A Shake Down

So, some of you heard and some of you didn't, but we had a whirlwind morning on Friday. And this post is more for me, to remember how it felt, to remind me how thankful I am, and to show Luke one day just how much he scared us.

Thursday night Luke went to bed with no complaints. He asked for his ducky and his "glo-glo" (glow worm) - ran through the whole gamut of who loved him - a nightly routine that tickles me to death, and then went to sleep, protest-free. I went to work - and called Billy around 11 to check in. Everyone was bed, Billy was only partially conscious, so I went on working knowing that my family was safe and sound. In the morning - I decided not to wait on the clock to clock out - and left work a little early (and am thankful that I did). Billy called my cell around 7 and said (rather frantically) "did you get my text?" So before I even have a chance to reply, the alarm clock in my adrenal gland went off. "Up-and-at-em everyone, let's get this heart racing, let's dry up that mouth - maybe a little sweat on the palms and forehead would be good - and can somebody get to work on the knot in the throat and the sinking feeling in the gut - let' go people there is bad news coming - we need to be ready" And then he said it - "Luke's body is shaking all over and he is really hot"

I'm sure it will surprise those of you who know me well that I didn't start to cry or shriek or panic. I asked him if he was breathing - yes. Did you take his temperature? - no. Is he still shaking? - no. Take his temp and I will be there in 5 minutes. When I got home, I saw sweet Luke laying in his Daddy's lap, not moving, mouth open in a daze. His temp was high - so we gave Tylenol and decided to take him to the ER. Our pedi office wouldn't open for another hour and a half, and I was not willing to wait. Billy put him down on his rug and we went to pack a bag and get everything ready. Billy went back in to sit with him, and he called me in there... and Luke was face down on the rug not moving. We scooped him up and put him straight in the car. Packed or not, time to go.

On the way to the hospital I called a few people. In my mind (as a nurse) I am making guesses about what I think it is and more importantly what diagnostic tests I think they will do. One of which I am sure is a spinal tap. This is not something I am prepared to do on my own and Billy was with Andrew. So I called Bobbi (my pedi nurse friend), to hear her tell me that they won't do one, which she wouldn't tell me. And then I called Kimbo in the off chance that she was off for the day - no luck. While I was on the phone with Kimbo - I kept looking at Luke. Up until this point he was looking out the window with his mouth hanging open barely blinking. Then he started to shake. At this point, I can't decide - is he shivering, or is he shaking - and should I pull over and call 911 or keep driving. I kept driving and the shaking stopped. When I got into the ER and he was a limp rag. Laying on me not making a sound, not sitting up, not lookin around - not being Luke.

In triage they took a rectal temp on him, to which he did not oppose - and this alarmed me greatly. Then the put him down on the bed - and the shaking started again. I looked at the nurse with my pleading, "what's wrong with him" eyes - and the nurse, rather underwhelmed said - "yep, that is a febrile seizure - don't touch him, now we wait" the shaking stopped (for Luke - for me, not so much), and then they put us in a room. He was zoned out again and I learned that the dazed behavior is called a postictal state - and in children can last up to an hour. They dosed sweet Luke with a lot of Motrin - to bring down the high fever and again said - we wait.

After about 45 minutes and a brief examination, Luke began to talk again. And it should be no surprise that he sat up after sleeping on me and said "ball ball ball" - there was a ball toy on the counter! When the doctor came back in - he was rather impressed at Luke's improvement and more importantly, he seemed relieved. We were later discharged with some valium (for Luke) just in case the seizures came back and didn't stop. We were told to stay on top of the motrin and tylenol regimen to keep the fever down, since that is the only thing that will help prevent the seizures. We were warned though, that 30% of kiddos that have febrile seizures will have another within six months.

Thankfully, there is no long term damage from these types of seizures, and they are not indicative of future seizure disorders. A great relief for concerned and exhausted parents. I have posted a link to an information page about febrile seizures for you parents out there - so you can be informed. That night at home, Luke had a really rough night. His temp was barely stable - and incredibly dependent on the timing of the anti-fever meds. He didn't sleep, he didn't want to drink, and was fussy when he had to take his medicine. We didn't care though. He woke up in the morning with neck pain (which I was sure was meningitis) but aside from a little melt down when he has to look up or lay down or turn his head - he is fine now.

So, in the grand scheme of things, this is not a big deal. These happen all the time, the ER people were calm and un-alarmed and they were right, he is back to the same sweet, ball-loving toddler he was on Thursday. I am so thankful for everyone who helped keep me calm and even more grateful for the outcome. I surprised myself, even, with how well I kept it together. That day around noon, though, as I was calling my mother, I turned into the basket-case, I figured I would have been throughout the whole ordeal. I thought of all the parents out there - who are not so lucky or even the parents who have to endure more before they get their happy ending and I cried for them too. They were a hodge-podge of tears - fear, sadness, humility, happiness and relief. But it is over now - and we have some "bat-cat-ball" to play.

Seizure Information