Our Savior's love, shines like the sun with perfect light. As from above, it breaks through clouds of strife.

May 8, 2011

Tender Mercies

A few years ago, and apostle of the Lord gave this message in General Conference. Since then, the phrase "tender mercies" has become so commonly used (might I say overused) in our church that it is a running joke between Greg and I. However, yesterday I was the recipient of some very real and very needed tender mercies from a loving Father in Heaven.

We had just finished visiting the temple and had picked up the girls from the sitter (their sweet older cousin, Anna). We stopped to have lunch at a restaurant in Cary. We sat down to eat. I had taken one bite and then noticed Sarah Jane do a strange jerk. She didn't respond when I called her name or even when I touched her. We thought maybe she was choking, because she was struggling to breathe. We tried swiping out her mouth and doing the baby version of the Heimlich, but it wasn't helping. She was completely unresponsive and seemed to be having a seizure. We called 911. The paramedics were there in about 45 seconds. By the time they got there she was unconscious. They stripped her down and hooked her up to all kinds of monitoring equipment and gave her oxygen. At first they thought she was having an allergic reaction, but soon changed their diagnosis to a febrile seizure. Her fever was 101 degrees. We rode to the hospital in the ambulance. The seizure lasted about 5 minutes and then she was in a "post febrile state" (dilated pupils, unresponsive) for about an hour and a half. At the hospital, once she was responsive enough to take it, they gave her some Motrin to bring the fever down. They kept an eye on her and let her rest for a little while, but no other treatment was necessary and they classified her episode as a benign febrile seizure... something they see quite often. Very scary for the parents, but not harmful to the child.

So... about those tender mercies. Had the seizure happened 30 minutes earlier, SJ would have been with the babysitter. 30 minutes later, and we would have been on the highway in the middle of nowhere on our way home. We happened to be at a restaurant that was just seconds away from the fire/ambulance station. Although NOW I know that this was a condition that didn't require medical intervention, I certainly didn't know that while it was happening and was very reassured by the super fast response of the paramedics. Knowing she was getting help comforted me in this very scary situation. Not having medical help or not having been there when it happened would have been terrifying.

We live in a mortal world, where we must face health challenges and scary situations. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who offers a helping hand when we most need it and Who was most certainly watching over our family, yesterday.

11 comments:

Natalie said...

Nicolle I have been thinking about you and SJ all day today. I am so glad everything turned out alright. How scary! So glad you were in a place to receive fast help by professionals. I would have been hysterical. We love you guys very much.

My Everythings said...

That sounds completely terrifying. Poor Sarah-Jane and YOU! I am so glad she is okay and that you had the help you needed. Love you!

Kari said...

I am glad to hear that everything is okay. I agree with you it is way overused now. But wow!! Truly a tender mercy!

The "D" Family said...

It is amazing how mindful, aware of your needs, and merciful the Lord is in those terrifying hard situations. I am glad is over and you are able to look back and see the blessings.

The "D" Family said...

It is amazing how mindful of your needs and merciful Heavenly Father is in those terrifying hard situations. I am glad it is behind you and you can look back on it and see the blessings....hope it is something you never have to repeat.
Love you guys.

carrie said...

So glad to hear she is ok! I hope you and Greg are as well.

Toni said...

Scary! I am so glad she is better. So glad she got the help she needs. It is amazing to think that the Lord loves our babies as much, if not more, than we do. It was so good to see you sitting in RS yesterday also:)

diannealexan@gmail.com said...

What a frightening experience. We're so happy that Sarah-Jane is alright.

Anonymous said...

Wow. so glad everything is ok. I've read about these and don't think that would have helped me in not totally losing it. I agree about the over use of Tender Mercies but I would agree with you that this was one.

Anonymous said...

Nicolle I am so glad that things turned out well and that SJ is OK. I hope you and Greg are doing fine as well.

Erika

Sawyers Family said...

What a scary situation! I am so glad everything turned out okay!