To say last night did not go according to plan would be an understatement. Anytime you end up in the ER with a crying two year old who is fighting off nurses and doctors, you know your evening has gone off the rails.
The night started simple enough. We would walk about a mile over to Brookdale Park where the U.S. Military Academy Band was performing followed by a fireworks display. We were to meet up with friends, relax and enjoy the show while the kids played then head home with two tired children who would promptly go to bed.
Well, that was the plan. Before the night ended though, I was in the ER with Caleb as he experienced an allergic reaction and Caelyn was on her first sleepover, with a boy no less. Definitely not how I expected the evening to go.
When we arrived at Brookdale for the show, I got word from our friend Amy that she and her son Matthew who is Caelyn's age were there and they made their way to where we were setting up our spot on the lawn. Interesting enough, we were at the same park last year for a concert and fireworks display with Amy when Caelyn got lost in the crowd. Perhaps we should stay away from fireworks displays at Brookdale in the future.
Caelyn had been eyeing the ice cream truck at the back of the crowd since we arrived so we took the kids to get ice cream. Kerry got ice cream as well. It was an ice cream bar with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups mixed in.
While we had never given Caleb peanuts before, we were not concerned about him having an allergic reaction to them. We had them in the house and didn't hesitate to give him foods that warned they had been processed on equipment that handled nuts. So when Caleb begged a bite of ice cream from is mom, it didn't even cross our minds that there could be a problem.
Caleb ate a few bites of ice cream then started running around again. About 1/2 hour later his nose was running, his eyes were red and watering, his face was getting puffy and he started scratching himself all over.
Having had eczema problems periodically for most if his life, Caleb's itching didn't raise any alarm bells at first. He was over tired and out in a field. We just thought something in the grass was bothering him.
As things started to get worse, Kerry remembered the peanut butter in the ice cream. Amy remembered the EMTs at the park and volunteered to watch Caelyn while Kerry and I took Caleb to be checked out.
The EMTs took all of two minutes to decide the best and safest course of action was to take Caleb to the ER. I took him and headed to the ambulance while Kerry went back to look after Caelyn.
It was my first time in an ambulance. The EMTs were wonderful. They kept close tabs on Caleb and didn't leave us until the triage nurse called us in shortly after we arrived.
The triage nurse and the ER doctor provided quick care and determined that while Caleb was definitely having an allergic reaction, there was no immediate danger. His oxygen and pulse rate were fine and he had no trouble breathing.
For his part, Caleb was pissed. He did not want people messing with him. So when it came time to administer the shot of Benadryl, it took me, the doctor and the triage nurse to hold him still.
The Benadryl kicked in and Caleb quickly fell asleep with me lying next to him. Oddly enough, the ER room we were placed in was the same room I was placed in when I had to be hospitalized for high blood pressure years earlier. We spent the next couple of hours keeping tabs on Caleb before it was fully determined the Benadryl was doing the job and Caleb could be discharged.
While all this was going on at the ER, Kerry and Caelyn were still in Brookdale Park. Kerry was worrying about Caleb while I would periodically send her updates. Caelyn was caught up in the excitement of the fireworks. According to Kerry, it was hard to tell whether our daughter or the fireworks were louder.
When the fireworks were over, Amy asked if Kerry wanted Caelyn to come home with them since Kerry would be heading to the ER soon. Caelyn heard the question and that sealed the deal. Her first sleepover was to begin and Caelyn went home with Amy and Matthew.
Caelyn had never spent the night away from both Kerry and I before so we fully expected to get a call in the middle of the night. That call never came. Caelyn had a blast. She and Matthew watched a show then went to sleep on the futon in the play room and didn't wake until morning though according to Matthew, Caelyn snores which is something Kerry and I already knew.
Caleb spent the night in bed with Kerry and I. Neither of us slept that well. We had to give Caleb a 3 a.m. dose of Benadryl and our minds had a tough time winding down from the days events.
When morning came, I went to pick Caelyn up. When we got home and she saw her brother, her relief was evident as she exclaimed, "He looks OK."
Now I am getting used to the idea of having a child with a food allergy. I will be picking up epi-pens later on today. They will now go everywhere we go. I threw out the peanuts I had in the cabinet and will now need to read every label to look for things processed on equipment that handles nuts. I also have to watch out for things cooked in peanut oil. All things I never thought about less than 24 hours before.
Life is funny that way. Just when you think you know what's what, the world shifts. So now we shift with it and thank God that Caleb is home safe and sound.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Did My Daughter Have a Date?
Yesterday, Caelyn, Caleb and I travelled into Manhattan with friends and it has me wondering, did my daughter have a date?
Kid's rocker Aurdrarox was playing a show in Madison Square Park yesterday morning. Based in Brooklyn, she plays regularly in the area and is one of Caelyn and Caleb's favorites. When discussing our plans with a friend whose son Aiden is Caelyn's age and whose daughter Kiera is just a little older than Caleb, the conversation turned to seeing if they wanted to go with us. Fortunately, they did.
Caelyn and Aiden have and interesting relationship. Basically, they adore each other. They have been taking Taekwon-do together for close to a year and their favorite classes are the ones where the other is there with them.
Due to school schedules, though, the first time they have been around each other outside the dojang was yesterday. This did not stop Aiden however from declaring that he was going to marry Caelyn in 25 years or Caelyn from saying she agreed to the proposal.
Aiden's mom Lazette and I put together the details. We would load all four kids into our van, travel into Manhattan for Audrarox's show, then hit a playground and eat nearby.
With this plan in place, I started to get nervous when Caelyn's high fever early in the week stubbornly persisted. By Wednesday, it was still present but lower than before. I contacted Lazette to she if she wanted to change the plan but we both agreed, unless there was a serious downturn, we were going ahead.
While I was not there to see it, I understand Aiden did a dance on the porch when given the news about Thursday's plans. When Caelyn and Aiden saw each other later that Wednesday at the dojang, Aiden was beside himself, talking quickly and loudly about the next days trip into the city.
As Caelyn had yet not been told about it, she looked a little confused. It just didn't click for her that Aiden was discussing plans he had with her. When I told her later on about the plan, she stared at me in disbelief. Then she smiled. It wasn't just her mouth that smiled, but her whole body. Then the bouncing started.
Yesterday morning, Aiden was waiting on the front porch when I pulled into the driveway. We had an uneventful trip in but it was loud, very loud. Caelyn and Aiden were sitting together in the back of the van trying to see who could talk the loudest and the fastest. At least, that is what it seemed like to me up front.
Meanwhile, Caleb and Kiera were the calm ones. Caleb bounced happily to the music while Kiera colored in her coloring book. Lazette and I just talked and laughed at the noise coming from the back as we made our way through the last of the morning rush.
Fortunately, the church we attend in Manhattan is near Madison Square Park so I was able to get street parking in the restricted area in front of it. We made it to the stage about 5 minutes before the show began.
Caelyn, Caleb and Aiden made their way to the front where they watched and danced. Sometimes they danced alone, sometimes Caelyn and Aiden danced together and sometimes they just watched while holding hands.
After Audrarox finished her set, it was playground time. The playground there in the park was a madhouse. Tons of kids, running, screaming and playing. They had a blast.
When it was time for lunch, Kerry was able to sneak out of her office for a bit to join us.
After I told Lazette Kerry would be joining us, she responded, "Good. Another set of hands." And boy did we need them. None of the children acted badly in the restaurant but there were four of them. Two are five, one is three and the other is two so you can imagine how that went.
After our escape from the restaurant, Kerry went back to work and Lazette and I walked the kids to Union Square for playground number two.
Finally, the kids were done. They had nothing left in the tank so it was back to the van for the drive home. The ride back was much quieter. All four children fell asleep. It was a sure sign of a day well spent.
After goodbyes were said and I was driving home, I wondered to myself, "Did I my daughter just have a date?"
After all, they saw a show, went out to eat and walked through the city hand in hand at times. It certainly sounds like a date. And they do plan to be married.
I guess we will just have to see what time brings but I know this, if they do end up getting married in 25 years, I will be reading this at their reception.
Kid's rocker Aurdrarox was playing a show in Madison Square Park yesterday morning. Based in Brooklyn, she plays regularly in the area and is one of Caelyn and Caleb's favorites. When discussing our plans with a friend whose son Aiden is Caelyn's age and whose daughter Kiera is just a little older than Caleb, the conversation turned to seeing if they wanted to go with us. Fortunately, they did.
Caelyn and Aiden have and interesting relationship. Basically, they adore each other. They have been taking Taekwon-do together for close to a year and their favorite classes are the ones where the other is there with them.
Due to school schedules, though, the first time they have been around each other outside the dojang was yesterday. This did not stop Aiden however from declaring that he was going to marry Caelyn in 25 years or Caelyn from saying she agreed to the proposal.
Aiden's mom Lazette and I put together the details. We would load all four kids into our van, travel into Manhattan for Audrarox's show, then hit a playground and eat nearby.
With this plan in place, I started to get nervous when Caelyn's high fever early in the week stubbornly persisted. By Wednesday, it was still present but lower than before. I contacted Lazette to she if she wanted to change the plan but we both agreed, unless there was a serious downturn, we were going ahead.
While I was not there to see it, I understand Aiden did a dance on the porch when given the news about Thursday's plans. When Caelyn and Aiden saw each other later that Wednesday at the dojang, Aiden was beside himself, talking quickly and loudly about the next days trip into the city.
As Caelyn had yet not been told about it, she looked a little confused. It just didn't click for her that Aiden was discussing plans he had with her. When I told her later on about the plan, she stared at me in disbelief. Then she smiled. It wasn't just her mouth that smiled, but her whole body. Then the bouncing started.
Yesterday morning, Aiden was waiting on the front porch when I pulled into the driveway. We had an uneventful trip in but it was loud, very loud. Caelyn and Aiden were sitting together in the back of the van trying to see who could talk the loudest and the fastest. At least, that is what it seemed like to me up front.
Meanwhile, Caleb and Kiera were the calm ones. Caleb bounced happily to the music while Kiera colored in her coloring book. Lazette and I just talked and laughed at the noise coming from the back as we made our way through the last of the morning rush.
Fortunately, the church we attend in Manhattan is near Madison Square Park so I was able to get street parking in the restricted area in front of it. We made it to the stage about 5 minutes before the show began.
Caelyn, Caleb and Aiden made their way to the front where they watched and danced. Sometimes they danced alone, sometimes Caelyn and Aiden danced together and sometimes they just watched while holding hands.
After Audrarox finished her set, it was playground time. The playground there in the park was a madhouse. Tons of kids, running, screaming and playing. They had a blast.
When it was time for lunch, Kerry was able to sneak out of her office for a bit to join us.
After I told Lazette Kerry would be joining us, she responded, "Good. Another set of hands." And boy did we need them. None of the children acted badly in the restaurant but there were four of them. Two are five, one is three and the other is two so you can imagine how that went.
After our escape from the restaurant, Kerry went back to work and Lazette and I walked the kids to Union Square for playground number two.
Finally, the kids were done. They had nothing left in the tank so it was back to the van for the drive home. The ride back was much quieter. All four children fell asleep. It was a sure sign of a day well spent.
After goodbyes were said and I was driving home, I wondered to myself, "Did I my daughter just have a date?"
After all, they saw a show, went out to eat and walked through the city hand in hand at times. It certainly sounds like a date. And they do plan to be married.
I guess we will just have to see what time brings but I know this, if they do end up getting married in 25 years, I will be reading this at their reception.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Day With a Sick Daughter
I have a sick daughter today. Nothing serious. According to the doctor it's just your run of the mill make you feel like crap virus.
Caelyn started coming down with a fever yesterday at church. Looking back at how she was acting before we left for church, she was probably coming down with it then but we had no idea. We just figured she hadn't slept well.
When we got home and checked her temperature, it came in at around 104. I know some people who read this think that is high but we didn't even blink. We've been there too many times before.
Caelyn and fevers have a long history of taking things to the extreme. She almost never gets a temperature of 101 or something like that. It's either normal or at least 103. Once her temperature was so high the doctor's response was, "Well, if she was going to have seizures, she would have done it by now."
So, 104 did not particularly alarm us. We treated it with medicine that knocked it down to 101 where she was much more comfortable.
There is nothing and no one so pitiful as Caelyn when she is feeling ill. She whines and whimpers. She complains over and over again about this or that not being right. Everything is a battle and her volatility goes off the scale. It is a fight to get her to eat or even take medicine she knows will help her. Any and every little thing can set off a meltdown. The only thing she wants to do is curl up and whine.
This morning I gave Caelyn some medicine to take. She had finished the flavor she liked so she had to try something new. The result was Caelyn throwing a fit about how she didn't like the taste. She finally drank it but because she had gotten herself so worked up, she spit a bunch of it up on her nightgown.
Once I cleaned her up, it was time to take her to the doctor's where after a strep test came back negative, he declared it the above mentioned virus. Considering I know of at least 2 other families with kids with similar illnesses, I imagine it is just one making the rounds.
Much of the rest of the day was spent on the couch with Caelyn. Fortunately, her brother took a very long nap giving Caelyn time to rest and even sleep a bit.
As I write this, Caelyn is in her room with her mommy trying to go to sleep. Hopefully, she will sleep better tonight than she did last night and the fever will have broken by morning. It's tough seeing your kid suffer, even when it is something as common as this.
I want to take it all away from her. I want to be able to just reach my hand out and remove that which makes her feel so bad. Unfortunately, I can't. But what I can do is hold her, comfort her, and care for her until she feels better. Here's hoping that will be soon.
Caelyn started coming down with a fever yesterday at church. Looking back at how she was acting before we left for church, she was probably coming down with it then but we had no idea. We just figured she hadn't slept well.
When we got home and checked her temperature, it came in at around 104. I know some people who read this think that is high but we didn't even blink. We've been there too many times before.
Caelyn and fevers have a long history of taking things to the extreme. She almost never gets a temperature of 101 or something like that. It's either normal or at least 103. Once her temperature was so high the doctor's response was, "Well, if she was going to have seizures, she would have done it by now."
So, 104 did not particularly alarm us. We treated it with medicine that knocked it down to 101 where she was much more comfortable.
There is nothing and no one so pitiful as Caelyn when she is feeling ill. She whines and whimpers. She complains over and over again about this or that not being right. Everything is a battle and her volatility goes off the scale. It is a fight to get her to eat or even take medicine she knows will help her. Any and every little thing can set off a meltdown. The only thing she wants to do is curl up and whine.
This morning I gave Caelyn some medicine to take. She had finished the flavor she liked so she had to try something new. The result was Caelyn throwing a fit about how she didn't like the taste. She finally drank it but because she had gotten herself so worked up, she spit a bunch of it up on her nightgown.
Once I cleaned her up, it was time to take her to the doctor's where after a strep test came back negative, he declared it the above mentioned virus. Considering I know of at least 2 other families with kids with similar illnesses, I imagine it is just one making the rounds.
Much of the rest of the day was spent on the couch with Caelyn. Fortunately, her brother took a very long nap giving Caelyn time to rest and even sleep a bit.
As I write this, Caelyn is in her room with her mommy trying to go to sleep. Hopefully, she will sleep better tonight than she did last night and the fever will have broken by morning. It's tough seeing your kid suffer, even when it is something as common as this.
I want to take it all away from her. I want to be able to just reach my hand out and remove that which makes her feel so bad. Unfortunately, I can't. But what I can do is hold her, comfort her, and care for her until she feels better. Here's hoping that will be soon.
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