Wednesday morning at 10am, out of the blue, Ben said, "hurt" and cuddled into my chest. He went limp and felt a little warm. Then he got pale really quickly, stopped responding almost completely and his eyes started drooping like he was going to go unconscious.
We had just sent Hannah into dance class. All of the other Mom's were like angels. As soon as Ben got sick Jamie ran to get Hannah's dance teacher, while Breanna, the Academy Director, took over the class. Things happened so fast and I was so worried for Ben. Lynn kept me focussed on calling Jared and Melissa, dialed the numbers on her cell phone, since I didn't have ours with me. Jennifer, Hannah's teacher, offered to have Campus Security drive us to the infirmary, but after calling ahead and finding out that there wasn't a nurse there, and because it was clear that Ben needed attention, she recommended a near by hospital. By the time I got through to Jared, I asked him to meet us at the ER.
The hospital happened to be one I am less familiar with. So, after Campus Security drove us to our car, Melissa, drove ahead of us in her car, so that I didn't have to think about how to get there and to make sure I got there the quickest way. Hannah and I sang Popcorn Popping all the way to the hospital trying to keep Ben alert, he was constantly on the verge of unconsciousness. I didn't know what would happen if his eyes stayed closed. If I said, "I love you Ben," he would whisper back, "wuv oo mommy." But that was it.
Melissa, brought Hannah into the ER to meet Ben and I who had gone in ahead. She told me later that, Hannah, wondering what was going on, had asked her, "Does he have a frog in his throat?" It was something I had heard vaguely at the time, but had forgotten. Melissa also told me how scared she had been and how she tried to pretend she was calm and unafraid for me that day. She told me that she had been praying for us and that every night afterwards her little boy, one of Ben's dance class play buddies, would pray and thank God for Ben.
While we were waiting for Jared, I asked Heavenly Father to send another Priesthood holder. My prayer was answered right away. Our good friend Michael Hogue happened to be in the clinic with Jared and quickly drove him over. Thankfully, Michael was also able to stay with Hannah. He took her to the Cafeteria for lunch and on many walks around the hospital.
When Jared saw Ben he was pretty concerned and when the nurse finally looked over at Ben, while taking his history, she called out a "code 3" and had a doctor come immediately. The doctor examined Ben. They took his temperature, put in an IV (very sad), drew blood, gave him some Tylenol and ordered a CAT scan because Ben had fallen a few times in the last week and a half and they wanted to rule out damage to the brain. Jared gave him a blessing. Since the doctor told us it was ok to let him fall asleep, as soon as he got the Tylenol, he did.
We waited for a urine sample and the CAT scan. It felt like deja vu sitting their in the ER, holding my baby boy, praying. Just like when Ben was 10 weeks old with that super high fever and everything we went through with that.
Eventually, they pushed our bed down to the CAT scan room but Ben woke up in the machine before they could run the test. When he woke up he wasn't limp any more, he was alert and acting like himself. It was such an amazing relief to see him acting like himself, but without the scan and the labs I wasn't sure how relieved I should be.
We headed back to the room to wait for the urine sample and see if he'd fall asleep again so we could give the CAT scan another try. Ben did fall asleep but they came in to do his flu test (not a fun procedure), which woke him up, and after sipping down quite a bit of apple juice and water, the urine sample finally came. Ben stayed awake and alert and was himself while we waited for the labs.
The doctor was encouraged by Ben's behavior, so much so that she canceled the CAT scan. When the labs came back, they were all normal. And so, it was determined that Ben probably had a febrile seizure caused by a rapid rise in temperature, caused by a virus. A best case scenario ending to a day when there were moments we feared the worst.
We are deeply grateful for many things. Good nurses and doctors, good friends and the Priesthood power. We are grateful for each moment we are given with our children. We know that life is a gift. I am grateful for mothers of faith and eternal perspective that surround me. Thinking of you helped me find my own strength when I needed it. And I am most grateful for my Savior who gives me peace and helps me be still amid the storm. And for every day of good weather He provides.
