I have a confession. Two weeks ago we called 9-11. Yes, if you’re our neighbor and you saw all the ambulances outside our building, here is why:
Maximo had a fever.
Now – before you judge me, roll your eyes and say – ROOKIE MOVE, FIRST TIME MOM. Let me just fill you all in in something I didn’t know – even you “PROS” – high fevers can cause babies to become lethargic and cause seizures – all which is completely normal.
Again – if you have EVER read my blog, you know that I have a minature encino man running around my house 24/7. Yes, flash back to that awful movie with Pauly Shore – that’s my life – a dirty little person stomping and yelling his war-cry as he bolts from room to room pulling down drawers, book shelves, opening cabinets, banging pots and of course, throwing food all over the floor.
So the day he had a fever, and was relatively calm, I immediately knew something was off. But we gave him some Motrin, and let him cuddle on the couch – something he NEVER does unless he’s off to bed. His fever was holding on around 103, and he was really hot, but again, no one said to worry unless it pushes past 104-105. Then Claudio tried to pick him up off the couch. Maximo became a limp body, unresponsive, and his eyes rolled back as his body began to shake. We clapped and tried to call his name, all to no prevail. It didn’t seem like he was breathing. My heart dropped. I looked at Claudio and said – call 9-11.
I didn’t even have time to throw a bra on as I ran downstairs to meet the ambulance (mad kudos to the FDNY that showed up immediately, with multiple trucks. Upon asking, they even send the large firetruck just in case they have to break down a door. They don’t mess around with a child cardiac arrest).
They check him out, and while he was now responsive, they wanted to get us to the hospital. That was the scariest ride of my life, holding my poor, hot crying baby, not knowing what was wrong with him. The medic told me I was the most calm mother he had EVER seen – I said, it was my way of dealing – I have to focus and deal with the situation – there is no time to freak out until AFTER everything is done that can be done. And staying calm was helping Maximo stay calm – and the last thing I wanted to do was get him more worked up.
Once we got to the hospital, they rushed us right in, gave him some Tylenol, and sent him to be monitored. They gave us a little plush duck, and they had Disney on the television. Maximo continued to snuggle but was watching television – so I felt a little better about him at least being able to focus.
After some tests (including a urine test that required a cathether – poor Max!), they said there was nothing to find, and must be a viral infection – it was going around. The Tylenol brought his temperature back down to 100, and he drank a couple Pedialites. Once his temp stayed down, they released us to go back home.
Apparently, Febrile seizures are common in high fever. And since we had been giving Maximo Motrin, it wasn’t lowering his temp, and he was riding in such high temperatures that he became lethargic (limp and unresponsive), and started shaking (febrile seizures).
After we got back home, we gave Maximo Tylenol every 4 hours (even at night – let me tell you how fun it is to wake a sick baby!) Even though he was cranky, cuddly and wouldn’t eat for a couple more days, it was just calming to see him at least being himself and wanting to move and cry.
So I am not a doctor by any means, but just a heads up to you first time moms out there having first time fevers with your babies – make sure to ask your doctor about high fever symptoms and febrile seizures as well so you’re not as freaked out as I am!
Or maybe it’s okay to freak out every now and then. If you’re as seriously worried and scared as I was – honestly, what’s the worst that can happen from calling 9-11? Wouldn’t you rather call and be safe than sorry??
Don’t be embarrassed. How bad would you have felt if something was wrong and you waited to call 911. That’s why you call 911, you’re not a doctor. You did the exact, 100% correct thing! I’ve called 911, and reported all kinds of stuff – parents letting their kids hang their chest and head outside a car on route 51 in rush hour, bee sting reactions in someone who is not normally allergic, a fire on the side of a hillside, and for much more serious medical reactions. I worked with firefighters and EMS for a long time at my last job and they’d much rather you call when something is semi-serious and not wait until something becomes a tragic emergency.
Thanks Emily – it’s a shame that we even THINK about calling 9-11 sometimes when you’re right – it’s there and that’s what we should be using it for. I am glad I called, and am definitely reassured at how fast the FDNY responded, and were so nice and genuinely caring.
OMG, how scary. I would have called 9-1-1 as well. It is best to be safe than sorry. I think you did an excellent job and reacted marvelously.
You take a pic of you and your son in the hospital bed? You also take a pic of your son’s foot with a medical tag…something that is only done with dead corpses? Looks like you might have a little Dexter complex in your head. At some level…it would seem that experiences like this should remain out of public site and kept as a memory. Sharing you life before having your baby is one thing…but sharing your life after having your baby is not fair to your son. He can’t say yes/no. All of this will be used against you if your child has another emergency. Blog about yourself…keep others who can’t decide about it out. It lasts forever…and may impact your son in ways you have yet to realize.
Thanks for the opinion Michelle – but maybe you missed the entire point of my blog – to INFORM others about situations like this as a first time mom – so hopefully at least one person will have a better grasp of what may happen if their child becomes sick. If you took the time to read all my posts, you would see that I don’t have a mother myself – and so, sometimes situations happen that catch me off guard and I am going to go out on limb here and say that OTHERS don’t have moms to tell them what to expect with their kids either. SHOCKER.
As far as a Dexter complex? Ha – I actually do watch Dexter, so come on – don’t you think if I was heading that route it would’ve been a little more sick and twisted of a post? I like how you’re thinking though – you getting mad must mean that I actually have haters now and am becoming an established blogger! Yay for me!
Aww, Stephanie! How scary! Even after four I would have been freaked out too. You are not alone in that. Good job keeping calm and taking care of it so well. When they are that little, it’s hard to get a good picture of what is really going on. I would have made a trip to the hospital too.
Lea do us moms ever stop freaking?? LOL – I know right now it is so hard because he can’t tell me what is bothering him. I feel like it will be a little easier once he can communicate but still – you never really know!
He is at risk to have another one when temps get that high. Each kid is different in the temperature it takes for them to have the febrile seizures (some can be very low…101 or so). My friend had one and they did the same thing and called 911. Everything I have heard and read and have been told by the medical people is that when they have one you grab them and hold them very tight and in 30 seconds they will stop (almost to the second). I’m glad Maximo is feeling better and hope this info helps.
ugh so scary! I am dreading the next time he gets a fever to worry about them happening again!
Okay, so I saw this a little late as was in the middle of switching email vendors – but of course knew the story. People, keep in mind my niece is trying to share her first time Mom information as it occurs – and we, her family who are out of state from her – very much appreciate her efforts, point of view, and documentation. In particular, the pictures enhance the story – I know her intent. Bonus for the family out of state here in the ‘Burgh who get to keep up via the pictures – and Max will someday know how much his Mom truly cares about him and it is her nature to document everything via pictures. No need to worry about a therapy fund.
Hello Stephanie!!! First I want to thank you for such a great and useful blog. I found it very helpful that you sharing your good and bad experiences with others, it’s how usually people learn.
About emergency-9-11 post – Jesus Christ!!! I am so sorry that your family had to go through that scary experience. Thank God that everything came out well/ Gog Bless your little one. You did a great job I’d say that no one would ever judge you for that. I would freaked out too. there is more I would panic, I would scream and cry. I wish you the best!
Thanks Nadya – it was so scary – and hard but writing about it helps me feel better to get it out – all the emotion – and if I can help just one other mom feel better – I’ve done my job 🙂
shall we go to the zoo today? haha
Omg I wish I could but I just turned on my computer. I have better idea I am gonna send you mail with my contacts so when you have something in mind just let me know by text or call)))
Poor little Maximo and poor Mommy and Daddy! It is so scary when you’re little one is sick and you feel helpless. I’m so sorry you all had to go through that but glad to know he’s back to his caveman ways! #TBTlinkup
So scary! Glad his fever came down quickly.
#TBTlinkup
OMG, I can’t believe this. I was tearing up reading it, but so glad to know that all is well and you’re helping out other moms by letting us know. #tbtlinkup
My cousin had febrile seizures when he was young. They went on for several years, and he WOULD stop breathing with them. We had to call 911 more than once. It really seems that for some kids, they aren’t life-threatening, but for kids like him, they were. He also had to have speech therapy as he was almost 3 and still wasn’t talking; have to wonder if there wasn’t some link there. #TBTLinkup
You absolutely did the right thing by calling 9-1-1, anyone in your shoes would have! Thanks for sharing your story, I feel like I am better prepared to deal with a high fever! xo