Our worst fears became reality this morning, as Ella had her worse seizure yet. Yes, I am officially calling them seizures now. I am confident that’s what they were all along but didn’t want to use Dr. Google to diagnose them. Today I didn’t have to.

After Jack woke from his after bottle early morning snooze, we went into check on Ella. Strangely this morning she was still sleeping, so we left her to rest and I went in to change Jack’s diaper. I was heading downstairs when I heard Ella waking, or so I thought. I headed back up the stairs to see her.

When I got to her room, I immediately knew something was wrong. Ella was on her back, covered in vomit and she had spit coming out of her mouth. I tried to wake her up but each time she opened her eyes, they rolled up and closed again. I lifted her to sit, she fell back over. She was unresponsive.

I ran into the bedroom to wake Steve. He had just gotten home and settled into bed to get some sleep. He got up with the quickness and ran into Ella’s room to try and wake her. His efforts were unsuccessful. She was doing the exact same things for him that she did for me. Not long after Steve came in she started coughing, throwing up more, and shaking. At this point I went straight into freak out mode. Thank goodness my husband can remain calm in stressful situations because I went to a dark place. We rolled her on her side and agreed she needed medical attention.

I ended up talking to a friend who is a nurse very shortly after I found Ella unresponsive. I described her symptoms and she said it most definitely sounded like a seizure. What she was experiencing was the postictal phase. Come to find out that is the phase that comes after the actual seizure. It could last a short time or it could last a long time. All I know is that it was scary as hell. Because she was unable to sit up on her own, we decided to call 911.

The paramedics arrived in record time and agreed a seizure is what they thought it was. Ella was still was very unresponsive and a decision was made to bring her to a local pediatric hospital. We decided that Steve was going to ride in the ambulance with her. I was still a hot mess and needed to figure out what to do with the boys. His calmness would be better served at the hospital.

CJ was in the room with Jack the entire time this was going on. He kept hugging me and asking me if everything was going to be okay? At one point when Ella was on her side with her eyes closed, he asked me if she was still alive. After Steve left with Ella, CJ told me that we made the right decision in calling the ambulance.

Within minutes after Steve was gone, I was able to find someone to come watch the boys so I could go and meet them at the hospital. My amazing neighbors had seen the ambulance and texted me to offer support, prayers, and anything else I might need, including babysitting services. The few friends who I had contacted to tell also offered the same support. What incredibly kind people we know!

Once I was able to leave, I went straight to the hospital. Due to covid only one parent was allowed in the ER with Ella, so Steve stayed with her until she got settled. I sat in the parking lot with my mother-in-law waiting for updates and the all clear to switch places. Very shortly after Ella got there they did a CT scan, took blood and urine, and did a chest x-Ray to make sure she didn’t aspirate when she threw up on her back. All testing came back fine, not one issue was found.

That’s typical Ella. Everything comes back fine, only she isn’t fine. After talking with the doctor they told Steve they wanted to keep her there and do the twenty four hour EEG. We were totally on board and grateful to be having it done sooner. We just had to wait for a room to become available before they could hook her up. She was back to her normal smiley self about an hour after she arrived and had a true superhero nurse, Shannon, looking after her.

In the meantime, I had emailed Ella’s neurologist to fill her in on what was going on. She asked I give the attending doctor her number so she could call and consult with her. She did, and they made a plan. We were hopeful she would get a room and we could get some valuable information from the EEG. She also gave us her cell and told us to call anytime.

I was finally able to switch places with Steve and got to see my baby girl. She couldn’t have been happier. She was laughing, making noises, and making all kinds of friends with people who were coming in to check on her. We took selfies, ate some lunch, watched some tv, and when I crawled into bed with her she fell right asleep.

Steve and I switched back so I could come home to the boys. Steve’s used to being up nights so took that shift and I will take over in the morning. CJ asked to FaceTime Ella before bed and she was so thrilled to see him. I know that made him feel better. He’s still confused but we are talking about things and seeing firsthand she is okay, helps.

Currently, Steve is waiting for them to get Ella a room. After a three hour nap and some dinner, she is still wide awake. Tomorrow the plan is have the EEG and pray that we finally get some answers. For now, Steve was brought a stretcher to get some sleep , for what will hopefully be an uneventful night.

Ella continues to amaze us with her strength. Only once did she have a breakdown and that was when she was hungry. She handled everything else like a champ. I promise to update everyone tomorrow. We could definitely use some extra prayers tonight.

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