Today the thing I fear most happened.
Well... the thing I fear most that is the precursor to the thing I fear most Monday - Friday 9 AM - 2:30 PM... happened.
ring ring
Before I even answered the phone I saw that it was Kid's school and I started to tremble with adrenaline.
"Hello"
"Hello... Rachel?" The woman asked.
"Yes." I replied with a bit of fear.
"Um... It's Jessica" Kid's teacher said.
And that's when I knew it wasn't the office calling about something administrative. It's also when my heart may have stopped beating
"Ruby..." She continued hesitantly.
And I swear these long awkward pauses aren't for effect... that is how she was talking.... and I just wanted to scream "I can't take it!!! Just say it!!!"
"...doesn't feel well. She says her stomach hurts." She finished and I could hear the anxiety in her voice.
"I'm coming." I announced and hung up the phone.
In less than 3 minutes I had Baby dressed and buckled in the car.
I forgot my shoes. I was shaking.
Then I sat at the unbearably long light wishing I had cut through the gas station.
I had my spiel ready in case I should get pulled over by a cop on my way. I really didn't trust myself not speed down our 20 MPH road. I figured it helped that I was already crying.
It took me 5 minutes to get there and I was reminded why we chose this school and why I refuse to have Kid bused across town. I need to be able to get there in 5 minutes. Period.
Things had gotten settled into a safe rhythm around here. We want to have faith, or hope, that Kid is one of the lucky ones... but we never forget, and can never stop the hypervigilance of preparedness. It's our job. And her life does literally depend on it.
When I got out of the car I took a second to absorb the fact that an ambulance wasn't there. And I didn't hear one coming.
I walked in the room and could see the weary look of concern and fear on the teacher's face. She did not want to have to endure a day of worry and watching and disecting every potential clue.
Because this is how Kid's seizures start.
Or don't.
And you won't know until you know.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
38 comments:
I'll be thinking of Kid all day. I'm hoping beyond hope with you that it's a stomach bug. ::BIIIIIG HUG::
Something told me to check your blog just now ...I was literally holding my breath while reading your post and felt sick to my stomach....I have heard from many that the flu and another stomach bug is going around...this is one of those times that either of those sound GREAT! ;) PLEASE know I'm thinking of you and sending HUGS HUGS HUGS
Wow. Hope everything is okay...I will keep her in my thoughts.
I am hugging you through the airwaves and ruby, too...but I am tickling Baby because I know that would be so much fun.
Oh wow!!!
I hope that its just a bug!
If you need anything you know where to find me.
xoxoxoxoxo
Wish I was there to help - I know we all do! My prayers are with you.
Thank you everyone.
She seems to be through whatever it was and is chipper and alert.
The good news is that the teachers were paying attention and followed my instructions perfectly. And I really can get there FAST.
Thinking of you and kid...and hoping that everything's okay.
It sucks when a tummy-ache can never just be a tummy-ache, and I can't begin to understand the reality of what you guys have to go through with this.
God! How scary! I'm glad she seems to be doing ok. And I am so impressed that the teacher was so on top of it. So many teachers in this day and age would have been telling her she was fine.
And thank God that school is so close. Keep us posted. Y'all are in my prayers.
so glad she is feeling better. super scary:) you handled it beautifully, as always:)
aw man, you had me almost in tears. I'm glad she's feeling better and you now have comfort in the fact that the teacher knew what to do and when to do it, and that you can apparently warp time to get there. We'll all be thinking of you until you report all is fine.
I'm so happy to hear Kid is okay.
So glad Kid has awesome teachers who actually LISTEN to a parent.
(((HUGS)))
So glad she's feeling better! Are the other schools as close? After a scare like that I would be selling the furniture just to have her close by!
Good news, Mrs. F. Whew.
Hope she is doing okay. So scary for everyone.
Thanks everyone.
It was definitely frightening. Keeps you on your toes though ;)
She seems completely back to normal. She was definitely looking and acting WEIRD when I got her so they did the right thing.
The nice thing about having her in a small school is that I have a detailed medical plan that I wrote and there wasn't any red tape... I just gave it to the teachers and trained them in how to handle it.
This whole experience was good in that I know they are erring on the side of caution and not minimizing the severity of the situation. That's enough for me to want to keep her there.
Marie,
The charter school (free) is actually only about 2 blocks away. Other than that her school is closest.
WOW glad kid is better now and all is good! Awesome that the teacher did as she was asked! And AWESOME of you to teach them what to do, because even after kid moves on to other grades/schools/teachers, that teacher will always remember, just incase it happens to another child! :)
I am hoping and praying kid is OK still.
On a related subject that I hope doesn't sound inappropraite: Don't you think that you could get kid into a public school nearby with your need to be able to get to her so quickly? Shouldn't there be some sort of dispensation for health reasons? Just a thought.
Hang in there. SO grateful she seems OK.
Oh my gosh! i'm glad things seemed to have settled down and i'm glad the teacher took it seriously. it's also good that kid told her teacher she wasn't feeling well.
i hope everything stays calm. we'll be thinking of you!
I'm really glad they took no chances and just called. It's HUGE to know they are paying attention and didn't hesitate.
I wonder if we can work a medical angle to get into the close school...
Gooddog & Mr F,
You know on the form they ask about special needs and I hadn't put anything in (yet) since I didn't want it to work against us. And, of course, I was hoping we wouldn't qualify. But since it is a charter school and filled by lottery I don't know if there is anything that trumps that process. I'm going to find out.
It's a relief that she is ok, but more of a relief that they took you seriously and just did what they needed to do. I can't say that that would happen here in the public schools. There is too much "red tape".
My God. I'm so relieved that she's ok. Another plus to list on the private school issue.
My heart sank as I started reading and I almost started crying Im so relieved to hear she is ok and your ok Gawd that has got to be hard I hope and pray you guys wont have to go through this again and bravo for her teacher.
Oh I held my breath until I got to the end. Thank goodness she is ok.
I held my breath through that entire post, and my eyes welled up with tears with relief when I read the tags. I fear getting a phone call like that from Jackson's teacher. Hugs, m'dear.
Thank goodness!!! And big ups to that attentive teacher. :)
I hate it for you. I hate odd hour phone calls or the schools number to pop up. I will be praying for you through the night. "Be strong and take heart." Psalm 27:14
Just wanted to let you know that we're still thinking about y'all. Tell Kid we miss her! (We miss you too!)
I'm hoping that everything is still calm!
Like everyone else I held my breath, tears in my eyes....having met Kid and having her take my hand to play on that ship that day....well, Kid holds a place in my heart. I'll be thinking of you guys...I know you'll be on high alert and I'll be hoping its just a passing blip.
Love, lots of it, to you guys tonight.
You definitely should put this on your school form. In our (admittedly UK, non-lottery) method, special needs is the very first thing they look at, even before seeing if children have siblings at a particular school. Writing it on a form doesn't mean it will happen to her again - it just means you have a better chance of getting the right school for her, which is the most important thing.
Hope she is feeling much better now.
Wow, I'm impressed that the school really took you seriously. Hope Kid is doing well. How scary.
I'm so glad she's ok, and that they followed your instructions to a T. Have you calmed down yet? I bet it will take a few days...
I'm so relieved to hear that Ruby seems to be fine. I'm sorry you all had to go through that, and so happy she didn't have a siezure.
My thoughts and stuff are with you...
Elizabeth,
I'm especially thankful for your stuff ;)
Deb,
Oh I hope you never do get that call. This is the 2nd time... once in preschool and once here. Not too bad for 3 years.
Heather,
I'm doing okay. I am not doing an errands or anything today though... just staying by the phone.
What a scare! I'm so glad that she's fine and that she was well taken care of at school and at home. Sorry I missed your call. We're heading out of town tomorrow and will be gone for the weekend. I'll try to connect soon. My best to you all.
I am late on this post. SO glad that everything ended up okay!!
Post a Comment