Today, Seth had a well child checkup. He turned 5 in May, but he hasn't had his well child yet. So today was the day. He did so good getting his finger pricked and having his ears and eyes checked. He was even a trooper when they wanted him to wear a paper gown. He looked so cute wearing it. Even though Drew kept telling him it looked like he was wearing a dress, Seth stayed up beat! When Dr. Ponzi finally came in, we had a long conversation about my concerns with vaccinations. I had already decided that we were going to get up to date with their vaccines (slowly), but I wanted to ask a few more questions. He assured me that all the negative publicity about vaccines in unfounded. Seth needed 5 shots to get up to date. But I only agreed to have 2 of them. Dr. Ponzi agreed that fine and we could come in a couple of other times and get the others. I didn't want them all at once. So the nurse came in and gave him one shot in each arm. He did GREAT! He didn't even cry! There was no way I could have predicted what was about to happen. Our visit was over. We gathered our things and went to check out. We were standing in line waiting for our turn when the unthinkable happened. Seth fell to the floor with a huge, thunderous thud! What!? His eyes rolled back in his head and I threw my papers and reached to grab him. It was so scary. He was having a seizure. It only lasted a few seconds, but way too long. How could this be happening? Lindsey was crying and Ben and Drew just stood there frozen. Dr. Ponzi came and took Seth from me. Seth just cried and cried. He was totally out of it. The doctor felt certain he had had a "vaso vagal" reaction. Mandy (my sister and nurse), could you comment and explain to me exactly what that means? The doctor was sure it had nothing to do with the shots, but rather a reaction to the stress of it all. The worst part of the whole thing was that Seth hit his head on the concrete floor REALLY hard. When he was finally able to talk again, his chief complaint was a bad pain in his head. So the doctor wouldn't let us leave. He was concerned about a head injury. Seth was acting lethargic and extremely weak. After about an hour and a half, Dr Ponzi finally decided to send us to the Emergency Room. So we took Seth to the van and he started perking up. So we got him out of the van and walked around a bit. The doctor came outside and agreed that we could go home and observe him and skip the ER for now. By the time we got home, he was be-bopping around like normal. Thank you Lord!
What a crazy day this turned out to be! It was really pitiful to hear the other kids explain what they were thinking while all this was unfolding. Ben said he thought Seth was dead. Lindsey was crying and crying. A nearby mother was very kind to come and hug Lindsey and offer words of comfort. I was reminded how quickly something can happen. Thankfully, we are all at home tonight and everyone is fine.
So, here is your turn to leave me your vaccination story. I just don't know what to think. Ben has an appointment next week. Bless his heart. You know he will be nervous. I know I will be. So share with me your knowledge on vaccines and/or passing out with seizures.
8 comments:
I've got no stories. Only gratefulness to God for His mercy. Mercy purchaced and dispensed by the Cross.
Praise God that that Seth is okay, what a scary event for your family! I know that Chris and I don't have kids yet, but this issue has crossed my mind quite a few times in looking towards children(Even in my internship at Rex Hospital I remember this issue being discussed more than once).
While I need to do lots of research still, and probably will not do that for a few more years, I think that "McMama" sums up my thoughts pretty well. If you haven't been to her blog, it's great(a blogging phenomenon some say)! Plus, there is a wealth of intersting topics such as vaccinations mentioned. Specifically, look on the left toolbar and go down to the "delaying vaccinations" subject for her previous blogs on the issue-towards the bottom they get pretty interesting! In all things though, we know that God is sovereign even over vaccines :)
www.mycharmingkids.net
I am glad that Seth is okay!
This is a long one!
My story is different. I didn't passed out for vaccine shot. Although, I do have a phobia of needles, or shot, or blood work done, and I do get very weak when I see them. I always tell them in advance to avoid that problem. I try to get them to talk about dogs, or cats, or find a magazine that is full of pets, or animals. That does help to keep my mind out of it but focus on pets.
I even passed out when I took my mama's dog to the vet to get her updated shots and blood work. The vet had to called my mama to pick me up.
In the spring of '85 when I was 20 years old, I had to get full back allergy test done (everything was positive which wasn't a good news) and about 5 test tube of blood work done. As mama was paying my medical bill, I passed out and cut right above my left eye when I hit the metal pointed ashtray that was attached to the wall. It did scary her. Then I had to be wheeled and had my stitch done. They paid for that.
Also same thing for minor surgery when I am awake too. I do passed out so easy.
There is a lot more, but I will not list every one of them. I am sure that you got the picture.
Praying that all will go well with you all!
'Guerite ~ BoldLion
Good grief! That's terrible Shannon. My poor Seth. I just want to hug him right now. Girl, you already know my fears of vaccines. Brad and I decided to get the vaccines spread out for Baker over a period of time. Where he wouldn't be seen again for vaccines b/t 6 and 12 mths, we are going almost every month to space them out. I see it as the less chemicals at once the better. Yikes, seizure due to the vaccine or not, it's a scary situation you guys were in yesterday. Love you!! Give Seth a big 'old hug from us!
Thanks for the vote of confidence but I am not sure I can explain a seizure resulting from a vaso vagal response. Often times, a vaso vagal response is when the blood pressure drops and the person faints. I am not sure how to link vaccines to seizure to vaso vagal response. Dr Ponzi will have to do that for you.
In light of discussing vaccine stories, you forgot to mention that you had a seizure after a tetanus shot when were younger. I was the one standing with you and call for everyone to come and help you. You never did it again and you are fine now. Seth is fine too.
Sorry I wasn't more help. I have been specialized for so long, that pregancy, labor and delivery are the only topics I can really speak of with detail. Oh, and changing diapers...
Mandy
Wow, poor Seth! I'm so glad he's ok. I am so undecided on vaccines. I think some are so pointless (chicken pox, for instance...they were a right of passage when I was a kid), but some really are life-savers. I haven't researched enough to really make a decision, but once we have kids this will be a huge concern.
Hi, we don't know each other, but I came here after reading your comment on Brad and Nicole's blog.
The first time I passed out I was 5 yrs old and I was hit in the head with a block and bled from head to toe. Since then I have had a horrible time with needles, shots, and blood. I have passed out more times than I can count. Even from just getting a shot. In fact, I have a similar story to Seth's. I was probably 10 and had a shot. I walked out of the room and fell into a wall. I am pretty sure that whenever I have passed out my eyes roll back in my head and I just fall.
I always assumed that for the rest of my life I would pass out when giving blood or getting shots. No one could explain it and I always tried my best to think of other things and relax. It never worked.
Then when I was 20 yrs old and giving blood the nurse told me that if I laid down and put my feet in the air it was impossible to pass out. So now when I get shots or give blood that is the position I assume (until I feel confident to get up) and I haven't passed out since. I have had 3 babies!
I hope that is all it is for Seth and that it is not related to vaccines. It sounds very similar to my childhood doctor visits!
Wow, I would have probably passed out too....
My girls do not do well with shots and I have to "spring" them on them once we are in the room and getting ready to get them. They have never fainted but will fight as soon as they see the needle coming close.
I hope the next shots won't cause any additional stress or problems.
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