A dramatic title for a dramatic 24 hours. Yesterday was turning out to be a pretty awesome day. My mom had planned this big bbq/b-day celebration for her and Liam's birthdays. All the family had arrived, cousins from Philly, all my east coast siblings and their significant others, neighbors...I had baked cookies AND brownies, the salads were chilling in the fridge, the meat was ready for the grill, all of us had dipped in the pool...Little Finn began fussing around dinner time and I gave him a cracker. A cracker I believed to be safe. Long story short, it was not. Within minutes his entire face was covered with hives.
As per our medical emergency action plan, I gave him his full dose of benedryl and watched him for ten minutes. As I fretted, my stepdad (a surgeon) called another cousin (an ER pediatrician in NYC) and concluded that we should go to the ER. Just as we were getting into the car and ten minutes had passed, it was clear that Finn was getting worse and not better. I had the EpiPen at the ready, but since we were headed to the hospital (and there wasn't any respiratory distress) we decided it would be best for the ER docs to treat him.
To get to our local hospital one must cross a quarter mile long, two lane bridge (one way in each direction). This bridge is also one of the main ways to the beach, and at 6:15 pm on a warm Saturday night in June, it was completely backed up with traffic. As Finn's lips started to swell and his eyes refused to stay open (partially from the swelling, partially from the benedryl) my stepdad took it into high gear. He drove right into the oncoming lane, hammered the horn and held his police surgeon's badge out the window. I could not watch - there were cars coming straight for us and not much room on the bridge. Somehow, cars moved over enough for us to get by. Once on the other side, every light was red, and he went through every single one. Had anyone else driven us, it would have taken 45 minutes - but thanks to my stepdad, we were there in 10. And, even though I could not watch most of the drive, and there were tears streaming down my face onto Finn's red swelling cheeks, I was not scared. David was sure and steady...and perhaps a little crazy, but I could sense his control of the situation and it got us to the hospital in one piece and I was not hysterical (that would come later).
In case you are not aware, if you walk into an ER with a slack baby and say "anaphylactic," things happen very quickly. David was held back to fill out our names, but Finn and I were taken immediately to a pediatric wing of their emergency room. Literally within five minutes they had an IV in Finn and were pushing meds (more benedryl and steroids). And, like last time, within another five minutes all of the really scary swelling was gone. It took about an hour for the hives that had spread to his belly and arms to go away. They kept us there for observation for a few hours. The nurses and the PA that treated us were amazing. We were sent home with a prescription for steroids and instructions to give benedryl every six or so hours for a couple of day.
My brother, Chuckie, came to pick us up (David had to go back and grill dinner for the house full of guests once Finn was stable). Every one had waited for us to sing happy birthday to Liam and my mom, so we didn't even miss the cake. Although, I was so, so, SO wasted and drained from the experience I can't remember much. I DO remember ALL of my siblings, and my mom staying up until midnight with me when I had to give Finn another dose of benedryl.
So, rewind a tad. After Finn was stable and I was alone in the room with him sleeping on my shoulder, I did lose it. I hated myself for giving him that stupid cracker. My mom had made a special bowl of chips specifically for me and Finn - and I, thinking I knew what was in the crackers in another bowl - let him eat one. How frustrating! I am so meticulous about all the things I eat and making kids wash their hands before touching him, and here I go and give him a cracker made with milk. MILK! Of all things! I know I am not perfect, and in all honesty, I am glad it was me and not some poor, unsuspecting sibling or friend of the family that gave him the contraband. Finn will be mobile in a matter of months and keeping him from putting things in his mouth that might kill him will be an every day challenge. Still, I cried a good cry, called some peeps to boost my spirits, and let it go. What else can I do? (Other than NEVER give him stupid crackers again!)
Oy. After the midnight dose, I kept Finn in bed with me so I could listen to him breathe for the rest of the night. He, of course, is fine. Completely fine. As a matter of fact, today he figured out how to quasi-crawl. He kind of drags his butt a little, but, pulling with his arms, has figured out how to move himself along. What a guy.
Well, that's the gist of our life or death adventure. Otherwise, we are having a really great time. Seeing family, going to the beach, Manhattan, and so on...
Say what? Sleep your shoulder?? Slap me stupid, consult your physician right away
ReplyDeleteplease don't beat yourself up over this... the only reason you would be able to be mad at yourself is if you KNEW you were giving him a forbidden food item... you are human, and humans make mistakes... even big ones, unfortunately... i hope you are all feeling better and that the rest of your vacation goes on without incident... ::hugs::
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