Olive,
Last month you decided to give your mama a birthday she would never forget. It all started with a temperature of 102. That alone is scary enough. But there’s more. You were so lethargic all you wanted to do was sleep. After giving you a dose of fever reducer we put you down for a nap. You slept for a really long time and woke up with the most peculiar cry. Your dad got to you before I did. He was holding you in his arms as I approached, it felt like time stood still as I began to take in what was going on. Your face was so dark red it looked purple, your little body seized up so tightly you were stiff as a board, and your little eyes rolled in back of your head. Then the words “oh my god she’s having a seizure” somehow escaped my mouth in a tone that was not hysterical. Daddy handed you over so he could call 911 and the seizure continued. I undressed you as I carried you outside to try and cool you down in the chill of a mid January evening. You almost immediately transformed in the brisk air. You still looked very much out of it, but you had at least regained your color and your muscles relaxed so much so that you felt limp in my arms. I was so scared. I kept thinking of the potential lasting effects of a seizure on your tiny little body. Thank god your dad is so calm and reasonable because his demeanor is what kept the roof over our head as I was ready to explode with emotion. The first responders came quickly. They were very optimistic and reassuring; telling us that this isn’t uncommon for some babies (5-10% of the population) and there typically aren’t any lasting effects from this type of seizure (febrile). They were comfortable with your condition and gave us the choice of riding with them to the emergency room or driving ourselves. Despite their reassurances, I needed to hear from a doctor and I worried about the long drive across town in late afternoon traffic on the Friday of a holiday weekend. What if it happens again during the drive over and she’s strapped in her car seat? So they kindly drove you and I to the ER. Your Dad followed behind us. You did well on the ride over and even dosed off for a bit. At the ER, the doctor walked in and said “look at all that snot!” I was relieved he was talking to you and not me as I had been blubbering for some time and knew it was probable. Adults with snotty faces aren’t as socially accepted as babies with snotty faces. But yes, he was right. Your poor little nose is so tender from all the tissue and boogie wipes and wash rags that have failed to keep you snot-less. The doctor confirmed that you had a virus which triggered the high fever that resulted in a fever or febrile seizure. He reiterated what the first responders had already shared and stressed that this doesn’t mean you are at risk for developing a seizure disorder. We learned how to manage a fever through the use of acetaminophen and ibuprofen on a four hour rotation and we now know that you are one of 5-10% of the population that needs extra attention when you run a temperature. Your dad and I have the fever thing covered, don’t worry about that. I need you to understand that birthdays are for parties and celebrations not trips to the ER, I know that has been the pattern given your birthday and my birthday, but that tradition ends right now. Understand?
Love you dearly!
Mama
