Wednesday Night (Updated)
We’ve spent a lot of time this month in the care of medical professionals. I suppose that’s to be expected with three boys, but nothing can prepare you for that feeling of your stomach turning inside out and loosing your mind all at once. Last night was easily the worst experience of my life and I pray not too many of you can relate.
I don’t know how many of you out there have had the unbelievable misfortune of holding your baby as their eyes roll back into their head, their body convulsing uncontrollably, and between shakes feeling like there are no muscles inside them at all. For those of you that have, I’ve joined in that fear, and I pray to never experience that again.
As soon as I got home last night, Cooper was in his highchair waiting for dinner and didn’t even look over at me when I walked in the door. I walked up to him and noticed a blank stare on his face and his arm start to flex over and over. I picked him up and the seizure started to get worse. This is the moment, as a parent, you truly have no idea what to do. I tried to get him to respond with no success, and had Kristin call the ambulance. Ten minutes later or so, he had thrown up several times and was still not responding to anything.
Once the ambulance got there he had stopped seizing, but his eyes were still rolling around and not responding. For what seemed like the longest ambulance ride to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital possible, Cooper was given oxygen, and was hooked up to all sorts of machines. I sent out a Twitter and was immediately flooded with encouragement and prayers. This online community blows me away daily.
Once we got to the hospital Cooper was responding to us talking but still wouldn’t talk or move around that much. After much poking and prodding… and a popsicle, he started to come around and was acting more normal. What seemed like an entire day of trauma truly only lasted about three hours. The doctors checked him out, watched him off and on and finally told us it was a result of some virus and a really high fever spike. Turns out that’s a pretty common thing but, no doubt, something a parent can never get used to. Even as I write this, I can feel my throat closing up and my stomach turning.
So, Kristin and my date night to The Swell Season was cancelled, and instead we spent the evening in the emergency room. It’s disappointing, but I’m glad it happened before we left for the show. We have some great neighbors that helped us out a ton and sprung into action as soon as we needed them. Thanks for everyone’s prayers and spreading the word. Cooper’s doing better today, his fever is still off and on and we are watching him pretty close, but he’s eaten today and woke up asking to watch Clifford, so he seems a little more normal. Thanks again everyone. Your prayers meant so much to us.
I have been praying and will continue.
Brodie, I can’t begin to imagine the intensity of that situation! I have to two kids of my own, my daughter Hannah is 1 and my son Aaron is 2. My wife and I pretty much have experienced the normal “sick kid” thing, and that in itself is challenging enough to watch your babies hurt. However, you guys went to a whole other level!! I am glad to hear that your baby is going to be ok. Blessings, bro. Arnie
I’m so sorry you and Kristin had to go through that. When I was a baby, my Mom said that I had high fevers and would go into convulsions too. She said that one day she took me into the doctors office and said, “kristy’s going to be sick today”. Doctor checked me out and said, “nah, she’s fine go on about your day and have her lay low a bit.” About 30 minutes later she had me at the grocery store just buying some food to take home (juice, water, etc.) with us when the fever spiked again and full on convulsions. She took me back to the doctor immediately and as I lay limp in her arms she said, “see, I told you she was going to be sick”.
We laugh about it now because it just shows that sometimes you just KNOW when something isn’t right, but truthfully, she said it was a very scary time for her. They couldn’t tell what it was that was causing the fever to go that high, but she said that she constantly checked my body to determine where I was temp-wise. To this day, I have some spots on my teeth that were apparently due to the really high fevers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Kristy
Glad to hear Cooper is doing better, and I’ll continue to keep you all in my prayers.
That truly is a situation where other than calling 911 and praying, you feel beyond helpless.
I got the call at work from my wife one afternoon when our daughter had the exact same thing happen to her. She was three at the time. Our daughter has a subdural shunt that’s removing some blood that collected on her brain when she was born, so that was at the for front of our minds as to what could be causing her to have this seizure. Luckily, if such a term can be used in this case, it wasn’t. She had run a fever a few days before and just had it suddenly spike that afternoon causing her to have a seizure.
On a normal day my drive from home to work is roughly between 15-20 minutes. After getting that call, I made it home in some 5 minutes. I beat the ambulance there. Other than praying while on the way, I don’t recall anything else about the drive. She had stopped seizing by the time I got there, but we still went to the hospital.
There’s not much more out there that can make you feel any more helpless than when one of your kids is sick or hurting.
Again, glad he’s doing better.
a-
I am glad things seem to be getting back to normal. I will continue to pray for you guys, of course.
On a happy note. . . that is the cutest picture I have ever seen!!!
Brody – that is crazy! SO sorry that you had to go through that! Having your child in the hospital and feeling completely helpless is the worst feeling in the world. Prayers are with you.
Ive been a pediatric seizure nurse for 7 years and they still scare me. Please keep us updated and I have a very good nurse that just started working at Vanderbuilt.
Will be praying and please keep us updated!
Brody,
I can definitely relate with you and your feelings. Unfortnately this is our we have with our youngest Gavin. Constant hospitalizations, trips to the ER have become our normal life.
We have a blog for him if you ever wanna check it out.. gavinowens.blogspot.com
I was praying for Cooper and you and your wife when I saw your twitter updates. Glad to hear that he is feeling better and wanted to watch that Big Red Dog.
Steven & I are glad he is doin a bit better…goodness, Twitter’s from people can sure send your mind to a different place. We will continue to be praying.
Dang, man, I’ll be praying that your family stays out of the hospital for a while. Glad to hear Cooper’s doing better – those fever spikes are crazy scary for us parents.
Brody, it will be 18 years this January since my oldest had a febrile seizure at 13 months – we were in the car, just he and I…and I was 19. I still remember it like it was yesterday.
The thing that irks me – then and now – is that after it happened, everyone in the medical community was like “Oh, this is normal, 70% of kids under 5 will have one in their lifetime. They’ll grow out of it, blah blah blah!” Here’s what I need to know? Where is the info on this from the medical community BEFORE it happens? Every single well-baby check, I was flooded with flyers – on vaccines, covering electrical outlets, ipecac, etc. Not one person ever mentioned a febrile seizure. Ever.
Thankfully, the seizure itself is “harmless” as far as causing any permanent damage – to the child, at least.
Also, they do grow out of it. However, once they’ve had one they’re likely to have another before they’re 5. Mine never did, praise God. I don’t think I could have handled another, but every time he even had a low-grade temperature he slept with me…just in case.
He’s now a very healthy college student. In fact, out of all 3 of my kids, he’s been the healthiest his whole life. The fear will never go away completely, but it does fade some.
How’s that for a novel? Sorry…
Brody,
We were at a Walt Disney World hotel when our 2 year old Sarah had her seizure. Scary stuff. We spent the night in an unfamiliar hospital in Orlando. All is well almost two years later but it was very unsettling.
On a side note, when the paramedics, hotel management, and staff came rushing into our room, I was wearing Sarah’s pink Mickey ears. I was unaware and continued to wear them until we started scurrying down the hallway and they fell off of my head.
Thanks for the update. My family and I will continue to pray for you and yours.
It’s great that he’s doing better.
And it’s good that it was only a common virus/fever, it could’ve been something much worse. Actually, right after I read your tweet and replied, I told my mom about it so that she could pray too, and she asked me if I knew if it happened because of a high fever. I didn’t even know that could happen. She said that that is why fevers can be so serious, and that it is one of those scenarios parents really fear and never want to go through with their children. But even after hearing those words, I can’t even imagine how terrified you must have been. I hope the Lord gave you at least a little peace (:
Again, I’m REALLY glad little Cooper’s doing well. He’s so adorable!
I’m really glad to hear Cooper is doing better! He’s an adorable sweet baby. Lots of prayers went up for you guys last night and this morning. I will keep praying that Cooper will continue to heal and for peace and rest for you all.
Wow. What a horrifying situation…I’m so glad he’s okay, Brody! I’ll pray he gets totally well very soon.
So happy to know little Cooper is doing some better and has no permanent damage.
I know how terrifying it is to watch your child go through that. My Chance was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was just a baby. His first seizure was at about 5 months old. I can close my eyes and see it clear as day… terrifying.
I am sad that you and Kristin did not get your special date night – you were so looking forward to it. But, I am praying the Lord will provide something even better. You two are wonderful parents and we are blessed to be let into your lives. I’m keeping all the Harpers in my prayers.
God bless – Melody
P.S.
I believe I’ll start praying specifically over precious Aiden ahead of time!
Brody, I am so glad Cooper is doing better. I read this just now and cannot imagine the urgency and fears inside you and Kristin last night.
I pray that experience NEVER happens again.
Seizures are no fun at all. I’ve had quite a few in my lifetime, though it has been a good 6 or 7 years since the last one. When I had them, it would really freak my mom out, so I can understand how you guys were probably feeling. Seizures can be really scary.
I’m glad to hear that Cooper is doing better, though! Will definitely keep y’all in prayer.
Also, if anyone is interested, you can visit http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org for more information on seizures, and first aid for them.
Brody – I’m so sorry ya’ll had to go through that. I wasn’t on twitter much the last couple of days, but we’ll be praying for you guys and Cooper to feel better.
Praying this is a one-time deal! God bless you guys….
Praise the Lord! I’m so glad that Cooper is doing better. As a parent, that would have scared the pants right off me. I’ve seen my neighbor go through a similar situation when her daughter drowned in a swimming pool. It’s such a helpless feeling and not one I would wish on anyone. Keep us posted…
(the daughter was given CPR and revived and is happy and healthy now)
I can imagine how horrible that was. So glad he is better! Blessings!
So sorry to hear about the seizures. I know that heart breaking feeling of having to hold your child and not knowing what to do. Our 3 year old broke his arm a few weeks ago and we had to deal with all of it in a North African hospital….all in Arabic. He was scared and we were scared.
I’m glad your son is doing better.
Wow, so good to hear that Cooper is doing well and on the mend. I’m so sorry you guys had to go through this. I never want to experience it.
I’m glad to see he’s doing better. I can’t imagine going through something like that.
Hi Brody, thank God for Cooper’s recovery!