A very long day

May 23, 2008

I’m now home again, since we decided to have Michael stay at the hospital with Jade.  It seems they actually had a good time together there today, playing out on the patio of the pediatric ward, reading books, watching silly movies, and even getting a nap in.

After finishing work (which I finally managed to make relatively productive) I had the pleasure of going to the insanely busy grocery store to stock up on much-needed supplies; our fridge was all but empty.  By the time I got home, it was 6:00, which is when we usually eat supper.  The kitchen was in an abysmal state, so I tidied up and had sandwiches for supper while cooking up some chicken breasts to turn into snacks for Michael.  He and Jade had been served supper around 5:00, and he knew he was going to be hungry. 

I got Jade’s playpen and some overnight supplies for Michael, then loaded Nanuq into the car, reinstalled the bike rack, and attached Michael’s bicycle.  I got everything lugged up to Jade’s room (on the second floor) around 8:00, only to find that our “very tired girl” wasn’t tired at all.  Michael got out on his bike in the trails around Riverdale so that he could get a little fresh air after being indoors all day.  I napped on the bed in a vain attempt to get Jade to sleep in her playpen.  She played happily in there, alright, but no sleeping.  Apparently, the nurse came in.  I didn’t see her, so I guess I must’ve fallen asleep.  But Jade waved happily at her and said hi.

I was going to leave right after Michael got back around 9:00, but he said I should stick around.  So I did.  Jade was still going strong, in a very good mood.  Finally, I decided to call it quits at 10:15.  I tried to put Jade back into her playpen and she protested loudly.  Michael tells me she fell asleep two minutes after I left.  Apparently, she can’t sleep when I’m around.

Anyway, she’s behaving completely normally, eating well, and charming the pants off everyone, so I’m sure she’ll be home first thing in the morning.  The doctor from Emergency is referring her for an EEG (not sure what that is, and I’m too tired to look it up) in Vancouver, but it likely won’t happen for a month or two.  But we’re assured that it’s unlikely that Jade will have another seizure.  I’m okay to go with that for now.

Please pardon the lack of eloquence.  I am bone-tired, but since Michael and I have been pretty unreachable today, I wanted to make sure the latest news was up.  So don’t worry too much NaiNai and Gran!


An update (e-mail to Stacie)

May 23, 2008

Hi Stacie – thanks so much for the comment on the blog.

Michael and Jade are ensconced at the hospital now, while I’m at work.  Not actually getting work done, mind you…  I’ll start in a minute, I swear.  Jade’s been pretty normal since she “snapped out of it” (pretty much as soon as we got to the hospital), but she’s been cranky, probably because she’s tired.  One of the paramedics was saying people are often sleepy after a seizure, because it uses up a tremendous amount of energy.  After we had breakfast and got packed for the day (toys, snacks, diapers – Crap! the diapers are in the car, and I’ve got the car!) we drove down to the hospital and Jade actually fell asleep on the way there.  She woke up as soon as Michael took her out of the car, of course.

Anyway, I’m thinking I’d better get back to the hospital to bring the diapers.  I’ll probably use part of this e-mail as an update for my blog later…  Heck, I’ll do that first, and then go.  It’s already written, anyway.

Hugs,
Fawn


A horrible morning

May 23, 2008

We just got back from the hospital and are having a bite of breakfast before heading back there again, where Jade will be spending 24 hours under observation.

Jade had a seizure this morning as she was lying in bed with us. She’d woken up crying at 6:00, which happens on occasion, and I’d gone into her room knowing she wouldn’t go back to sleep. I asked if she wanted to come into the big bed with us. She lay between us, not sleeping, but quiet, chattering a little every once in a while. I was snuggled up to her when I felt her start twitching. At first I wasn’t too panicked because I’ve read that kids can have seizures without it being a big deal, but Michael was already on the phone with the 911 dispatcher when Jade’s lips and fingers started turning blue, her eyes rolled back, and her arms convulsed. It probably only lasted a few minutes, but felt like an eternity. Afterward, she was lethargic and out of it, and she didn’t even notice the paramedic who was cradling her on the ride to the hospital.

The best guess right now is that she had a febrile seizure due to a fever (although her fingers were cold before the seizure started, so I’m not completely convinced, but the doctor said it could’ve happened as her temperature was coming down). She has a severe ear infection in her left ear, which could be the cause, so she’s on antibiotics to treat that.

I’ve got to run and pack. Update soon…