2/9/13

No Bueno

The last five days have been the scariest, hardest, most trying days of my life. Sunday night Brilee had a sleepover at Grammy's and so Bronson and I were by ourselves Monday morning. I wanted to get all my errands done before she got home Monday. We were at Alco, and I hadn't found what I was looking for. I went to get Bronson out of the cart and he was hunched over and stiff. I thought he was just trying to suck on the cart, until I saw his face. My first thought was "he's choking". I pulled him out of the cart and started swiping his mouth, and hitting his back. I told a girl who was there shopping to call 911. I then cradled him and tipped his chin back. He started breathing, and was acting just fine. I was extremely scared and headed right to Dr. Stakers clinic. Brad, Rhonda, and Dr. Staker took instant care of him. They looked him all over, and decided to do some tests. We did blood work, chest x-rays, and an air way test. Everything looked good. Dr. Staker said it could have been a seizure, or he could have just cut his air off from how he was sitting in the cart. We decided to go home, and hope it was the latter. We ran over to Jake's parents and were telling them all about it. Ann was holding him when he started to do it again. I grabbed him and ran outside. He pulled out of it fast, and Jake and I rushed right back to Dr. Stakers office. As we walked into his office he had another small episode. Dr. Staker was holding him and listening to his heart when it happened. He said he sounded fine, but we needed to get to the emergency room and get a cat scan done. We headed down there where he had another one on our way. The triage lady was on the ball and got us RIGHT back to the doctor. They instantly started an IV in his arm, and got us on our way for the cat scan. They drugged him up for the cat scan, and he was jabbering the whole time. "Dadadada DADADA". They ended up having to sedate him in order to get an accurate scan. Everything looked good. They decided to admit us into the hospital so he could be monitored. We spent two nights being monitored and he showed nothing but a healthy boy. He wanted to play and be down on the floor but we obviously had to keep him in our arms the whole time. He made friends with all the nurses and house cleaners. He was such a joy to be around. Dr. Staker had then come to the conclusion that he had indeed had seizures but we didn't know the cause. He told us it's actually good that he couldn't find the cause because that would mean something bad. He assured us seizures can't kill him, or damage his brain. He referred us to Primary Children's for a fast track appointment with a neuroligist. We got the appointment and he sent us home Wednesday morning. He is the best doctor! I am so grateful he is my kids pediatrician. I was sooooooo scared to be home. I felt like I couldn't breath because I was so overwhelmed with the anxiety of it happening again. I watched him every second of the day. Our appointment was scheduled for Friday (because of a VERY nice receptionist who could hear the fear in my voice). A huge storm was projected for Friday, and so we decided to leave Thursday afternoon. My Mom, Stac, Brilee, Jake, Bronson, and I got to Salt Lake around 7, and we grabbed some dinner. We then went to Bullocks house, and I began counting down the minutes to the appointment. We spent some time at the condo Friday morning, and the rest of the time at the Bullocks. Finally, it was time to head to the doctor! We arrived a hour early. They didn't care, and had us RIGHT back in with the doctor. She acted like this was just a common thing, and completely put my mind to ease. She kept telling me how healthy and great Bronson is (I know this, but I needed to hear it from an expert). I mentioned that his Great Uncle had had a seizure when he was about Bronsons age. She said that explained it. She wanted an EEG done just to prove what she already knew.  Due to the snow Primary's nurses had been realeased early. She called and said "Would you mind staying to treat an ADORABLE baby who is from out of town?" They agreed to it, and I will be forever grateful to them! As we were leaving she said, "I am not medicating this boy unless WW3 is going on in his brain." We got to Clinic B, and again they were just waiting to get us in. He HATED being hooked up to all the wires, and was LOUD about it! The guy nurse said, "So this is the adorable baby?" It was funny. I asked how often they do this test and the girl said, "We've done 10 today...no wait 12 I forgot the NICU babies." So, then I started to realize this is more common than I was giving it credit for. Bronson did the test perfect and fell asleep within five minutes of it starting. The doctor told me to call her when it was finished and she would read it remotely. So, as soon as we got to the car I called her cell. She pulled it up and talked me through the whole thing. She said "Oh at 3:47 he went into his deepest sleep." I knew that was about 2 minutes after I took his bottle out of his mouth. She finished reading it (she talked to herself throughout the whole process) and said, "he is perfect". She told me there is nothing to worry about with him, and the seizures are/were 100% benign. She also said he is at high risk to have more, but he has a "happy brain". I started crying and have never been so happy/relieved in my life. Jake and I (and everyone else) felt like we could climb mountains we were so happy. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying our family, and it was really fun. So, now we are home and I am still nervous. But, it's getting better. He is great, Brilee is amazing, and I am so glad Jake is who he is! We have THE MOST AMAZING family and friends. Mom, you are amazing. I hope to be half the Mom/Grammy you are. I couldn't live without you and your help. You kept Brilee safe and going, while taking care of Jake, Bronson and I too. Granny, thank you for being there for us. Your support and presence helped us more than you will know. Also, you kept us fed with good food. THANK YOU! Papa thanks for being here right after it happened and keeping things calm. Barry and Donny thank you for coming to the ER and helping Bronson and us. We are so grateful for you. Cathy and Roger you are our angels. Thank you for hospitalilty and giving us a comfortable home. You made Brilee feel so special, and she needed that! We love you! Stacia thanks for bending over backwards to take care of Brilee, and be there for us. GMA's and GPA's  and Aunt Jackie thank you for loving us and our children unconditionally. It made things easier when we would talk. Aunts and Uncles thanks for your love and concern too.Thanks for the visits and toys. He loves them! Josie, you are so amazing. Thank you for showing up at the hospital. I was so glad you came. Also thank you and Sham for dinner and all the talks! Thanks to all of our awesome friends! Your calls and prayers got us through. Thomas... BEST COUSIN EVER (I love your sister a lot too)! Pam, you are so amazing. WE LOVE YOU ALL! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
 Our second night in the hospital Jake and Bronson watched horse training videos. Bronson slept surprisingly well in the hospital. The hardest part was BOTH nights at 0400 the nurse HAD to weigh him. I still don't get why... I mean I know he's skinny.

 This is the little cutie about 2 hours before the appointment!
 Brilee loved playing with all of Amy's dolls and hearing stories about us when we were little. (Her favorite thing is for me to tell her stories about Amy, Stac, and me as little girls... her favorite is when that mean fish stalked us in Hawaii for our frozen pea's. I tell her that 5+ times a week.)


4 comments:

Candace and Brian said...

Oh my goodness Kelsey I had no idea. I'm so sorry friend. I am so glad to hear all is well. YOu have such beautiful precious children and I"m sorry for the crazy scare you had. I'll pray for you and your fmaily hoping this week is better and little Bronson can outgrow those seizures! Please let me know if you need anything. Love ya friend.

The Nybergs said...

I am so glad all is well again at the Birchell house! You crazy kids had us on pins and needles all week. We love you all and would do anything for you! Bronson is such a sweet thing and we couldn't be happier about the news! WHAT.A.BLESSING.

Chelsie Jensen said...

How scary! I'm glad to hear that he is healthy and fine.

Jen said...

Holy moly! I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, and I hope he outgrows all this SOON! Glad to hear everything is a-okay, though. Hang in there.