James is a Piggybank!

Yesterday was General Conference. Shortly before the second Saturday session, Paul put James down for a nap and then joined us on the couch to watch. Not long after, Paul heard James throwing up in his room. Monday of this week, Charles and Carol Lynn had thrown up - then Tuesday morning, Bailey had thrown up too, so my first reaction was that James had just caught what the other kids had. Paul gave him a bath while I cleaned up his bed sheets. While I was cleaning his bed, my attention was drawn to the pile of coins on his sheets covered in vomit, and I had the thought that he might have tried to swallow one, but I brushed the thought aside considering how the other kids had been sick earlier in the week. He threw up about 7 times (including during his bath) before he finally quieted enough to go down for his nap. It was disconcerting how convulsive his heaving was - very different from the single incident vomiting of the other kids. I was concerned about him, so I laid down next to him until he fell asleep - then I joined everyone to continue watching conference.

Paul left for the priesthood session about 4:30. James was still sleeping, so I went to check on him. I found him awake in his bed, but lying very still. I laid down next to him and continued to worry about him. I started to doze a little when I heard a distinct voice (that sounded like Paul), calling my name. I woke up with a start and immediately felt like I should take James to the doctor. 

I decided to take him to the Phoenix Children's Urgent Care located in the East Valley to determine if he had swallowed something first before taking him to the Emergency Room. Since Paul was gone, I let Rebekah and Peter know of my plan - fed William really quickly, and tried to gather some needed items (including a container for him to throw up in - since he started throwing up again as soon as he sat up). Before loading James up, I took my things out to the van only to discover that the white van's battery was completely dead. I started to feel a bit frantic. I needed to take James to the doctor. So I knocked on Heather's door.

I was just going to ask her if I could borrow her van, but instead what came out was, "Would you drive me and James to the Urgent Care?" I'm so grateful for her willingness to take us, and even more grateful that I was able to sit in the back with James as he continued to throw up and dry heave. Trying to drive by myself and hear that behind me would have been miserable. We checked in at the Urgent Care and Heather offered to stay with me. Ever since Paul was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and I was completely alone when I was told by the doctor - I have been leery of seeking emergency medical care without the support of someone else. I was so grateful to have Heather there with me.

The X-rays were very clear that James had swallowed a coin. It was right by the junction of the esophagus and the trachea. The illustration below shows a tube going down the esophagus with the trachea above it to give an idea of where the coin was lodged. The doctors worried that if he got upset at all - or even possibly when he was throwing up, the coin could move into the trachea and prevent him from breathing. Because of this concern, they decided to have us ride in an ambulance (so he could be monitored) to the Phoenix Children's Hospital to have the coin removed.

I'm so grateful Heather was there, because my thoughts were so full of James, that I had completely forgotten that I had a nursing baby at home until Heather reminded me about William. I called Paul and his mother went to grab William, then both of his parents and Paul met us at the hospital while Heather headed home to help get the other children settled for the night. I had also called my neighbor, Leah, and asked her to go and let the kids know what was going on with James and check on them until more help arrived.

Riding in an ambulance has never been on my bucket list, but it was a very interesting experience. Because James was so little, they had me sit on the gurney, then hold him on my lap. Then they hooked him up to all of the monitors to make sure he was breathing well. Then they buckled us both on and rolled us out to the ambulance. James fell asleep in my arms on the way there. By this time it was about 8 PM - definitely past bedtime and he hadn't had any food since lunch.

Once at the hospital, I was able to nurse little William and he eventually fell asleep in his carseat. Paul and his dad gave James a blessing. I know that angels were with us, because both James and I felt so calm and peaceful. He was so quiet and uncharacteristically still. I believe he was blessed to feel so peaceful throughout to prevent the coin from doing any lasting damage. They had to do an IV for the fluids and anesthesia for the procedure. Even though they had to do it twice (the first time blew), he was still so calm. They were really wonderful at the Phoenix Children's Hospital. They explained what was going to happen and then helped distract him with a movie. They even brought him some new cars to play with. Everyone kept commenting how amazing he was.

I think James and I are similar in that when we are hurting, we go into deep meditation mode and move as little as possible, but I'm grateful that in this case it made things so much easier. It was also so sweet and comforting to me to be able to just hold him close for hours.

About 10:40 PM they took James back to the operating room to remove the coin. Another tender mercy - he didn't cry at all when the nurse took him from me. Literally 5 minutes later, the doctors came out to let us know that he was fine and that he had swallowed a quarter! It's hard to imagine how anyone could swallow a quarter, much less a two year old. They presented the quarter to us in a sterile cup. I'm pretty sure it's the most expensive coin we own:)

About twenty minutes after the procedure, we were able to go back and sit with him while he woke up. He was very tired (it was after 11 by this point), but he was so happy to finally be able to drink again. When the coin was stuck, they said no food or drink, because he was at risk for aspiration. I don't think he has every been so happy to have apple juice!

We made it home around 1 in the morning. We all crashed. This morning James has been happy and noisy and bouncy. It has been so good to see. I'm so grateful he is ok. I love him so much.