Parents do everything they can to keep their children safe and healthy, but a medical emergency can arise quickly and without warning.
Michelle is grateful that when her two-year-old son, Jonnie, suddenly had a seizure they were in the right place at the right time – HSC Children’s Hospital Emergency Department.
“I’m glad we were there when it happened, but I was scared and shocked. If it was going to happen anywhere that was the perfect place.”
In November of 2021 Jonnie had started feeling unwell and warm. He was sleeping next to Michelle when he developed a fever so high the heat from his skin woke her up. His temperature was 41˚ Celsius (105.8 ˚ F), so Michelle took him to Children’s Emergency.
Jonnie and Michelle were in the waiting room when Jonnie’s condition took another turn.
“All of a sudden he just starts to shake, and his body goes straight. I had never seen anyone have a seizure before and I was just shocked,” says Michelle. “I started saying help, help.”
Immediately a security guard contacted medical staff, and doctors and nurses responded. They carefully moved Jonnie to a private room and explained that he was having a febrile seizure because his fever spiked too high too fast.
“It’s scary as a parent seeing your child like that,” says Michelle. “Very calmly the doctor explained he’s fine, he’s having a seizure. We’re monitoring him, don’t worry.”
As Jonnie began getting his awareness back, the doctor sat with Michelle to answer any questions and comfort her and Jonnie after the terrifying experience.
“She was one of the best doctors I have ever seen. She had so much patience with me and she was great with Jonnie,” says Michelle. “It blew me away and just made me think I’m so glad she became a doctor. I will remember her for the rest of my life, that’s the kind of impact it made.”
Staff at HSC Children’s continued to monitor Jonnie until he was stable enough to return home. Michelle felt so thankful, she was inspired to donate to the Children’s Hospital Foundation as a way of sharing her gratitude.
“It just made me realize what a great resource the Children’s Hospital is,” says Michelle. “It’s always there for you and every time I’ve taken my kids it’s been great.”
Michelle and her husband, Brent, also have a daughter, Elizabeth, who is four years older than Jonnie and needed to go to HSC Children’s Emergency when she broke her ankle. The whole family is grateful they can always rely on excellent care.
“We need to think about how much good it does for all families, no matter where you’re from. From now on we will donate to the Children’s Hospital because it’s such a great service for us to have. Imagine if it wasn’t here for us, what would we do?”
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