So I have been a "lurker" on this board for several months and this is my first post. I finished my first semester of my ADN program in May and will soon be starting my second semester. So in my opinion my nursing knowledge if very limited. Last night my 2 year old son started screaming about bees biting him, upon examination I find a sting on his finger and put ice on it, I then see him pulling at his ear and see another sting there, and then I see at least 4 more stings above his eye. He has had problems with food and seasonal allergies and this was the first time has been stung; I was worried about an anaphylactic reaction. All of the sudden his lip swelled really big! I freaked and called 911, as I was on the phone with the dispatcher I was able to determine that he must have been stung on the lip also, he had no symptoms of anaphylaxis. My neighbor is a volunteer responder with the squad and came running over, when she came in I just looked at her said, he is fine I overreacted. I am kind of embarrassed, although everyone who arrived told me not to be! My neighbor (the EMT) told me when she first saw his lip she thought he was having an anaphylactic reaction.
I know that I am just a student, but I feel like I should have known better and been able to stay calm enough to really assess the situation. I am very FORTUNATE that I was just overreacting and that he wasn’t having a bad reaction. I am just wondering if anyone else has panicked over their loved ones, and felt like this?
My little brother had a cold that he was taking a long time to recover from and my mom was going to take him to the doctor, but he didn't want to go. She decided it was no big deal. The next morning she found him semi-conscious and looking terrible. Instead of calling 911, she loaded him in the car and drove him to one of the smaller hospitals.
She should have called 911 and had him taken to the big hospital. She should have made a fuss and freaked out a lot sooner. Whether it would have saved him or not, I can't say, but she wouldn't be spending the rest of her life beating herself up and feeling like she killed her son.
I'm sure if you asked her, she'd tell you she'd much rather feel stupid for a little while than have to bury her 15-year-old.
I'm a nurse, my husband an EMT, we both "lose it" when a loved one is potentially really ill or injured. It's so different when it's your own.
My daughter often calls me with "new mom" advice with my grandson, I find I'm not nearly as secure with my answers as I would be if it was a stranger. I don't trust my judgment when it's my grandson.
I fell on the sidewalk the other day, I took a header. My hubby and I were walking along just fine, when suddenly I'm stumbling forward, and fell, striking my face on the concrete. It happened so fast. My hubby, the EMT FREAKED OUT! He imagined I had just knocked out all my front teeth, had his phone out ready to call 911! LOL There's not a mark on my face (how that happend I have no idea), but I did hurt my left knee enough to take me out of work for the remainder of this week (I'm on vacation next week). I "may" have torn or partially torn ligaments in my left knee (God, I hope not).
Anyhoooo, like another poster rightly pointed out, we are mothers, husbands, wives, daughters, etc..... first, nurses second.
You have only one semester of nursing under your belt, I have 16 years and my hubby has 26 as an EMT! So you reallllllllly shouldn't feel bad.
Just take care of your little boy, and don't sweat it.
Hands and Heart
217 Posts
I'm sorry for your loss.