Febrile Seizure

FYI - writing and sharing this right now makes me cry and worry, but it has been on my mind for months that I needed to share this with everyone, it's just one more situation that we can prepare ourselves for when an emergency happens.

 A few months back we had quite a scary experience with our precious little Kaedyn. On August 1st, while we were in Clovis, CA on a business trip, Kaedyn woke up Saturday morning with a temperature of 101 deg. Like usual I gave her tylenol and within a little bit she was back to her happy and perky self. As the day went on the temperature was up and down. The next morning was Sunday, she woke up with a 100 temp. So I gave her more tylenol.  Around 3:00 I checked her temp it was 99.7 so I was debating if she needed more tylenol. She was getting ready to take a little nap, so I put her on the potty for a few minutes, and was planning to give her some tylenol when she was all done. Those who know my Kaedyn, know that she could read books on the potty for hours. After a few minutes, she asked if I would bring her one more book, and I agreed. Just as I was walking in the bathroom, and I showed her the new book, she looked at me a little funny. So I knelt down next to the potty, to tell her about the book, and she just looked at me with this blank stare, and I said kaedyn look at this book, it's so cute. Within a few seconds she fell backward off the potty and I caught her in my arms. (Immediately I thought this is one of those fever seizures, but had no idea what to do). I just held her as I yelled for Brent. Her eyes were open, and she was staring right through me. Brent came in, put cool water on her, and nothing happened. Brent took Kaedyn and laid her on the floor, and I called 911. At this point it's been about 5 minutes and my sweet little kaedyn is still not responding, is turning Blue and had very shallow breathing, if any at all. This was a horrible situation, I thought my little girl was gone.

At this point, my Mom takes Colby, my Dad is on the phone with 911, Brent is in the back room with Kaedyn and I am waiting outside for the ambulance. All I could do was pray. I don't want to share everything that I experienced while praying to our Heavenly Father, but I know he was with us and our precious little Kaedyn. I felt his Love surrounding me and I new that whatever happened at this point that my precious little Kaedyn was in his arms, and that he Loved her and he was holding her. 

When the ambulance arrived, Kaedyn was now conscious and trying to talk and stand up, but couldn't do either, she didn't know who Brent or I was, she was mumbling and nothing made sense. I rode in the ambulance and Brent followed us in the car. Her temperature was now 104. So in a matter of 15 minutes it rose from 99.7 to 104. At the hospital they had to run all types of painful tests (poor baby). She tried so hard to be brave, but was so sick and exhauseted. Once there she finally knew that I was her Mommy and could say it, but still couldn't say anything else. Finally after several hours she recognized Brent and was talking like usual. We were at the hospital from about 4:00 - 11:00 pm. During this time she was asleep, but they were constanly waking her up to take more tests. Within 36 hours Kaedyn was full of energy & super happy. In the past few months, she has gotten several fevers, so you can bet this Mama, knows to stay calm, but am on "High Alert"

There is so much more I could share about this evening, 

but the most important information is all written below.

Our Exhausted Little Kaedyn hanging out with Colby the next Morning

Febrile Seizure
(Seizures with Fever)

What are Febrile Seizures?
Seizures are also called convulsions. Febrile seizures are triggered by fever. They are the most common type of seizure and are usually harmless. The average body temperature at which they occur is 104. F. The fever itself can be caused by an infection in any part of the body.

Children who have febrile seizures are usually 6 months to 5 years old. A child's first febrile seizure usually occurs by 3 years of age.

During a seizure, your child may:

* become stiff
*become unconscious or not know where they are
*have jerking or twitching movements
*have the eyes roll backward
*have noisy breathing
*after the seizure, your child may be sleepy and confused for a while.

How long will the effects last?

Each seizure usually lasts 1 to 10 minutes without treatment. Febrile seizures do not cause any brain damage.

Febriel seizures occur in 4% of children. Most of these children have just one febrile seizure in a lifetime. About one-third of children who have had a febrile siezure have 1 to 3 recurrences over the next few years. Febrile seizures usually stop happening by the time a child is 5 or 6 years old.

What should I do when my child has a seizure?

* Prevent injury.

To prevent accidental injury, place the child on the floor or ground. The child should not be held or restrained during a seizure.

*Reduce the fever.

Bringing your child's fever down as quickly as possible may shorten the seizure. Remove your child's clothing and put cold washcloths on the face and neck. If the seizure persists, sponge the rest of the body with cool water. As the water evaporates, your child's temperature will fall. When the seizure is over and your child is awake, give the usual dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for your child's weight and age, and encourage your child to drink cool fluids.

* Protect your child's airway.

If your child has anything visible in the mouth, clear it with a finger to prevent choking. Place your child on the their side or stomach (face down) to help drain secretions. If your child's breathing becomes noisy, pull the jaw and chin forward.

* Common mistakes in first aid of seizures.

During the seizure, don't try to restrain your child or stop the seizure movements. Once started the seizure will run its course no matter what you do. Don't try to do CPR on your child just because breathing stops for 5 to 10 seconds. If he or she is not breathing when the seizure stops, then start moth-to-mouth rescue breathing (CPR). Try to clear the airway. Don't try to force anything into your child's mouth. Don't try to hold the tongue. Children may rarely bite the tongue during a seizure, but they can't swallow the tongue.

How can I help prevent seizures?

*Oral fever-reducing medicines

Febrile seizures usually occur during the first day of an illness. Although research is lacking, preventing high fevers may prevent some febrile seizures. Begin acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen at the first sign of any fever (a temperature over 100. F. and give it continuously for the first 48 hours of illness.

                               Our Precious Little Kaedyn Brook
                        We Love You so Much