like this, you clutch your heart and thank God for every second you have with the ones you love. You NEVER know when you wake up in the morning what events will take.
Instead of complaining and getting stressed about the bills, the house, the mess, dinner….. just take a deep breath and be thankful that you are having one of those days when you’re doing the same thing you do every day, because it could be so much worse. You could be having to pray for the life of your child.
Wow! I can't even imagine what you went through that night… I am so happy that she's ok now!! See, prayer works!!
she is doing ok – I remember all to well the panic of the moment a code whatever is called. Our prayers are with you.
Heh – I meant to say: Glad she is doing ok 🙂
What a nightmare, but thank God she's doing fine now!
I know what you felt like, because I had two scary experiences with my younger boys years ago. The first was when my youngest (then 16 months old) had seizures and was hospitalized for 3 days. At least he didn't have a heart problem on top of that!
Then two years later, my son James, who was 7 1/2 at the time, was hit by a car and spent 4 months recovering between the hospital and a body cast. He's 22 now. I can remember giving him a hug on the 10th anniversary of the accident and thanking God I still had him.
You are so right. Daily stress might get to us, but in the big picture of life, can anything be better than a healthy, happy child?
(Not to mention how cute your daughter is!)
Oh, sweetie…I had tears in my eyes reading this story. I'm so sorry that it was so scary. I am glad she's okay…. hugs, hugs, hugs to you!!!!!!
Your story brought tears…I am still wiping them away. I know what you are saying..My son once coded on us too–I screamed and cried till a nurse told us they had him breathing again. This was years ago–he is now 26, but has lots of medical complications that always keep us on our toes.
You are so right about not taking a single day for granted.
Hugs. So happy your little girl is going home!
OMG I am just in tears after reading this. I really can't even imagine. I hope things are going better. WIll be praying for you guys.
– I found your blog via twitter!
That is so scary. I am glad to hear she is doing better, and I hope that you get to take her home soon!
Oh wow Amanda I'm soo sorry. Man kids sure know how to throw those curveballs don't they? I will be keeping her and you in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad she is ok and she is going to be ok. Ugh it's times like these as a parent that I realize how some parents go mad lol
Moved me to tears. Yes, it is a good reminder to be thankful for the typical days, I to am very grateful for the typical days. Gives me strength for the long ones.
oh my….what a story! i am just so thankful of the outcome. she is lucky her mama is such a wonderful prayer warrior! blessings on the road ahead 🙂
I am so glad she's ok! How scary. I just want to give you both a big hug.