Emily was a reflux baby. Gosh, it was a miracle when she
wasn’t throwing up all over the place. By about 7 months, it had resolved
itself and thankfully we all moved on. From 8 months old, she developed this
constant running nose. She was one of those ‘snotty kids’. By 10 months old,
she could wipe her own nose with a tissue it was that bad. We thought about
buying shares in Kleenix! This runny nose coincided with her starting daycare.
After months and months of colds and ear infections that
simply would never go away, I was adamant that something was not right. Often
being fobbed off by doctors that is was ‘environmental’ due to daycare, I was
thinking I was becoming just another paranoid, over sensitive mum.
The biggest red flag for me was that she was always tired.
Emily was an awesome sleeper. She slept through the night – all night and took
very long naps during the day. I just couldn’t understand how on earth she was
constantly exhausted.
We finally got a referral to an ENT. During the appointment,
he was once again fobbing me off. He told me it would pass and to just accept
it. I felt frustrated and deflated. I wanted answers. He suggested if I really
wanted to, I could take her for an over-night sleep test. Would I, wouldn’t I?
Maybe it was all in my head.
Long story short, I did take her for that test and guess
what? She was diagnosed with ‘severe sleep apnoea’ and required surgery
immediately as the strain on her heart and body was immense – she could have
died. This is not the time I nearly lost her. The story continues.
So at 18months, Emily was booked in to have her tonsils and
adenoids removed and grommets inserted into her ears. There are always risks
when performing surgery on babies. We were told this but what choice did we
have?
The day Emily went into hospital, we were nervous but
relieved this problem was going to be sorted once and for all. Robert my
husband kissed her ‘good-bye’ as she went into theatre. We waited patiently for
her return.
The minutes were ticking by. No news. More minutes when by.
No news. We were starting to get worried. Finally she was out. Phew! I was
allowed to go into recovery to see her. There they told me that Emily had
stopped breathing in theatre but they got her back. This was not the time I
nearly lost her either.
Emily was starting to breath on her own so the nurses were
preparing to wheel her onto the ward. Then it happened. Emily stopped breathing
right before my eyes. Alarms, sirens, running, shouting – it IS just like the
movies. Here I was, watching my daughter die. Silence. Spinning. Was this
really happening?
A few minutes later – a lifetime for me, Emily started
breathing. This was the moment I nearly lost my daughter, my only daughter,
forever.
I don’t ever talk about this with friends and family. I don’t
feel I need to. Why am I sharing it with you? I learnt a valuable lesson, and I
want to tell every parent.
“You know
your child best. Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. If you truly believe something
is not right – find someone who will listen.”
Today Emily is a happy and healthy three year old. I am a
lucky mum to have her in my life. I am thankful for all the staff at Princess
Margaret Hospital. I am proud that I listened to my inner voice. I have a
wonderful husband who supported me through this. Life is good.
Take care and sleep well,
Janelle
