So Michael got two new toys yesterday. One from the Paramedics/Firefighters that had to come to our house, and the other from the doctor in the ER. Yesterday morning we were all enjoying hanging out outside (Nate doesn't work until noon on Wednesdays). Nate was drinking a protein drink and Michael came over and asked for some. Nate gave him a couple of sips and then pulled it away remembering that it had milk in it. We watched Michael and within a minute or two he began throwing up and rashing all over his face.
This wasn't uncommon for us because it is usually what happens when Michael comes in contact with milk or peanuts. We quickly gave him some Benadryl which usually stops the swelling and then he is fine.
However, this time the swelling didn't stop and neither did the throwing up. (Meaning that the Benadryl we gave him was useless.) I looked at the ingredients for Nate's drink powder to see exactly what was in it and on the label it said "For Adults Only: Not for children under 12" "must mix with at least 8 oz. of water per scoop or may cause choking." Even though there was more than enough water in the drink I figured I'd better call Poison Control to see if this was why he was having a more difficult reaction.
I didn't have Poison Controls number handy, but we have had to call them once before (another story) and my sister who is a police officer had told me just to call 911 tell them it wasn't an emergency, but that you need poison control right away. So I did it again this time. The 911 operator asked some questions and said that she would like to stay on the line while I spoke to Poison Control.
After explaining the situation to Poison Control both she and the 911 operator felt that they should send help right away, so they did. Michael and I waited outside for the ambulance to come. It is a really scary experience to hear the sirens and know that they are coming for your child. We quickly got him into the ambulence just as the fire truck pulled up. They checked all his vitals and his swelling. They said that his vitals and breathing were good, but that the swelling was still a concern. Both eyes were very swollen, one even looked like it might swell shut. They told us that they could take him in (to the ER) if we wanted them to, or that we could keep him and just watch him closely, make sure he didn't sleep, and make sure he didn't quit breathing. They also said to give him more Benadryl and that if the swelling didn't go down then to take him in.
We decided to keep him with us and to watch him. We took him inside and gave him more Benadryl (which he threw up again). I took him and held on the couch and he was alseep within minutes. I tried to wake him up but he was out. I figured he could sleep as long as I was holding him because then I would know if he stopped breathing.
We had our neighbor come over and he and Nate gave Michael a blessing. I tell you right now that I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood. I was pouring my heart out in silent prayer as well that Michael would be okay.
He finally woke up a little bit just to throw up some more. His poor little body would shake and he would cry and it was absolutely miserable for us all. While holding him he had sweat so much that he had literaly soaked my shirt and I had to go change, yet he would shiver occaisionally and kept pulling a towel (handy for the throw-up) over him as a blanket.
The Poison Control operator called us back to check on him. When I told her his condition she told us that he needed to go to the ER right away and be seen. She said he had been swollen too long and that if we waited for him to stop breathing we wouldn't make it. Nate and I said a prayer and then went off to the hospital.
The ER was a typical frustrating ER visit. We were there for well over 5 minutes before anyone even came out to see how they could help us. (Which, when you are worried feels like an eternity.) Then it was more time in the waiting room. Although at this point it was kind of nice because they had a large fish tank with lots of cool fish and Michael kind of came back alive at this point and climbed out of my lap to go check them out. It was a huge turning point in how he had been acting and from then on he seemed to start getting better (wouldn't that be the case when you're already registered at the ER).
A nurse checked out Michael and then they "fast tracked" us because of Michael's condition. After that we spent more time in a cubicle waiting for the doctor. (At this point I thought "WOW, I am glad we brought him in when we did because if we had waited until he stopped breathing he would have died while in the ER waiting for help!") The doctor arrived and she was fabulous with Michael. She checked him all out and then she gave us a prescription for his swelling. She said just to watch him, but that the swelling seemed to be going down finally and that he was looking better.
We left the ER and made a trip to the pharmacy to pick up his prescription and two Epi Pens so that if he reacts this badly again we will be ready.
This is by far the worst reaction he has had. Even the night before we were eating with some friends and Michael snagged a Dorito and... nothing. He was totally fine. He didn't even throw up. This has happened occaisionally, but we were told that whether he reacts or not, each time he is exposed to anything that he is allergic to, the next time he does react will get worse and worse.
We are relieved that he is okay, but I am very scared for the future. It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that you could possibly have your child die at anytime from something so simple as taking a drink. It is hard to come to terms with something like this and yet not live in fear of it or let it rule your lives.
Yesterday was very scary but Michael is doing lots better. He still has some swelling around his eyes, but his face swelling, rash, and throwing up has stopped.
By the end of the day he was already laughing about the day like it was some great adventure. He would pretend to throw up, then make siren sounds, and then say "they help, they help" (because that is what I was saying to him in the ambulence when they were trying to check him and he was freaking out... "They are here to help you Michael." over and over) Then he would laugh. All in a days work for him I guess.
I would have taken pictures, but when you are nervous that your son might quit breathing at some point you don't run and get the camera. Here are some pictures of how he looked this morning eating breakfast. Lots better.
I am sure it probably won't be our last ER visit with with him (too bad too cause it just so happens to cost a small fortune).
(Good thing we got our plane tickets for Hawaii two days before, otherwise I think Hawaii would have been cancelled for not being able to afford it.)
Thanks for your concern and love and prayers. We are grateful for our blessings and for Michael's health and all the help he received yesterday to make sure he was okay.
