Early yesterday morning we experienced something very scary. I feel compelled to tell you about it so that if, God forbid, you encounter this with your child you would have some reference point and hopefully it would help you to understand what is happening as well as how best to react.
Madison was congested during the night and she woke up vomiting and with a fever of about 100.5. We tried to give her Tylenol Fever Reducer, but because she kept throwing up, it didn't have a chance to get into her system and work. She was crying, sleepy and very uncomfortable, so in order to try and comfort her, I held her while she drifted off to sleep. The lights were dim, so I couldn't really see her and I started to dose off myself, however she was making these sucking sounds, as though she were sucking on a bottle. I asked Gordon, who was laying right next to us, "is she sucking on her ba-ba?" I thought I took her bottle away from her, but because I was so lathargic at this point, I couldn't remember. He looked at her and said, "no, she doesn't have her ba-ba". This alarmed us both. He jumped up and turned on the light and I jumped up with Madison in my arms. When we both looked at her, we realized that the "sucking sounds" was Madison gasping for air! By this time, her lips were blue and her eyes were rolling in the back of her head and her body was very limp in my arms. This truly scared us. I started screaming, "MA! MA! MA!" We didn't know what to do. She wouldn't come to. As I told Gordon to call 911, I started to call out to Madison and when she didn't respond I started to smack her on her back....she still wouldn't respond. I started crying and then I started praying to God for help! It was at that point that her eyes focused on my eyes and she started to cry. That cry was music to my ears! The 911 dispatcher told Gordon that we should undress her and keep her cool to bring the fever down, and that's what we did until EMS arrived. What happened here is that Madison's fever got so high she had what they call a Febrile Seizure.
A febrile seizure is triggered by a high fever. About 3-5% of otherwise healthy children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years will have a seizure caused by a fever. Toddlers are most commonly affected. There is a tendency for febrile seizures to run in families. The first febrile seizure is one of life's most frightening moments for parents. Most parents are afraid that their child will die or have brain damage. Most febrile seizures are triggered by fevers from viral upper respiratory infections (hence Mimi's congestion/cold) or ear infections. Meningitis causes less than 0.1% of febrile seizures but should ALWAYS be considered, especially in children less than one year old or those who still look ill when the fever comes down. A simple febrile seizure stops by itself within a few seconds to 10 minutes, usually followed by a brief period of drowsiness or confusion.
A febrile seizure may be as mild as the child's eyes rolling or limbs stiffening. Quite often a fever triggers a full-blown convulsion that involves the whole body. Febrile seizures may begin with the sudden sustained contraction of muscles on both sides of a child's body -- usually the muscles of the face, trunk, arms, and legs. A haunting, involuntary cry or moan often emerges from the child, from the force of the muscle contraction. The contraction continues for seemingly endless seconds, or tens of seconds. The child will fall, if standing, and may pass urine. He may vomit. He may bite his tongue. The child may not be breathing, and may begin to turn blue. Finally, the sustained contraction is broken by repeated brief moments of relaxation -- the child's body begins to jerk rhythmically. The child is unresponsive to the parent's voice.
During the seizure, leave your child on the floor. You may want to slide a blanket under him if the floor is hard. Loosen any tight clothing, especially around the neck. If possible, open or remove clothes from the waist up. If he vomits, or if saliva and mucus build up in the mouth, turn him on his side or stomach. This is also important if it looks like the tongue is getting in the way of breathing. DO NOT try to force anything into his mouth to prevent him from biting the tongue, as this increases the risk of injury. DO NOT try to restrain your child or try to stop the seizure movements. Focus your attention on bringing the fever down. Inserting an acetaminophen suppository into the child's rectum is a great first step, if you have some. DO NOT try to give anything by mouth. Apply cool washcloths to the forehead and neck. Sponge the rest of the body with lukewarm (not cold) water. Cold water or alcohol may make the fever worse. After the seizure is over and your child is awake, give the normal dose of ibuprofen or acetaminophen. After the seizure, the most important step is to identify the cause of the fever.
Mimi is doing much better now, in fact she is back to her normal self. Her pediatrician ordered an EEG. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test used to detect abnormalities related to electrical activity of the brain. This procedure tracks and records brain wave patterns. Small metal discs with thin wires (electrodes) are placed on the scalp, and then send signals to a computer to record the results. Normal electrical activity in the brain makes a recognizable pattern. Through an EEG, doctors can look for abnormal patterns that indicate seizures and other problems. The most common reason an EEG is performed is to diagnose and monitor seizure disorders.
I hope this information helps. I cannot express to you how scary those few minutes were. We did not know what was happening and we truly thought we were losing Mimi. My heart was breaking and everything seemed to have been moving in slow motion. I am only posting this information as an attempt to share our experience and what we've learned in the hope that God forbid, you or someone you know goes thorough this, you will be better equipped to deal with it. We love our Mimi and we cannot imagine our lives without her!
For a few months now, Madison has been pulling a chair up to the counter next to her Daddy when he is cooking dinner. She pretends to cook as well saying, "I cooking...I cooking..." Now she has her own kitchen to cook in....she absolutely loves it! 
Madison has fun moving her stuff all around. 
Mimi pulled out the sink...its her short cut to the bottom cabinet. Oh and by the way...notice the step stool...it came with her drum set from her cousin Cameron. However she needs it to reach the top shelf and microwave...like someone else in this house! 
Madison feeding Baby and Guta. She named the bear, "Guta". Don't ask....we don't know! 
Here you see Madison pressing, "START" on her microwave. She is warming up Chai Tea for her daddy. Below you will see Mimi helping Mommy to make cookies...
Madison playing her new drum set....she absolutely loves her drum set! 
Mimi and Daddy reading one of her many books from Opa and Oma! Madison loves to read. Her favorites are the Dora musical book and Chika Chika Boom Boom. 
Guy-Guy gave Mimi a Baby for Christmas...she calls it Baby. 
We hope you enjoyed your Christmas as much as we enjoyed ours!
