We have no idea what happened. Last night around 10 pm, I was working at the studio, when my wife called from the ambulence. Our neighbors were at our house with their kids watching our daughter. She was already asleep.

All we know is that he was eating some cantalope like he always does before bed, and about a half hour later he said his throat hurt. Whatever it was, it came on fast. He gripped his throat and screemed, then threw himslef down on the floor. He threw up one time, then started weezing.

He could barely breath. His little chest was going in and out so hard it looked like his sternum was bumping his spine and he couldn't talk.

The paramedic thought it was a lung infection. Once they got to the hospital, the first doctor wanted to xray thinking it was a lodged piece of food. The second doctor hooked him up on some sort of ventilator thing thinking it was an alergic reaction to the melon.

I got home in about 10 minutes flat. (usually takes me about a half an hour). One of the nieghbors (husband and wife) stayed with my sleeping daughter and me and the husband went to the hospital. By the time I got there, the third doctor was removing the first respiratory medecine for his lungs and was giving him a steroid shot. She said the blockage was coming from the throat.

When we asked "Which is it? An alergy, or choked food?" She got all defensive and told us that she was the head doctor and all the other ones that came before her was benieth her like we were questioning her authority.

The ER nurse changed the medicine and told me not to worry, that he wouldn't charge me for that last dose like I cared.

My son, who was trying to talk to me, just wanted me to hold his hand as some creepy looking old lady was tugging at my shirt demanding her 100 dollar co-pay. My wife and I in unison, turned around and both said "GET OUT"! I mean really, WTF? It's like the night crew was run by a bunch of accountants instead of medical doctors.

The steroid shot seemed to open his throat, and he was able to talk again. I went home as my wife wanted me to get my daughter and they let us go sometime this morning.

Today, we'll be seeing the pediatrition, which I'm sure he'll be just sending us to an alergy specialist.

Asthma?
Alergy? if so, what?

They gave him so much crap last night, I have no idea what made it better, so it's hard to pin-point what caused it. Naturally, I'm a wreck. Seeing my little boy fighting to just breath made me more scared than I ever have been in my life. He's cool now but I can't help but freak out what could have caused this to prevent it from happening again.

Daddy just wants to fix it.

wishing for the best for all of you

Oh man... That's awful... Poor little guy. I hope you get the answers you need.

I know you shouldn't get into all the "what-ifs", but it sure is easy. As in, what if this happened while we were all asleep? He couldn't talk, and he wasn't moving. How would we have known?

So "what if" this happens again in his sleep? I really want to know what caused this.

Thanks for all the prayers guys. I do trust in the power of prayer and that is one of my favorite things about the internet. You can get a multitude of prayers from good folks like you.

man i could never amagine what that must have felt like.... I am so sorry you had to go throught that ordeal. I pray your son will be just fine. the part where he just wanted you to hold his hand brought tears to my eyes.

Wow, that is awful. I can't imagine going through that! And if you still don't know what caused it, is even scarier.

Wow! That is awful, POOR BABY!

Your son is adorable!

I'm glad he is okay!

that was definitely an allergic reaction. watch him closely when u give him citrus fruits. especially peanuts. alot of kids are allergic to peanuts. he will be alright. God bless.

Oh my God dude....I am there all the way for you....anything you need.

talmuzic said:

yeah, that's what i first thought when i read the post...it might be an allergic reaction.

i hope that he'll be okay.

Oh, geez! I'm so sorry!

Prayers? Consider it done.

[Edited 6/21/06 22:50pm]

So sorry to hear that Kelly, make sure you keep us posted. Your family is definitely in my prayers.

You are in my prayers bro!!!!




J-

YM - I didn't see this until this morning. I can't imagine the agony you've been in. Wishing the best for you and your boy. And I totally understand the terror you're in with the "what if's". I am glad they got him and everything is okay.

I think because of the slow onset (well - over 15 minutes) I'm sure you'll hear him if it happens again.

Wow. I don't pray, but I am today.

UDATE Pediatritian called it "Strider".

Laryngotracheobronchitis: http://www.rainbowpediatr.../3.39.html
Croup or Laryngotracheobronchitis.is is an inflammation or swelling
of the windpipe near the vocal cords. The vast majority of the time it is caused ity a viral infection, rarely is an allergic problem and less than 1% of the time is a bacterial infection. The smaller the child the worse it is, because a little swelling in a small windpipe will produce a narrower breathing passage and therefore, more difficulty in breathing. Adults with this same swelling will usually have no more than a hoarse voice (Laryngitis). The cough (a seal bark) and breathing problems (strider or crowing sound when they breath in) are always worse at night. We do not understand why this is the case, but we know this is true. Generally its onset is sudden between 1 AM and 4 AM and lasts for 3 days. We generally treat the croup with cool mist, cough medicine and sometimes steroids to reduce the swelling. Sometimes the swelling compromises breathing enough in small children to require hospitalization.

Difference between that and (alergy related) asthma: http://www.askdrbrent.com...hp?cat=267

The peditritian gave us some emergency measures to use when (not if) it happens again. Probably over the next several years.

• First go into the bathroom, shut the door and turn the hot water on in the shower and sit in the steam.
  
• Open the freezer door and let him breath in the cold air
  
• If it doesn't subside, call 911
  

Eventually he'll grow out of it. Talking with my mother about it, she said she thought I was going to die when I had the same symptoms at about 6 months of age and had to spend a few days in the hospital. I also got it again and again through the early years.

It eventually gets better as you get older, because the airway in your throat naturally gets bigger.

The doctor said it's usually brought on by a series of virusus/flu/colds that eventually mutate to something that causes this reaction in the throat.

He also told us that this was in the top 3 pediatric ER admissions.

• ASTHMA
  
• APPENDICITIS
  
• STRIDER
  

Wow. That is very interesting. I didn't have any idea about that illness.

Is 41

10Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!

FirstLight said:

Probably because it's not addressed as an illness, rather an effect that a series of viruses can bring about. Strider is just a description of the swelling (and sound of cough) of the vocal cords that can be brought on by a number of things. With small kids, it can be dangerous. With adults, we just loose our voice. (Laryngitis)

As far as genetics, he could have inherrited my throat/vocal cord structure, but it's not a disease or condition. Just means he got daddy's narrow throat and big tonsils and that makes it a little more difficult when getting a virus(s) that affects the respiratory functions.

Also why we both snore a lot.

My tonsils are so big, I gag all the time when I get sick. Sometimes they swell so big, it's very hard for me to breath. I'd be a horrible partner if I were gay.

yamomma said:

I can't believe you went there!

Gotta laugh about something after all of that. Sorry, that was all I could come up with.

I can't believe your son is already into Heavy Metal:
http://www.myspace.com/stridermetal

I'm glad they were able to diagnose it so quickly and you can handle it at home.

That poor boy - he's gotta be totally freaked out over all of this.

(And your son's probably upset too)
[Edited 6/22/06 10:02am]

beauhall said:

At least it's not "STRIPER". Remember them?

However, he sings along to James Brown lately. IT'S SO FRICKIN' CUTE!

He's a tough kid. He was really good at telling the doctors where it hurt. The shot was painful, but he got past it quick.

He kept saying the nurse had a gun and she shot him! (Shot = Gun, I guess) We explained the needle thing can mean getting "A" shot and it is what made him feel better. We've sheltered him this long without even knowing what the word gun was until he saw some kids playing around just recently. He's still not getting a toy gun though. His mother won't even let him have a water gun and calls it a "water squirter" instead. I think I've got her convenced to let him have a "water cannon" that looks more like a pump than a gun. (no hand grip or finger trigger)

They told us the steroid shot would last 3 days. The pediatrition prescribed a liquid steriod to keep on hand for emergencies and that it was not something to give him regularly. Also an antibiotic for the virus infection.

Basically, it's alergy season and in south florida it can get rough on folks. Alergies can get your imune system down and open doors for all kinds of other crap.

Complicated bodies we live in.

I hope everything's been alright with the kiddo now. Jeez, like I haven't been worried enough about every little thing already, you add something new to the mix that I've never even heard of. Seriously, though, I wish you guys the best - I'm sure everything will be ok. I'm sure it totally scared the SH#T out of you, though. So, is there a medical term for babies that can send their liquid poop out of the top of their diapers? My child just loves to SHART!

artist08 said:

Yes, it's called "hurry up and wait". At about 6 months of age, you'll be giving him solid foods, creating - solid poop.

However, I favor the traditional method of rubbing their nose in it yelling bad baby, bad baby! ...

JUST KIDDING! (I promise)

I used to have that problem as a child. It will be alright.

A little late to this but glad your little one is alright Kelly, I can't imagine the panic.

THANK YOU! Everyone ...

for the prayers, the e-mails, the phone calls (for those who know the number) and the pm's.
Your awesome in my book.

He's got a high temp today. I'm sure all the shots are wearing off. We'll see how the night goes.

It's an interesting time we are in to be so personal to people we've never met face to face but the appreciation and the felt love is just the same!

Kelly