Saturday, February 5, 2011

My boy

My wonderful and amazing five year old, who is so smart and so sweet, to no fault of his own, can really make me bawl.

Yesterday on the way to the Embassy to get John I heard a familiar noise from Malachi, and although he makes it on his own sometimes looked back to check on him. He was indeed having a seizure. I was stopped at a light but knew I needed to pull over. I said a very quick prayer and looked over to the lane next to me, it was empty - not normal during rush hour on this road - thank you God! I told Malachi that he was ok and that I was going to pull over and get him out (for myself of course, he was unconscious during his seizure). I did exactly that, there was an empty parking lot very close to me, so I pulled in and without even turning the car off, grabbed my cell from it's uber convenient spot to time the seizure and got Malachi out very quickly. I laid his head in the crook of my arm with his body on his side. I looked at my phone to see the time and to call John. By the time I looked back down at Malachi he was closing his eyes and had stopped seizing. I think total, this event was about 30 - 45 seconds. It was very short, with no drool, and was by far the least traumatic seizure for him. Malachi didn't even cry which is abnormal. He used to scream after a seizure.

John answered the phone immediately, probably thinking I had arrived. I told him Malachi had, had a seizure and then I started crying. Between sobs I told him that it was short and he was already done. I got Malachi to respond to a question of mine, told John to call our Embassy nurse (he couldn't get a hold of her), and that I'd be right there to pick him up. I drove to the Embassy often watching Malachi in the rear view mirror. He was definitely still in the postictal state (Wikipedia: The postictal state is the altered state of consciousness that a person enters after experiencing a seizure. It usually lasts between 5 and 30 minutes...), and I was also in the postictal state (read: bawling, controlling myself, bawling, etc.). John was waiting for us outside and when I stepped out, he gave me a big comforting hug and took over the driving.

Over the course of our drive home (about 25 minutes) he had fully recovered and won the "race" to the door. I was a mess the rest of the night, John was my rock, Malachi was showing no sign of any seizure. He had dinner, watched a bit of T.V., and went to bed on time. I hadn't been able to get a hold of the nurse, but she called at 10:30 after she saw our missed calls. We told her what happened and that since he recovered so well, we'd keep an eye on him this weekend, but would wait to call any Dr. or go anywhere until Monday unless he had another event this weekend.

I had a difficult time going to sleep last night, and when I woke up at 4:45, my mind ran right to last night's events. I couldn't go back to sleep.

I thank God that Malachi's ok. I thank God that I was able to pull over, and that his seizure was so short. I thank God that his recovery was full and that it happened in the "right" amount of time.

So far today he's been just his normal self. I, however, have been a little different. I actually cuddled with him for the duration of a movie. I wouldn't normally do that, but I was just thankful to have my boy in my arms.

What does that do for bidding (getting our next job), you ask? It means that we'll probably be going to a more expensive (read: no house help/working for me) country that has great medical care, some possible countries are England, Sweden, Germany and Australia. We get our bid list later this week and we'll hand it in shortly after that. I don't know how long it will take to get our assignment after that, but I think (hope) we'll know by the end of March where we're going.

9 comments:

Nomads By Nature said...

Praying for your son. Feeling for you all. How awesome that all needs fell into place yesterday during his episode. I don't blame you for holding him extra close, extra long. Actually we should all probably do that to our kids more often. In fact, I'm gonna go give both of mine an extra kiss while they are sleeping tonight. Hoping that the seizures get sorted out soon.

S said...

Glad the recovery was quick...I'll be praying for you guys.

Sunny said...

I am so sorry Sara. I can only imagine how heart breaking it is and incredibly frustrating that you can't go with the wind but you have your priorities right.

Hold your baby a little harder, those times are fleeting.

Kristen said...

I'm with NBN on that one. It's taking all the self control I can muster to not rush into my daughters rooms right now and wake them up to hug on them. I could only hope I would handle that situation with as much grace as you did! You are an amazing Wife Mommy and Woman!! You all are definitely in my thoughts and prayers this weekend and I will be praying that the Lord directs your paths to the best possible post for you all in the coming months.

Becky said...

So hard. I am glad that you found the help and strength you needed to get through it. I can't even imagine how hard that must be to have to deal with, with your little one. Sending you hugs and prayers. And I think I'm gonna hold my little ones a little tighter tomorrow too. I hope that it gets better soon. I am sorry you have to deal with all this. I hope bidding goes well.

Donna said...

I have seen some scary seizures in my time and so I can imagine how awful that was for you. Give him an extra kiss tonight, and be kind to yourself, too. Prayers your way.

Just US said...

How incredibly scary! I am so thankful that you were able to pull over and that the seizure was quick. Give him an extra hug for us too!

Sadie said...

what a scary experience once, let alone throughout his life. hoping he feels better (and you too!). bring on the bid list!

Sam Kuo said...

Sorry Sara :( So sad to hear about Malachi, and later Simon. Hope everything will be ok. Give them both hugs for me.

So, bidding on England and Australia, huh? That's what I'm thinking for my next tour as well...let me know where you guys end up. It'd be a contributing factor to my bidlist this summer.

Lots of love, my thoughts, and prayers.