Today, I’m thankful that an accident at Thanksgiving didn’t cost me my son’s life.
I am thankful to Pfizer, who makes the EpiPen–an auto-injector that may be responsible for the positive outcome of yesterday.
I am thankful that my husband remained cool enough under fire and was brave enough to administer my son’s EpiPen while I was calling 911.
I am thankful for emergency responders who answered the line promptly, and paramedics who arrived quickly.
I am thankful that “Spanky” and the other paramedic were kind enough to help us keep my son calm by telling him stories and showing him tattooed hand-prints of their own children.
That they pulled the ambulance over when another car cut me off so I wouldn’t get separated from them driving on the way to an unfamiliar hospital.
That they gave him a bear he clung to the whole ride there and the whole time we were in the hospital.
I’m thankful to Tim Hortons (even though I’ve griped from time to time about people filling their drive-throughs to the point where they block lanes on the street) because of the amount that they give back to the community. They have camps for needy kids. They sponsored most of the uniforms in my son’s soccer league (the same league here in Hamilton where the manager was charged with fraud). They sponsored all of my son’s hockey league’s uniforms, too, last year–and probably will again this year.
Tim Teddy, sitting upper right, is the stuffed animal the paramedics gave my son. He’s yet another service given back to the community from Tim Hortons.
I’m thankful to the on-call doctors and nurses of the Fergus hospital for doing what they do, and being patient with a little boy.
To my husband’s cousin, who brought us my son’s other teddy bear, Fozzie (but recently and temporarily renamed Hobbes), on her way back to London after my son said he missed him.
For Shoppers Drug mart being open til midnight the day before the Thanksgiving holiday so that we could buy two more EpiPens and the oral steroids that the doctor prescribed, hoping they would stave off a secondary reaction.
For everyone who gave us a helping hand yesterday that I might have missed.
And I’m grateful beyond belief that I have a son who’s a gentle spirit and wiser than his years. One who came and told us right away when he was having a reaction. And one who told my husband, “daddy, there’s nothing to forgive,” when my husband apologized for hurting him with the EpiPen.
Phoebe says
Sending you all much Love and Peace.
Food Retro says
Thank you, Phoebe.
Jennifer M says
Wow Anne, what an experience. I love how you can see the positive in a very frightening and serious situation.
Food Retro says
Thanks, I try to keep some semblance of balance! If only for my own sanity… 🙂
Marya says
What a nightmare. So glad to hear everyone’s okay. I can’t even imagine. 🙂 Hugs!!!
Food Retro says
Thanks Marya!
Kim says
So glad that your son is ok! You have a way with taking a negative experience and putting a positive light on it 🙂
Food Retro says
Thank you Kim. He’s trouping aIong. We’ve past the most likely chances for a secondary reaction, and he’s hanging in there and feels much better.
Courtney says
Wow. This must have been absolutely terrifying for you. You and your family are in my thoughts. Sending big hugs.
Food Retro says
Let’s just say it’s an experience I would rather not repeat. Ever. Thanks Courtney!
Jessica @ Just a Mum? says
Anne, I can only imagine what you all went through. I’m so glad everything turned out well.
Food Retro says
Lots of stress. But we’re all on the other side of this. Fingers crossed. Thank you for your kind wishes.
Tara @ Don't Lick the Deck says
Oh Anne!!! That must have been terrifying! Maggie had to go by ambulance from therapy once after she had an injection and I’m still so grateful to the people that kept her safe and calm. How is he feeling now? That last paragraph made me cry – what a special boy! Hugs to you my friend, and let me know if you need anything!
Food Retro says
It was. I’m trying not to dwell on it. I thought I was going to implode the whole time we were waiting until he started acting more like himself again. Right now he’s feeling like his normal self, and I’m grateful he’s rebounded so quickly and taken the higher view on the whole experience. We’re all OK now. Thanks. 🙂
Lisa of Canadian Expat Mom says
Oh Anne! How incredibly scarey that must have been for you all!! I can’t even imagine! So glad that everything turned out well. Sending big hugs and love to all of you! Thinking of you!!
Food Retro says
Thanks, babes!
Paula H says
omg ! The worst nightmare of every parent of a child with food allergies! I’m so glad he is okay and it seemed everyone and thing was in place for you during this scary situation! Reading this made me look to make sure my sons epi pen was where we put it. Just. In. Case! Hugs momma!
Food Retro says
And never leave it behind! I don’t even want to imagine what would have happened if we hadn’t had his epipen with us.
Holly @ The Inspired Home says
I am profoundly grateful you shared with us, after a long vigil. Hoping you have a quiet Thanksgiving today. Hugs.
Food Retro says
Thanks gal. I did. We had lots of down time to snuggle in.
Kelly L McKenzie says
Oh my what a night. Brings a whole new meaning to Thanksgiving, no? Your little man is a real trooper – what a gem of a comment to your husband. Jumbo hugs to you all.
Food Retro says
He’s a little old wise man. I’m sorry he’s had to grow up in some ways so fast, but in a way I’m glad he has. Thanks for your kind words!
Stacey P says
Wow, what an ordeal. So much to be thankful for. Thank you Anne for sharing a such a scary experience. It helps keep our own experiences in perspective and reminds us what we truly should be thankful for.
Food Retro says
Definitely! I hope everything is going well with your son, too. You definitely have your own set of challenges to work with.
Sarah (est. 1975) says
I am so glad and relieved that everyone is healthy and well. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your whole family. <3
Food Retro says
Thank you babes. *mwah*
Suzanne Rudge (MapleMouseMama) says
I am wiping away the tears now.. Thank God for your son’s bravery and bless his heart for those words that must have just wrecked your hubby. Wow Anne, is he truly okay now? How terrified you must have been. I want to add in a thank you if that is okay.. Thank goodness for parents who care enough to have that Epi on hand and react immediately when a reaction happens. And parents who trust their son so they take him seriously and not ignore what could be a horrible situation. So many kids don’t have Epi’s because their food allergy is not considered serious, as I know you know. Your son, God bless him, is prepared because you guys are. Hugs to you all and prayers this never, ever happens again. <3 <3 <3
Suz
Food Retro says
He’s OK right now. We’re running a course of oral steroids and antihistamines to reduce the risk of a secondary reaction, but the ER doctor said it could happen as long as a week later. For now, we’re being vigilant. I am truly lucky I have such a smart little dude… it will help protect his life.
Nikki says
Thank you for sharing all of this, I’m so glad that it all turned out okay. There are some truly amazing, giving people in this world and sometimes it takes horrible, scary situations to realize just how much of themselves they give to other people. They really are heroes. Hope everyone is well. 🙂
Food Retro says
You’re right, Nikki! Everyone’s doing OK. He’s totally excited cause we promised him a reward for sticking through the week taking all his yucky medicines without a fuss. One day to go 😉
Crystal @ Sew Creative says
Wow! Oh my goodness Anne. How scary. Yes, that is a lot to be thankful for. Glad he is ok.
Sarah at Journeys of The Zoo says
I’m tearing up just reading this and am so thankful that this story had a happy ending.
Thanks to all the companies and people that make our daily lives better.
Besos, Sarah