Summer swallowed a Quarter

If you follow along on social media, you've probably already seen what happened last weekend. 

Literally, one of the scariest moments of my life. 

Of course it didn't start out that way. We had a great afternoon at a birthday party for a good friend at the pumpkin patch. At one point Summer ran up to me and showed me that she found a quarter in the bounce house, so exciting when you're 6! 

I never really thought another second about that quarter. My kids have been told not to put things in their mouth, they know not to ever put money in their mouth, nothing to be concerned about, right? 

That night I got Summer tucked into bed, we read a story like we do each night. I turned on her Stars, sound effects like every night before. And also like most nights she comes out to tell me something she forgot to earlier in the day. And she comes back to tell Zach or dad something, or she needs to go to the bathroom again.

Then after her remembering something she needed to tell me for the 3rd or 4th time I finally said, "Summer, it is bedtime. You need to stop talking and please go to sleep." Then that was when I heard her say the scariest words I've ever heard, "I accidentally swallowed a quarter."

I ran for her bedroom and could immediately tell she was struggling. She was breathing, her color was okay, but I could tell that it hurt. I yelled for Travis to call 911. As Travis was on the phone and they were explaining not to attempt getting it out, no patting her back, no food or drink. She was gagging and trying to throw up, but nothing was really happening.

Thankfully they were so fast. the firemen got to our house and after checking her over felt would could taker her ourselves to the hospital, but said they felt we should get it checked out to make sure it passed all the way through. 

We immediately left our house and headed for the ER. 

They wasted no time at all. We barely got checked in and they were taking her back for an xray to find out where that quarter was. Then we got back out to our seats and Travis says, "I heard them say 'it's in the esophagus'". Almost immediately they took us back to a room for a Dr to check her out and talk to us. 

While we were waiting she started getting sick. Unfortunately she threw up all down her pj bottoms into her slippers but the quarter stayed put. The Dr. came in and confirmed that the quarter was in fact in her esophagus and that they needed her to be taken to the children's hospital for it to be removed. 

We left within minutes and headed for Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. Again, everything moved fairly quick. They got us in a room within moments and explained what the process would be. 

The nurse came in to put an IV in Summer and that was interesting. They really made it a great experience for Summer (as great as it can be). And they explained what they would be doing to her, but then they had a tablet for her to play a game on while they put in the IV.  Then they had an issue finding her vein and had to switch arms but then they got it. 

She certainly doesn't look it, but she was really impressed that her thumb was glowing a bright red. 

Immediately after getting her IV in they wheeled her back where we talked with the Dr who was doing the procedure. The explained that they would use anesthesia for her to go to sleep. They would retract the quarter and once she was awake and stable we would be able to go home. The Dr. asked if we had any questions, and Summer speaks up to say, "Can I have my quarter please." 

They then took Travis and I to a room as they wheeled Summer off. It was just after midnight. We were exhausted, we were nervous. I felt so sick to my stomach and I couldn't wait for it to be over. Thankfully, within about 45 minutes the Dr. found us and took us to our sleepy girl. Within a few minutes, she was waking up, enjoying a popsicle and not long later she was ready to head home. 

This girl gave us quite the scare. Thankfully, everything went smooth. There was no damage to her throat and after a couple days with a sore throat this girl was back to good. 

A birthday party and an ambulance ride

This weekend was supposed to be all about Tyler, his third birthday and the pumpkin patch.

We were off to a good start. Saturday morning I finished preparing the house and food and finished shortly before people started showing up.

Tyler had a great Monkey themed birthday party. I wish I could say that I took lots of pictures of the cool food and the decorations I made, but it didn't happen. But I did a veggie tray using peppers to hold the ranch dip, we made banana splits in lieu of a cake, and had streamers and monkeys flying all over the dining room.

Tyler opened presents and got a ton of really cool things. He got lots of clothes and warm snuggly pajamas, paint sets, a stuffed dragon, lots of toys, pretend food and a BBQ grill. Tyler was one happy boy!

He was a little shy come time to sing Happy Birthday though. And we all got the "side eye"

After several hours of fun and visiting the last of our family and friends headed out. Travis suggested that we go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and since it was almost 6, and about an hour drive to get there, I said we'd better leave now. With our house a total disaster we filed out (after putting away only the things that needed refrigeration) and headed to dinner. We stuffed ourselves with rolls, blooming onion, salad and chicken strips (ribs for Zach). And it was delicious!

We got home about 930 and got this kids straight to bed and we followed right behind. I was exhausted from a long day and was looking forward to my head hitting my pillow! I still had a disastrous house, and Travis said to leave it and we'll take care of it first thing in the morning.

I woke up a couple of times through out the night to feed Summer, the last of which about 5:45-6 am, then headed right back to bed. I then woke again right about 6:30 with a terrible pain in my stomach. At first I thought maybe I needed to go to the bathroom. I tried, with no luck. I got a glass of water, I ate some tums, tried to use the bathroom again, nothing was helping. I can handle pain pretty well and I'd never felt something this bad. I really felt like something was wrong. I woke Travis up and told him how bad I was feeling, and he suggested to get a glass of milk. I did and it still didn't help. I tried to make myself throw up but couldn't. I finally said to him,

Me: You need to call 911
Travis:  Do you want me to take you to the Dr?
Me: I NEED YOU TO CALL 911!

And he did.

I called my mom and real quick told her to please come over. And Travis called my friend, who thank goodness lives right across the street, so she could stay with the kids until my mom got to our house.

I was finally able to throw up and didn't feel the relief I was hoping for. But then the paramedics got there, took my vitals and whisked me off. The paramedic let me know he thought I was having a Eptopic pregnancy. And at one point he mentioned my gall bladder. Of course, I was hoping for gall bladder.

We got to the hospital where they did an ultrasound and saw that I indeed had a gall stone.

And that was that. They really acted as if it were no big deal, that I should schedule to have my gall bladder removed if it happened again, and see ya later.


Luckily I got to come home to a cleaned up house, thanks to my mom, sister and nieces. I laid down on the couch to rest and Travis did a bit more cleaning and got chicken noodle soup in the crockpot.

It wasn't exactly the weekend I had envisions but I am thankful to my friends and family for giving Tyler a wonderful birthday party, and being there for me!

And don't forget that tomorrow is Tuesday Top 10! I hope you'll come back to link up your Top 10 favorite Products!