I'm emerging from a hectic 14 days of grad project and final studies, UST Board of Trustees presentation prep, final AITP meeting of the semester, and various other work projects. Amy is counting down the days to the end of school, scheduling E's appointments, and trying to keep our house together. We were not ready for last weekend.
E's ear infections have been on again and off again for about five or so months. If he didn't have an ear infection, there was fluid, so he hasn't had decent ears in quite a while. However, we are blessed with the fact that he does understand directions and he is saying Bu-Bu-Bu for Buddy, Da-da-da for daddy, and ma-ma-ma for mommy. He can be quite helpful when he chooses, like following orders to bring dirty clothes to the laundry room, though sometimes he will then go through the drawers and bring clean clothes to the laundry.
Teething always seems to bring out the sickness in E. First he gets a runny nose, then a slight fever, and finally an ear infection. Right now he is teething four at once. We are leaning towards tubes, but really don't want to rush. If we can hold off, we want to, but the reality is we might be be able for long.
It was no surprise, when at his 15 month appointment, he had a slight fever and so the doctor decided not to do shots. E was also prescribed a new anti-biotic. His fourth.
Come Saturday, E's fever did not go away and we put him down for a nap as he was tired. I was working on my grad work when E woke up crying. Amy went up there to get him out of his crib and noticed he was soaked with sweat. She undressed him, went to get a cool wash cloth and when she came back she found that E had his eyes closed and was unresponsive. She tried waking him up and when he wouldn't, she called down to me.
I arrived upstairs with Amy holding E, limp in her arms and asking me to call 911. As I was on the phone with the operator E's eyes opened but were rolling in the back of his head. Within a minute we heard a siren and E was starting to twitch and then foam at the mouth. The sheriff's deputy was the first to arrive. Shortly after the first paramedic arrived, within another 30 seconds, E started to cry. Amy heard them say it was a good sign. Over the next few minutes I let in about six more emergency workers. We have a volunteer emergency crew in our city so whoever was available responded. We ended up with two ambulances, a Fire/Rescue Suburban, and two sheriff deputies. Looking back, we are amazed at the response time.
E was transported to our hospital, mainly because they wanted to make sure it was not the new anti-biotic. After 30 minutes in the ER (E's third visit this year) it was determined that he had a Febrile seizure brought on by his fever. It is common among those under the age of 6 and some will say that it in no way relates to Epilepsy or seizures later in life. It depends on what professional you ask or Web site you visit.
Amy's parents met us in the waiting room and brought a smile to E's face. It was nice to have them there as he was extremely tired from the seizure and the medical staff said he might not be himself for a day or two, but there would be no permanent damage. A febrile seizure is harmless, but really traumatic for parents who go through it for the first time. No kidding. They do recommend you call 911 though on the first instance, but after that just let him work himself through it as there is nothing you can do. We just hope there isn't a next time as we both thought we had lost our little guy.
My mom was planning on coming up this coming weekend, but came up early to help out as he re cooperated and I finished out my hectic week. I am glad to have a four day weekend coming as mid-last week I thought I needed a break. Now I am really glad to have taken the time off. I can now spend some time at home doing things and being with E.
E has been doing fine and we are looking forward to transitioning him to the toddler room at daycare next week. His fever is gone and his teeth don't seem to be bugging him much anymore. One ear no longer has an infection.
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