JD had been feeling a tad under the weather over the weekend. The Friday before, Oct.3rd, JD went to school as usual. I noticed a slight cough that morning. I told his teacher about it, and asked her to keep an eye on it. If it got worse or disruptive to not hesitate to send him home! At pick up, she said she never even noticed it or heard it all day. At home, I noticed it a touch, but didn't think anything of it. Seriously, we all cough now and then. On Saturday, JD told me he felt warm. I took his temperature, and noticed it was a bit higher. But nothing serious. It was only 100.1. I gave him some extra cuddles, some medicine for the cough and told him colds do suck buddy. He should feel lucky he hasn't been sick before. (Yes, I actually told him to feel lucky. Do I regret those words looking back!) Though he was a bit under the weather, he still was playing and up and about. So, I figured nothing to worry about. Boy was I ever wrong!
Sunday he said he felt a bit sore. His legs hurt, his head hurt, and his muscles felt stiff. Again. I blamed a cold. Really, I had nothing else to think it could be, right. His fever was still lingering at 100, but nothing higher. I told him we would call his pediatrician the next day. And he had a ticket to stay home on Monday. He still played games with his brother, sister and I. He showed some more fatigue, but nothing I would worry about. Especially when fighting a cold.
Monday morning, I woke him up and we went about our morning. I called his pediatrician and we waited to hear back. That was until lunch. I decided that since everyone was tired, and a bit out of it, we would get a treat, and I got the three babies a happy meal. The boy toy that day was one of those robot kinex bugs, and the girl toy was a barbie toy. I know it seems like a strange thing to remember, but it is grilled into my brain. For the moment of doom was looming, and that fact is important.
When we got home, I handed out the boxes. I saw one girl toy, handed that box to my daughter and gave the boys the other two. Without looking. I went in the kitchen to get something and I heard the boys arguing. JD was crying and mad.
"That's my bug. I don't want the doll. I want the bug" - JD
"It's in my box" - Ptolemy
"JD just relax and I can get you the bug at the store later" - I called from the kitchen.
But the fighting continued. So I walked into the dining room to try and defuse the growing bomb I knew was coming. JD started getting angry again. And during that moment of anger, I watched in horror as the right side of his face stopped responding to his mind's cues. My son had facial paralysis on the right side.
Now, honestly there is only one thought in this mommy's mind at this time. "My son is having a stroke! Gods help me, my son is having a stroke!!"
I ushered the babies into the car, without a second thought of how long we were going to be, did I have something to entertain everyone, or any other thought. I needed to get him to the hospital and NOW!
The hospital was less then a 5 minute drive. We walk in and I tell the ER nurse that my son has facial drooping/paralysis. She told me to take a seat as there were others in line ahead of him. I did what she said, but I'll tell you I wanted to grab her and scream. Scream as loud as I could. "Did you not hear me...my son... my 5 year old son...has lost movement in his face!"
I sat down looking around. What could be more important then my son right now. Was that guy having a heart attack? That girl with the cold, was she having an asthma attack. Now don't get me wrong, I understand there is a line of order. But at some point, someone should get priority, I would think.
But 3 people later, and about 30 minutes, it finally was our turn. We get into the room, the woman doesn't look at us to start. I explain why we are there. She finally looks at my son! She begins taking his vitals. She uses the head wand for his temperature and says he is actually cold. I tell her I don't believe that. If you touch him, he felt warm! So she gets out the old oral temp, and it reads 103.1! So much for that 97.5!
While in there, some guy comes to the window to complain that he needs to be seen. He fell off a roof. She tells him to take a seat, he had the nerve to say that his broken arm was more important than some sick kid. My eyes bulged, I told him off. Not proud, but I did. He's lucky a wall and glass window stood between us. No buddy, your broken arm is not more important than a 5 year old who is showing neurological issues!
smiling big for mommy, being brave!
Three hours later, still no doctor. The nurse apologizes for how long it appears to be taking the doctor with all the other patients. Not really being as patient as I'd like to be at this point. She agrees that JD is important and what is going on is serious. She's trying to push the doctor along. She takes his temp and is happy to say it is down to 98.1. I say I don't believe it, as he felt warm again. I informed her the one in the office didn't work, can we try an oral. She gets the oral thermometer and it was 102.8. JD complained in front of her that he was hungry, and she said she would see if she could get him anything. Then he looked at me, sad eyes. "Mommy, I wish I brought lamby!" To which I sent a quick text to my husband, who showed up about 15 minutes later with that cute and cuddly blue lamb for that little boy!
Once the doctor finally came in, 6 hours later. (And I wish I was exaggerating!!) Things began to snowball. He immediately ordered a ton of tests. Blood work, chest x-ray, head CT echocardiogram. He seemed very on the ball about it, once he finally could spend time on my son. The chest x-ray came back clear. The head CT showed severe sinus infection. The doctor said maybe that is what caused the facial problem. He thought maybe it was just a bell's palsy. But he wanted to be sure. He called JD's pediatrician who said he wanted him seen at Children's to be sure he is ok. Children's decided they wanted a spinal tap to rule out meningitis. Watching him go through that was very tough. He did cry, and I held him as tight as I could to make sure he didn't move.
JD on his first ambulance ride
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