As parents it seems we never know all we need to, and the lessons learned are only be because we went through some trial.
This week Daniel had been fussier than normal, which I assumed was due to teething. Thursday afternoon he started acting sleepy, and just wanted to be cradled in my arms and sleep (that is very unusual for him).
We measured his temperature in the early evening and it was 39.5 C or 103.1 F. We then nursed him as best we knew by bathing his head and giving him lots to drink. He fell into a fitful sleep, moaning all the while, but did sleep a bit.
When he woke at about 9:00 PM I wanted to measure his temperature again, but he was crying. I offered him a drink and he seemed to choke, but then I realized this wasn't about choking. I screamed for Janis to call 911 and rushed to the bathroom. Daniel had grown rigid and limp, his eyed were rolled back and he was twitching. We realized he was having a seizure, and attempted to cool him by bathing his head and back with cool water. I had read about these seizures, known as febrile convulsions, that occur when the baby's body temperature suddenly rises are falls.
As Janis bathed Daniel's burning body he kept praying, "God, have mercy." Finally the seizure ended, he was whimpering and lethargic.
The ambulance arrived and we were rushed to the hospital. My mind was full of doubts and stories of the bad reputation of the local hospital and I hoped we would just be taken to Riga.
After administering medicine for his high temperature, which was still at 103 F we were admitted to the hospital. Daniel was put on an IV and fluids were administered. After sleeping a bit, Daniel awoke and ate a bit. We were very happy to see him acting more like himself.
I have been pleasantly surprised by the kind nurses and doctor. Having heard only bad things about the Ogre hospital I dreaded what our experience would be like. Daniel's doctor is a kind, unhurried elderly lady. She spent a good deal of time with us, chatting with Daniel and trying to get him warmed up to her. She also informed me with great emotion that in two months the Ogre hospital will be closed. Due to the economic crisis in Latvia and around the world there is no money and so the hospital will close. She said things have grown neglected due to the fewer works and the hospital has become like and "abandoned ship".
It is Sunday and we are still in the hospital. The temperature has been down since Friday but we won't be released until Monday when the children's doctor can examine Daniel again. However, they have allowed us to go home the last two evenings and return the next morning. We have been very grateful to sleep in our own beds.
Our furnace is shot and Janis must buy a new one so our house is cold. We borrowed a space heater to at least keep Daniel warm last night. We were very thankful he slept the night through! His appetite is returning as well.
Yesterday afternoon a bit of a rash appeared, so I am wondering if perhaps he has had roseola.
So far the doctor hasn't given us a diagnosis. His blood tests came back good, his ears look fine, but his throat is a bit red.
We are realizing more and more that being parents in hard and scary at times, we had no idea what to do. We didn't have any medicine at home for fevers because Daniel has never had a high fever. Now we will always have to keep something at home, so that he won't have another fever induced seizure.
Daniel is handling everything well. He doesn't like the nurses who come to inject antibiotics into his port. He goes from being a happy, talkative child before they enter the room, to a silent, sullen, unresponsive one when the nurse enters.
Hopefully we will be home tomorrow. Any calls would be appreciated!! Entertaining a toddler in one room all day is very challenging, but with God's help I am surviving!!
Thanks for your prayers through all of this. We praise God that there was a hospital in Ogre just when we needed it. God readjusted my attitude about the things I had heard about the local hosptial by allowing us to experience their kind care first hand. (Don't believe everything you hear!) We are thankful also for the very reasonable cost of healthcare here. For Daniel everything was absolutely free, and I had to pay a mere 72 cents a day for staying with him. Wow, compare that to other places!!
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