Friday night my 17-year-old twin son Michael Josef wasn’t feeling good after we went to see Jurassic World. I wasn’t feeling great either. My 12-year-old son had talked us into purchasing the D-box seats for this particular showing of the new dinosaur hit movie; D-box seats move during intense scenes of the film and it was just too much for me. Though you were able to turn the seats off, it still was unnerving.
As we were driving home, Mickael Josef asked if we could stop by Safeway for him to take his blood pressure. I said sure, and asked him what was going on. I thought it was like me, that he was affected by the movie.
When the blood pressure reading said Micki’s was elevated and mine was normal, a red flag came up for me. We went home and helped settle his racing heart down.
The next day, though I was feeling better, Micki was still not himself.
“My chest hurts and my heart hurts,” he told me. Then he asked, “Mom, can we go to the doctor?”
My kids do not ask to go to the doctor very often so I said yes, I will call around.
It was Saturday morning, which means it is hard to find a doctor in the office for longer than a few morning hours. Our pediatrician was indeed already gone for the day.
Micki still wanted to go see a doctor. His friend had recently had a scare with a collapsed lung, and Micki just didn’t want to risk. I agree.
The Urgent Care Center took us right away; they did an EKG and a chest X-ray. When they said Micki’s ECG was “abonormal,” I grew very concerned. The physician’s assistant on call they sent him to the hospital to see what might be going on, and to rule out anything serious.
When we arrived at the emergency room at Willamette Falls, they took my son right away, which is typical for anyone with chest or heart pain.
Once we got to Micki’s room, I texted my husband Chris who was home with our 12-year-old Augustin. I also let twin brother Wesley know, telling them to get here as soon as possible.
“Why?” was the text response I got back from Augustin.
Because, that’s what you do. You take care of your own. You visit your family in the hospital. You send Get-Well cards. You call when you know your family member is not feeling good.
As a parent, you need model that to your children, by doing just that; and making sure that siblings know and that they too are present as well.
It’s what you do.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”- Matt. 25:40
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Lorie- thanks for writing and wow you have been through so much. So sorry. Regarding Micki, they are not sure what happened, but as you said, we were better to be safe. Micki felt he needed to go in and I try to listen to my kids. Thank you for your kind words here and for reading.
Lorie- thanks for writing and wow you have been through so much. So sorry. Regarding Micki, they are not sure what happened, but as you said, we were better to be safe. Micki felt he needed to go in and I try to listen to my kids. Thank you for your kind words here and for reading.
Was it a panic attack? I have those and they are very frightening and very real. PTSD for me as well as anxiety. Hope all is well soon. Casey had full blown congestive heart failure at age seven. Again, 10 years old. Never second guess chest or breathing difficulties you are an awesome mother and person.
Godspeed, Lorie
Was it a panic attack? I have those and they are very frightening and very real. PTSD for me as well as anxiety. Hope all is well soon. Casey had full blown congestive heart failure at age seven. Again, 10 years old. Never second guess chest or breathing difficulties you are an awesome mother and person.
Godspeed, Lorie
Thanks Megan- we are too. Always better to be sure.
Thanks Megan- we are too. Always better to be sure.
So happy he was ok Cornelia.
So happy he was ok Cornelia.
Karen-Yeah, it was a wild day and it has been quite the year. With Micki, he will be just fine. But, we are so thankful we have the ability to go to the doctor to be sure.
Karen-Yeah, it was a wild day and it has been quite the year. With Micki, he will be just fine. But, we are so thankful we have the ability to go to the doctor to be sure.
Oh, goodness, honey. I hope everything is okay. What a time your family has had. Prayers for well-being.