Today was supposed to be my first day of the Isagenix cleanse. I was going to start along with Kath and her hubby but, as it often does, life had other ideas.
On Friday afternoon I took my sick little girl into the emergency at Sick Kids referred by our local walk-in clinic. I wasn't too concerned thinking this was merely a precaution. After all, she was a healthy, energetic kid. She was, however, getting really sick - high fever, lethargy, cough - so the visit was not a bad idea...just in case.
I knew it was bad when, despite the crowd in the waiting room, we were whisked into a room in emergency and immediately seen by a doctor. And, she was getting worse. She was barely waking and when she did she would say "I can't handle it anymore". Yikes.
After a few hours of tests, IV fluids, and x-rays she was found to have a very pronounced case of pneumonia. But, they assured me, only a small percentage of kids have to be admitted to hospital. We would be home shortly.
However, when they came to check on her again they looked concerned. She was not responding and her oxygen saturation was dangerously low. She would have to stay for observation for 24 hrs. No biggie. No worries.
But, at 10:38pm worrying was exactly what I was doing (and crying and just plain freaking out) because she was transferred to the Resuscitation Room. This room's name is enough to cause a major mommy freak out but the sight of it took it to a whole other level. It was sanitized with metal and machines everywhere. It was one of those rooms on shows like ER or Trauma, Life in the ER that they take those critical patients. I was scared to death.
She had 4 doctors including the ICU doctor, the Respiratory Therapist, and 2 nurses observing and consulting and I was told that if she didn't stabilize she would have to be admitted to ICU and put on a ventilator. WHAT?! How did this happen? How did it get so bad so fast?
Luckily, she did stabilize and we were moved to a general pediatric ward and put in isolation. She was so sick. She was on ventilin and oxygen with IVs and monitors everywhere. She was so small and so extraordinarily brave. She barely cried (although she did scream at one of the nurse to get away from her when she was trying to swab her eyes). Even when her tired and scared mommy pulled out her IV on a trip to the bathroom and blood poured from her open vein she simply declared "Mom? Look at all the blood. Ahhhhh, don't tell me I'm going to die now."
These are the times when I see the value of her strength and determination. Where being sure of yourself and strong in your convictions and confident in your abilities has major advantages. Her small little self was not taking any crap.
Well, 4 days later we are home. A little tired. A little weaker. But a heck of a lot wiser. Lots of perspective for mom and a very grown-up attitude for a 5 year old who told me upon leaving "Mom, I'm bigger now. I can feel it." Yes. I can feel it too.
Oh, BTW, I am starting my Isagenix cleanse tomorrow so check back for my first post!
P.S. Sick Kids in T.O. saved my life. I swallowed a safety pin when I was about 19 months, punctured my jugular and bled for days internally before anyone knew. I was told there's a wall at Sick Kids of crap that kids have swallowed and that my safety pin was framed there. But that could just be myth...
You are very fortunate to have their able hands and expertise so available to you. Imagine if you lived 6 hours north of Edmonton, as we did for 8 years...!
So glad she is okay.
Posted by: PinkPowerSuit | January 30, 2008 at 06:53 PM
How terrifying! This is good to read because I'm like you-- I assume it's no big deal. I never take the kids to the hospital until dh pressures me (or unless I want to get out of dishes and stuff for a few hours... read a book while waiting...) because THEY ALWAYS SAY IT'S NOTHING AND SEND US HOME. Always.
But, it's not always nothing. I'll keep this story stored in the back of my mind, the next time my own strong, determined girl is sick.
"I'm bigger now. I can feel it." Wow! Classic!
Isn't this a great way to journal?
Posted by: PinkPowerSuit | January 30, 2008 at 06:48 PM
What a trooper! Both of you! Glad to hear she is back doing well and that everyone made it through!
Posted by: dannielle | January 29, 2008 at 07:41 PM
It is crazy how she got worse so fast- really scary. Thank God you were at the hospital and thank God it is over.
Posted by: agathe | January 29, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Please give your daughter big hugs from all of us. What a brave little one. Amazing how we can draw strength from them sometimes. Hold her close & tell her to focus on getting better. Also, give her big brother a hug or two from us.
Posted by: Margot | January 28, 2008 at 05:26 PM
oh, jen, i am so feeling for you and your family right now. there is nothing worse than watching your child suffer. i'm so glad your darling baby girl is home, and i hope her road to recovery is speedy and easy. my thoughts are with you guys. much love, amreen
Posted by: amreen | January 28, 2008 at 05:26 PM